²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

²⁵ Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day^(A) periods.

⁵ He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath^(A)—a third of you guarding the royal palace,^{(B) 6} a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— ⁷ and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king.