They: the Hebrew shifts from the singular to the plural pronoun at this point. This may be handled as in Good News Translation by changing from “any priest” (verse 6) to “All priests” here.

My charge: this is a somewhat technical word referring to the ceremonial duties required of the priests and Levites. It may be translated by a longer phrase like “the things that I [the LORD] have told them to do” or “the instructions I have given them.” Moffatt translates “observe my order of service.”

Lest they bear sin: the expression bear sin really means to “be guilty” or “bear responsibility.” In some languages it will be more natural to communicate the meaning of this whole phrase by beginning a new sentence as in Good News Translation.

Profane: see 18.21.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .