Leviticus 21:1-8

Rules for Priests 1The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die, 2except for a close relative, such as his mother or father, his son or daughter, his brother, 3or an unmarried sister who is dependent on him since she has no husband—for her he may make himself unclean.

4He must not make himself unclean for people related to him by marriage, Or unclean as a leader among his people and so defile himself. 5“ ‘Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies.

6They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the food offerings to the LORD, the food of their God, they are to be holy. 7“ ‘They must not marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced from their husbands, because priests are holy to their God.

8Regard them as holy, because they offer up the food of your God. Consider them holy, because I the LORD am holy—I who make you holy.