And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.
the Levites that are gone away far from me ... they shall even bear (namely, the punishment of) their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary. So Mark, a Levite, nephew of Barnabas ( Acts 4:36), was punished by Paul for departing at Perga from Paul and Barnabas in their missionary tour among the Gentiles, and thereby losing an opportunity of bearing the cross of Christ in the face of the Jewish opponents to the admission of Gentiles, and yet was afterward admitted into his friendship again, and showed his zeal (Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37; as is shown by Paul's favourable notices of him subsequently, Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). One may be a believer, and that too in a distinguished place, and yet lose some special honour-be acknowledged as pious, yet be excluded from some dignity (Bengel).
Having charge at the gates. Better to be "a doorkeeper in the house, of God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalms 84:10). Though standing as a mere doorkeeper, it is in the house of God, which hath foundations; whereas he who dwells with the wicked dwells in but shifting tents.