They reached [the area] between the Antechamber and the Altar; one [Kohen] took the “shovel” and threw it between the Antechamber and the Altar.  A person could not hear the voice of his fellow in Jerusalem due to the sound of the “shovel.” And [the sound] served three purposes: A Kohen who heard its sound would know that his brethren, the Kohanim, would be entering [the Heichal] to prostrate themselves, and he would run and come. And a Levi who heard its sound would know that his brethren, the Leviim, would be entering [the Courtyard] to chant the song, and he would run and come. And the head of the maamad would post the tamei [Kohanim] at the eastern gateway [to the Temple Mount].

They began ascending the steps of the Antechamber. [The two Kohanim] who won the privileges of clearing the ash from the Inner Altar and from the Menorah would go ahead of them: [The Kohen] who won the privilege of clearing the ash from the Inner Altar entered [the Heichal] and took the basket, and prostrated himself and exited. [The Kohen] who won the privilege of clearing the ash from the Menorah entered [the Heichal] and [if] he found the two easternmost lamps burning, he would clear the ash of the eastern [lamp], and [would] leave the western [lamp] burning, because from it [the Kohen] would kindle the [other lamps of the] Menorah in the evening. [If] he found that [the western lamp] went out, he would clear its ash and light it from the [fire of the] Olah Altar. He took the jug from the second step, and prostrated himself and exited.