The Priestly Garments

39 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn^(A) they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary.^(B) They also made sacred garments^(C) for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Ephod^(D)

² They^[a] made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. ³ They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. ⁴ They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. ⁵ Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.

⁶ They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. ⁷ Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial^(E) stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Breastpiece^(F)

⁸ They fashioned the breastpiece^(G)—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. ⁹ It was square—a span^[b] long and a span wide—and folded double. ¹⁰ Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; ¹¹ the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; ¹² the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; ¹³ the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper.^[c] They were mounted in gold filigree settings. ¹⁴ There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.^(H)

¹⁵ For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. ¹⁶ They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece. ¹⁷ They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, ¹⁸ and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. ¹⁹ They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. ²⁰ Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. ²¹ They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.

Other Priestly Garments^(I)

²² They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— ²³ with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar,^[d] and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear. ²⁴ They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe. ²⁵ And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. ²⁶ The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.

²⁷ For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen^(J)—the work of a weaver— ²⁸ and the turban^(K) of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen. ²⁹ The sash was made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.

³⁰ They made the plate, the sacred emblem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.^{(L) 31} Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban,^(M) as the Lord commanded Moses.

Moses Inspects the Tabernacle^(N)

³² So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.^{(O) 33} Then they brought the tabernacle^(P) to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; ³⁴ the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather^[e] and the shielding curtain; ³⁵ the ark of the covenant law^(Q) with its poles and the atonement cover; ³⁶ the table^(R) with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;^{(S) 37} the pure gold lampstand^(T) with its row of lamps and all its accessories,^(U) and the olive oil^(V) for the light; ³⁸ the gold altar,^(W) the anointing oil,^(X) the fragrant incense,^(Y) and the curtain^(Z) for the entrance to the tent; ³⁹ the bronze altar^(AA) with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin^(AB) with its stand; ⁴⁰ the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;^(AC) the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; ⁴¹ and the woven garments^(AD) worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.

⁴² The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.^{(AE) 43} Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.^(AF) So Moses blessed^(AG) them.

Setting Up the Tabernacle

40 Then the Lord said to Moses: ² “Set up^(AH) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,^(AI) on the first day of the first month.^{(AJ) 3} Place the ark^(AK) of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. ⁴ Bring in the table^(AL) and set out what belongs on it.^(AM) Then bring in the lampstand^(AN) and set up its lamps. ⁵ Place the gold altar^(AO) of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

⁶ “Place the altar^(AP) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; ⁷ place the basin^(AQ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. ⁸ Set up the courtyard^(AR) around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

⁹ “Take the anointing oil and anoint^(AS) the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,^(AT) and it will be holy. ¹⁰ Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate^(AU) the altar, and it will be most holy. ¹¹ Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.

¹² “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting^(AV) and wash them with water.^{(AW) 13} Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,^(AX) anoint him and consecrate^(AY) him so he may serve me as priest. ¹⁴ Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.^{(AZ) 15} Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.^(BA)” ¹⁶ Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded^(BB) him.

¹⁷ So the tabernacle^(BC) was set up on the first day of the first month^(BD) in the second year. ¹⁸ When Moses^(BE) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,^(BF) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. ¹⁹ Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering^(BG) over the tent, as the Lord commanded^(BH) him.

²⁰ He took the tablets of the covenant law^(BI) and placed them in the ark,^(BJ) attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover^(BK) over it. ²¹ Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain^(BL) and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the Lord commanded^(BM) him.

²² Moses placed the table^(BN) in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain ²³ and set out the bread^(BO) on it before the Lord, as the Lord commanded^(BP) him.

²⁴ He placed the lampstand^(BQ) in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle ²⁵ and set up the lamps^(BR) before the Lord, as the Lord commanded^(BS) him.

²⁶ Moses placed the gold altar^(BT) in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain ²⁷ and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord commanded^(BU) him.

²⁸ Then he put up the curtain^(BV) at the entrance to the tabernacle. ²⁹ He set the altar^(BW) of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings,^(BX) as the Lord commanded^(BY) him.

³⁰ He placed the basin^(BZ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, ³¹ and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash^(CA) their hands and feet. ³² They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,^(CB) as the Lord commanded^(CC) Moses.

³³ Then Moses set up the courtyard^(CD) around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain^(CE) at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

The Glory of the Lord

³⁴ Then the cloud^(CF) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory^(CG) of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory^(CH) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.^(CI)

³⁶ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;^{(CJ) 37} but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. ³⁸ So the cloud^(CK) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Introduction^(A)

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled^[a] among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first^(B) were eyewitnesses^(C) and servants of the word.^{(D) 3} With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account^(E) for you, most excellent^(F) Theophilus,^{(G) 4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.^(H)

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea^(I) there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;^(J) his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.^{(K) 7} But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

⁸ Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,^{(L) 9} he was chosen by lot,^(M) according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.^{(N) 10} And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.^(O)

¹¹ Then an angel^(P) of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.^{(Q) 12} When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.^{(R) 13} But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,^(S) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.^{(T) 14} He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,^{(U) 15} for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,^(V) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(W) even before he is born.^{(X) 16} He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord,^(Y) in the spirit and power of Elijah,^(Z) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children^(AA) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”^(AB)

¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?^(AC) I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”^(AD)

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.^(AE) I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak^(AF) until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²² When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs^(AG) to them but remained unable to speak.

²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace^(AH) among the people.”

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel^(AI) to Nazareth,^(AJ) a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,^(AK) a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid,^(AL) Mary; you have found favor with God.^{(AM) 31} You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.^{(AN) 32} He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.^(AO) The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,^{(AP) 33} and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom^(AQ) will never end.”^(AR)

³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,^(AS) and the power of the Most High^(AT) will overshadow you. So the holy one^(AU) to be born will be called^[b] the Son of God.^{(AV) 36} Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child^(AW) in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”^(AX)

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,^{(AY) 40} where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.^{(AZ) 42} In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,^(BA) and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord^(BB) should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song^(BC)

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

The Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise^(BQ) the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ⁶⁰ but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”^(BR)

⁶¹ They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

⁶² Then they made signs^(BS) to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. ⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”^{(BT) 64} Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak,^(BU) praising God. ⁶⁵ All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea^(BV) people were talking about all these things. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.^(BW)

Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit^(BX) and prophesied:^(BY)

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit^[d];^(CR) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.