The Cloud Above the Tabernacle

¹⁵ On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law,^(A) was set up,^(B) the cloud^(C) covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.^{(D) 16} That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.^{(E) 17} Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out;^(F) wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.^{(G) 18} At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained^(H) in camp. ¹⁹ When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order^(I) and did not set out.^{(J) 20} Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. ²² Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. ²³ At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord said to Moses: ² “Make two trumpets^(K) of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community^(L) together and for having the camps set out.^{(M) 3} When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁴ If only one is sounded, the leaders^(N)—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. ⁵ When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.^{(O) 6} At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out.^(P) The blast will be the signal for setting out. ⁷ To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets,^(Q) but not with the signal for setting out.^(R)

⁸ “The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come.^{(S) 9} When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you,^(T) sound a blast on the trumpets.^(U) Then you will be remembered^(V) by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.^{(W) 10} Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts^(X)—you are to sound the trumpets^(Y) over your burnt offerings^(Z) and fellowship offerings,^(AA) and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.^(AB)”

Whose Son Is the Messiah?^(A)(B)

³⁵ While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts,^(C) he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?^{(D) 36} David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit,^(E) declared:

³⁷ David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd^(G) listened to him with delight.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

³⁸ As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, ³⁹ and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.^{(H) 40} They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering^(I)

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put^(J) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”^(K)