²⁴ The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. ²⁵ At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle^(A) and tent, its coverings,^(B) the curtain at the entrance^(C) to the tent of meeting,^{(D) 26} the curtains of the courtyard^(E), the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar,^(F) and the ropes^(G)—and everything^(H) related to their use.

²⁷ To Kohath^(I) belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites;^(J) these were the Kohathite^(K) clans. ²⁸ The number of all the males a month old or more^(L) was 8,600.^[a] The Kohathites were responsible^(M) for the care of the sanctuary.^{(N) 29} The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side^(O) of the tabernacle. ³⁰ The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan^(P) son of Uzziel. ³¹ They were responsible for the care of the ark,^(Q) the table,^(R) the lampstand,^(S) the altars,^(T) the articles^(U) of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain,^(V) and everything related to their use.^{(W) 32} The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar^(X) son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible^(Y) for the care of the sanctuary.^(Z)

³³ To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites;^(AA) these were the Merarite clans.^{(AB) 34} The number of all the males a month old or more^(AC) who were counted was 6,200. ³⁵ The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.^{(AD) 36} The Merarites were appointed^(AE) to take care of the frames of the tabernacle,^(AF) its crossbars,^(AG) posts,^(AH) bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use,^{(AI) 37} as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard^(AJ) with their bases, tent pegs^(AK) and ropes.

³⁸ Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east^(AL) of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting.^(AM) They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary^(AN) on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.^(AO)

³⁹ The total number of Levites counted^(AP) at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.^(AQ)

Caleb Son of Hezron

Jerahmeel Son of Hezron

A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre

28 The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man^(A), say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

⁶ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

ב Beth

The Parable of the Great Banquet^(A)

¹⁵ When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast^(B) in the kingdom of God.”^(C)

¹⁶ Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. ¹⁷ At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

¹⁸ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

¹⁹ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

²⁰ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

²¹ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’^(D)

²² “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

²³ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. ²⁴ I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”^(E)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(A) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(B) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(C) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(D) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(E) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(F) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(G) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(H)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(I) Who cut in on you^(J) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(K) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(L) 10} I am confident^(M) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(N) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(O) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(P) In that case the offense^(Q) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(R) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(S) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(T) rather, serve one another^(U) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b](V) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.