The Ransom Money

11 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 12 (A)“When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give (B)a[a] ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, that there may be no (C)plague among them when you number them. 13 (D)This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (E)(a shekel is twenty gerahs). (F)The half-shekel shall be an offering to the Lord. 14 Everyone included among those who are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an [b]offering to the Lord. 15 The (G)rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering to the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves. 16 And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and (H)shall [c]appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be (I)a memorial for the children of Israel before the Lord, to make atonement for yourselves.”

The Bronze Laver

17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 18 (J)“You shall also make a [d]laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall (K)put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, 19 for Aaron and his sons (L)shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. 20 When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die. 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And (M)it shall be a [e]statute forever to them—to him and his descendants throughout their generations.”

The Holy Anointing Oil(N)

22 Moreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Also take for yourself (O)quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid (P)myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling (Q)cane, 24 five hundred shekels of (R)cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a (S)hin of olive oil. 25 And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be (T)a holy anointing oil. 26 (U)With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony; 27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense; 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; (V)whatever touches them must be holy. 30 (W)And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.

31 “And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on man’s flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. (X)It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. 33 (Y)Whoever [f]compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on an outsider, (Z)shall be [g]cut off from his people.’ ”

The Incense(AA)

34 And the Lord said to Moses: (AB)“Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each. 35 You shall make of these an incense, a compound (AC)according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. 36 And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some of it before the Testimony in the tabernacle of meeting (AD)where I will meet with you. (AE)It shall be most holy to you. 37 But as for the incense which you shall make, (AF)you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its [h]composition. It shall be to you holy for the Lord. 38 (AG)Whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people.”

Artisans for Building the Tabernacle(AH)

31 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: (AI)“See, I have called by name Bezalel the (AJ)son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have (AK)filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

“And I, indeed I, have appointed with him (AL)Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the (AM)gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: (AN)the tabernacle of meeting, (AO)the ark of the Testimony and (AP)the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle— (AQ)the table and its utensils, (AR)the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, (AS)the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and (AT)the laver and its base— 10 (AU)the [i]garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, 11 (AV)and the anointing oil and (AW)sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”

The Sabbath Law

12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: (AX)‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who (AY)sanctifies[j] you. 14 (AZ)You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who [k]profanes it shall surely be put to death; for (BA)whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for (BB)six days, but the (BC)seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is (BD)a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for (BE)in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ”

18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses (BF)two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 30:12 the price of a life
  2. Exodus 30:14 contribution
  3. Exodus 30:16 give
  4. Exodus 30:18 basin
  5. Exodus 30:21 requirement
  6. Exodus 30:33 mixes
  7. Exodus 30:33 Put to death
  8. Exodus 30:37 Lit. proportion
  9. Exodus 31:10 Or woven garments
  10. Exodus 31:13 consecrates
  11. Exodus 31:14 defiles

Atonement Money

11 Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “When you take a census(A) of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom(B) for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague(C) will come on them when you number them. 13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,[a] according to the sanctuary shekel,(D) which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. 14 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more,(E) are to give an offering to the Lord. 15 The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less(F) when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. 16 Receive the atonement(G) money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.(H) It will be a memorial(I) for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

Basin for Washing

17 Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze basin,(J) with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet(K) with water(L) from it. 20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die.(M) Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, 21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance(N) for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”(O)

Anointing Oil

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices:(P) 500 shekels[b] of liquid myrrh,(Q) half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon,(R) 250 shekels[c] of fragrant calamus,(S) 24 500 shekels(T) of cassia(U)—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin[d] of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer.(V) It will be the sacred anointing oil.(W) 26 Then use it to anoint(X) the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them(Y) so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.(Z)

30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate(AA) them so they may serve me as priests.(AB) 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil(AC) for the generations to come.(AD) 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.(AE) 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off(AF) from their people.’”

Incense

34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices(AG)—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense,(AH) the work of a perfumer.(AI) It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet(AJ) with you. It shall be most holy(AK) to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy(AL) to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off(AM) from their people.”

Bezalel and Oholiab(AN)

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel(AO) son of Uri, the son of Hur,(AP) of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge(AQ) and with all kinds of skills(AR) to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab(AS) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan,(AT) to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers(AU) to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting,(AV) the ark of the covenant law(AW) with the atonement cover(AX) on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table(AY) and its articles, the pure gold lampstand(AZ) and all its accessories, the altar of incense,(BA) the altar of burnt offering(BB) and all its utensils, the basin(BC) with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments(BD), both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil(BE) and fragrant incense(BF) for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded(BG) you.”

The Sabbath

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths.(BH) This will be a sign(BI) between me and you for the generations to come,(BJ) so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.(BK)

14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death;(BL) those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work(BM) is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest,(BN) holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath,(BO) celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign(BP) between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.(BQ)’”(BR)

18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai,(BS) he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone(BT) inscribed by the finger of God.(BU)

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 30:13 That is, about 1/5 ounce or about 5.8 grams; also in verse 15
  2. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 12 1/2 pounds or about 5.8 kilograms; also in verse 24
  3. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 6 1/4 pounds or about 2.9 kilograms
  4. Exodus 30:24 That is, probably about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane(A)

47 And (B)while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” (C)and kissed Him.

50 But Jesus said to him, (D)“Friend, why have you come?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51 And suddenly, (E)one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, (F)for all who take the sword will [a]perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with (G)more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, (H)that it must happen thus?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this was done that the (I)Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Then (J)all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin(K)

57 (L)And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But (M)Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, [b]the elders, and all the council sought (N)false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 [c]but found none. Even though (O)many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last (P)two [d]false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, (Q)‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”

62 (R)And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But (S)Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, (T)“I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

64 Jesus said to him, It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, (U)hereafter you will see the Son of Man (V)sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 (W)Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His (X)blasphemy! 66 What do you think?”

They answered and said, (Y)“He is deserving of death.”

67 (Z)Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and (AA)others struck Him with [e]the palms of their hands, 68 saying, (AB)“Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:52 M die
  2. Matthew 26:59 NU omits the elders
  3. Matthew 26:60 NU but found none, even though many false witnesses came forward.
  4. Matthew 26:60 NU omits false witnesses
  5. Matthew 26:67 Or rods,

Jesus Arrested(A)

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,(B) one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”(C) and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[a](D)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,(E) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.(F)

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.(G) 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?(H) 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled(I) that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,(J) and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”(K) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(L)

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas(M) the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.(N) He entered and sat down with the guards(O) to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(P) were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses(Q) came forward.

Finally two(R) came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”(S)

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.(T)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath(U) by the living God:(V) Tell us if you are the Messiah,(W) the Son of God.”(X)

64 “You have said so,”(Y) Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One(Z) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[b](AA)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes(AB) and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,”(AC) they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.(AD) Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”(AE)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”
  2. Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.

The Joy of Forgiveness

A Psalm of David. A [a]Contemplation.

32 Blessed is he whose (A)transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord (B)does not [b]impute iniquity,
And (C)in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your (D)hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
(E)I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

(F)For this cause everyone who is godly shall (G)pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
(H)You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with (I)songs of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the (J)horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.

10 (K)Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But (L)he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
11 (M)Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Heb. Maschil
  2. Psalm 32:2 charge his account with

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 (A)When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When (B)He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 (C)Then I was beside Him as [a]a master craftsman;
(D)And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And (E)my delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For (F)blessed are those who keep my ways.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:30 A Jewish tradition one brought up

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(A)
    when he marked out the horizon(B) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(C)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(D)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(E)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,(F)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(G)
30     Then I was constantly[a] at his side.(H)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.(I)

32 “Now then, my children, listen(J) to me;
    blessed are(K) those who keep my ways.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child