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Exodus 28-31
New Life Version

Clothes for Religious Leaders

28 “Take from among the people of Israel your brother Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, to work for Me as religious leaders. 2 Make holy clothing for your brother Aaron, for honor and for beauty. 3 Tell all the able workmen, whom I have given the spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s clothing to set him apart for My work. He will work for Me as a religious leader. 4 These are the clothes they will make: A breast-piece, a linen vest, a long piece of clothing, a long coat, a head-covering, and a wide belt. They will make holy clothing for your brother Aaron and his sons to work for Me as religious leaders. 5 They will use gold and blue and purple and red cloth and fine linen.

The Linen Vest

6 “They will use gold and blue, purple and red cloth and fine linen to make the linen vest that holds the breast-piece. It will be the work of the able workman. 7 It will have two shoulder pieces to join it at the two ends. 8 The well-made belt on it will be made of the same gold and blue, purple and red cloth and fine linen. 9 Take two onyx stones and cut on them the names of Israel’s sons. 10 Put six of their names on one stone, and the six names of the others on the other stone, from the oldest to the youngest. 11 As an able workman cuts words in a ring, cut the names of Israel’s sons on the two stones. Then set them into beautiful pieces of gold. 12 Put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the linen vest, as stones for the family groups of Israel to be remembered. Aaron will carry their names on his two shoulders before the Lord, to be remembered. 13 Make beautiful pieces of gold 14 and two chains of pure gold. Make them like ropes are made. And put the chains on the pieces of gold.

The Breast-Piece

15 “Make a breast-piece to be used when judging. It is to be made by an able workman. Make it like the work of the linen vest, of gold, and blue, purple and red cloth and fine linen. 16 It will be as long as it is wide, with one half laid over the other. Make it as long and as wide as a man’s fingers can spread. 17 Put four straight rows of stones on it. The first row will be a ruby, a topaz and an emerald. 18 The second row will be a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond. 19 The third row will be a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst. 20 And the fourth row will be a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. They will be set in beautiful pieces of gold. 21 There will be twelve stones, one for each name of the sons of Israel. The name of each family group will be cut on one of these special stones. 22 Make chains for the breast-piece, like ropes of pure gold. 23 And make two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breast-piece. 24 Join the two gold chains to the two rings at the ends of the breast-piece. 25 Join the other two ends of the two chains to the beautiful gold pieces that hold the two stones at the shoulders in the front. 26 Make two rings of gold to put on the two ends of the breast-piece, on the inside, next to the linen vest. 27 Then make two rings of gold and put them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the linen vest in front, near where they join. They will be above the well-made belt of the linen vest. 28 Tie the rings of the breast-piece to the rings of the linen vest with a blue rope so the breast-piece may not come loose from the linen vest.

29 “Aaron will carry the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breast-piece of judging when he goes in the holy place, so they will be remembered before the Lord all the time.

Other Religious Leaders’ Clothes

30 “Put the Urim and the Thummim into the breast-piece over Aaron’s heart when he goes before the Lord. Aaron will carry the judging of the people of Israel over his heart before the Lord all the time.

31 “Make the long piece of clothing all of blue. 32 There will be an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening it will be sewed like the opening on heavy battle clothes, so it may not be torn. 33 Make pomegranates of blue and purple and red cloth to put all around the bottom of this clothing. And put bells of gold between them. 34 Put a gold bell and a pomegranate, then a gold bell and a pomegranate, all the way around the bottom of this clothing. 35 Aaron will wear it when he serves Me. The sound of the bells will be heard when he goes in the holy place and when he comes out so that he will not die.

36 “Make a plate of pure gold and write on it, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ 37 Put it to the front of the head covering with a blue rope. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead. Aaron will take away the sin of the holy things which the people of Israel set apart for the Lord as their holy gifts. It will always be on his forehead, so they may be received by the Lord. 39 Make the long coat of fine linen, a head covering of fine linen, and a wide belt, the work of an able workman.

40 “Make long coats for Aaron’s sons. And make belts and head coverings for them, for honor and for beauty. 41 Dress your brother Aaron and his sons in them. Then pour oil on them, set them apart and make them holy, so they may serve Me as religious leaders. 42 Make for them linen clothing to cover their flesh from their belts to their legs. 43 Aaron and his sons will wear them when they go into the meeting tent, or when they go near the altar to serve in the holy place. Then they will not be guilty and die. It will be a law for him and for his children forever.

Aaron and His Sons Set Apart

29 “This is what you will do to set them apart to serve as religious leaders for Me. Take one young bull and two rams that are perfect. 2 Have bread without yeast, and bread mixed with oil, and hard bread made without yeast and spread with oil. Make them of fine grain flour. 3 Put them in one basket. Then bring them in the basket with the bull and the two rams. 4 Bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the meeting tent, and wash them with water. 5 Take the clothing and dress Aaron in the long coat, the clothing over the linen vest, the linen vest, and the breast-piece. Put on him the well-made belt of the linen vest. 6 Put the covering on his head, and the holy crown on the head covering. 7 Then take the oil for holy use and pour it on his head to set him apart for My work. 8 Bring his sons and dress them with long coats. 9 Put belts on Aaron and his sons. Tie head coverings on them. And they will be religious leaders by law for all time. So you will set apart Aaron and his sons for My work.

10 “Then bring the bull in front of the meeting tent. Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11 Then kill the bull before the Lord at the door of the meeting tent. 12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger. Then pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat that covers the inside parts, and the part that is on the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But the flesh of the bull, its skin, and its waste you will burn away from the tents. It is a sin gift.

15 “Then take one of the rams and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the head of the ram. 16 Kill the ram and take its blood and put it around the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces. Wash its inside parts and its legs. And put them with its pieces and its head. 18 Burn the whole ram on the altar for a burnt gift in worship to the Lord. It is a pleasing smell, a gift by fire to the Lord.

19 “Then take the other ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the ram’s head. 20 Kill the ram and put some of its blood on the bottom of Aaron’s right ear, on the bottom of his sons’ right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Put the rest of the blood around the altar. 21 Take some of the blood from the altar and some of the special oil. Put some on Aaron and his sons and their clothing. So Aaron and his clothing and his sons and their clothing will be set apart and made holy. 22 Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inside parts, the part that is on the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the fat that is on the right thigh. For it is a ram used to set apart those who work for Me. 23 And take one loaf of bread, and one loaf of bread mixed with oil, and one piece of hard bread from the basket of bread without yeast that is set before the Lord. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons. They will wave them for a wave gift before the Lord. 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar for a burnt gift in worship. It is a pleasing smell before the Lord. It is a gift by fire to the Lord.

26 “Take the breast of Aaron’s ram used to set him apart. Wave it as a wave gift before the Lord. And it will be your share. 27 Then set apart the breast of the wave gift and the thigh that was waved and given from the ram used to set apart those who work for Me. One was for Aaron and one for his sons. 28 It will be for Aaron and his sons as their share forever from the people of Israel. For it is the religious leaders’ share to be given by the people of Israel from their peace gifts. It is their gift to the Lord.

29 “The holy clothing of Aaron will be for his sons after him. They will wear them when the oil for holy use is poured on them and they are set apart for My work. 30 The son who takes his place as religious leader will wear them seven days as he goes into the meeting tent to serve in the holy place.

31 “Take the ram used to set apart those who work for Me and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 Aaron and his sons will eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the meeting tent. 33 They will eat those things that were used in worship when they were forgiven of their sin and when they were set apart for My work. But one who is not a religious leader may not eat them, because they are holy. 34 If any of the meat or bread used to set apart those who work for Me is left until morning, it must be burned. It must not be eaten, because it is holy.

35 “Do to Aaron and his sons all I have told you. For seven days you will set them apart for My work. 36 Give a bull each day for a sin gift, to take away sin. Make the altar clean by taking sin away from it and pour special oil on it to set it apart for Me. 37 For seven days give gifts upon the altar to take away sin and set it apart for Me. Then the altar will be most holy. And whatever touches the altar will be holy.

The Gifts Given Each Day

38 “Now this is what you will give on the altar: Two lambs one year old, given every day. 39 Give one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb in the evening. 40 With the first lamb give a jar of fine flour mixed with a half jar of beaten oil, and a half jar of wine to be poured out. 41 Give the other lamb in the evening. Do it with a grain gift and a gift to pour out as in the morning. It has a pleasing smell, a gift by fire to the Lord. 42 For all time to come this burnt gift is to be given at the door of the meeting tent before the Lord. There I will meet with you and speak to you. 43 I will meet there with the people of Israel. It will be set apart by My shining-greatness. 44 I will set apart the meeting tent and the altar. And I will set apart Aaron and his sons to work as religious leaders for Me. 45 I will live among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, Who brought them out of the land of Egypt to live among them. I am the Lord their God.

The Altar for Special Perfume

30 “Make an altar for burning special perfume. Make it of acacia wood. 2 It will be as long and as wide as a man’s arm and as high as a man’s waist. Its horns will be of one piece with it. 3 Cover its top, all its sides and its horns with pure gold. And make a piece of gold to go around it. 4 Then make two gold rings for the altar to put under this piece. Put one on each side of the altar so it can hold the long pieces of wood used for carrying it. 5 Make the long pieces of acacia wood and cover them with gold. 6 Put this altar in front of the curtain that is by the box of the Law, in front of the mercy-seat that is over the box of the Law. There I will meet with you. 7 Aaron will burn special perfume on it every morning when he takes care of the lamps. 8 And when Aaron takes care of the lamps in the evening, he will burn special perfume. There will be a burning of special perfume before the Lord for all your people for all time. 9 Do not give upon this altar any perfume, burnt gift or grain gift that is not holy. And do not pour out a drink gift on it. 10 Once a year Aaron will give a gift for sin on its horns to take away sin. He will give the blood of the sin gift to make it holy once a year for all your people for all time. It is most holy to the Lord.”

Tax for the Meeting Tent

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “When you number the people of Israel, each one of them will pay a price for his life to the Lord. Then no trouble will come upon them when you number them. 13 Every one who is numbered will give one piece of silver, by the weight decided upon for the holy place. One piece of silver will be a gift to the Lord. 14 Every one who is numbered, twenty years old and older, will give the gift to the Lord. 15 The rich will not pay more and the poor will not pay less than one piece of silver. It will be a gift to the Lord so you will be forgiven of sin. 16 Receive this money from the people of Israel and use it for the work of the meeting tent. Then it will be remembered before the Lord that the people of Israel gave a gift to take away their sin of being numbered.”

The Pot of Brass for Washing

17 The Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a pot of brass for washing. Make its base of brass also. Put it between the meeting tent and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet with water from it. 20 When they go into the meeting tent, they will wash with water, so they will not die. And they will wash when they go near the altar to give a gift made by fire to the Lord. 21 They will wash their hands and their feet, so they will not die. It will always be a law for Aaron and his children forever.”

The Holy Oil for Pouring

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the best spices: a heavy weight of flowing myrrh, half that weight of sweet-smelling cinnamon and of sweet-smelling cane, 24 and a heavy weight of cassia, the weight decided upon by the holy place, and a large jar of olive oil. 25 Mix these to make a holy oil for holy use, mixed like perfume made by an able workman. It will be a holy oil for holy use. 26 Pour it on the meeting tent and the box of the Law, 27 the table and all its objects, the lamp-stand and all its objects, the altar of special perfume, 28 the altar of burnt gifts and all its objects, and the washing pot and its base. 29 Set them apart so they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will be holy. 30 Pour oil on Aaron and his sons. Set them apart so they may serve as religious leaders for Me. 31 Say to the people of Israel, ‘This will be a holy oil to Me for all your people for all time. 32 It will not be poured on the flesh of man. And you will not mix any like it. It is holy. It will be holy to you. 33 Whoever mixes any like it, or puts any of it on a man who is not a religious leader, will be cut off from his people.’”

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense. Take the same amount of each. 35 Mix them to make a special perfume, salted, pure and holy, the work of an able workman. 36 Beat some of it very fine. And put some of it in front of the special box of the agreement in the meeting tent, where I will meet with you. It will be most holy to you. 37 Do not mix this special perfume in the same way for yourselves. It will be holy for you to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume will be cut off from his people.”

Builders of the Meeting Tent

31 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the family of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, much learning, and all kinds of special work. 4 He will plan good work in gold, silver and brass, 5 in cutting stones to set, and in cutting wood, for all kinds of good work. 6 And see, I have given Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the family of Dan to help him. I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are wise, so they may make all that I have told you: 7 the meeting tent, the box of the Law, the mercy-seat upon it, and all the objects of the tent, 8 the table and its objects, the pure gold lamp-stand with all its objects, the altar of special perfume, 9 the altar of burnt gifts with all its objects, the washing pot and its base, 10 the well-made clothing, the holy clothing for Aaron the religious leader, the clothing for his sons for their work as religious leaders, 11 the oil for holy use, and the sweet-smelling perfume for the holy place. Have them do all I have told you.”

The Day of Rest

12 The Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Keep My Days of Rest. For this is something special between Me and you for all your people forever. So you may know that I am the Lord Who sets you apart for Myself. 14 You will keep the Day of Rest, for it is holy to you. Every one who does what is sinful on this day will be put to death for sure. Whoever does any work on this day will be cut off from among his people. 15 Work may be done for six days. But the seventh day is a Day of Rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Day of Rest will be put to death for sure. 16 So the people of Israel will keep the Day of Rest as a special day for all their people for all time, as an agreement forever.’ 17 It is something special between Me and the people of Israel forever. For the Lord made heaven and earth in six days. But He stopped working and rested on the seventh day.”

18 When the Lord had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two stone writings of the Law, pieces of stone written on by the finger of God.

Listen to Exodus 28-31
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Exodus 28-31
New International Version

The Priestly Garments

28 “Have Aaron(A) your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu,(B) Eleazar and Ithamar,(C) so they may serve me as priests.(D) 2 Make sacred garments(E) for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.(F) 3 Tell all the skilled workers(G) to whom I have given wisdom(H) in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece,(I) an ephod,(J) a robe,(K) a woven tunic,(L) a turban(M) and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.(N)

The Ephod(O)

6 “Make the ephod(P) of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands. 7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. 8 Its skillfully woven waistband(Q) is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.

9 “Take two onyx stones and engrave(R) on them the names of the sons of Israel 10 in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. 11 Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12 and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders(S) as a memorial(T) before the Lord. 13 Make gold filigree settings 14 and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece(U)

15 “Fashion a breastpiece(V) for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span[a] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones(W) on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite(X) and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel,(Y) each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(Z)

22 “For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. 24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach 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. 28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place,(AA) he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim(AB) in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

Other Priestly Garments(AC)

31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[c] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates(AD) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36 “Make a plate(AE) of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord.(AF) 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt(AG) involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable(AH) to the Lord.

39 “Weave the tunic(AI) of fine linen and make the turban(AJ) of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons(AK) to give them dignity and honor.(AL) 41 After you put these clothes(AM) on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint(AN) and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.(AO)

42 “Make linen undergarments(AP) as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting(AQ) or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,(AR) so that they will not incur guilt and die.(AS)

“This is to be a lasting ordinance(AT) for Aaron and his descendants.

Consecration of the Priests(AU)

29 “This is what you are to do to consecrate(AV) them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.(AW) 2 And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.(AX) 3 Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams.(AY) 4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.(AZ) 5 Take the garments(BA) and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.(BB) 6 Put the turban(BC) on his head and attach the sacred emblem(BD) to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil(BE) and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics(BF) 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons.[d](BG) The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance.(BH)

“Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BI) 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence(BJ) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns(BK) of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.(BL) 13 Then take all the fat(BM) on the internal organs,(BN) the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its intestines(BO) outside the camp.(BP) It is a sin offering.[e]

15 “Take one of the rams,(BQ) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BR) 16 Slaughter it and take the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash(BS) the internal organs and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma,(BT) a food offering presented to the Lord.

19 “Take the other ram,(BU) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(BV) 20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.(BW) Then splash blood against the sides of the altar.(BX) 21 And take some blood(BY) from the altar and some of the anointing oil(BZ) and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.(CA)

22 “Take from this ram the fat,(CB) the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) 23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering.(CC) 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.(CD) 26 After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.(CE)

27 “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons:(CF) the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. 28 This is always to be the perpetual share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.(CG)

29 “Aaron’s sacred garments(CH) will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.(CI) 30 The son(CJ) who succeeds him as priest and comes to the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days.

31 “Take the ram(CK) for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place.(CL) 32 At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread(CM) that is in the basket. 33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat(CN) them, because they are sacred. 34 And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning,(CO) burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

35 “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull each day(CP) as a sin offering to make atonement(CQ). Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate(CR) it. 37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.(CS)

38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day:(CT) two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.(CU) 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah[f] of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin[g] of oil(CV) from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.(CW) 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight(CX) with the same grain offering(CY) and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

42 “For the generations to come(CZ) this burnt offering is to be made regularly(DA) at the entrance to the tent of meeting,(DB) before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you;(DC) 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.(DD)

44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.(DE) 45 Then I will dwell(DF) among the Israelites and be their God.(DG) 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt(DH) so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.(DI)

The Altar of Incense(DJ)

30 “Make an altar(DK) of acacia wood for burning incense.(DL) 2 It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high[h]—its horns(DM) of one piece with it. 3 Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.(DN) 4 Make two gold rings(DO) for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(DP) 6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover(DQ) that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense(DR) on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.(DS) 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense(DT) or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year(DU) Aaron shall make atonement(DV) on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering[i](DW) for the generations to come.(DX) It is most holy to the Lord.”

Atonement Money

11 Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “When you take a census(DY) of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom(DZ) for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague(EA) will come on them when you number them. 13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,[j] according to the sanctuary shekel,(EB) which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. 14 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more,(EC) 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(ED) when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. 16 Receive the atonement(EE) money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.(EF) It will be a memorial(EG) 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,(EH) 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(EI) with water(EJ) from it. 20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die.(EK) 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(EL) for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”(EM)

Anointing Oil

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices:(EN) 500 shekels[k] of liquid myrrh,(EO) half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon,(EP) 250 shekels[l] of fragrant calamus,(EQ) 24 500 shekels(ER) of cassia(ES)—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin[m] of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer.(ET) It will be the sacred anointing oil.(EU) 26 Then use it to anoint(EV) 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(EW) so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.(EX)

30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate(EY) them so they may serve me as priests.(EZ) 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil(FA) for the generations to come.(FB) 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.(FC) 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off(FD) from their people.’”

Incense

34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices(FE)—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense,(FF) the work of a perfumer.(FG) 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(FH) with you. It shall be most holy(FI) to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy(FJ) to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off(FK) from their people.”

Bezalel and Oholiab(FL)

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel(FM) son of Uri, the son of Hur,(FN) of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge(FO) and with all kinds of skills(FP)— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab(FQ) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan,(FR) to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers(FS) to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting,(FT) the ark of the covenant law(FU) with the atonement cover(FV) on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table(FW) and its articles, the pure gold lampstand(FX) and all its accessories, the altar of incense,(FY) 9 the altar of burnt offering(FZ) and all its utensils, the basin(GA) with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments(GB), both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil(GC) and fragrant incense(GD) for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded(GE) you.”

The Sabbath

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

14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death;(GJ) those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work(GK) is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest,(GL) 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,(GM) celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign(GN) 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.(GO)’”(GP)

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

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 28:16 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  2. Exodus 28:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  3. Exodus 28:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  4. Exodus 29:9 Hebrew; Septuagint on them
  5. Exodus 29:14 Or purification offering; also in verse 36
  6. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms
  7. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 1 quart or about 1 liter
  8. Exodus 30:2 That is, about 1 1/2 feet long and wide and 3 feet high or about 45 centimeters long and wide and 90 centimeters high
  9. Exodus 30:10 Or purification offering
  10. Exodus 30:13 That is, about 1/5 ounce or about 5.8 grams; also in verse 15
  11. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 12 1/2 pounds or about 5.8 kilograms; also in verse 24
  12. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 6 1/4 pounds or about 2.9 kilograms
  13. Exodus 30:24 That is, probably about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters
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