Psalm 55^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil^[b] of David.

¹⁸ When Moses^(A) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,^(B) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. ¹⁹ Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering^(C) over the tent, as the Lord commanded^(D) him.

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

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

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

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

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

³⁰ He placed the basin^(V) 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^(W) their hands and feet. ³² They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,^(X) as the Lord commanded^(Y) Moses.

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

The Glory of the Lord

³⁴ Then the cloud^(AB) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory^(AC) 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^(AD) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.^(AE)

³⁶ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;^{(AF) 37} but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. ³⁸ So the cloud^(AG) 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.

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ It is God’s will^(D) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^{(E) 4} that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a](F) in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust^(G) like the pagans,^(H) who do not know God;^{(I) 6} and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b](J) The Lord will punish^(K) all those who commit such sins,^(L) as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.^{(M) 8} Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.^(N)

⁹ Now about your love for one another^(O) we do not need to write to you,^(P) for you yourselves have been taught by God^(Q) to love each other.^{(R) 10} And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.^(S) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^{(T) 11} and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(U) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(V) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[a](A) 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.^{(B) 40} And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^(C)

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[b](D) and hate your enemy.’^{(E) 44} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(F) 45} that you may be children^(G) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(H) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(I) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(J)