Psalm 128

Blessings for Those Who Fear God

A song of ascents.

Old Covenant Ministry

9 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.^{(A) 3} Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place.^{(B) 4} It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.^{(C) 5} The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.^(D)

⁶ With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.^{(E) 7} But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(F) 8} The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.^{(G) 9} This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.^{(H) 10} They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.^(I)

⁷ I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift^(A) from God, one person has this gift, another has that.

A Word to the Unmarried

⁸ I say to the unmarried^[a] and to widows:^(B) It is good for them if they remain as I am. ⁹ But if they do not have self-control,^(C) they should marry, since it is better to marry^(D) than to burn with desire.

About Married People

¹⁰ To the married I give this command^(E)—not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave^[b] her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to divorce his wife.^{(F) 12} But I (not the Lord) say to the rest: If any brother^(G) has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is made holy^(H) by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy by the husband.^[c] Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you^[d] to live in peace. ¹⁶ Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.^[e]

Various Situations of Life

¹⁷ Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called^(I) him.^[f] This is what I command in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. ²⁰ Let each of you remain in the situation^[g] in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.^{[h] 22} For he who is called by the Lord as a slave^(J) is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought^(K) at a price; do not become slaves of people. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.