31 (A)You shall make the robe of the ephod all of violet. 32 There shall be an opening [a]at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn. 33 You shall make on its hem pomegranates of violet, purple, and scarlet material all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. 35 It shall be on Aaron [b]when he ministers; and its sound shall be heard when he enters and leaves the Holy Place before the Lord, so that he will not die.

36 “You shall also make (B)a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, ‘(C)Holy to the Lord.’ 37 You shall [c]fasten it on a violet cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. 38 It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall [d](D)take away the guilt of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate, regarding all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, so that (E)they may be accepted before the Lord.

39 “And you shall weave (F)the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of a [e]weaver.

40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall also make (G)tunics; you shall also make sashes for them, and you shall make [f](H)caps for them, for glory and for beauty. 41 Then you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall (I)anoint them and [g]ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve Me as priests. 42 You shall make for them (J)linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh; they shall [h]reach from the waist even to the thighs. 43 And they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the tent of meeting, or (K)when they approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they do not incur [i]guilt and die. (L)It shall be a statute forever to him and to his [j]descendants after him.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 28:32 Or for his head
  2. Exodus 28:35 Lit for ministering
  3. Exodus 28:37 Lit place
  4. Exodus 28:38 Or bear
  5. Exodus 28:39 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
  6. Exodus 28:40 Lit headgear
  7. Exodus 28:41 Lit fill their hand
  8. Exodus 28:42 Lit be
  9. Exodus 28:43 Or wrongdoing
  10. Exodus 28:43 Lit seed

Instructions for other priestly clothing

31 You will make the robe for the vest all of blue. 32 The opening for the head should be in the middle of it. The opening should be reinforced by a woven binding, a strong border so that it doesn’t tear. 33 On its lower hem add pomegranates made of blue, purple, and deep red yarns all around the lower hem, with gold bells between the pomegranates all around it. 34 A gold bell and a pomegranate should alternate all around the lower hem of the robe. 35 Aaron will wear the robe when he ministers as a priest. Its sound will be heard when he goes into the sanctuary in the Lord’s presence and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36 Make a flower ornament of pure gold and engrave on it like an official seal: “Holy to the Lord.” 37 You should fasten it on the turban with a blue cord. It should be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron will take on himself any guilt connected with the holy offerings that the Israelites give as their sacred donations. It will always be on his forehead so that the people may be remembered favorably in the Lord’s presence.

39 Weave the tunic out of fine linen. Make the turban out of fine linen. Make a sash decorated with needlework. 40 For Aaron’s sons, you should also make tunics, sashes, and turbans to mark their honor and dignity. 41 Put these garments on your brother Aaron and on his sons with him. Anoint them with oil, ordain them, and make them holy to serve me as priests. 42 You should also make linen undergarments for them to cover their naked skin from their hips to their thighs. 43 Aaron and his sons should wear this clothing when they go into the meeting tent or when they approach the altar to minister as priests in the sanctuary. Otherwise, they will bring guilt on themselves and die. This will be a permanent regulation for him and for his descendants after him.

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