The Daily Audio Bible
The Curtains and Covers for the Dwelling
26 The curtain that forms the dwelling[a] itself you shall make with ten panels[b] of fine woven linen,[c] with blue, purple, and scarlet material. Decorate them with cherubim, which are to be the work of a skillful craftsman. 2 The length of each panel of the curtain is to be forty-two feet, and the width of each panel six feet. All the panels are to be the same size. 3 Five panels of the curtain are to be connected together into one panel, and the other five panels are to be connected together into one. 4 Attach blue loops to the edge of the last panel in the first set of curtains. In the same way attach loops to the edge of the last panel of the second set. 5 Make fifty loops for the edge of the first set of curtains, and make fifty loops for the edge of the second set of curtains. The loops are to be opposite one another. 6 Make fifty gold clasps,[d] and connect the two sets of curtains to each other with the clasps, so that the dwelling becomes one connected piece.
7 You shall make panels for a curtain made from goats’ hair to serve as a tent over the dwelling. Make eleven panels. 8 The length of each panel is to be forty-five feet, and the width of each panel six feet. The eleven panels are to be the same size. 9 Connect five panels of the curtain into one unit, and connect six panels into another unit. Fold the sixth panel of the curtain over the front edge of the Tent.[e] 10 Attach fifty loops to the edge of the last panel of one set of curtains, and fifty loops to the edge of the last panel in the second set. 11 Make fifty bronze clasps, and put the clasps into the loops to join the two pieces of the tent[f] together, so that it forms one unit. 12 The excess part of the curtains that form the tent, which is left over, that is, the half curtain that is extra, is to hang down over the back of the Dwelling. 13 The eighteen inches left over on one side and the eighteen inches left over on the other side, all along the length of the tent coverings, are to be left hanging down over the sides of the Dwelling on either side to cover it.[g]
14 You shall also make a covering for the tent made from rams’ skins dyed red and a covering made from hides of sea cows to go above that one.
The Framework for the Dwelling
15 You shall make upright boards[h] of acacia wood to serve as a framework for the Dwelling. 16 The length of each board is to be fifteen feet, and the width of each board is to be twenty-seven inches. 17 There are to be two pegs on each board for connecting them to the next board.[i] That is the way you are to make all the boards for the Dwelling.
18 Make these boards for the Dwelling:
Make twenty boards for the south side. 19 Make forty socket bases of silver to be placed under the twenty boards—two sockets to go under the first board to hold its two pegs, and two sockets to go under the next board for its two pegs.
20 For the second side of the Dwelling, the north side, make twenty boards, 21 with forty socket bases of silver—two sockets to go under the first board, and two sockets to go under the next board.
22 For the far side of the Dwelling, the west side, make six boards. 23 Then make two boards for each of the back corners of the Dwelling. 24 For the two corners there are to be twin boards from the bottom to the top, but they are to be joined at the top by one ring[j]—both cornerpieces are to be made like this. 25 Altogether there will be eight boards with silver socket bases, sixteen socket bases—two socket bases to go under each board.
26 You shall make crossbars of acacia wood—five crossbars for the boards on one side of the Dwelling, 27 five crossbars for the boards on the other side of the Dwelling, and five crossbars for the boards on the backside of the Dwelling on the west. 28 The middle bar, placed halfway up the boards, shall pass through from one end of the boards to the other end. 29 Overlay the boards with gold. Attach gold rings to them to hold the crossbars, and overlay the crossbars with gold.
30 You shall set up the Dwelling according to the design that is being shown to you on the mountain.
The Veil and the Screen
31 You shall make a special veil of blue, purple, and scarlet material and of fine woven linen, decorated with cherubim. It shall be made as the work of a skillful craftsman. 32 Hang it on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold, which stand on four socket bases of silver. The hooks are to be made of gold. 33 Hang up the veil below the spot where the clasps join the two parts of the dwelling. Then bring the Ark of the Testimony inside the veil. The veil shall separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place for you. 34 You shall put the atonement seat on top of the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the Dwelling. You shall put the table on the north side.
36 You shall make a screen[k] for the entry to the tent from blue, purple, and scarlet material and of fine woven linen, the work of an embroiderer. 37 Make five posts of acacia wood to support the screen, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five bronze socket bases for them.
The Altar for Sacrifices
27 You shall make the altar of acacia wood, seven and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide. The altar shall be square, and it shall be four and a half feet high. 2 You shall make horns on its four corners. These horns are to be made as one piece with the altar, and you are to overlay the altar with bronze.
3 Make pails to take away its fat-drenched ashes. Make shovels, basins, meat hooks,[l] and fire pans for the altar. Make all its utensils of bronze.
4 Make a grate for it which is a latticework of bronze, and make four bronze rings for the four corners of the latticework grate. 5 Set the grate in place below the top edge of the altar, so that the grate rests halfway down from the top of the altar.[m]
6 Make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 These poles are to be put through the rings on the two sides of the altar whenever it is carried. 8 You are to make the altar hollow, with sides made of boards. They are to make it as it is being shown to you on the mountain.
The Courtyard
9 You shall make the courtyard for the Dwelling.
For the south side of the courtyard there shall be hangings of fine woven linen, one hundred fifty feet long for that side. 10 There shall be twenty posts for it, and their twenty socket bases shall be bronze. The hooks for the posts and the connectors[n] shall be silver.
11 In the same way, for the north side there shall be hangings one hundred fifty feet long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze socket bases. The hooks for the posts and their connectors shall be silver.
12 For the courtyard on the west side there shall be hangings seventy-five feet wide, with ten posts and ten socket bases.
13 The width of the courtyard on the east side shall be seventy-five feet. 14 The hangings on one side of the entry gate shall be twenty-two feet six inches wide with three posts and three socket bases. 15 For the other side there shall be hangings twenty-two feet six inches wide with three posts and three socket bases.
16 For the entryway into the courtyard there shall be a screen thirty feet wide, made of blue, purple, and scarlet material and of fine woven linen, the work of an embroiderer. Make four posts for it and four socket bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard shall be connected with silver.[o] Their hooks shall be silver, and their socket bases bronze. 18 The length of the courtyard shall be one hundred fifty feet, and the width seventy-five feet on both ends. The height of the hangings of fine woven linen shall be seven and a half feet. Its socket bases shall be bronze. 19 All the utensils for all the services of the Dwelling, all its tent stakes, and all the stakes for the courtyard shall be bronze.
Oil for the Lamps
20 You shall command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives[p] for the Light so that the lamp may burn every night.[q] 21 In the Tent of Meeting, in front of the veil which is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend the lamp before the Lord from evening to morning. This shall be a permanent regulation throughout their generations for the people of Israel.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take any oil with them; 4 but the wise took oil in their containers with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, ‘No, there may not be enough for us and for you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were away buying oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins also came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, let us in.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Amen I tell you: I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
14 “You see, the kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a journey. He called his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents,[a] to another two talents, and to still another one talent, each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The servant who had received the five talents immediately put them to work and gained five more talents. 17 In the same way, the servant who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But the servant who had received one talent went away, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The servant who received the five talents came and brought five more talents. He said, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’
21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 “The servant who received the two talents came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more talents.’
23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24 “Then the servant who received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 Since I was afraid, I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26 “His master answered him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter seed? 27 Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers so that when I came I would get my money back with interest. 28 Take the talent away from him and give it to the servant who has the ten talents. 29 Because everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 Throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Psalm 31
Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit
Heading
For the choir director. A psalm by David.
A Declaration of Confidence
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge.
Petition
Let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me.
2 Turn your ear toward me.
Hurry! Rescue me!
Be a rock where I take refuge,
a fortified place that saves me.
The Basis for Confidence
3 Yes, you are my rocky cliff and my stronghold.
For the sake of your name you will lead me and guide me.
4 You will pull me out of the net that they hid for me,
because you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
6 I hate those who keep worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy,
because you saw my affliction.
You knew the distress of my soul.
8 You have not left me in the hand of the enemy.
You have made my feet stand in a wide-open space.
Wisdom’s Invitation
8 Do you hear Wisdom calling out?
Do you hear Understanding raising her voice?
2 On the hills above the roads,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 Beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrance to the doorways, she cries out:
4 I call to you men,
and I raise my voice to the people.
5 You gullible people, get good judgment.[a]
You fools, take this to heart.
6 Listen, because I am speaking noble thoughts.
I open my lips to speak upright things,
7 for my mouth declares truth,
but wickedness is disgusting[b] to my lips.
8 All the words from my mouth are righteous.
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 All of them are clear to those who have understanding,
and they are upright to those who find knowledge.
10 Accept my discipline instead of silver.
Accept knowledge rather than fine gold,
11 because Wisdom is better than gems,[c]
and anything you may desire cannot equal her.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.