Old/New Testament
36 So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every ·skilled [L wise of heart/mind] person will do the work the Lord has commanded, because he gave them the wisdom and understanding to do all the skilled work needed to build the Holy ·Tent [Place].”
2 Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the other ·skilled [L wise of heart/mind] people to whom the Lord had given ·skills [L wisdom in their heart], and they came because ·they wanted [L their hearts were favorable] to help with the work. 3 They received from Moses everything the ·people [L sons; children] of Israel had brought as ·gifts [offerings] ·to build the Holy Tent [L for doing the work of the Holy Place]. The people continued to bring ·gifts [L free will offerings] ·each morning because they wanted to [morning after morning]. 4 So all the ·skilled [wise] workers left the work they were doing on the Holy ·Tent [L Place], 5 and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than we need to do the work the Lord commanded.”
6 Then Moses sent this command throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as a ·gift for the Holy Tent [offering for the Holy Place].” So the people were kept from giving more, 7 because what they had was already more than enough to do all the work.
The Holy Tent(A)
8 Then the ·skilled workers [L all the skilled/wise of heart] made the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. They made the ten curtains with linen and of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] cloth, and they sewed designs of ·creatures with wings [L cherubim] on the curtains [C These deep blue curtains with cherubim represented heaven on earth]. 9 Each curtain was the same size—·forty-two feet [L twenty-eight cubits] long and ·six feet [L four cubits] wide. 10 Five of the curtains were ·fastened [bound; joined] together to make one set, and the other five were ·fastened [bound; joined] together to make another set. 11 Then they made loops of blue cloth along the edge of the end curtain on the first set of five, and they did the same thing with the other set of five. 12 There were fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the other curtain, with the loops opposite each other. 13 They made fifty gold ·hooks [clasps] to join the two curtains together so that the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was joined together as one piece.
14 Then they made another tent of eleven curtains made of goat hair [26:7], to put over the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. 15 All eleven curtains were the same size—·forty-five feet [L thirty cubits] long and ·six feet [L four cubits] wide. 16 The workers sewed [joined; bound] five curtains together into one set and six together into another set. 17 They made fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of one set and fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of the other set. 18 Then they made fifty bronze ·rings [hooks; clasps] to ·join [bind] the two sets of cloth together and make the tent one piece. 19 They made two more coverings for the outer tent—one made of ·male sheepskins colored red [or tanned rams’ skins; 26:14] and the other made of ·fine leather [or sea cow hide; 26:14].
20 Then they made upright frames of acacia wood for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. 21 Each frame was ·fifteen feet [L ten cubits] long and ·twenty-seven inches [L a cubit and a half] wide, 22 and there were two pegs side by side on each one. Every frame of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] was made this same way. 23 They made twenty frames for the south side of the Tent, 24 and they made forty silver bases that went under the twenty frames. There were two bases for every frame—one for each peg of each frame. 25 They also made twenty frames for the [L second side of the] north side of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] 26 and forty silver bases—two to go under each frame. 27 They made six frames for the rear or west end of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] 28 and two frames for the corners at the rear of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. 29 These two frames were doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal ring. They did this for each of these corners. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame.
31 Then they made crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. Five crossbars held the frames together on one side of the Tent, 32 and five held the frames together on the other [L second] side. Also, five crossbars held the frames together on the west end, at the rear of the Tent. 33 They made the middle crossbar run along the entire length of each side and rear of the Tent. It was set halfway up the frames. 34 They made gold rings on the sides of the frames to hold the crossbars, and they ·covered [overlaid] the frames and the crossbars with gold.
35 Then they made the curtain of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen. A skilled craftsman sewed designs of ·creatures with wings [cherubim; 37:7] on it. 36 They made four posts of acacia wood for it and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold. Then they made gold ·hooks [clasps] for the posts, as well as four silver bases in which to set the posts. 37 For the entrance to the Tent, they made a ·curtain [L screen] of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen. ·A person who sewed well sewed designs on it […embroidered with needlework]. 38 Then they made five posts and ·hooks [clasps] for it. They covered the tops of the posts and their bands with gold, and they made five bronze bases for the posts.
The Ark of the Covenant(B)
37 Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was ·forty-five inches [L two and a half cubits] long, ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] wide, and twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] high. 2 He ·covered [overlaid] it, both inside and out, with pure gold, and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 3 He ·made [cast] four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on ·each [one side and two rings on the other] side. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and ·covered [cast; overlay] them with gold. 5 He put the poles through the rings on each side of the Ark to carry it. 6 Then he made a ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] of pure gold that was ·forty-five inches [L two and a half cubits] long and ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] wide. 7 Then Bezalel ·hammered gold to make two creatures with wings [L made two golden cherubim of hammered gold; C cherubim are powerful angelic creatures] and attached them to each end of the ·lid [cover; C the mercy seat]. 8 He made one ·creature [L cherubim] on one end of the lid and the ·other creature [L cherubim] on the other end. He attached them to the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] so that it would be one piece. 9 The ·creatures’ [L cherubim’s] wings were spread upward, covering the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover], and the ·creatures [L cherubim] faced each other across the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover].
The Table(C)
10 Then he made the table of acacia wood; it was ·thirty-six inches [L two cubits] long, ·eighteen inches [L one cubit] wide, and ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] high. 11 He ·covered [overlaid] it with pure gold and put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 12 He made a ·frame [rim] ·three inches [L a handbreadth] high ·that stood up all around the edge [all around it], and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 13 Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the ·frame [rim] around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were ·covered [overlaid] with gold. 16 He made of pure gold all the ·things [vessels] that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings [Ezra 1:9–11; Dan. 1:2; 5:1–4].
The Lampstand(D)
17 Then he made the ·lampstand [L Menorah] of pure gold, hammering out its base and ·stand [shaft]. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and ·stand [shaft; 25:31]. 18 Six branches went out from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers, and each cup had a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same. 20 There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself, each with its buds and petals. 21 Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same. 22 The buds, branches, and lampstand were all one piece of pure, hammered gold. 23 He made seven pure gold lamps for this lampstand, and he made pure gold ·wick trimmers [snuffers] and trays. 24 He used about ·seventy-five pounds [L one talent] of pure gold to make the lampstand and all the things that go with it.
The Altar for Burning Incense(E)
25 Then he made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square—·eighteen inches [L one cubit] long and ·eighteen inches [L one cubit] wide—and it was ·thirty-six inches [L two cubits] high. Each ·corner that stuck out like a horn [horn; 27:2] was joined into one piece with the altar. 26 He ·covered [overlaid] the top and all the sides and the ·corners [horns] with pure gold, and he put gold ·trim [molding] around the altar 27 He made two gold rings and put them below the ·trim [molding] on opposite sides of it; these rings held the poles for carrying it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold.
29 Then he made the holy olive oil for ·appointing the priests [anointing] and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.
The Altar for Burnt Offerings(F)
38 Then he built the altar for burnt offerings [Lev. 1] out of acacia wood. The altar was square—·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] long and ·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] wide—and it was ·four and one-half feet [L three cubits] high. 2 He made each corner stick out like a horn [27:2] so that the horns and the altar were joined together in one piece. Then he ·covered [overlaid] the altar with bronze. 3 He made all the ·tools [utensils] of bronze to use on the altar: the pots, shovels, ·bowls for sprinkling blood [L basins], meat forks, and ·pans for carrying the fire [firepans]. 4 He made a large bronze screen to hold the burning wood for the altar and put it inside the altar, under its ·rim [ledge], halfway up from the bottom. 5 He made bronze rings to hold the poles for carrying the altar, and he put them at the four corners of the screen. 6 Then he made poles of acacia wood and ·covered [overlaid] them with bronze. 7 He put the poles through the rings on both sides of the altar, to carry it. He made the altar of boards and left the inside hollow.
The Bronze Bowl(G)
8 He made the bronze ·bowl for washing [basin], and he built it on a bronze stand. He used the bronze from mirrors that belonged to the women who served at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.
The Courtyard of the Holy Tent(H)
9 Then he made ·a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tent [the court]. On the south side the curtains were ·one hundred fifty feet [L one hundred cubits] long and were made of fine linen. 10 The curtains hung on silver hooks and bands, placed on twenty bronze ·posts [pillars] with twenty bronze bases. 11 On the north side the wall of curtains was also ·one hundred fifty feet [L one hundred cubits] long, and it hung on silver hooks and bands on twenty ·posts [pillars] with twenty bronze bases.
12 On the west side of the courtyard, the wall of curtains was ·seventy-five feet [L fifty cubits] long. It was held up by silver hooks and bands on ten ·posts [pillars] with ten bases. 13 The [L front of the] east side was also ·seventy-five feet [L fifty cubits] long. 14 On one side of the entry there was a wall of curtains ·twenty-two and one-half feet [L fifteen cubits] long, held up by three ·posts [pillars] and three bases. 15 On the other side of the entry there was also a wall of curtains ·twenty-two and one-half feet [L fifteen cubits] long, held up by three ·posts [pillars] and three bases. 16 All the curtains around the courtyard were made of fine linen. 17 The bases for the ·posts [pillars] were made of bronze. The hooks and the bands on the ·posts [pillars] were made of silver, and the tops of the ·posts [pillars] were ·covered [overlaid] with silver also. All the ·posts [pillars] in the courtyard had silver bands.
18 The ·curtain [screen] for the ·entry [gate] of the courtyard was made of blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen, ·sewn by a person who could sew well [embroidered with needlework]. The curtain was ·thirty feet [L twenty cubits] long and ·seven and one-half feet [L five cubits] high, the same height as the curtains around the courtyard. 19 It was held up by four ·posts [pillars] and four bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts were made of silver, and the tops on the ·posts [pillars] were ·covered [overlaid] with silver. 20 All the tent pegs for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and for the curtains around the courtyard were made of bronze.
21 This is a ·list of the materials used to make [inventory; record of] the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], the ·Holy Tent [L Tabernacle] ·where the Agreement was kept [L of the Covenant/Testimony/Treaty; C reference to the tablets of the Ten Commandments; ch. 20]. Moses ordered the Levites to make this list, ·and Ithamar son of Aaron was in charge of keeping it [L by the hand of Ithama son of Aaron]. 22 Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses. 23 Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan ·helped [L was with] him. He ·could cut designs into metal and stone; he was a designer and also skilled at sewing [L was an engraver, designer, and embroiderer of] the blue, purple, and ·red [scarlet] thread, and fine linen.
24 The total amount of gold used to build the Holy ·Tent [Place] was ·presented [L offered as a wave offering] to the Lord. It weighed over ·2,000 pounds [L 29 talents and 730 shekels], as set by the Holy Place measure.
25 The silver was given by the ·members of the community [congregation; assembly] who were counted. It weighed ·7,550 pounds [L 100 talents and 1,775 shekels], as set by the Holy Place measure. 26 All the men twenty years old or older were counted. There were 603,550 men, and each ·man [head] had to pay ·one-fifth of an ounce [L a beka, that is half a shekel] of silver, as set by the Holy Place measure. 27 Of this silver, ·7,500 pounds [L 100 talents] were used to ·make [cast] the one hundred bases for the Holy Tent and for the curtain—·75 pounds of silver [L a talent] in each base. 28 They used ·50 pounds of silver [L 1775 shekels] to make the hooks for the ·posts [pillars] and to ·cover [overlay] the tops of the ·posts [pillars] and to make the bands on them.
29 The bronze which was ·presented [L offered as a wave offering] to the Lord weighed about ·5,000 pounds [70 talents and 2400 shekels]. 30 They used ·the bronze to make the bases at the entrance of the Meeting Tent, to make the altar and the bronze ·screen [grating], and to make all the ·tools [utensils] for the altar. 31 ·This bronze was also used to make [L …and the] bases for the wall of curtains around the courtyard and bases for curtains at the ·entry [L gate] to the courtyard, as well as to make the tent pegs for the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle] and the pegs around the courtyard.
Jesus Accuses Some Leaders(A)
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his ·followers [disciples], 2 “The ·teachers of the law [scribes] and the Pharisees ·have the authority to interpret what the law of Moses says [L sit in Moses’ seat/chair]. 3 So you should ·obey [do; practice] and ·follow [keep; observe] whatever they tell you, but ·their lives are not good examples for you to follow [L do not follow their actions]. ·They tell you to do things, but they themselves don’t do them [L For they say but do not do]. 4 They ·make strict rules [L tie up heavy loads/burdens that are hard to carry] and ·try to force people to obey them [L put them on people’s shoulders], but they are unwilling to ·help those who struggle under the weight of their rules [lift a finger to move them; L move them with their finger].
5 “They do good things so that other people will see them. They enlarge ·the little boxes holding Scriptures that they wear [L their phylacteries; C leather cases worn on the left arm and forehead to literally fulfill Deut. 6:8; 11:18], and they ·make their special prayer clothes very long [L lengthen their tassels; C Jewish males were to wear tassels on the four corners of their garment; Num. 15:38; Deut. 22:12]. 6 Those Pharisees and teachers of the law love to have the ·most important seats [places of greatest honor] at ·feasts [banquets] and [L the best seats] in the synagogues. 7 They love people to greet them with respect in the marketplaces, and they love to have people call them ·‘Teacher [L Rabbi].’
8 “But you must not be called ‘·Teacher [Rabbi],’ because you have only one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters together. 9 And don’t call any person on earth ‘Father,’ because you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 And you should not be called ‘·Master [Leader; Teacher; Instructor]’ because you have only one ·Master [Leader; Teacher; Instructor], the ·Christ [Messiah]. 11 ·Whoever is your servant is the greatest among you [L The greatest among you will be your servant]. 12 Whoever ·makes himself great [lifts up/exalts himself] will be made humble. Whoever makes himself humble will be ·made great [exalted; lifted up].
13 “·How terrible for [L Woe to] you, ·teachers of the law [scribes] and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! [L Because] You ·close [shut; lock] the door for people to enter the kingdom of heaven. You yourselves don’t enter, and you ·stop [don’t allow] others who are trying to enter. |14 ·How terrible for [L Woe to] you, ·teachers of the law [scribes] and Pharisees. You are hypocrites. You ·take away [L devour] widows’ houses, and you say long prayers ·so that people will notice you [as a pretense]. So you will have a worse ·punishment [condemnation].|[a]
15 “·How terrible for [L Woe to] you, ·teachers of the law [scribes] and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You travel across land and sea to ·find one person who will change to your ways [L make one convert/proseltye]. When you ·find that person [make that convert], you make him ·more fit for hell than [L twice the son of hell/Gehenna that; 5:22] you are.
16 “·How terrible for [L Woe to] you! ·You guide the people, but you are blind [L Blind guides!]. You say, ‘If people ·swear [make an oath/vow] by the Temple when they make a promise, that means nothing. But if they swear by the gold that is in the Temple, they ·must keep that promise [are obligated/bound].’ 17 You are blind fools! Which is greater: the gold or the Temple that makes that gold ·holy [sacred; sanctified]? 18 And you say, ‘If people ·swear [make an oath/vow] by the altar when they make a promise, that means nothing. But if they ·swear [make an oath/vow] by the ·gift [offering] on the altar, they ·must keep that promise [are obligated/bound].’ 19 You are blind! Which is greater: the ·gift [offering] or the altar that makes the gift ·holy [sacred; sanctified]? 20 [L So; Therefore] The person who swears by the altar is really swearing by the altar and also everything on the altar. 21 And the person who swears by the Temple is really swearing by the Temple and the One who ·lives [dwells] in the Temple. 22 The person who swears by heaven is also swearing by God’s throne and the One who sits on that throne.
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