Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
24 The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is his! 2 He is the one who pushed the oceans back to let dry land appear.[a]
3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord and enter where he lives? Who may stand before the Lord? 4 Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying. 5 They will receive God’s own goodness[b] as their blessing from him, planted in their lives by God himself, their Savior. 6 These are the ones who are allowed to stand before the Lord and worship the God of Jacob.
7 Open up, O ancient gates, and let the King of Glory in. 8 Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, invincible in battle. 9 Yes, open wide the gates and let the King of Glory in.
10 Who is this King of Glory? The Commander of all of heaven’s armies!
37 Next Bezalel made the Ark. This was constructed of acacia wood and was 3-3/4 feet long, 2-1/4 feet wide, and 2-1/4 feet high. 2 It was plated with pure gold inside and out, and had a molding of gold all the way around the sides. 3 There were four gold rings fastened into its four feet, two rings at each end. 4 Then he made poles from acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, 5 and put the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark, to carry it.
6 Then, from pure gold, he made a lid called “the place of mercy”; it was 3-3/4 feet long and 2-1/4 feet wide. 7 He made two statues of Guardian Angels of beaten gold and placed them at the two ends of the gold lid. 8 They were molded so that they were actually a part of the gold lid—it was all one piece. 9 The Guardian Angels faced each other, with outstretched wings that overshadowed the place of mercy, looking down upon it.
10 Then he made a table, using acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1-1/2 feet wide, and 2-1/4 feet high. 11 It was overlaid with pure gold, with a gold molding all around the edge. 12 A rim 4 inches high was constructed around the edges of the table, with a gold molding along the rim. 13 Then he cast four rings of gold and placed them into the four table legs, 14 close to the molding, to hold the carrying poles in place. 15 He made the carrying poles of acacia wood covered with gold. 16 Next, using pure gold, he made the bowls, flagons, dishes, and spoons to be placed upon this table.
2 Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God’s answers, and remember to be thankful when they come. 3 Don’t forget to pray for us too, that God will give us many chances to preach the Good News of Christ for which I am here in jail. 4 Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully and make it plain, as, of course, I should.
5 Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. 6 Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone.
7 Tychicus, our much-loved brother, will tell you how I am getting along. He is a hard worker and serves the Lord with me. 8 I have sent him on this special trip just to see how you are and to comfort and encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and much-loved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will give you all the latest news.
10 Aristarchus, who is with me here as a prisoner, sends you his love, and so does Mark, a relative of Barnabas. And as I said before, give Mark a hearty welcome[a] if he comes your way. 11 Jesus Justus also sends his love. These are the only Jewish Christians working with me here, and what a comfort they have been!
12 Epaphras, from your city, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love. He is always earnestly praying for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect and to help you know his will in everything you do. 13 I can assure you that he has worked hard for you with his prayers, and also for the Christians in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Dear Doctor Luke sends his love, and so does Demas.
15 Please give my greeting to the Christian friends at Laodicea, and to Nymphas, and to those who meet in his home. 16 By the way, after you have read this letter, will you pass it on to the church at Laodicea? And read the letter I wrote to them. 17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure that you do all the Lord has told you to.”
18 Here is my own greeting in my own handwriting: Remember me here in jail. May God’s blessings surround you.
Sincerely, Paul
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.