Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
A psalm of David.
24 The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it.
The world belongs to him. And so do all those who live in it.
2 He set it firmly on the oceans.
He made it secure on the waters.
3 Who can go up to the temple on the mountain of the Lord?
Who can stand in his holy place?
4 Anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Anyone who does not trust in the statue of a god.
Anyone who doesn’t use the name of that god when he makes a promise.
5 People like that will receive the Lord’s blessing.
When God their Savior hands down his sentence, it will be in their favor.
6 The people who look to God are like that.
God of Jacob, they look to you.
7 Open wide, you gates.
Open up, you ancient doors.
Then the King of glory will come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, who is strong and mighty.
The Lord, who is mighty in battle.
9 Open wide, you gates.
Open wide, you ancient doors.
Then the King of glory will come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord who rules over all.
He is the King of glory.
The Ark of the Covenant Law
10 “Have them make an ark out of acacia wood. It must be a chest three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide and high. 11 Cover it inside and outside with pure gold. Put a strip of gold around it. 12 Make four gold rings for it. Join them to its four bottom corners. Put two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles out of acacia wood. Cover them with gold. 14 Put the poles through the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark. Do not remove them. 16 I will give you the tablets of the covenant law. When I do, put them into the ark.
17 “Make its cover out of pure gold. The cover is the place where sin will be paid for. Make it three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide. 18 Make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Put one of the cherubim on each end of it. Make the cherubim part of the cover itself. 20 They must have their wings spread up over the cover. The cherubim must face each other and look toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark. I will give you the tablets of the covenant law. Put them in the ark. 22 The ark is where the tablets of the covenant law are kept. I will meet with you above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark. There I will give you all my commands for the Israelites.
2 I want you to know how hard I am working for you. I’m concerned for those who are in Laodicea. I’m also concerned for everyone who has not met me in person. 2 My goal is that their hearts may be encouraged and strengthened. I want them to be joined together in love. Then their understanding will be rich and complete. They will know the mystery of God. That mystery is Christ. 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. 4 But I don’t want anyone to fool you with words that only sound good. 5 So even though I am away from you in body, I am with you in spirit. And I am glad to see that you are controlling yourselves. I am happy that your faith in Christ is so strong.
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