Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A Davidic Psalm.

A Song for the King of Glory

The Ark of the Covenant

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits^[a] long, one and a half cubits^[b] wide, and one and a half cubits^[c] high. ² He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and outside, and made a gold molding around it. ³ He cast four rings for it on its four feet, two rings on one side of it and two rings on its other side. ⁴ He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. ⁵ He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry^[d] it.

⁶ He made a Mercy Seat of pure gold two and a half cubits^[e] long and one and a half cubits^[f] wide. ⁷ He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work at the two ends of the Mercy Seat. ⁸ One cherub was at one end and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim at the two ends of the Mercy Seat and of one piece with it. ⁹ The cherubim had their wings spread upward, covering the Mercy Seat with their wings and facing each other. The faces of the cherubim were turned toward the Mercy Seat.

The Table of Showbread

¹⁰ Then he made a table of acacia wood two cubits^[g] long, one cubit^[h] wide, and one and a half cubits^[i] high. ¹¹ He overlaid it with pure gold and put a gold molding around it. ¹² He made a rim one handbreadth^[j] wide around it, and made a gold molding around the rim. ¹³ He cast four gold rings for it and put the rings on the four corners where its four feet were. ¹⁴ The rings were close to the rim as holders for the poles to carry the table. ¹⁵ He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold to carry the table. ¹⁶ He made the utensils which were on the table, its plates, dishes, bowls, and jars out of which libations are poured. He made them of pure gold.

Closing Exhortations

² Devote yourselves to prayer. Be alert^[a] and thankful when you pray. ³ At the same time also pray for us—that God would open before us a door for the word so that we may tell the secret about the Messiah,^[b] for which I have been imprisoned. ⁴ May I reveal it as clearly as I should!^[c]

⁵ Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Greetings from Paul and His Fellow Workers

⁷ Tychicus will tell you everything that has happened to me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹ He is coming with Onesimus, that faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him. ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God. They have been an encouragement to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant^[d] of the Messiah^[e] Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature,^[f] completely convinced of the entire will of God. ¹³ For I can testify on his behalf that he has a deep concern for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, especially to Nympha and the church that is in her house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and be sure to read the one from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “See that you complete the ministry you have received from the Lord.”

Final Greeting

¹⁸ This greeting is written with my own signature^[g]—“Paul.” Remember that I remain imprisoned. May grace be with you! Amen.^[h]