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
37 Bezalel made the ark of the covenant law out of acacia wood. It was three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide and high. 2 He covered it inside and outside with pure gold. He put a strip of gold around it. 3 He made four gold rings for it. He joined them to its four bottom corners. He put two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles out of acacia wood. He covered them with gold. 5 He put the poles through the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made its cover out of pure gold. It was three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide. The cover is the place where sin is paid for. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He put one of the cherubim on each end of it. 9 He made them as part of the cover itself. Their wings spread up over the cover. The cherubim faced each other and looked toward the cover.
The Table for the Holy Bread
10 The workers made the table out of acacia wood. It was three feet long, one foot six inches wide and two feet three inches high. 11 Then they covered it with pure gold. They put a strip of gold around it. 12 They also made a rim around it three inches wide. They put a strip of gold around the rim. 13 They made four gold rings for the table. They joined them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were close to the rim. The rings held the poles used to carry the table. 15 The workers made the poles out of acacia wood. They covered them with gold. 16 They made plates, dishes and bowls out of pure gold for the table. They also made pure gold pitchers to pour out drink offerings.
More Teachings
2 Give a lot of time and effort to prayer. Always be watchful and thankful. 3 Pray for us too. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to preach our message. Then we can preach the mystery of Christ. Because I preached it, I am being held by chains. 4 Pray that I will preach it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother. He is a faithful worker. He serves the Lord together with us. 8 I am sending him to you for one reason. I want you to know what is happening here. I want him to encourage you and make your hearts strong. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother. He is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 Aristarchus is in prison with me. He sends you his greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have been given directions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him.
11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. They are the only Jews who have worked together with me for God’s kingdom. They have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras sends greetings. He is one of you. He serves Christ Jesus. He is always praying hard for you. He prays that you will hold on tightly to all that God has in mind for us. He prays that you will keep growing in your knowledge of what God wants. He also prays that you will be completely sure about it. 13 I am happy to tell you that he is working very hard for you. He is also working hard for everyone in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, sends greetings. So does Demas.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. Also give my greetings to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, send it on. Be sure that it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And be sure that you read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus, “Be sure that you complete the work the Lord gave you to do.”
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I am being held by chains. May grace be with you.
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