Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 24

The King of Glory

A Davidic psalm.

Making the Ark

37 Bezalel^(A) made the ark of acacia wood, 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.^{[a] 2} He overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and made a gold molding all around it. ³ He cast four gold rings for it, for its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. ⁴ He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. ⁵ He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark for carrying the ark.

⁶ He made a mercy seat of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.^{[b] 7} He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat, ⁸ one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. At each end, he made a cherub of one piece with the mercy seat. ⁹ They had wings spread out. They faced each other and covered the mercy seat with their wings. The faces of the cherubim were looking toward the mercy seat.

Making the Table

¹⁰ He^(B) constructed the table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.^{[c] 11} He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding all around it. ¹² He made a three-inch^[d] frame all around it and made a gold molding all around its frame. ¹³ He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings to the four corners at its four legs. ¹⁴ The rings were next to the frame as holders for the poles to carry the table. ¹⁵ He made the poles for carrying the table from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. ¹⁶ He also made the utensils that would be on the table out of pure gold: its plates and cups, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

Speaking to God and Others

² Devote yourselves^(A) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door^(B) to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah,^(C) for which I am in prison,^{(D) 4} so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. ⁵ Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^{(E) 6} Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt,^(F) so that you may know how you should answer each person.^(G)

Christian Greetings

⁷ Tychicus,^(H) our dearly loved brother, faithful^(I) servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[a] and so that he may encourage^(J) your hearts.^{(K) 9} He is with Onesimus,^(L) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark,^(M) Barnabas’s^(N) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(O) who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending^(P) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured^[b] in everything God wills.^{(Q) 13} For I testify about him that he works hard^[c](R) for you, for those in Laodicea,^(S) and for those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas^(T) greet you. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.^{(U) 16} When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And tell Archippus,^(V) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”^(W)

¹⁸ This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment.^(X) Grace be with you.^[d](Y)