Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Psalm 24

Entrance into the Temple

Of David. A Psalm.

Making the Ark of the Covenant

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; it was two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.^{(A) 2} He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside and made a molding of gold around it. ³ He cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side.^{(B) 4} He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold ⁵ and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark. ⁶ He made a cover of pure gold; two cubits and a half was its length and a cubit and a half its width.^{(C) 7} He made two cherubim of hammered gold; at the two ends of the cover he made them, ⁸ one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the cover he made the cherubim at its two ends. ⁹ The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the cover with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were turned toward the cover.

Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence

¹⁰ He also made the table of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high.^{(D) 11} He overlaid it with pure gold and made a molding of gold around it. ¹² He also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide, and he made a molding of gold around the rim. ¹³ He cast for it four rings of gold and fastened the rings to the four corners at its four legs. ¹⁴ The rings that held the poles used for carrying the table were close to the rim. ¹⁵ He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table and overlaid them with gold. ¹⁶ And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings.^(E)

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.^{(A) 3} At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,^{(B) 4} so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^{[a](C) 6} Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.^(D)

Final Greetings and Benediction

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.^{(E) 8} I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[b] and that he may encourage your hearts; ⁹ he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.^(F)

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him.^{(G) 11} And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,^[c] greets you. He is always striving in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured^[d] in everything that God wills.^{(H) 13} For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.^{(I) 15} Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her^[e] house.^{(J) 16} And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.”^(K)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.^[f](L)