Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Entrance into the Temple

A Psalm of David.

Making the Ark of the Covenant

37 Bez′alel made the ark of acacia wood; two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. ² And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a molding of gold around it. ³ And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four corners, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. ⁴ And 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 And he made a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. ⁷ And he made two cherubim of hammered gold; on the two ends of the mercy seat he made them, ⁸ one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end; of one piece with the mercy seat he made the cherubim on its two ends. ⁹ The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the cherubim.

Making the Table for the Bread of the Presence

¹⁰ He also made the table of acacia wood; two cubits was its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height; ¹¹ and he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold around it. ¹² And he made around it a frame a handbreadth wide, and made a molding of gold around the frame. ¹³ He cast for it four rings of gold, and fastened the rings to the four corners at its four legs. ¹⁴ Close to the frame were the rings, as holders for the poles to carry the table. 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 which were to be upon the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour libations.

Further Instructions

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; ³ and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, ⁴ that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.

Final Greetings and Benediction

⁷ Tych′icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him One′simus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

¹⁰ Aristar′chus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas^[a] (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, receive him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Ep′aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant^[b] of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in La-odice′a and in Hi-erap′olis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician^[c] and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odice′a, and to Nympha and the church in her house. ¹⁶ And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the La-odice′ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice′a. ¹⁷ And say to Archip′pus, “See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you.