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Exodus 39-40
Easy-to-Read Version
Exodus 39-40
Easy-to-Read Version
The Priests’ Special Clothes
39 The workers used the blue, purple, and red yarn to make special clothes for the priests to wear when they served in the holy place. They also made the special clothes for Aaron as the Lord had commanded Moses.
The Ephod
2 They made the ephod from gold thread, fine linen, and blue, purple, and red yarn. 3 (They hammered the gold into thin strips and cut the gold into long threads. They wove the gold into the blue, purple, and red yarn and fine linen. This was the work of a very skilled person.) 4 They made the shoulder pieces for the ephod. They tied these shoulder pieces to the two corners of the ephod. 5 They wove the cloth belt and fastened it to the ephod. It was made the same way as the ephod—they used gold thread, fine linen, and blue, purple, and red yarn, just as the Lord commanded Moses.
6 The workers put the onyx stones for the ephod in gold settings. They wrote the names of the sons of Israel on these stones. 7 Then they put these jewels on the shoulder pieces of the ephod. These jewels were to help God to remember the Israelites. This was done as the Lord commanded Moses.
The Judgment Pouch
8 Then they made the judgment pouch. It was the work of a skilled person, just like the ephod. It was made from gold threads, fine linen, and blue, purple, and red yarn. 9 The judgment pouch was folded in half to make a square pocket. It was 1 span[a] long and 1 span wide. 10 Then the workers put four rows of beautiful jewels on the judgment pouch. The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and a beryl. 11 The second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald. 12 The third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. 13 The fourth row had a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. All these jewels were set in gold. 14 There were twelve jewels on the judgment pouch—one jewel for each of the sons of Israel. Each stone had the name of one of the sons of Israel carved onto it, like a seal.
15 The workers made two chains from pure gold for the judgment pouch. The chains were braided like a rope. 16 The workers made two gold rings and fastened them to two corners of the judgment pouch. Then they made two gold settings for the shoulder pieces. 17 They fastened the gold chains to the rings at the corners of the judgment pouch. 18 They fastened the other ends of the gold chains to the settings on the shoulder pieces. They fastened these to the front of the ephod. 19 Then they made two more gold rings and put them on the other two corners of the judgment pouch. This was on the inside edge of the judgment pouch next to the ephod. 20 They also put two gold rings on the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod. These rings were near the fastener, just above the cloth belt. 21 Then they used a blue ribbon and tied the rings of the judgment pouch to the rings of the ephod. In this way the judgment pouch would rest close to the cloth belt and would be held tight against the ephod. They did everything just as the Lord commanded.
Other Clothes for the Priests
22 Then they made the robe for the ephod from blue cloth. It was woven by a skilled worker. 23 They made a hole in the center of the robe and sewed a piece of cloth around the edge of this hole. This cloth kept the hole from tearing.
24 Then they used fine linen and blue, purple, and red yarn to make the cloth pomegranates. They hung these pomegranates around the bottom edge of the robe. 25 Then they made bells from pure gold. They hung these bells around the bottom edge of the robe between the pomegranates. 26 Around the bottom edge of the robe there were bells and pomegranates. There was a bell following each pomegranate. This robe was for the priest to wear when he served the Lord. It was made just as the Lord commanded Moses.
27 Skilled workers wove shirts for Aaron and his sons. These shirts were made from fine linen. 28 And the workers made a turban from fine linen. They also used fine linen to make cloth caps and underclothes. 29 Then they made the cloth belt from fine linen and blue, purple, and red yarn. Designs were sewn into the cloth. These things were made as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30 Then they made a strip of pure gold for the holy crown. They carved these words into the gold like the writing on a seal: holy to the lord.[b] 31 They fastened the gold strip to a blue ribbon. Then they tied the blue ribbon around the turban like the Lord had commanded Moses.
Moses Inspects the Holy Tent
32 So all the work on the Holy Tent, that is, the Meeting Tent, was finished. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 Then they showed the Holy Tent and everything in it to Moses. They showed him the rings, the frames, the braces, the posts, and the bases. 34 They showed him the covering of the Tent that was made from ram skins dyed red and the covering that was made from fine leather. And they showed him the curtain that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place.
35 They showed Moses the Box of the Agreement, the poles used for carrying it, and the mercy-cover. 36 They showed him the table with everything on it and the special bread.[c] 37 They showed him the pure gold lampstand and the lamps on it, the oil, and all the other things that were used with the lamps. 38 They showed Moses the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet-smelling incense, and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Tent. 39 They showed him the bronze altar, the bronze screen, the poles used for carrying the altar, and everything that was used on the altar. They showed him the bowl and the base under the bowl.
40 They showed Moses the wall of curtains around the courtyard with the posts and bases. They showed him the curtain that covered the entrance to the courtyard. They showed him the ropes and the tent pegs. They showed him everything in the Holy Tent, that is, the Meeting Tent.
41 Then they showed Moses the clothes that were made for the priests serving in the holy area.[d] They showed him the special clothes for Aaron the priest and his sons to wear when they served as priests.
42 The Israelites did all this work exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 Moses looked closely at all the work and saw that it was done exactly as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Moses Sets Up the Holy Tent
40 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “On the first day of the first month, set up the Holy Tent, that is, the Meeting Tent. 3 Put the Box of the Agreement in the Holy Tent. Cover the Box with the curtain. 4 Then bring in the table. Put the things on the table that should be there. Then put the lampstand in the Tent. Put the lamps on the lampstand in the right places. 5 Put the golden altar for offering incense in the Tent in front of the Box of the Agreement. Then put the curtain at the entrance to the Holy Tent.
6 “Put the altar for burning offerings in front of the entrance of the Holy Tent, that is, the Meeting Tent. 7 Put the bowl between the Meeting Tent and the altar. Put water in the bowl. 8 Set up the wall of curtains around the courtyard. Then put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.
9 “Use the anointing oil and anoint the Holy Tent and everything in it. When you put the oil on these things, you will make them holy. 10 Anoint the altar for burning offerings. Anoint everything on the altar. You will make the altar holy. It will be very holy. 11 Then anoint the bowl and the base under it to make these things holy.
12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Meeting Tent. Wash them with water. 13 Then put the special clothes on Aaron. Anoint him with the oil and make him holy. Then he can serve me as a priest. 14 Then put the clothes on his sons. 15 Anoint the sons in the same way you anointed their father. Then they can also serve me as priests. When you anoint them, they will become priests. That family will continue to be priests for all time to come.” 16 Moses obeyed the Lord. He did everything that the Lord commanded him.
17 So the Holy Tent was set up at the right time. It was the first day of the first month during the second year from the time they left Egypt. 18 Moses set up the Holy Tent just as the Lord had said. He put the bases down first. Then he put the frames on the bases. Then he put the braces on and set up the posts. 19 After that Moses put the outer tent over the Holy Tent. Then he put the covering over the outer tent. He did these things just as the Lord had commanded.
20 Moses took the Agreement and put it in the Holy Box. He put the poles on the Box and put the mercy-cover on it. 21 Then Moses put the Holy Box into the Holy Tent. He hung the curtain in the right place to protect it. In this way he protected the Box of the Agreement behind the curtain just as the Lord had commanded him. 22 Then Moses put the table in the Meeting Tent on the north side of the Holy Tent. He put it in the Holy Place, in front of the curtain. 23 Then he put the bread on the table before the Lord. He did this just as the Lord had commanded him. 24 Then Moses put the lampstand in the Meeting Tent on the south side of the Tent, across from the table. 25 Then Moses put the lamps on the lampstand before the Lord. He did this just as the Lord had commanded him.
26 Then Moses put the golden altar in the Meeting Tent, in front of the curtain. 27 Then he burned sweet-smelling incense on the altar. He did this as the Lord had commanded him. 28 Then Moses put the curtain at the entrance to the Holy Tent.
29 Moses put the altar for burning offerings at the entrance to the Holy Tent, that is, the Meeting Tent. Then Moses offered a burnt offering on that altar. He also offered grain offerings to the Lord. He did these things just as the Lord had commanded him.
30 Then Moses put the bowl between the Meeting Tent and the altar. He put water in the bowl for washing. 31 Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons used this bowl to wash their hands and feet. 32 They washed themselves every time they entered the Meeting Tent. They also washed themselves every time they went near the altar. They did these things just as the Lord commanded Moses.
33 Then Moses set up the curtains around the courtyard of the Holy Tent. He put the altar in the courtyard. Then he put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. So he finished all the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the Meeting Tent and the Glory of the Lord filled the Holy Tent. 35 Moses could not go into the Meeting Tent because the cloud had settled on it, and the Glory of the Lord had filled the Holy Tent.
36 When the cloud rose from the Holy Tent, the Israelites would begin to travel. 37 But when the cloud stayed on the Holy Tent, the people did not try to move. They stayed in that place until the cloud rose. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the Holy Tent during the day, and at night there was a fire in the cloud. So all the Israelites could see the cloud while they traveled.
Footnotes
- Exodus 39:9 1 span The distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger, about 9" (23 cm).
- Exodus 39:30 Holy to the Lord These words were written on everything that was used in the Temple. This showed that these things belonged to the Lord, and that they could be used only for special purposes. Dishes with this label could be used only by the priests in a holy place.
- Exodus 39:36 special bread Also called “bread of the Presence.” Every day this bread was put before God on the special table in the Holy Place.
- Exodus 39:41 holy area A restricted area that was considered sacred (special) because of God’s presence.
Exodus 39-40
New International Version
Exodus 39-40
New International Version
The Priestly Garments
39 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn(A) they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary.(B) They also made sacred garments(C) for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.
The Ephod(D)
2 They[a] made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 3 They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. 4 They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. 5 Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.
6 They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. 7 Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial(E) stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.
The Breastpiece(F)
8 They fashioned the breastpiece(G)—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 9 It was square—a span[b] long and a span wide—and folded double. 10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 11 the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 12 the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; 13 the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper.[c] They were mounted in gold filigree settings. 14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(H)
15 For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece. 17 They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 18 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 19 They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 21 They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.
Other Priestly Garments(I)
22 They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— 23 with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar,[d] and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear. 24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe. 25 And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. 26 The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.
27 For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen(J)—the work of a weaver— 28 and the turban(K) of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen. 29 The sash was made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.
30 They made the plate, the sacred emblem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.(L) 31 Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban,(M) as the Lord commanded Moses.
Moses Inspects the Tabernacle(N)
32 So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.(O) 33 Then they brought the tabernacle(P) to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 34 the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather[e] and the shielding curtain; 35 the ark of the covenant law(Q) with its poles and the atonement cover; 36 the table(R) with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;(S) 37 the pure gold lampstand(T) with its row of lamps and all its accessories,(U) and the olive oil(V) for the light; 38 the gold altar,(W) the anointing oil,(X) the fragrant incense,(Y) and the curtain(Z) for the entrance to the tent; 39 the bronze altar(AA) with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin(AB) with its stand; 40 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;(AC) the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 41 and the woven garments(AD) worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.
42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.(AE) 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.(AF) So Moses blessed(AG) them.
Setting Up the Tabernacle
40 Then the Lord said to Moses: 2 “Set up(AH) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,(AI) on the first day of the first month.(AJ) 3 Place the ark(AK) of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. 4 Bring in the table(AL) and set out what belongs on it.(AM) Then bring in the lampstand(AN) and set up its lamps. 5 Place the gold altar(AO) of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
6 “Place the altar(AP) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 7 place the basin(AQ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 Set up the courtyard(AR) around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.
9 “Take the anointing oil and anoint(AS) the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,(AT) and it will be holy. 10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate(AU) the altar, and it will be most holy. 11 Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting(AV) and wash them with water.(AW) 13 Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,(AX) anoint him and consecrate(AY) him so he may serve me as priest. 14 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.(AZ) 15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.(BA)” 16 Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded(BB) him.
17 So the tabernacle(BC) was set up on the first day of the first month(BD) in the second year. 18 When Moses(BE) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,(BF) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering(BG) over the tent, as the Lord commanded(BH) him.
20 He took the tablets of the covenant law(BI) and placed them in the ark,(BJ) attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover(BK) over it. 21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain(BL) and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the Lord commanded(BM) him.
22 Moses placed the table(BN) in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain 23 and set out the bread(BO) on it before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(BP) him.
24 He placed the lampstand(BQ) in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle 25 and set up the lamps(BR) before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(BS) him.
26 Moses placed the gold altar(BT) in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord commanded(BU) him.
28 Then he put up the curtain(BV) at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar(BW) of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings,(BX) as the Lord commanded(BY) him.
30 He placed the basin(BZ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, 31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash(CA) their hands and feet. 32 They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,(CB) as the Lord commanded(CC) Moses.
33 Then Moses set up the courtyard(CD) around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain(CE) at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud(CF) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory(CG) of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory(CH) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.(CI)
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;(CJ) 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud(CK) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
Footnotes
- Exodus 39:2 Or He; also in verses 7, 8 and 22
- Exodus 39:9 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
- Exodus 39:13 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
- Exodus 39:23 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Exodus 39:34 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
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