February 13 Reading through the Bible - Day 44

EXODUS 35:10-36:38
MATTHEW 27:32-66
PSALM 34:1-10
PROVERBS 9:7-8

EXODUS 35:10-36:38
" Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the LORD has commanded: 11 the entire Tabernacle, including the sacred tent and its coverings, the clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases; 12 the Ark and its poles; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; the inner curtain to enclose the Ark in the Most Holy Place; 13 the table, its carrying poles, and all of its utensils; the Bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand and its accessories; the lamp cups and the oil for lighting; 15 the incense altar and its carrying poles; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering; the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils; the large washbasin with its pedestal; 17 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; 18 the tent pegs of the Tabernacle and courtyard and their cords; 19 the beautifully stitched clothing for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place; the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons to wear while officiating as priests." 20 So all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts. 21 If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the LORD their offerings of materials for the Tabernacle and its furnishings and for the holy garments. 22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. Some brought to the LORD their offerings of gold--medallions, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind to the LORD. 23 Others brought blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, or goat hair for cloth. Some gave tanned ram skins or fine goatskin leather. 24 Others brought silver and bronze objects as their offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it. 25 All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen cloth, and they brought them in. 26 All the women who were willing used their skills to spin and weave the goat hair into cloth. 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and the other gemstones to be used for the ephod and the chestpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense. 29 So the people of Israel--every man and woman who wanted to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses--brought their offerings to the LORD. 30 And Moses told them, " The LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 32 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 33 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. In fact, he has every necessary skill. 34 And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. 35 The LORD has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.36:1 " BEZALEL, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded." 2 So Moses told Bezalel and Oholiab to begin the work, along with all those who were specially gifted by the LORD. 3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people for the completion of the sanctuary. Additional gifts were brought each morning. 4 But finally the craftsmen left their work to meet with Moses. 5 " We have more than enough materials on hand now to complete the job the LORD has given us to do!" they exclaimed. 6 So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: " Bring no more materials! You have already given more than enough." So the people stopped bringing their offerings. 7 Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project. 8 The skilled weavers first made ten sheets from fine linen. One of the craftsmen then embroidered blue, purple, and scarlet cherubim into them. 9 Each sheet was exactly the same size--forty-two feet long and six feet wide. 10 Five of these sheets were joined together to make one set, and a second set was made of the other five. 11 Fifty blue loops were placed along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 12 The fifty loops along the edge of the first set of sheets matched the loops along the edge of the second set. 13 Then fifty gold clasps were made to connect the loops on the edge of each set. Thus the Tabernacle was joined together in one piece. 14 Above the Tabernacle, a roof covering was made from eleven sheets of cloth made from goat hair. 15 Each sheet was exactly the same size--forty-five feet long and six feet wide. 16 The craftsmen joined five of these sheets together to make one set, and the six remaining sheets were joined to make a second set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 18 They also made fifty small bronze clasps to couple the loops, so the two sets of sheets were firmly attached to each other. In this way, the roof covering was joined together in one piece. 19 Then they made two more layers for the roof covering. The first was made of tanned ram skins, and the second was made of fine goatskin leather. 20 For the framework of the Tabernacle, they made frames of acacia wood standing on end. 21 Each frame was 15 feet high and 2 feet wide. 22 There were two pegs on each frame so they could be joined to the next frame. All the frames were made this way. 23 They made twenty frames to support the south side, 24 along with forty silver bases, two for each frame. 25 They also made twenty frames for the north side of the Tabernacle, 26 along with forty silver bases, two for each frame. 27 The west side of the Tabernacle, which was its rear, was made from six frames, 28 plus an extra frame at each corner. 29 These corner frames were connected at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single unit from top to bottom. They made two of these, one for each rear corner. 30 So for the west side they made a total of eight frames, along with sixteen silver bases, two for each frame. 31 Then they made five crossbars from acacia wood to tie the frames on the south side together. 32 They made another five for the north side and five for the west side. 33 The middle crossbar of the five was halfway up the frames, along each side, running from one end to the other. 34 The frames and crossbars were all overlaid with gold. The rings used to hold the crossbars were made of pure gold. 35 The inner curtain was made of fine linen cloth, and cherubim were skillfully embroidered into it with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 36 This curtain was then attached to four gold hooks set into four posts of acacia wood. The posts were overlaid with gold and set into four silver bases. 37 Then they made another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. It was made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 38 This curtain was connected by five hooks to five posts. The posts with their decorated tops and bands were overlaid with gold. The five bases were molded from bronze.

MATTHEW 27:32-66
As they [the soldiers] were on the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. 33 Then they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means Skull Hill). 34 The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus' head, announcing the charge against him. It read: " This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." 38 Two criminals were crucified with him, their crosses on either side of his. 39 And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 " So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!" 41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders also mocked Jesus. 42 " He saved others," they scoffed, " but he can't save himself! So he is the king of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God--let God show his approval by delivering him! For he said, ` I am the Son of God.' " 44 And the criminals who were crucified with him also shouted the same insults at him. 45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. 46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, " Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, " My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, " Leave him alone. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save him." 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead 53 after Jesus' resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, " Truly, this was the Son of God!" 55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and Zebedee's wife, the mother of James and John.57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who was one of Jesus' followers, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance as he left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching. 62 The next day--on the first day of the Passover ceremonies--the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, " Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ` After three days I will be raised from the dead.' 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he came back to life! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first." 65 Pilate replied, " Take guards and secure it the best you can." 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

PSALM 34:1-10
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
1 I will praise the LORD at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the LORD;
let all who are discouraged take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
7 For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!
9 Let the LORD's people show him reverence,
for those who honor him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.

PROVERBS 9:7-8
Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more.

February 12 Reading through the Bible Day 43

EXODUS 34:1-35:9
MATTHEW 27:15-31
PSALM 33:12-22
PROVERBS 9:1-6

EXODUS 34:1-35:9
The LORD told Moses, " Prepare two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed. 2 Be ready in the morning to come up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain. 3 No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is allowed anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain." 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the LORD had told him, carrying the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and called out his own name, " the LORD," as Moses stood there in his presence. 6 He passed in front of Moses and said, " I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations." 8 Moses immediately fell to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, " If it is true that I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, then please go with us. Yes, this is an unruly and stubborn people, but please pardon our iniquity and our sins. Accept us as your own special possession." 10 The LORD replied, " All right. This is the covenant I am going to make with you. I will perform wonders that have never been done before anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD--the awesome power I will display through you. 11 Your responsibility is to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then I will surely drive out all those who stand in your way--the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 12 " Be very careful never to make treaties with the people in the land where you are going. If you do, you soon will be following their evil ways. 13 Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash the sacred pillars they worship, and cut down their carved images. 14 You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you. 15 " Do not make treaties of any kind with the people living in the land. They are spiritual prostitutes, committing adultery against me by sacrificing to their gods. If you make peace with them, they will invite you to go with them to worship their gods, and you are likely to do it. 16 And you will accept their daughters, who worship other gods, as wives for your sons. Then they will cause your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods. 17 You must make no gods for yourselves at all. 18 " Be sure to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days, just as I instructed you, at the appointed time each year in early spring, for that was when you left Egypt. 19 " Every firstborn male belongs to me--of both cattle and sheep. 20 A firstborn male donkey may be redeemed from the LORD by presenting a lamb in its place. But if you decide not to make the exchange, you must kill the donkey by breaking its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn son. No one is allowed to appear before me without a gift. 21 " Six days are set aside for work, but on the Sabbath day you must rest, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest. 22 And you must remember to celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first crop of the wheat harvest, and celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season. 23 Three times each year all the men of Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. 24 No one will attack and conquer your land when you go to appear before the LORD your God those three times each year. I will drive out the nations that stand in your way and will enlarge your boundaries. 25 " You must not offer bread made with yeast as a sacrifice to me. And none of the meat of the Passover lamb may be kept over until the following morning. 26 You must bring the best of the first of each year's crop to the house of the LORD your God. " You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk." 27 And the LORD said to Moses, " Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of my covenant with you and with Israel." 28 Moses was up on the mountain with the LORD forty days and forty nights. In all that time he neither ate nor drank. At that time he wrote the terms of the covenant--the Ten Commandments--on the stone tablets. 29 When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the LORD face to face. 30 And when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them and asked Aaron and the community leaders to come over and talk with him. 32 Then all the people came, and Moses gave them the instructions the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he removed the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the LORD had given him, 35 and the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the LORD.35:1 NOW Moses called a meeting of all the people and told them, " You must obey these instructions from the LORD. 2 Each week, work for six days only. The seventh day is a day of total rest, a holy day that belongs to the LORD. Anyone who works on that day will die. 3 Do not even light fires in your homes on that day." 4 Then Moses said to all the people, " This is what the LORD has commanded. 5 Everyone is invited to bring these offerings to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; 7 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 9 onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece."

MATTHEW 27:15-31
Now it was the governor's custom to release one prisoner to the crowd each year during the Passover celebration--anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious criminal in prison, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate's house that morning, he asked them, " Which one do you want me to release to you--Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" 18 (He knew very well that the Jewish leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: " Leave that innocent man alone, because I had a terrible nightmare about him last night." 20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and other leaders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So when the governor asked again, " Which of these two do you want me to release to you?" the crowd shouted back their reply: " Barabbas!" 22 " But if I release Barabbas," Pilate asked them, " what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" And they all shouted, " Crucify him!" 23 " Why?" Pilate demanded. " What crime has he committed?" But the crowd only roared the louder, " Crucify him!" 24 Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, " I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours!" 25 And all the people yelled back, " We will take responsibility for his death--we and our children!"26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him. 27 Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, " Hail! King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

PSALM 33:12-22
What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD,
whose people he has chosen for his own.
13 The LORD looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
14 From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
15 He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
17 Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--
for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the LORD watches over those who fear him,
those who rely on his unfailing love.
19 He rescues them from death
and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We depend on the LORD alone to save us.
Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we are trusting in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD,
for our hope is in you alone.

PROVERBS 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. " Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, " Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise."

February 11 Reading through the Bible Day 42

EXODUS 32:1-33:23
MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
PSALM 33:1-11
PROVERBS 8:33-36

EXODUS 32:1-33:23
When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. " Look," they said, " make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don't know what has happened to him." 2 So Aaron said, " Tell your wives and sons and daughters to take off their gold earrings, and then bring them to me." 3 All the people obeyed Aaron and brought him their gold earrings. 4 Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded and tooled it into the shape of a calf. The people exclaimed, " O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!" 5 When Aaron saw how excited the people were about it, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, " Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD!" 6 So the people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and indulged themselves in pagan revelry. 7 Then the LORD told Moses, " Quick! Go down the mountain! The people you brought from Egypt have defiled themselves. 8 They have already turned from the way I commanded them to live. They have made an idol shaped like a calf, and they have worshiped and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ` These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.' " 9 Then the LORD said, " I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. 10 Now leave me alone so my anger can blaze against them and destroy them all. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation instead of them."11 But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God not to do it. " O LORD!" he exclaimed. " Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and mighty acts? 12 The Egyptians will say, ` God tricked them into coming to the mountains so he could kill them and wipe them from the face of the earth.' Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you are planning against your people! 13 Remember your covenant with your servants--Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You swore by your own self, ` I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. Yes, I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.' " 14 So the LORD withdrew his threat and didn't bring against his people the disaster he had threatened. 15 Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16 These stone tablets were God's work; the words on them were written by God himself. 17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting below them, he exclaimed to Moses, " It sounds as if there is a war in the camp!" 18 But Moses replied, " No, it's neither a cry of victory nor a cry of defeat. It is the sound of a celebration." 19 When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf they had made and melted it in the fire. And when the metal had cooled, he ground it into powder and mixed it with water. Then he made the people drink it. 21 After that, he turned to Aaron. " What did the people do to you?" he demanded. " How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" 22 " Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. " You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. 23 They said to me, ` Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.' 24 So I told them, ` Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire--and out came this calf!" 25 When Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control--and much to the amusement of their enemies--26 he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, " All of you who are on the LORD's side, come over here and join me." And all the Levites came. 27 He told them, " This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Strap on your swords! Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other, killing even your brothers, friends, and neighbors." 28 The Levites obeyed Moses, and about three thousand people died that day. 29 Then Moses told the Levites, " Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Because of this, he will now give you a great blessing." 30 The next day Moses said to the people, " You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you." 31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, " Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. 32 But now, please forgive their sin--and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." 33 The LORD replied to Moses, " I will blot out whoever has sinned against me. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you! But when I call the people to account, I will certainly punish them for their sins." 35 And the LORD sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.33:1 THE LORD said to Moses, " Now that you have brought these people out of Egypt, lead them to the land I solemnly promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them long ago that I would give this land to their descendants. 2 And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 3 Theirs is a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not travel along with you, for you are a stubborn, unruly people. If I did, I would be tempted to destroy you along the way." 4 When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and refused to wear their jewelry and ornaments. 5 For the LORD had told Moses to tell them, " You are an unruly, stubborn people. If I were there among you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and ornaments until I decide what to do with you." 6 So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry. 7 It was Moses' custom to set up the tent known as the Tent of Meeting far outside the camp. Everyone who wanted to consult with the LORD would go there. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in their tent entrances. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. 9 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at the entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Then all the people would stand and bow low at their tent entrances. 11 Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting. 12 Moses said to the LORD, " You have been telling me, ` Take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. 13 Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people." 14 And the LORD replied, " I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest--everything will be fine for you." 15 Then Moses said, " If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don't go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?" 17 And the LORD replied to Moses, " I will indeed do what you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and you are my friend." 18 Then Moses had one more request. " Please let me see your glorious presence," he said. 19 The LORD replied, " I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, ` the LORD,' to you. I will show kindness to anyone I choose, and I will show mercy to anyone I choose. 20 But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 The LORD continued, " Stand here on this rock beside me. 22 As my glorious presence passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed. 23 Then I will remove my hand, and you will see me from behind. But my face will not be seen."

MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, " You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. " I don't know what you are talking about," he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, " This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. " I don't even know the man," he said. 73 A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, " You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent." 74 Peter said, " I swear by God, I don't know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: " Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away, crying bitterly.27:1 VERY early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders. 4 " I have sinned," he declared, " for I have betrayed an innocent man."" What do we care?" they retorted. " That's your problem." 5 Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the money. " We can't put it in the Temple treasury," they said, " since it's against the law to accept money paid for murder." 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter's field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, " They took the thirty pieces of silver--
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel--
10 and purchased the potter's field,
as the Lord directed."
11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. " Are you the King of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, " Yes, it is as you say." 12 But when the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 " Don't you hear their many charges against you?" Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor's great surprise.

PSALM 33:1-11
Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD,
for it is fitting to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
3 Sing new songs of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.
4 For the word of the LORD holds true,
and everything he does is worthy of our trust.
5 He loves whatever is just and good,
and his unfailing love fills the earth.
6 The LORD merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
7 He gave the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
8 Let everyone in the world fear the LORD,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.
9 For when he spoke, the world began!
It appeared at his command.
10 The LORD shatters the plans of the nations
and thwarts all their schemes.
11 But the LORD's plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.

PROVERBS 8:33-36
" Listen to my [wisdom's] counsel and be wise. Don't ignore it. Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the LORD. But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death."

February 10 Reading through the Bible Day 41

EXODUS 30:11-31:18
MATTHEW 26:47-68
PSALM 32:1-11
PROVERBS 8:27-32

EXODUS 30:11-31:18
And the LORD said to Moses, 12 " Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then there will be no plagues among the people as you count them. 13 His payment to the LORD will be one-fifth of an ounce of silver. 14 All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this offering to the LORD. 15 When this offering is given to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves, the rich must not give more, and the poor must not give less. 16 Use this money for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring you, the Israelites, to the LORD's attention, and it will make atonement for your lives." 17 And the LORD said to Moses, 18 " Make a large bronze washbasin with a bronze pedestal. Put it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there 20 before they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and before they approach the altar to burn offerings to the LORD. They must always wash before ministering in these ways, or they will die. 21 This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be kept from generation to generation."22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 " Collect choice spices--12 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 pounds each of cinnamon and of sweet cane, 24 12 pounds of cassia, and one gallon of olive oil. 25 Blend these ingredients into a holy anointing oil. 26 Use this scented oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, 27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar, 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the large washbasin with its pedestal. 29 Sanctify them to make them entirely holy. After this, whatever touches them will become holy. 30 Use this oil also to anoint Aaron and his sons, sanctifying them so they can minister before me as priests. 31 And say to the people of Israel, ` This will always be my holy anointing oil. 32 It must never be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you must never make any of it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy. 33 Anyone who blends scented oil like it or puts any of it on someone who is not a priest will be cut off from the community.' " 34 These were the LORD's instructions to Moses concerning the incense: " Gather sweet spices--resin droplets, mollusk scent, galbanum, and pure frankincense--weighing out the same amounts of each. 35 Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, refine it to produce a pure and holy incense. 36 Beat some of it very fine and put some of it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. This incense is most holy. 37 Never make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy. 38 Those who make it for their own enjoyment will be cut off from the community."31:1 THE LORD also said to Moses, 2 " Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft! 6 " And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make: 7 the Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; 8 the table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal; 10 the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; 11 the anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you." 12 The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 13 " Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. 14 Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with them. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed." 18 Then as the LORD finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God.

MATTHEW 26:47-68
And even as he [Jesus] said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a mob that was armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent out by the leading priests and other leaders of the people. 48 Judas had given them a prearranged signal: " You will know which one to arrest when I go over and give him the kiss of greeting." 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. " Greetings, Teacher!" he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, " My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for." Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off an ear of the high priest's servant. 52 " Put away your sword," Jesus told him. " Those who use the sword will be killed by the sword. 53 Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, " Am I some dangerous criminal, that you have come armed with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures." At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. 57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter was following far behind and eventually came to the courtyard of the high priest's house. He went in, sat with the guards, and waited to see what was going to happen to Jesus. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, there was no testimony they could use. Finally, two men were found 61 who declared, " This man said, ` I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' " 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, " Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, " I demand in the name of the living God that you tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God." 64 Jesus replied, " Yes, it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, " Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?" " Guilty!" they shouted. " He must die!" 67 Then they spit in Jesus' face and hit him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, " Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"

PSALM 32:1-11
A psalm of David.
1 Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Interlude5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, " I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Interlude6 Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude8 The LORD says, " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."
10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.
11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

PROVERBS 8:27-32
" I [wisdom] was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with what he created--his wide world and all the human family!And so, my children,> listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways."

February 9 Reading through the Bible Day 40

EXODUS 29:1-30:10
MATTHEW 26:14-46
PSALM 31:19-24
PROVERBS 8:14-26

EXODUS 29:1-30:10
" This is the ceremony for the dedication of Aaron and his sons as priests: Take a young bull and two rams with no physical defects. 2 Then using fine wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers with oil poured over them. 3 Place these various kinds of bread in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams. 4 " Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 5 Then put Aaron's tunic on him, along with the embroidered robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, the chestpiece, and the sash. 6 And place on his head the turban with the gold medallion. 7 Then take the anointing oil and pour it over his head. 8 Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics 9 with their woven sashes and their headdresses. They will then be priests forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons. 10 " Then bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head. 11 You will then slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 12 Smear some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat that covers the internal organs, also the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, and burn them on the altar. 14 Then take the carcass (including the skin and the dung) outside the camp, and burn it as a sin offering. 15 " Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams 16 as it is slaughtered. Its blood will be collected and sprinkled on the sides of the altar. 17 Cut up the ram and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body, 18 and burn them all on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the LORD, which is very pleasing to him. 19 " Now take the other ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head 20 as it is slaughtered. Collect the blood and place some of it on the tip of the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on their right thumbs and the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the rest of the blood on the sides of the altar. 21 Then take some of the blood from the altar and mix it with some of the anointing oil. Sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their clothes. In this way, they and their clothing will be set apart as holy to the LORD. 22 " Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat tail and the fat that covers the internal organs. Also, take the long lobe of the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh. 23 Then take one loaf of bread, one cake mixed with olive oil, and one wafer from the basket of yeastless bread that was placed before the LORD. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special gift to the LORD. 25 Afterward take the bread from their hands, and burn it on the altar as a burnt offering that will be pleasing to the LORD. 26 Then take the breast of Aaron's ordination ram, and lift it up in the LORD's presence as a special gift to him. Afterward keep it for yourself. 27 " Set aside as holy the parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up before the LORD in the ordination ceremony. 28 In the future, whenever the people of Israel offer up peace offerings or thanksgiving offerings to the LORD, these parts will be the regular share of Aaron and his descendants. 29 " Aaron's sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who will succeed him, so they can be anointed and ordained in them. 30 Whoever is the next high priest after Aaron will wear these clothes for seven days before beginning to minister in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place. 31 " Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place. 32 Aaron and his sons are to eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance. 33 They alone may eat the meat and bread used for their atonement in the ordination ceremony. The ordinary people may not eat them, for these things are set apart and holy. 34 If any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy. 35 " This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days. 36 Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as an offering for the atonement of sin. Afterward make an offering to cleanse the altar. Purify the altar by making atonement for it; make it holy by anointing it with oil. 37 Make atonement for the altar every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be exceedingly holy, and whatever touches it will become holy. 38 " This is what you are to offer on the altar. Offer two one-year-old lambs each day, 39 one in the morning and the other in the evening. 40 With one of them, offer two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of olive oil; also, offer one quart of wine as a drink offering. 41 Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a fragrant offering to the LORD, an offering made by fire. 42 " This is to be a daily burnt offering given from generation to generation. Offer it in the LORD's presence at the Tabernacle entrance, where I will meet you and speak with you. 43 I will meet the people of Israel there, and the Tabernacle will be sanctified by my glorious presence. 44 Yes, I will make the Tabernacle and the altar most holy, and I will set apart Aaron and his sons as holy, that they may be my priests. 45 I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the LORD their God.30:1 " THEN make a small altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. 2 It must be eighteen inches square and three feet high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar. 3 Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar. 4 Beneath the molding, on opposite sides of the altar, attach two gold rings to support the carrying poles. 5 The poles are to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. 6 Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain, opposite the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. I will meet with you there. 7 " Every morning when Aaron trims the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. 8 And each evening when he tends to the lamps, he must again burn incense in the LORD's presence. This must be done from generation to generation. 9 Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings. 10 " Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by placing on its horns the blood from the offering made for the atonement of sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD's supremely holy altar."

MATTHEW 26:14-46
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, " How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus. 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, " Where do you want us to prepare the Passover supper?" 18 " As you go into the city," he told them, " you will see a certain man. Tell him, ` The Teacher says, My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.' " 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover supper there. 20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 While they were eating, he said, " The truth is, one of you will betray me." 22 Greatly distressed, one by one they began to ask him, " I'm not the one, am I, Lord?" 23 He replied, " One of you who is eating with me now will betray me. 24 For I, the Son of Man, must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer. Far better for him if he had never been born!" 25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, " Teacher, I'm not the one, am I?" And Jesus told him, " You have said it yourself." 26 As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God's blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, " Take it and eat it, for this is my body." 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, " Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words--I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom." 30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.31 " Tonight all of you will desert me," Jesus told them. " For the Scriptures say, ` God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there." 33 Peter declared, " Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will." 34 " Peter," Jesus replied, " the truth is, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 " No!" Peter insisted. " Not even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same. 36 Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, " Sit here while I go on ahead to pray." 37 He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. 38 He told them, " My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." 39 He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, " My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, " Couldn't you stay awake and watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" 42 Again he left them and prayed, " My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done." 43 He returned to them again and found them sleeping, for they just couldn't keep their eyes open. 44 So he went back to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, " Still sleeping? Still resting? Look, the time has come. I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let's be going. See, my betrayer is here!"

PSALM 31:19-24
Your goodness is so great!
You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you.
You have done so much for those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.
21 Praise the LORD,
for he has shown me his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
22 In sudden fear I had cried out,
" I have been cut off from the LORD!"
But you heard my cry for mercy
and answered my call for help.
23 Love the LORD, all you faithful ones!
For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him,
but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant.
24 So be strong and take courage,
all you who put your hope in the LORD!

PROVERBS 8:14-26
" Good advice and success belong to me [wisdom]. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me. Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are mine to distribute. My gifts are better than the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth, for I fill their treasuries.The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born--before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil."

February 8 Reading through the Bible Day 39

EXODUS 28:1-43
MATTHEW 25:31-26:13
PSALM 31:9-18
PROVERBS 8:12-13

EXODUS 28:1-43
" Your [Moses'] brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, will be set apart from the common people. They will be my priests and will minister to me. 2 Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God--beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work. 3 Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as a priest. 4 They are to make a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered tunic, a turban, and a sash. They will also make special garments for Aaron's sons to wear when they serve as priests before me. 5 These items must be made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 6 " The ephod must be made of fine linen cloth and skillfully embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 7 It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. 8 And the sash will be made of the same materials: fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 9 Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel. 10 Six names will be on each stone, naming all the tribes in the order of their ancestors' births. 11 Engrave these names in the same way a gemcutter engraves a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings. 12 Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names before the LORD as a constant reminder. 13 The settings are to be made of gold filigree, 14 and two cords made of pure gold will be attached to the settings on the shoulders of the ephod. 15 " Then, with the most careful workmanship, make a chestpiece that will be used to determine God's will. Use the same materials as you did for the ephod: fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 16 This chestpiece will be made of two folds of cloth, forming a pouch nine inches square. 17 Four rows of gemstones will be attached to it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald. 18 The second row will contain a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone. 19 The third row will contain a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. 20 The fourth row will contain a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. All these stones will be set in gold. 21 Each stone will represent one of the tribes of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it as though it were a seal. 22 " To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold. 23 Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece. 24 The two gold cords will go through the rings on the chestpiece, 25 and the ends of the cords will be tied to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 26 Then make two more gold rings, and attach them to the two lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod. 27 And make two more gold rings and attach them to the ephod near the sash. 28 Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod above the beautiful sash. 29 In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the presence of the LORD in the Holy Place. Thus, the LORD will be reminded of his people continually. 30 Insert into the pocket of the chestpiece the Urim and Thummim, to be carried over Aaron's heart when he goes into the LORD's presence. Thus, Aaron will always carry the objects used to determine the LORD's will for his people whenever he goes in before the LORD. 31 " Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The opening will be reinforced by a woven collar so it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all the way around the hem. 35 Aaron will wear this robe whenever he enters the Holy Place to minister to the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD's presence. If he wears it, he will not die. 36 " Next make a medallion of pure gold. Using the techniques of an engraver, inscribe it with these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD. 37 This medallion will be attached to the front of Aaron's turban by means of a blue cord. 38 Aaron will wear it on his forehead, thus bearing the guilt connected with any errors regarding the sacred offerings of the people of Israel. He must always wear it so the LORD will accept the people. 39 " Weave Aaron's patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban out of this linen as well. Also make him an embroidered sash. 40 " Then for Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and headdresses to give them dignity and respect. 41 Clothe Aaron and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Set them apart as holy so they can serve as my priests. 42 Also make linen underclothes for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from waist to thigh. 43 These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their duties. Thus they will not incur guilt and die. This law is permanent for Aaron and his descendants."

MATTHEW 25:31-26:13
" But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on the right, ` Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' 37 " Then these righteous ones will reply, ` Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' 40 And the King will tell them, ` I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,* you were doing it to me!' 41 " Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ` Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! 42 For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 44 " Then they will reply, ` Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' 45 And he will answer, ` I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."26:1 WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, he said to his disciples, 2 " As you know, the Passover celebration begins in two days, and I, the Son of Man, will be betrayed and crucified." 3 At that same time the leading priests and other leaders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 to discuss how to capture Jesus secretly and put him to death. 5 " But not during the Passover," they agreed, " or there will be a riot." 6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. 7 During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. " What a waste of money," they said. 9 " She could have sold it for a fortune and given the money to the poor." 10 But Jesus replied, " Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory."

PSALM 31:9-18
Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress.
My sight is blurred because of my tears.
My body and soul are withering away.
10 I am dying from grief;
my years are shortened by sadness.
Misery has drained my strength;
I am wasting away from within.
11 I am scorned by all my enemies
and despised by my neighbors--
even my friends are afraid to come near me.
When they see me on the street,
they turn the other way.
12 I have been ignored as if I were dead,
as if I were a broken pot.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me,
and I am surrounded by terror.
My enemies conspire against me,
plotting to take my life.
14 But I am trusting you, O LORD,
saying, " You are my God!"
15 My future is in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, save me.
17 Don't let me be disgraced,O LORD,
for I call out to you for help.
Let the wicked be disgraced;
let them lie silent in the grave.
18 May their lying lips be silenced--
those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

PROVERBS 8:12-13
" I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech."

February 7 Reading through the Bible Day 38

EXODUS 26:1-27:21
MATTHEW 25:1-30
PSALM 31:1-8
PROVERBS 8:1-11

EXODUS 26:1-27:21
" Make the Tabernacle from ten sheets of fine linen. These sheets are to be decorated with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with figures of cherubim skillfully embroidered into them. 2 Each sheet must be forty-two feet long and six feet wide. All ten sheets must be exactly the same size. 3 Join five of these sheets together into one set; then join the other five sheets into a second set. 4 Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last sheet in each set. 5 The fifty loops along the edge of one set are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other. 6 Then make fifty gold clasps to fasten the loops of the two sets of sheets together, making the Tabernacle a single unit. 7 " Make heavy sheets of cloth from goat hair to cover the Tabernacle. There must be eleven of these sheets, 8 each forty-five feet long and six feet wide. All eleven of these sheets must be exactly the same size. 9 Join five of these together into one set, and join the other six into a second set. The sixth sheet of the second set is to be doubled over at the entrance of the sacred tent. 10 Put fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set, 11 and fasten them together with fifty bronze clasps. In this way, the two sets will become a single unit. 12 An extra half sheet of this roof covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle, 13 and the covering will hang down an extra eighteen inches on each side. 14 On top of these coverings place a layer of tanned ram skins, and over them put a layer of fine goatskin leather. This will complete the roof covering. 15 " The framework of the Tabernacle will consist of frames made of acacia wood. 16 Each frame must be 15 feet high and 2 feet wide. 17 There will be two pegs on each frame so they can be joined to the next frame. All the frames must be made this way. 18 Twenty of these frames will support the south side of the Tabernacle. 19 They will fit into forty silver bases--two bases under each frame. 20 On the north side there will also be twenty of these frames, 21 with their forty silver bases, two bases for each frame. 22 On the west side there will be six frames, 23 along with an extra frame at each corner. 24 These corner frames will be connected at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single unit. Both of these corner frames will be made the same way. 25 So there will be eight frames on that end of the Tabernacle, supported by sixteen silver bases--two bases under each frame. 26 " Make crossbars of acacia wood to run across the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle 27 and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face westward. 28 The middle crossbar, halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to support the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well. 30 " Set up this Tabernacle according to the design you were shown on the mountain. 31 " Across the inside of the Tabernacle hang a special curtain made of fine linen, with cherubim skillfully embroidered into the cloth using blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 32 Hang this inner curtain on gold hooks set into four posts made from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The posts will fit into silver bases. 33 When the inner curtain is in place, put the Ark of the Covenant behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 " Then put the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table and lampstand across the room from each other outside the inner curtain. The lampstand must be placed on the south side, and the table must be set toward the north. 36 " Make another curtain from fine linen for the entrance of the sacred tent, and embroider exquisite designs into it, using blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 37 Hang this curtain on gold hooks set into five posts made from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The posts will fit into five bronze bases.27:1 " USING acacia wood, make a square altar 7 feet wide, 7 feet long, and 4 feet high. 2 Make a horn at each of the four corners of the altar so the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar and its horns with bronze. 3 The ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and firepans will all be made of bronze. 4 Make a bronze grating, with a metal ring at each corner. 5 Fit the grating halfway down into the firebox, resting it on the ledge built there. 6 For moving the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 To carry it, put the poles into the rings at two sides of the altar. 8 The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Be careful to build it just as you were shown on the mountain. 9 " Then make a courtyard for the Tabernacle, enclosed with curtains made from fine linen. On the south side the curtains will stretch for 150 feet. 10 They will be held up by twenty bronze posts that fit into twenty bronze bases. The curtains will be held up with silver hooks attached to the silver rods that are attached to the posts. 11 It will be the same on the north side of the courtyard--150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts fitted into bronze bases, with silver hooks and rods. 12 The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases. 13 The east end will also be 75 feet long. 14 The courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases. 15 The curtain on the left side will also be 22 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.16 " For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long. Fashion it from fine linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It will be attached to four posts that fit into four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard must be connected by silver rods, using silver hooks. The posts are to be set in solid bronze bases. 18 So the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7 feet high, made from fine linen. The bases supporting its walls will be made of bronze. 19 " All the articles used in the work of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze. 20 " Tell the people of Israel to bring you pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually. 21 The lampstand will be placed outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons will keep the lamps burning in the LORD's presence day and night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be kept by all future generations."

MATTHEW 25:1-30
" The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. 6 At midnight they were roused by the shout, ` Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!' 7 " All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ` Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' 9 But the others replied, ` We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' 10 " But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ` Sir, open the door for us!' 12 But he called back, ` I don't know you!' 13 " So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return. 14 " Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip. He called together his servants and gave them money to invest for him while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to the last--dividing it in proportion to their abilities--and then left on his trip. 16 The servant who received the five bags of gold began immediately to invest the money and soon doubled it. 17 The servant with two bags of gold also went right to work and doubled the money. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money for safekeeping.19 " After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, ` Sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 21 The master was full of praise. ` Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' 22 " Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, ` Sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.' 23 The master said, ` Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' 24 " Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, ` Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.'26 " But the master replied, ` You wicked and lazy servant! You think I'm a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn't plant and gathering crops I didn't cultivate? 27 Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. 28 Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "

PSALM 31:1-8
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I have come to you for protection;
don't let me be put to shame.
Rescue me, for you always do what is right.
2 Bend down and listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be for me a great rock of safety,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril.
4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,
for I find protection in you alone.
5 I entrust my spirit into your hand.
Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God.
6 I hate those who worship worthless idols.
I trust in the LORD.
7 I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love,
for you have seen my troubles,
and you care about the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not handed me over to my enemy
but have set me in a safe place.

PROVERBS 8:1-11
Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, " I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it."

February 6 Reading through the Bible Day 37

EXODUS 23:14-25:40
MATTHEW 24:29-51
PSALM 30:1-12
PROVERBS 7:24-27

EXODUS 23:14-25:40
" Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. 15 The first is the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast, just as I commanded you before. This festival will be an annual event at the appointed time in early spring, for that is the anniversary of your exodus from Egypt. Everyone must bring me a sacrifice at that time. 16 You must also celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. Finally, you are to celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season. 17 At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD. 18 " Sacrificial blood must never be offered together with bread that has yeast in it. And no sacrificial fat may be left unoffered until the next morning. 19 " As you harvest each of your crops, bring me a choice sample of the first day's harvest. It must be offered to the LORD your God. " You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk. 20 " See, I am sending my angel before you to lead you safely to the land I have prepared for you. 21 Pay attention to him, and obey all of his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sins. He is my representative--he bears my name. 22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. 23 For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them. 24 Do not worship the gods of these other nations or serve them in any way, and never follow their evil example. Instead, you must utterly conquer them and break down their shameful idols. 25 " You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will keep you healthy. 26 There will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives. 27 " I will send my terror upon all the people whose lands you invade, and they will panic before you. 28 I will send hornets ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites. 29 But I will not do this all in one year because the land would become a wilderness, and the wild animals would become too many to control. 30 I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to fill the land. 31 And I will fix your boundaries from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the southern deserts to the Euphrates River. I will help you defeat the people now living in the land, and you will drive them out ahead of you. 32 " Make no treaties with them and have nothing to do with their gods. 33 Do not even let them live among you! If you do, they will infect you with their sin of idol worship, and that would be disastrous for you."24:1 THEN the LORD instructed Moses: " Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's leaders. All of them must worship at a distance. 2 You alone, Moses, are allowed to come near to the LORD. The others must not come too close. And remember, none of the other people are allowed to climb on the mountain at all." 3 When Moses had announced to the people all the teachings and regulations the LORD had given him, they answered in unison, " We will do everything the LORD has told us to do." 4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the LORD's instructions. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars around the altar, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young men to sacrifice young bulls as burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half the blood from these animals and drew it off into basins. The other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They all responded again, " We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey." 8 Then Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins over the people and said, " This blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these laws." 9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain. 10 There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens. 11 And though Israel's leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God's presence!12 And the LORD said to Moses, " Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there while I give you the tablets of stone that I have inscribed with my instructions and commands. Then you will teach the people from them." 13 So Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God. 14 Moses told the other leaders, " Stay here and wait for us until we come back. If there are any problems while I am gone, consult with Aaron and Hur, who are here with you." 15 Then Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. 16 And the glorious presence of the LORD rested upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from the cloud. 17 The Israelites at the foot of the mountain saw an awesome sight. The awesome glory of the LORD on the mountaintop looked like a devouring fire. 18 Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.25:1 THE LORD said to Moses, 2 " Tell the people of Israel that everyone who wants to may bring me an offering. 3 Here is a list of items you may accept on my behalf: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; 5 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; 7 onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece. 8 " I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. 9 You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you. 10 " Make an Ark of acacia wood--a sacred chest 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four rings of gold for it, and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 13 Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 Fit the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15 These carrying poles must never be taken from the rings; they are to be left there permanently. 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.17 " Then make the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--out of pure gold. It must be 3 feet long and 2 feet wide. 18 Then use hammered gold to make two cherubim, and place them at the two ends of the atonement cover. 19 Attach the cherubim to each end of the atonement cover, making it all one piece. 20 The cherubim will face each other, looking down on the atonement cover with their wings spread out above it. 21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel. 23 " Then make a table of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 24 Overlay it with pure gold and run a molding of gold around it. 25 Put a rim about three inches wide around the top edge, and put a gold molding all around the rim. 26 Make four gold rings, and put the rings at the four corners by the four legs, 27 close to the rim around the top. These rings will support the poles used to carry the table. 28 Make these poles from acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 29 And make gold plates and dishes, as well as pitchers and bowls to be used in pouring out drink offerings. 30 You must always keep the special Bread of the Presence on the table before me.31 " Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. The entire lampstand and its decorations will be one piece--the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and blossoms. 32 It will have six branches, three branches going out from each side of the center stem. 33 Each of the six branches will hold a cup shaped like an almond blossom, complete with buds and petals. 34 The center stem of the lampstand will be decorated with four almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 35 One blossom will be set beneath each pair of branches where they extend from the center stem. 36 The decorations and branches must all be one piece with the stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37 Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 38 The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39 You will need seventy-five pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories. 40 " Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain."

MATTHEW 24:29-51
" Immediately after those horrible days end, the sun will be darkened,
the moon will not give light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers of heaven will be shaken.
30 And then at last, the sign of the coming of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the nations of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. 32 " Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. 33 Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. 36 " However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 " When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 38 In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 " Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming. 43 " Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected. 45 " Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But if the servant is evil and thinks, ` My master won't be back for a while,' 49 and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk--50well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. 51 He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

PSALM 30:1-12
A psalm of David, sung at the dedication of the Temple.
1 I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help,
and you restored my health.
3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 His anger lasts for a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may go on all night,
but joy comes with the morning.
6 When I was prosperous I said,
" Nothing can stop me now!"
7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
8 I cried out to you, O LORD.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
9 " What will you gain if I die,
if I sink down into the grave?
Can my dust praise you from the grave?
Can it tell the world of your faithfulness?
10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O LORD."
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

PROVERBS 7:24-27
Listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don't let your hearts stray away toward her [immoral woman]. Don't wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.