Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are Exodus 30:11–31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; and Proverbs 8:27-32. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
Exodus 30:11-31:18 (Contemporary English Version)
The Money for the Sacred Tent
11The LORD said to Moses: 12Find out how many grown men there are in Israel and require each of them to pay me to keep him safe from danger while you are counting them. 13-15Each man over nineteen, whether rich or poor, must pay me the same amount of money, weighed according to the official standards. 16This money is to be used for the upkeep of the sacred tent, and because of it, I will never forget my people.
The Large Bronze Bowl
(Exodus 38.8)
17The LORD said to Moses: 18-21Make a large bronze bowl and a bronze stand for it. Then put them between the altar for sacrifice and the sacred tent, so the priests can wash their hands and feet before entering the tent or offering a sacrifice on the altar. Each priest in every generation must wash himself in this way, or else he will die right there.
The Oil for Dedication and Ordination
(Exodus 37.29)
22The LORD said to Moses: 23-25Mix a gallon of olive oil with the following costly spices: twelve pounds of myrrh, six pounds of cinnamon, six pounds of cane, and twelve pounds of cassia. Measure these according to the official standards. Then use this sacred mixture 26for dedicating the tent and chest, 27the table with its equipment, the lampstand with its equipment, the incense altar with all its utensils, 28the altar for sacrifices, and the large bowl with its stand. 29By dedicating them in this way, you will make them so holy that anyone who even touches them will become holy.
30When you ordain Aaron and his sons as my priests, sprinkle them with some of this oil, 31and say to the people of Israel: " This oil must always be used in the ordination service of a priest. It is holy because it is dedicated to the LORD. 32So treat it as holy! Don't ever use it for everyday purposes or mix any for yourselves. 33If you do, you will no longer belong to the LORD's people."
30When you ordain Aaron and his sons as my priests, sprinkle them with some of this oil, 31and say to the people of Israel: " This oil must always be used in the ordination service of a priest. It is holy because it is dedicated to the LORD. 32So treat it as holy! Don't ever use it for everyday purposes or mix any for yourselves. 33If you do, you will no longer belong to the LORD's people."
The Sweet-Smelling Incense
34-35Mix equal amounts of the costly spices stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, then add salt to make the mixture pure and holy. 36Pound some of it into powder and sprinkle it in front of the sacred chest, where I meet with you. Be sure to treat this incense as something very holy. 37It is truly holy because it is dedicated to me, so don't ever make any for yourselves. 38If you ever make any of it to use as perfume, you will no longer belong to my people.
Exodus 31
The LORD Chooses Bezalel and Oholiab
(Exodus 35.30--36.1)
1The LORD said to Moses: 2I have chosen Bezalel a<="" value="[a]" >[] from the Judah tribe to make the sacred tent and its furnishings. 3-5Not only have I filled him with my Spirit, but I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. 6I have appointed Oholiab [b<="">]from the tribe of Dan to work with him, and I have also given skills to those who will help them make everything exactly as I have commanded you: 7-11the sacred tent with its furnishings, the sacred chest with its place of mercy, the table with all that is on it, the lamp with its equipment, the incense altar, the altar for sacrifices with its equipment, the bronze bowl with its stand, the beautiful priestly clothes for Aaron and his sons, the oil for dedication and ordination services, and the sweet-smelling incense for the holy place.
Laws for the Sabbath
12-13Moses told the Israelites that the LORD had said: The Sabbath belongs to me. Now I command you and your descendants to always obey the laws of the Sabbath. By doing this, you will know that I have chosen you as my own. 14-15Keep the Sabbath holy. You have six days to do your work, but the Sabbath is mine, and it must remain a day of rest. If you work on the Sabbath, you will no longer be part of my people, and you will be put to death.
16Every generation of Israelites must respect the Sabbath. 17This day will always serve as a reminder, both to me and to the Israelites, that I made the heavens and the earth in six days, then on the seventh day I rested and relaxed.
18When God had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two flat stones on which he had written all of his laws with his own hand.
Footnotes:- Exodus 31:2Bezalel: Hebrew " Bezalel, son of Uri and grandson of Hur."
- Exodus 31:6Oholiab: Hebrew " Oholiab son of Ahisamach."
16Every generation of Israelites must respect the Sabbath. 17This day will always serve as a reminder, both to me and to the Israelites, that I made the heavens and the earth in six days, then on the seventh day I rested and relaxed.
18When God had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two flat stones on which he had written all of his laws with his own hand.
Footnotes:
- Exodus 31:2Bezalel: Hebrew " Bezalel, son of Uri and grandson of Hur."
- Exodus 31:6Oholiab: Hebrew " Oholiab son of Ahisamach."
Matthew 26:47-68 (Contemporary English Version)
Jesus Is Arrested
(Mark 14.43-50; Luke 22.47-53; John 18.3-12)
47Jesus was still speaking, when Judas the betrayer came up. He was one of the twelve disciples, and a large mob armed with swords and clubs was with him. They had been sent by the chief priests and the nation's leaders. 48Judas had told them ahead of time, "Arrest the man I greet with a kiss." a<="" value="[a]" >[]49Judas walked right up to Jesus and said, "Hello, teacher." Then Judas kissed him. 50Jesus replied, "My friend, why are you here?" [b<="">] The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51One of Jesus' followers pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
52But Jesus told him, "Put your sword away. Anyone who lives by fighting will die by fighting. 53Don't you know that I could ask my Father, and right away he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? 54But then, how could the words of the Scriptures come true, which say that this must happen?"
55Jesus said to the mob, "Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like a criminal? Day after day I sat and taught in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. 56But all this happened, so that what the prophets wrote would come true."
All of Jesus' disciples left him and ran away.
52But Jesus told him, "Put your sword away. Anyone who lives by fighting will die by fighting. 53Don't you know that I could ask my Father, and right away he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? 54But then, how could the words of the Scriptures come true, which say that this must happen?"
55Jesus said to the mob, "Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like a criminal? Day after day I sat and taught in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. 56But all this happened, so that what the prophets wrote would come true."
All of Jesus' disciples left him and ran away.
Jesus Is Questioned by the Council
(Mark 14.53-65; Luke 22.54,55,63-71; John 18.13,14,19-24)
57After Jesus had been arrested, he was led off to the house of Caiaphas the high priest. The nation's leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses were meeting there. 58But Peter followed along at a distance and came to the courtyard of the high priest's palace. He went in and sat down with the guards to see what was going to happen. 59The chief priests and the whole council wanted to put Jesus to death. So they tried to find some people who would tell lies about him in court. [c<="">]60But they could not find any, even though many did come and tell lies. At last, two men came forward 61and said, "This man claimed that he would tear down God's temple and build it again in three days." 62The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Why don't you say something in your own defense? Don't you hear the charges they are making against you?" 63But Jesus did not answer. So the high priest said, "With the living God looking on, you must tell the truth. Tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?" [d<="">]64"That is what you say!" Jesus answered. "But I tell all of you,
`Soon you will see
the Son of Man
sitting at the right side [e<="">] of God All-Powerful
and coming on the clouds
of heaven.' "
65The high priest then tore his robe and said, "This man claims to be God! We don't need any more witnesses! You have heard what he said. 66What do you think?"
They answered, "He is guilty and deserves to die!" 67Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "You think you are the Messiah! So tell us who hit you!"
Footnotes:- Matthew 26:48the man I greet with a kiss: It was the custom for people to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
- Matthew 26:50Why are you here: Or "do what you came for."
- Matthew 26:59some people who would tell lies about him in court: The Law of Moses taught that two witnesses were necessary before a person could be put to death (see verse 60).
- Matthew 26:63Son of God: One of the titles used for the kings of Israel.
- Matthew 26:64right side: See the note at 22.44.
`Soon you will see
the Son of Man
sitting at the right side [e<="">] of God All-Powerful
and coming on the clouds
of heaven.' "
65The high priest then tore his robe and said, "This man claims to be God! We don't need any more witnesses! You have heard what he said. 66What do you think?"
They answered, "He is guilty and deserves to die!" 67Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "You think you are the Messiah! So tell us who hit you!"
Footnotes:
- Matthew 26:48the man I greet with a kiss: It was the custom for people to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
- Matthew 26:50Why are you here: Or "do what you came for."
- Matthew 26:59some people who would tell lies about him in court: The Law of Moses taught that two witnesses were necessary before a person could be put to death (see verse 60).
- Matthew 26:63Son of God: One of the titles used for the kings of Israel.
- Matthew 26:64right side: See the note at 22.44.
Psalm 32:1-11 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 32
(A special psalm by David.)
The Joy of Forgiveness
1Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive
and wipe away.
2You bless them by saying,
"You told me your sins,
without trying to hide them,
and now I forgive you."
3Before I confessed my sins,
my bones felt limp,
and I groaned all day long.
4Night and day your hand
weighed heavily on me,
and my strength was gone
as in the summer heat.
5So I confessed my sins
and told them all to you.
I said, "I'll tell the LORD
each one of my sins."
Then you forgave me
and took away my guilt.
6We worship you, Lord,
and we should always pray
whenever we find out
that we have sinned. a<="" value="[a]" >[] Then we won't be swept away
by a raging flood.
7You are my hiding place!
You protect me from trouble,
and you put songs in my heart
because you have saved me.
8You said to me,
"I will point out the road
that you should follow.
I will be your teacher
and watch over you.
9Don't be stupid
like horses and mules
that must be led with ropes
to make them obey."
10All kinds of troubles
will strike the wicked,
but your kindness shields those
who trust you, LORD.
11And so your good people
should celebrate and shout.
and wipe away.
2You bless them by saying,
"You told me your sins,
without trying to hide them,
and now I forgive you."
3Before I confessed my sins,
my bones felt limp,
and I groaned all day long.
4Night and day your hand
weighed heavily on me,
and my strength was gone
as in the summer heat.
5So I confessed my sins
and told them all to you.
I said, "I'll tell the LORD
each one of my sins."
Then you forgave me
and took away my guilt.
6We worship you, Lord,
and we should always pray
whenever we find out
that we have sinned. a<="" value="[a]" >[] Then we won't be swept away
by a raging flood.
7You are my hiding place!
You protect me from trouble,
and you put songs in my heart
because you have saved me.
8You said to me,
"I will point out the road
that you should follow.
I will be your teacher
and watch over you.
9Don't be stupid
like horses and mules
that must be led with ropes
to make them obey."
10All kinds of troubles
will strike the wicked,
but your kindness shields those
who trust you, LORD.
11And so your good people
should celebrate and shout.
Proverbs 8:27-32 (Contemporary English Version)
27I was there when the LORD
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
28I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
29I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
30I was right beside the LORD,
helping him plan and build. a<="" value="[a]" >[] I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
31I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
32Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
28I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
29I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
30I was right beside the LORD,
helping him plan and build. a<="" value="[a]" >[] I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
31I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
32Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
Thought for the Day
“What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Contemporary English Version) Righteous words, knowledge and sacrifice has meaning only when we decide to treat those around with kindness, compassion and respect. As a matter fact, faith itself means nothing unless we choose to love others.
Quote for the Day
German theatre practitioner, playwright, and poet, Bertolt Brecht wrote, “Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but quickly to see how to make them good.”
A Joke for Today
A man was brought to a hospital with heavily fractured bones. The doctor in the intensive care unit asks him, "Are you married?"
"No, I've been run over by a truck."
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That we strengthen our global unity rather than casting blame and sowing divisions.
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