(â 1:1) ¡ºIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.¡»
(â 1:2) ¡ºThe earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.¡»
(â 1:3) ¡ºThen God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.¡»
(â 1:4) ¡ºAnd God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.¡»
(â 1:5) ¡ºGod called the light "day" and the darkness "night." Together these made up one day.¡»
(â 1:6) ¡ºAnd God said, "Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water."¡»
(â 1:7) ¡ºAnd so it was. God made this space to separate the waters above from the waters below.¡»
(â 1:8) ¡ºAnd God called the space "sky." This happened on the second day.¡»
(â 1:9) ¡ºAnd God said, "Let the waters beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear." And so it was.¡»
(â 1:10) ¡ºGod named the dry ground "land" and the water "seas." And God saw that it was good.¡»
(â 1:11) ¡ºThen God said, "Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And so it was.¡»
(â 1:12) ¡ºThe land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good.¡»
(â 1:13) ¡ºThis all happened on the third day.¡»
(â 1:14) ¡ºAnd God said, "Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years.¡»
(â 1:15) ¡ºLet their light shine down upon the earth." And so it was.¡»
(â 1:16) ¡ºFor God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. The greater one, the sun, presides during the day; the lesser one, the moon, presides through the night. He also made the stars.¡»
(â 1:17) ¡ºGod set these lights in the heavens to light the earth,¡»
(â 1:18) ¡ºto govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.¡»
(â 1:19) ¡ºThis all happened on the fourth day.¡»
(â 1:20) ¡ºAnd God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind."¡»
(â 1:21) ¡ºSo God created great sea creatures and every sort of fish and every kind of bird. And God saw that it was good.¡»
(â 1:22) ¡ºThen God blessed them, saying, "Let the fish multiply and fill the oceans. Let the birds increase and fill the earth."¡»
(â 1:23) ¡ºThis all happened on the fifth day.¡»
(â 1:24) ¡ºAnd God said, "Let the earth bring forth every kind of animal--livestock, small animals, and wildlife." And so it was.¡»
(â 1:25) ¡ºGod made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to reproduce more of its own kind. And God saw that it was good.¡»
(â 1:26) ¡ºThen God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals."¡»
(â 1:27) ¡ºSo God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.¡»
(â 1:28) ¡ºGod blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals."¡»
(â 1:29) ¡ºAnd God said, "Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.¡»
(â 1:30) ¡ºAnd I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food." And so it was.¡»
(â 1:31) ¡ºThen God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.¡»
(â 2:1) ¡ºSo the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.¡»
(â 2:2) ¡ºOn the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work.¡»
(â 2:3) ¡ºAnd God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.¡»
(â 2:4) ¡ºThis is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the LORD God made the heavens and the earth,¡»
(â 2:5) ¡ºthere were no plants or grain growing on the earth, for the LORD God had not sent any rain. And no one was there to cultivate the soil.¡»
(â 2:6) ¡ºBut water came up out of the ground and watered all the land.¡»
(â 2:7) ¡ºAnd the LORD God formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.¡»
(â 2:8) ¡ºThen the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man he had created.¡»
(â 2:9) ¡ºAnd the LORD God planted all sorts of trees in the garden--beautiful trees that produced delicious fruit. At the center of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.¡»
(â 2:10) ¡ºA river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.¡»
(â 2:11) ¡ºOne of these branches is the Pishon, which flows around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found.¡»
(â 2:12) ¡ºThe gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there.¡»
(â 2:13) ¡ºThe second branch is the Gihon, which flows around the entire land of Cush.¡»
(â 2:14) ¡ºThe third branch is the Tigris, which flows to the east of Asshur. The fourth branch is the Euphrates.¡»
(â 2:15) ¡ºThe LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it.¡»
(â 2:16) ¡ºBut the LORD God gave him this warning: "You may freely eat any fruit in the garden¡»
(â 2:17) ¡ºexcept fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die."¡»
(â 2:18) ¡ºAnd the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him."¡»
(â 2:19) ¡ºSo the LORD God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird. He brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and Adam chose a name for each one.¡»
(â 2:20) ¡ºHe gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him.¡»
(â 2:21) ¡ºSo the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam's ribs and closed up the place from which he had taken it.¡»
(â 2:22) ¡ºThen the LORD God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam.¡»
(â 2:23) ¡º"At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called `woman,' because she was taken out of a man."¡»
(â 2:24) ¡ºThis explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.¡»
(â 2:25) ¡ºNow, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame.¡»
(â 3:1) ¡ºNow the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?"¡»
(â 3:2) ¡º"Of course we may eat it," the woman told him.¡»
(â 3:3) ¡º"It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die."¡»
(â 3:4) ¡º"You won't die!" the serpent hissed.¡»
(â 3:5) ¡º"God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil."¡»
(â 3:6) ¡ºThe woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too.¡»
(â 3:7) ¡ºAt that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves.¡»
(â 3:8) ¡ºToward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees.¡»
(â 3:9) ¡ºThe LORD God called to Adam, "Where are you?"¡»
(â 3:10) ¡ºHe replied, "I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."¡»
(â 3:11) ¡º"Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?"¡»
(â 3:12) ¡º"Yes," Adam admitted, "but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it."¡»
(â 3:13) ¡ºThen the LORD God asked the woman, "How could you do such a thing?" "The serpent tricked me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."¡»
(â 3:14) ¡ºSo the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, you will be punished. You are singled out from all the domestic and wild animals of the whole earth to be cursed. You will grovel in the dust as long as you live, crawling along on your belly.¡»
(â 3:15) ¡ºFrom now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."¡»
(â 3:16) ¡ºThen he said to the woman, "You will bear children with intense pain and suffering. And though your desire will be for your husband, he will be your master."¡»
(â 3:17) ¡ºAnd to Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit I told you not to eat, I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.¡»
(â 3:18) ¡ºIt will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.¡»
(â 3:19) ¡ºAll your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return."¡»
(â 3:20) ¡ºThen Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all people everywhere.¡»
(â 3:21) ¡ºAnd the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.¡»
(â 3:22) ¡ºThen the LORD God said, "The people have become as we are, knowing everything, both good and evil. What if they eat the fruit of the tree of life? Then they will live forever!"¡»
(â 3:23) ¡ºSo the LORD God banished Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.¡»
(â 3:24) ¡ºAfter banishing them from the garden, the LORD God stationed mighty angelic beings to the east of Eden. And a flaming sword flashed back and forth, guarding the way to the tree of life.¡»
(â 4:1) ¡ºNow Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the LORD's help, I have brought forth a man!"¡»
(â 4:2) ¡ºLater she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer.¡»
(â 4:3) ¡ºAt harvesttime Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce,¡»
(â 4:4) ¡ºwhile Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering,¡»
(â 4:5) ¡ºbut he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected.¡»
(â 4:6) ¡º"Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected?¡»
(â 4:7) ¡ºYou will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it."¡»
(â 4:8) ¡ºLater Cain suggested to his brother, Abel, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were there, Cain attacked and killed his brother.¡»
(â 4:9) ¡ºAfterward the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother? Where is Abel?" "I don't know!" Cain retorted. "Am I supposed to keep track of him wherever he goes?"¡»
(â 4:10) ¡ºBut the LORD said, "What have you done? Listen--your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!¡»
(â 4:11) ¡ºYou are hereby banished from the ground you have defiled with your brother's blood.¡»
(â 4:12) ¡ºNo longer will it yield abundant crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless fugitive on the earth, constantly wandering from place to place."¡»
(â 4:13) ¡ºCain replied to the LORD, "My punishment is too great for me to bear!¡»
(â 4:14) ¡ºYou have banished me from my land and from your presence; you have made me a wandering fugitive. All who see me will try to kill me!"¡»
(â 4:15) ¡ºThe LORD replied, "They will not kill you, for I will give seven times your punishment to anyone who does." Then the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him.¡»
(â 4:16) ¡ºSo Cain left the LORD's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.¡»
(â 4:17) ¡ºThen Cain's wife became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and they named him Enoch. When Cain founded a city, he named it Enoch after his son.¡»
(â 4:18) ¡ºEnoch was the father of Irad. Irad was the father of Mehujael. Mehujael was the father of Methushael. Methushael was the father of Lamech.¡»
(â 4:19) ¡ºLamech married two women--Adah and Zillah.¡»
(â 4:20) ¡ºAdah gave birth to a baby named Jabal. He became the first of the herdsmen who live in tents.¡»
(â 4:21) ¡ºHis brother's name was Jubal, the first musician--the inventor of the harp and flute.¡»
(â 4:22) ¡ºTo Lamech's other wife, Zillah, was born Tubal-cain. He was the first to work with metal, forging instruments of bronze and iron. Tubal-cain had a sister named Naamah.¡»
(â 4:23) ¡ºOne day Lamech said to Adah and Zillah, "Listen to me, my wives. I have killed a youth who attacked and wounded me.¡»
(â 4:24) ¡ºIf anyone who kills Cain is to be punished seven times, anyone who takes revenge against me will be punished seventy-seven times!"¡»
(â 4:25) ¡ºAdam slept with his wife again, and she gave birth to another son. She named him Seth, for she said, "God has granted me another son in place of Abel, the one Cain killed."¡»
(â 4:26) ¡ºWhen Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. It was during his lifetime that people first began to worship the LORD.¡»
(â 5:1) ¡ºThis is the history of the descendants of Adam. When God created people, he made them in the likeness of God.¡»
(â 5:2) ¡ºHe created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them "human."¡»
(â 5:3) ¡ºWhen Adam was 130 years old, his son Seth was born, and Seth was the very image of his father.¡»
(â 5:4) ¡ºAfter the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:5) ¡ºHe died at the age of 930.¡»
(â 5:6) ¡ºWhen Seth was 105 years old, his son Enosh was born.¡»
(â 5:7) ¡ºAfter the birth of Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:8) ¡ºHe died at the age of 912.¡»
(â 5:9) ¡ºWhen Enosh was 90 years old, his son Kenan was born.¡»
(â 5:10) ¡ºAfter the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived another 815 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:11) ¡ºHe died at the age of 905.¡»
(â 5:12) ¡ºWhen Kenan was 70 years old, his son Mahalalel was born.¡»
(â 5:13) ¡ºAfter the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:14) ¡ºHe died at the age of 910.¡»
(â 5:15) ¡ºWhen Mahalalel was 65 years old, his son Jared was born.¡»
(â 5:16) ¡ºAfter the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:17) ¡ºHe died at the age of 895.¡»
(â 5:18) ¡ºWhen Jared was 162 years old, his son Enoch was born.¡»
(â 5:19) ¡ºAfter the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:20) ¡ºHe died at the age of 962.¡»
(â 5:21) ¡ºWhen Enoch was 65 years old, his son Methuselah was born.¡»
(â 5:22) ¡ºAfter the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived another 300 years in close fellowship with God, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:23) ¡ºEnoch lived 365 years in all.¡»
(â 5:24) ¡ºHe enjoyed a close relationship with God throughout his life. Then suddenly, he disappeared because God took him.¡»
(â 5:25) ¡ºWhen Methuselah was 187 years old, his son Lamech was born.¡»
(â 5:26) ¡ºAfter the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:27) ¡ºHe died at the age of 969.¡»
(â 5:28) ¡ºWhen Lamech was 182 years old, his son Noah was born.¡»
(â 5:29) ¡ºLamech named his son Noah, for he said, "He will bring us relief from the painful labor of farming this ground that the LORD has cursed."¡»
(â 5:30) ¡ºAfter the birth of Noah, Lamech lived 595 years, and he had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 5:31) ¡ºHe died at the age of 777.¡»
(â 5:32) ¡ºBy the time Noah was 500 years old, he had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.¡»
(â 6:1) ¡ºWhen the human population began to grow rapidly on the earth,¡»
(â 6:2) ¡ºthe sons of God saw the beautiful women of the human race and took any they wanted as their wives.¡»
(â 6:3) ¡ºThen the LORD said, "My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, they will live no more than 120 years."¡»
(â 6:4) ¡ºIn those days, and even afterward, giants lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with human women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes mentioned in legends of old.¡»
(â 6:5) ¡ºNow the LORD observed the extent of the people's wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil.¡»
(â 6:6) ¡ºSo the LORD was sorry he had ever made them. It broke his heart.¡»
(â 6:7) ¡ºAnd the LORD said, "I will completely wipe out this human race that I have created. Yes, and I will destroy all the animals and birds, too. I am sorry I ever made them."¡»
(â 6:8) ¡ºBut Noah found favor with the LORD.¡»
(â 6:9) ¡ºThis is the history of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.¡»
(â 6:10) ¡ºNoah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.¡»
(â 6:11) ¡ºNow the earth had become corrupt in God's sight, and it was filled with violence.¡»
(â 6:12) ¡ºGod observed all this corruption in the world, and he saw violence and depravity everywhere.¡»
(â 6:13) ¡ºSo God said to Noah, "I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. Yes, I will wipe them all from the face of the earth!¡»
(â 6:14) ¡º"Make a boat from resinous wood and seal it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.¡»
(â 6:15) ¡ºMake it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.¡»
(â 6:16) ¡ºConstruct an opening all the way around the boat, 18 inches below the roof. Then put three decks inside the boat--bottom, middle, and upper--and put a door in the side.¡»
(â 6:17) ¡º"Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing. Everything on earth will die!¡»
(â 6:18) ¡ºBut I solemnly swear to keep you safe in the boat, with your wife and your sons and their wives.¡»
(â 6:19) ¡ºBring a pair of every kind of animal--a male and a female--into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood.¡»
(â 6:20) ¡ºPairs of each kind of bird and each kind of animal, large and small alike, will come to you to be kept alive.¡»
(â 6:21) ¡ºAnd remember, take enough food for your family and for all the animals."¡»
(â 6:22) ¡ºSo Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.¡»
(â 7:1) ¡ºFinally, the day came when the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I consider you alone to be righteous.¡»
(â 7:2) ¡ºTake along seven pairs of each animal that I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.¡»
(â 7:3) ¡ºThen select seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that every kind of living creature will survive the flood.¡»
(â 7:4) ¡ºOne week from today I will begin forty days and forty nights of rain. And I will wipe from the earth all the living things I have created."¡»
(â 7:5) ¡ºSo Noah did exactly as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(â 7:6) ¡ºHe was 600 years old when the flood came,¡»
(â 7:7) ¡ºand he went aboard the boat to escape--he and his wife and his sons and their wives.¡»
(â 7:8) ¡ºWith them were all the various kinds of animals--those approved for eating and sacrifice and those that were not--along with all the birds and other small animals.¡»
(â 7:9) ¡ºThey came into the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.¡»
(â 7:10) ¡ºOne week later, the flood came and covered the earth.¡»
(â 7:11) ¡ºWhen Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, the underground waters burst forth on the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky.¡»
(â 7:12) ¡ºThe rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.¡»
(â 7:13) ¡ºBut Noah had gone into the boat that very day with his wife and his sons--Shem, Ham, and Japheth--and their wives.¡»
(â 7:14) ¡ºWith them in the boat were pairs of every kind of breathing animal--domestic and wild, large and small--along with birds and flying insects of every kind.¡»
(â 7:15) ¡ºTwo by two they came into the boat,¡»
(â 7:16) ¡ºmale and female, just as God had commanded. Then the LORD shut them in.¡»
(â 7:17) ¡ºFor forty days the floods prevailed, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth.¡»
(â 7:18) ¡ºAs the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface.¡»
(â 7:19) ¡ºFinally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth,¡»
(â 7:20) ¡ºstanding more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks.¡»
(â 7:21) ¡ºAll the living things on earth died--birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all kinds of small animals, and all the people.¡»
(â 7:22) ¡ºEverything died that breathed and lived on dry land.¡»
(â 7:23) ¡ºEvery living thing on the earth was wiped out--people, animals both large and small, and birds. They were all destroyed, and only Noah was left alive, along with those who were with him in the boat.¡»
(â 7:24) ¡ºAnd the water covered the earth for 150 days.¡»
(â 8:1) ¡ºBut God remembered Noah and all the animals in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the waters, and the floods began to disappear.¡»
(â 8:2) ¡ºThe underground water sources ceased their gushing, and the torrential rains stopped.¡»
(â 8:3) ¡ºSo the flood gradually began to recede. After 150 days,¡»
(â 8:4) ¡ºexactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.¡»
(â 8:5) ¡ºTwo and a half months later, as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks began to appear.¡»
(â 8:6) ¡ºAfter another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat¡»
(â 8:7) ¡ºand released a raven that flew back and forth until the earth was dry.¡»
(â 8:8) ¡ºThen he sent out a dove to see if it could find dry ground.¡»
(â 8:9) ¡ºBut the dove found no place to land because the water was still too high. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside.¡»
(â 8:10) ¡ºSeven days later, Noah released the dove again.¡»
(â 8:11) ¡ºThis time, toward evening, the bird returned to him with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Noah now knew that the water was almost gone.¡»
(â 8:12) ¡ºA week later, he released the dove again, and this time it did not come back.¡»
(â 8:13) ¡ºFinally, when Noah was 601 years old, ten and a half months after the flood began, Noah lifted back the cover to look. The water was drying up.¡»
(â 8:14) ¡ºTwo more months went by, and at last the earth was dry!¡»
(â 8:15) ¡ºThen God said to Noah,¡»
(â 8:16) ¡º"Leave the boat, all of you.¡»
(â 8:17) ¡ºRelease all the animals and birds so they can breed and reproduce in great numbers."¡»
(â 8:18) ¡ºSo Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat.¡»
(â 8:19) ¡ºAnd all the various kinds of animals and birds came out, pair by pair.¡»
(â 8:20) ¡ºThen Noah built an altar to the LORD and sacrificed on it the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.¡»
(â 8:21) ¡ºAnd the LORD was pleased with the sacrifice and said to himself, "I will never again curse the earth, destroying all living things, even though people's thoughts and actions are bent toward evil from childhood.¡»
(â 8:22) ¡ºAs long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night."¡»
(â 9:1) ¡ºGod blessed Noah and his sons and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth.¡»
(â 9:2) ¡ºAll the wild animals, large and small, and all the birds and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them in your power.¡»
(â 9:3) ¡ºI have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables.¡»
(â 9:4) ¡ºBut you must never eat animals that still have their lifeblood in them.¡»
(â 9:5) ¡ºAnd murder is forbidden. Animals that kill people must die, and any person who murders must be killed.¡»
(â 9:6) ¡ºYes, you must execute anyone who murders another person, for to kill a person is to kill a living being made in God's image.¡»
(â 9:7) ¡ºNow you must have many children and repopulate the earth. Yes, multiply and fill the earth!"¡»
(â 9:8) ¡ºThen God told Noah and his sons,¡»
(â 9:9) ¡º"I am making a covenant with you and your descendants,¡»
(â 9:10) ¡ºand with the animals you brought with you--all these birds and livestock and wild animals.¡»
(â 9:11) ¡ºI solemnly promise never to send another flood to kill all living creatures and destroy the earth."¡»
(â 9:12) ¡ºAnd God said, "I am giving you a sign as evidence of my eternal covenant with you and all living creatures.¡»
(â 9:13) ¡ºI have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth.¡»
(â 9:14) ¡ºWhen I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds,¡»
(â 9:15) ¡ºand I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life.¡»
(â 9:16) ¡ºWhen I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth."¡»
(â 9:17) ¡ºThen God said to Noah, "Yes, this is the sign of my covenant with all the creatures of the earth."¡»
(â 9:18) ¡ºShem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah, survived the Flood with their father. (Ham is the ancestor of the Canaanites.)¡»
(â 9:19) ¡ºFrom these three sons of Noah came all the people now scattered across the earth.¡»
(â 9:20) ¡ºAfter the Flood, Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard.¡»
(â 9:21) ¡ºOne day he became drunk on some wine he had made and lay naked in his tent.¡»
(â 9:22) ¡ºHam, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers.¡»
(â 9:23) ¡ºShem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, walked backward into the tent, and covered their father's naked body. As they did this, they looked the other way so they wouldn't see him naked.¡»
(â 9:24) ¡ºWhen Noah woke up from his drunken stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done.¡»
(â 9:25) ¡ºThen he cursed the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham: "A curse on the Canaanites! May they be the lowest of servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth."¡»
(â 9:26) ¡ºThen Noah said, "May Shem be blessed by the LORD my God; and may Canaan be his servant.¡»
(â 9:27) ¡ºMay God enlarge the territory of Japheth, and may he share the prosperity of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant."¡»
(â 9:28) ¡ºNoah lived another 350 years after the Flood. 29He was 950 years old when he died.¡»
(â 10:1) ¡ºThis is the history of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the Flood.¡»
(â 10:2) ¡ºThe descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.¡»
(â 10:3) ¡ºThe descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.¡»
(â 10:4) ¡ºThe descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.¡»
(â 10:5) ¡ºTheir descendants became the seafaring peoples in various lands, each tribe with its own language.¡»
(â 10:6) ¡ºThe descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.¡»
(â 10:7) ¡ºThe descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.¡»
(â 10:8) ¡ºOne of Cush's descendants was Nimrod, who became a heroic warrior.¡»
(â 10:9) ¡ºHe was a mighty hunter in the LORD's sight. His name became proverbial, and people would speak of someone as being "like Nimrod, a mighty hunter in the LORD's sight."¡»
(â 10:10) ¡ºHe built the foundation for his empire in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.¡»
(â 10:11) ¡ºFrom there he extended his reign to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah,¡»
(â 10:12) ¡ºand Resen--the main city of the empire, located between Nineveh and Calah.¡»
(â 10:13) ¡ºMizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,¡»
(â 10:14) ¡ºPathrusites, Casluhites, and the Caphtorites, from whom the Philistines came.¡»
(â 10:15) ¡ºCanaan's oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Hittites,¡»
(â 10:16) ¡ºJebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,¡»
(â 10:17) ¡ºHivites, Arkites, Sinites,¡»
(â 10:18) ¡ºArvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.¡»
(â 10:19) ¡ºEventually the territory of Canaan spread from Sidon to Gerar, near Gaza, and to Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, near Lasha.¡»
(â 10:20) ¡ºThese were the descendants of Ham, identified according to their tribes, languages, territories, and nations.¡»
(â 10:21) ¡ºSons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.¡»
(â 10:22) ¡ºThe descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.¡»
(â 10:23) ¡ºThe descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.¡»
(â 10:24) ¡ºArphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.¡»
(â 10:25) ¡ºEber had two sons. The first was named Peleg--"division"--for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups and dispersed. His brother's name was Joktan.¡»
(â 10:26) ¡ºJoktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,¡»
(â 10:27) ¡ºHadoram, Uzal, Diklah,¡»
(â 10:28) ¡ºObal, Abimael, Sheba,¡»
(â 10:29) ¡ºOphir, Havilah, and Jobab.¡»
(â 10:30) ¡ºThe descendants of Joktan lived in the area extending from Mesha toward the eastern hills of Sephar.¡»
(â 10:31) ¡ºThese were the descendants of Shem, identified according to their tribes, languages, territories, and nations.¡»
(â 10:32) ¡ºThese are the families that came from Noah's sons, listed nation by nation according to their lines of descent. The earth was populated with the people of these nations after the Flood.¡»
(â 11:1) ¡ºAt one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words.¡»
(â 11:2) ¡ºAs the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.¡»
(â 11:3) ¡ºThey began to talk about construction projects. "Come," they said, "let's make great piles of burnt brick and collect natural asphalt to use as mortar.¡»
(â 11:4) ¡ºLet's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies--a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world."¡»
(â 11:5) ¡ºBut the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.¡»
(â 11:6) ¡º"Look!" he said. "If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them!¡»
(â 11:7) ¡ºCome, let's go down and give them different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other."¡»
(â 11:8) ¡ºIn that way, the LORD scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city.¡»
(â 11:9) ¡ºThat is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the LORD confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth.¡»
(â 11:10) ¡ºThis is the history of Shem's family. When Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born. This happened two years after the Flood.¡»
(â 11:11) ¡ºAfter the birth of Arphaxad, Shem lived another 500 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:12) ¡ºWhen Arphaxad was 35 years old, his son Shelah was born.¡»
(â 11:13) ¡ºAfter the birth of Shelah, Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:14) ¡ºWhen Shelah was 30 years old, his son Eber was born.¡»
(â 11:15) ¡ºAfter the birth of Eber, Shelah lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:16) ¡ºWhen Eber was 34 years old, his son Peleg was born.¡»
(â 11:17) ¡ºAfter the birth of Peleg, Eber lived another 430 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:18) ¡ºWhen Peleg was 30 years old, his son Reu was born.¡»
(â 11:19) ¡ºAfter the birth of Reu, Peleg lived another 209 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:20) ¡ºWhen Reu was 32 years old, his son Serug was born.¡»
(â 11:21) ¡ºAfter the birth of Serug, Reu lived another 207 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:22) ¡ºWhen Serug was 30 years old, his son Nahor was born.¡»
(â 11:23) ¡ºAfter the birth of Nahor, Serug lived another 200 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:24) ¡ºWhen Nahor was 29 years old, his son Terah was born.¡»
(â 11:25) ¡ºAfter the birth of Terah, Nahor lived another 119 years and had other sons and daughters.¡»
(â 11:26) ¡ºWhen Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.¡»
(â 11:27) ¡ºThis is the history of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran had a son named Lot.¡»
(â 11:28) ¡ºBut while Haran was still young, he died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the place of his birth. He was survived by Terah, his father.¡»
(â 11:29) ¡ºMeanwhile, Abram married Sarai, and his brother Nahor married Milcah, the daughter of their brother Haran. (Milcah had a sister named Iscah.)¡»
(â 11:30) ¡ºNow Sarai was not able to have any children.¡»
(â 11:31) ¡ºTerah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai, and his grandson Lot (his son Haran's child) and left Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But they stopped instead at the village of Haran and settled there.¡»
(â 11:32) ¡ºTerah lived for 205 years and died while still at Haran.¡»
(â 12:1) ¡ºThen the LORD told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you.¡»
(â 12:2) ¡ºI will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others.¡»
(â 12:3) ¡ºI will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."¡»
(â 12:4) ¡ºSo Abram departed as the LORD had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.¡»
(â 12:5) ¡ºHe took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth--his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran--and finally arrived in Canaan.¡»
(â 12:6) ¡ºTraveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.¡»
(â 12:7) ¡ºThen the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I am going to give this land to your offspring. " And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the LORD's visit.¡»
(â 12:8) ¡ºAfter that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar and worshiped the LORD.¡»
(â 12:9) ¡ºThen Abram traveled south by stages toward the Negev.¡»
(â 12:10) ¡ºAt that time there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to wait it out.¡»
(â 12:11) ¡ºAs he was approaching the borders of Egypt, Abram said to Sarai, "You are a very beautiful woman.¡»
(â 12:12) ¡ºWhen the Egyptians see you, they will say, `This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we can have her!'¡»
(â 12:13) ¡ºBut if you say you are my sister, then the Egyptians will treat me well because of their interest in you, and they will spare my life."¡»
(â 12:14) ¡ºAnd sure enough, when they arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of her beauty.¡»
(â 12:15) ¡ºWhen the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to their king, the pharaoh, and she was taken into his harem.¡»
(â 12:16) ¡ºThen Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her--sheep, cattle, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.¡»
(â 12:17) ¡ºBut the LORD sent a terrible plague upon Pharaoh's household because of Sarai, Abram's wife.¡»
(â 12:18) ¡ºSo Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him sharply. "What is this you have done to me?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?¡»
(â 12:19) ¡ºWhy were you willing to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife! Take her and be gone!"¡»
(â 12:20) ¡ºPharaoh then sent them out of the country under armed escort--Abram and his wife, with all their household and belongings.¡»
(â 13:1) ¡ºSo they left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev--Abram with his wife and Lot and all that they owned,¡»
(â 13:2) ¡ºfor Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.¡»
(â 13:3) ¡ºThen they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where they had camped before.¡»
(â 13:4) ¡ºThis was the place where Abram had built the altar, and there he again worshiped the LORD.¡»
(â 13:5) ¡ºNow Lot, who was traveling with Abram, was also very wealthy with sheep, cattle, and many tents.¡»
(â 13:6) ¡ºBut the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. There were too many animals for the available pastureland.¡»
(â 13:7) ¡ºSo an argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.¡»
(â 13:8) ¡ºThen Abram talked it over with Lot. "This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop," he said. "After all, we are close relatives!¡»
(â 13:9) ¡ºI'll tell you what we'll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I'll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I'll move on to another place."¡»
(â 13:10) ¡ºLot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)¡»
(â 13:11) ¡ºLot chose that land for himself--the Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.¡»
(â 13:12) ¡ºSo while Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom, among the cities of the plain.¡»
(â 13:13) ¡ºThe people of this area were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the LORD.¡»
(â 13:14) ¡ºAfter Lot was gone, the LORD said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction.¡»
(â 13:15) ¡ºI am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession.¡»
(â 13:16) ¡ºAnd I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted!¡»
(â 13:17) ¡ºTake a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you."¡»
(â 13:18) ¡ºThen Abram moved his camp to the oak grove owned by Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the LORD.¡»
(â 14:1) ¡ºAbout this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim¡»
(â 14:2) ¡ºfought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (now called Zoar).¡»
(â 14:3) ¡ºThe kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela formed an alliance and mobilized their armies in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea ).¡»
(â 14:4) ¡ºFor twelve years they had all been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but now in the thirteenth year they rebelled.¡»
(â 14:5) ¡ºOne year later, Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived. They conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in the plain of Kiriathaim,¡»
(â 14:6) ¡ºand the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness.¡»
(â 14:7) ¡ºThen they swung around to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and destroyed the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.¡»
(â 14:8) ¡ºBut now the army of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (now called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea¡»
(â 14:9) ¡ºagainst King Kedorlaomer of Elam and the kings of Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar--four kings against five.¡»
(â 14:10) ¡ºAs it happened, the valley was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some slipped into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.¡»
(â 14:11) ¡ºThe victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and began their long journey home, taking all the wealth and food with them.¡»
(â 14:12) ¡ºThey also captured Lot--Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom--and took everything he owned.¡»
(â 14:13) ¡ºOne of the men who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was camped at the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies.¡»
(â 14:14) ¡ºWhen Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all. He chased after Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan.¡»
(â 14:15) ¡ºThere he divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them to Hobah, north of Damascus.¡»
(â 14:16) ¡ºAbram and his allies recovered everything--the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives.¡»
(â 14:17) ¡ºAs Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).¡»
(â 14:18) ¡ºThen Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine.¡»
(â 14:19) ¡ºMelchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.¡»
(â 14:20) ¡ºAnd blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.¡»
(â 14:21) ¡ºThe king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."¡»
(â 14:22) ¡ºAbram replied, "I have solemnly promised the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,¡»
(â 14:23) ¡ºthat I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, `I am the one who made Abram rich!'¡»
(â 14:24) ¡ºAll I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies--Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre."¡»
(â 15:1) ¡ºAfterward the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great."¡»
(â 15:2) ¡ºBut Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.¡»
(â 15:3) ¡ºYou have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir."¡»
(â 15:4) ¡ºThen the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you."¡»
(â 15:5) ¡ºThen the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that--too many to count!"¡»
(â 15:6) ¡ºAnd Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.¡»
(â 15:7) ¡ºThen the LORD told him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land."¡»
(â 15:8) ¡ºBut Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?"¡»
(â 15:9) ¡ºThen the LORD told him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."¡»
(â 15:10) ¡ºAbram took all these and killed them. He cut each one down the middle and laid the halves side by side. He did not, however, divide the birds in half.¡»
(â 15:11) ¡ºSome vultures came down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away.¡»
(â 15:12) ¡ºThat evening, as the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. He saw a terrifying vision of darkness and horror.¡»
(â 15:13) ¡ºThen the LORD told Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years.¡»
(â 15:14) ¡ºBut I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.¡»
(â 15:15) ¡º(But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.)¡»
(â 15:16) ¡ºAfter four generations your descendants will return here to this land, when the sin of the Amorites has run its course."¡»
(â 15:17) ¡ºAs the sun went down and it became dark, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses.¡»
(â 15:18) ¡ºSo the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, "I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River--¡»
(â 15:19) ¡ºthe land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites,¡»
(â 15:20) ¡ºHittites, Perizzites, Rephaites,¡»
(â 15:21) ¡ºAmorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites."¡»
(â 16:1) ¡ºBut Sarai, Abram's wife, had no children. So Sarai took her servant, an Egyptian woman named Hagar,¡»
(â 16:2) ¡ºand gave her to Abram so she could bear his children. "The LORD has kept me from having any children," Sarai said to Abram. "Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her." And Abram agreed.¡»
(â 16:3) ¡ºSo Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram first arrived in the land of Canaan.)¡»
(â 16:4) ¡ºSo Abram slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress Sarai with contempt.¡»
(â 16:5) ¡ºThen Sarai said to Abram, "It's all your fault! Now this servant of mine is pregnant, and she despises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The LORD will make you pay for doing this to me! "¡»
(â 16:6) ¡ºAbram replied, "Since she is your servant, you may deal with her as you see fit." So Sarai treated her harshly, and Hagar ran away.¡»
(â 16:7) ¡ºThe angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a desert spring along the road to Shur.¡»
(â 16:8) ¡ºThe angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I am running away from my mistress," she replied.¡»
(â 16:9) ¡ºThen the angel of the LORD said, "Return to your mistress and submit to her authority."¡»
(â 16:10) ¡ºThe angel added, "I will give you more descendants than you can count."¡»
(â 16:11) ¡ºAnd the angel also said, "You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard about your misery.¡»
(â 16:12) ¡ºThis son of yours will be a wild one--free and untamed as a wild donkey! He will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live at odds with the rest of his brothers."¡»
(â 16:13) ¡ºThereafter, Hagar referred to the LORD, who had spoken to her, as "the God who sees me," for she said, "I have seen the One who sees me!"¡»
(â 16:14) ¡ºLater that well was named Beer-lahairoi, and it can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.¡»
(â 16:15) ¡ºSo Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. 16Abram was eighty-six years old at that time.¡»
(â 17:1) ¡ºWhen Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.¡»
(â 17:2) ¡ºI will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to make you into a mighty nation."¡»
(â 17:3) ¡ºAt this, Abram fell face down in the dust. Then God said to him,¡»
(â 17:4) ¡º"This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of not just one nation, but a multitude of nations!¡»
(â 17:5) ¡ºWhat's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram; now you will be known as Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.¡»
(â 17:6) ¡ºI will give you millions of descendants who will represent many nations. Kings will be among them!¡»
(â 17:7) ¡º"I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.¡»
(â 17:8) ¡ºYes, I will give all this land of Canaan to you and to your offspring forever. And I will be their God.¡»
(â 17:9) ¡º"Your part of the agreement," God told Abraham, "is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.¡»
(â 17:10) ¡ºThis is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised;¡»
(â 17:11) ¡ºthe flesh of his foreskin must be cut off. This will be a sign that you and they have accepted this covenant.¡»
(â 17:12) ¡ºEvery male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family, but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.¡»
(â 17:13) ¡ºAll must be circumcised. Your bodies will thus bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.¡»
(â 17:14) ¡ºAnyone who refuses to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for violating the covenant."¡»
(â 17:15) ¡ºThen God added, "Regarding Sarai, your wife--her name will no longer be Sarai; from now on you will call her Sarah.¡»
(â 17:16) ¡ºAnd I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings will be among her descendants!"¡»
(â 17:17) ¡ºThen Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of one hundred?" he wondered. "Besides, Sarah is ninety; how could she have a baby?"¡»
(â 17:18) ¡ºAnd Abraham said to God, "Yes, may Ishmael enjoy your special blessing!"¡»
(â 17:19) ¡ºBut God replied, "Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.¡»
(â 17:20) ¡ºAs for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will cause him to multiply and become a great nation. Twelve princes will be among his descendants.¡»
(â 17:21) ¡ºBut my covenant is with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year."¡»
(â 17:22) ¡ºThat ended the conversation, and God left Abraham.¡»
(â 17:23) ¡ºOn that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and every other male in his household and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, exactly as God had told him.¡»
(â 17:24) ¡ºAbraham was ninety-nine years old at that time,¡»
(â 17:25) ¡ºand Ishmael his son was thirteen.¡»
(â 17:26) ¡ºBoth were circumcised the same day,¡»
(â 17:27) ¡ºalong with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants.¡»
(â 18:1) ¡ºThe LORD appeared again to Abraham while he was camped near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day about noon, as Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent,¡»
(â 18:2) ¡ºhe suddenly noticed three men standing nearby. He got up and ran to meet them, welcoming them by bowing low to the ground.¡»
(â 18:3) ¡º"My lord," he said, "if it pleases you, stop here for a while.¡»
(â 18:4) ¡ºRest in the shade of this tree while my servants get some water to wash your feet.¡»
(â 18:5) ¡ºLet me prepare some food to refresh you. Please stay awhile before continuing on your journey." "All right," they said. "Do as you have said."¡»
(â 18:6) ¡ºSo Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick! Get three measures of your best flour, and bake some bread."¡»
(â 18:7) ¡ºThen Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a fat calf and told a servant to hurry and butcher it.¡»
(â 18:8) ¡ºWhen the food was ready, he took some cheese curds and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them there beneath the trees.¡»
(â 18:9) ¡º"Where is Sarah, your wife?" they asked him. "In the tent," Abraham replied.¡»
(â 18:10) ¡ºThen one of them said, "About this time next year I will return, and your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby.¡»
(â 18:11) ¡ºAnd since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children,¡»
(â 18:12) ¡ºshe laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?" she thought. "And when my master--my husband--is also so old?"¡»
(â 18:13) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, `Can an old woman like me have a baby?'¡»
(â 18:14) ¡ºIs anything too hard for the LORD? About a year from now, just as I told you, I will return, and Sarah will have a son."¡»
(â 18:15) ¡ºSarah was afraid, so she denied that she had laughed. But he said, "That is not true. You did laugh."¡»
(â 18:16) ¡ºThen the men got up from their meal and started on toward Sodom. Abraham went with them part of the way.¡»
(â 18:17) ¡º"Should I hide my plan from Abraham?" the LORD asked.¡»
(â 18:18) ¡º"For Abraham will become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.¡»
(â 18:19) ¡ºI have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD and do what is right and just. Then I will do for him all that I have promised."¡»
(â 18:20) ¡ºSo the LORD told Abraham, "I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are extremely evil, and that everything they do is wicked.¡»
(â 18:21) ¡ºI am going down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know."¡»
(â 18:22) ¡ºThe two other men went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham for a while.¡»
(â 18:23) ¡ºAbraham approached him and said, "Will you destroy both innocent and guilty alike?¡»
(â 18:24) ¡ºSuppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city--will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes?¡»
(â 18:25) ¡ºSurely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty. Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"¡»
(â 18:26) ¡ºAnd the LORD replied, "If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake."¡»
(â 18:27) ¡ºThen Abraham spoke again. "Since I have begun, let me go on and speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.¡»
(â 18:28) ¡ºSuppose there are only forty-five? Will you destroy the city for lack of five?" And the LORD said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five."¡»
(â 18:29) ¡ºThen Abraham pressed his request further. "Suppose there are only forty?" And the LORD replied, "I will not destroy it if there are forty."¡»
(â 18:30) ¡º"Please don't be angry, my Lord," Abraham pleaded. "Let me speak--suppose only thirty are found?" And the LORD replied, "I will not destroy it if there are thirty."¡»
(â 18:31) ¡ºThen Abraham said, "Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue--suppose there are only twenty?" And the LORD said, "Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty."¡»
(â 18:32) ¡ºFinally, Abraham said, "Lord, please do not get angry; I will speak but once more! Suppose only ten are found there?" And the LORD said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it."¡»
(â 18:33) ¡ºThe LORD went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his tent.¡»
(â 19:1) ¡ºThat evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom, and Lot was sitting there as they arrived. When he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed low to the ground.¡»
(â 19:2) ¡º"My lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up in the morning as early as you like and be on your way again." "Oh no," they said, "we'll just spend the night out here in the city square."¡»
(â 19:3) ¡ºBut Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. He set a great feast before them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast. After the meal,¡»
(â 19:4) ¡ºas they were preparing to retire for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.¡»
(â 19:5) ¡ºThey shouted to Lot, "Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out so we can have sex with them."¡»
(â 19:6) ¡ºLot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him.¡»
(â 19:7) ¡º"Please, my brothers," he begged, "don't do such a wicked thing.¡»
(â 19:8) ¡ºLook--I have two virgin daughters. Do with them as you wish, but leave these men alone, for they are under my protection."¡»
(â 19:9) ¡º"Stand back!" they shouted. "Who do you think you are? We let you settle among us, and now you are trying to tell us what to do! We'll treat you far worse than those other men!" And they lunged at Lot and began breaking down the door.¡»
(â 19:10) ¡ºBut the two angels reached out and pulled Lot in and bolted the door.¡»
(â 19:11) ¡ºThen they blinded the men of Sodom so they couldn't find the doorway.¡»
(â 19:12) ¡º"Do you have any other relatives here in the city?" the angels asked. "Get them out of this place--sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else.¡»
(â 19:13) ¡ºFor we will destroy the city completely. The stench of the place has reached the LORD, and he has sent us to destroy it."¡»
(â 19:14) ¡ºSo Lot rushed out to tell his daughters' fiances, "Quick, get out of the city! The LORD is going to destroy it." But the young men thought he was only joking.¡»
(â 19:15) ¡ºAt dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. "Hurry," they said to Lot. "Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out of here right now, or you will be caught in the destruction of the city."¡»
(â 19:16) ¡ºWhen Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful.¡»
(â 19:17) ¡º"Run for your lives!" the angels warned. "Do not stop anywhere in the valley. And don't look back! Escape to the mountains, or you will die."¡»
(â 19:18) ¡º"Oh no, my lords, please," Lot begged.¡»
(â 19:19) ¡º"You have been so kind to me and saved my life, and you have granted me such mercy. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die.¡»
(â 19:20) ¡ºSee, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don't you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved."¡»
(â 19:21) ¡º"All right," the angel said, "I will grant your request. I will not destroy that little village.¡»
(â 19:22) ¡ºBut hurry! For I can do nothing until you are there." From that time on, that village was known as Zoar.¡»
(â 19:23) ¡ºThe sun was rising as Lot reached the village.¡»
(â 19:24) ¡ºThen the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the heavens on Sodom and Gomorrah.¡»
(â 19:25) ¡ºHe utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, eliminating all life--people, plants, and animals alike.¡»
(â 19:26) ¡ºBut Lot's wife looked back as she was following along behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.¡»
(â 19:27) ¡ºThe next morning Abraham was up early and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the LORD's presence.¡»
(â 19:28) ¡ºHe looked out across the plain to Sodom and Gomorrah and saw columns of smoke and fumes, as from a furnace, rising from the cities there.¡»
(â 19:29) ¡ºBut God had listened to Abraham's request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.¡»
(â 19:30) ¡ºAfterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters.¡»
(â 19:31) ¡ºOne day the older daughter said to her sister, "There isn't a man anywhere in this entire area for us to marry. And our father will soon be too old to have children.¡»
(â 19:32) ¡ºCome, let's get him drunk with wine, and then we will sleep with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father."¡»
(â 19:33) ¡ºSo that night they got him drunk, and the older daughter went in and slept with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.¡»
(â 19:34) ¡ºThe next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, "I slept with our father last night. Let's get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him. That way our family line will be preserved."¡»
(â 19:35) ¡ºSo that night they got him drunk again, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.¡»
(â 19:36) ¡ºSo both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father.¡»
(â 19:37) ¡ºWhen the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites.¡»
(â 19:38) ¡ºWhen the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites.¡»
(â 20:1) ¡ºNow Abraham moved south to the Negev and settled for a while between Kadesh and Shur at a place called Gerar.¡»
(â 20:2) ¡ºAbraham told people there that his wife, Sarah, was his sister. So King Abimelech sent for her and had her brought to him at his palace.¡»
(â 20:3) ¡ºBut one night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, "You are a dead man, for that woman you took is married."¡»
(â 20:4) ¡ºBut Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, "Lord, will you kill an innocent man?¡»
(â 20:5) ¡ºAbraham told me, `She is my sister,' and she herself said, `Yes, he is my brother.' I acted in complete innocence!"¡»
(â 20:6) ¡º"Yes, I know you are innocent," God replied. "That is why I kept you from sinning against me; I did not let you touch her.¡»
(â 20:7) ¡ºNow return her to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don't return her to him, you can be sure that you and your entire household will die."¡»
(â 20:8) ¡ºAbimelech got up early the next morning and hastily called a meeting of all his servants. When he told them what had happened, great fear swept through the crowd.¡»
(â 20:9) ¡ºThen Abimelech called for Abraham. "What is this you have done to us?" he demanded. "What have I done to you that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? This kind of thing should not be done!¡»
(â 20:10) ¡ºWhy have you done this to us?"¡»
(â 20:11) ¡º"Well," Abraham said, "I figured this to be a godless place. I thought, `They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.'¡»
(â 20:12) ¡ºBesides, she is my sister--we both have the same father, though different mothers--and I married her.¡»
(â 20:13) ¡ºWhen God sent me to travel far from my father's home, I told her, `Wherever we go, have the kindness to say that you are my sister.' "¡»
(â 20:14) ¡ºThen Abimelech took sheep and oxen and servants--both men and women--and gave them to Abraham, and he returned his wife, Sarah, to him.¡»
(â 20:15) ¡º"Look over my kingdom, and choose a place where you would like to live," Abimelech told him.¡»
(â 20:16) ¡ºThen he turned to Sarah. "Look," he said, "I am giving your `brother' a thousand pieces of silver to compensate for any embarrassment I may have caused you. This will settle any claim against me in this matter."¡»
(â 20:17) ¡ºThen Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and the other women of the household, so they could have children.¡»
(â 20:18) ¡ºFor the LORD had stricken all the women with infertility as a warning to Abimelech for having taken Abraham's wife.¡»
(â 21:1) ¡ºThen the LORD did exactly what he had promised.¡»
(â 21:2) ¡ºSarah became pregnant, and she gave a son to Abraham in his old age. It all happened at the time God had said it would.¡»
(â 21:3) ¡ºAnd Abraham named his son Isaac.¡»
(â 21:4) ¡ºEight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.¡»
(â 21:5) ¡ºAbraham was one hundred years old at the time.¡»
(â 21:6) ¡ºAnd Sarah declared, "God has brought me laughter! All who hear about this will laugh with me.¡»
(â 21:7) ¡ºFor who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!"¡»
(â 21:8) ¡ºAs time went by and Isaac grew and was weaned, Abraham gave a big party to celebrate the happy occasion.¡»
(â 21:9) ¡ºBut Sarah saw Ishmael--the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar--making fun of Isaac.¡»
(â 21:10) ¡ºSo she turned to Abraham and demanded, "Get rid of that servant and her son. He is not going to share the family inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won't have it!"¡»
(â 21:11) ¡ºThis upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son.¡»
(â 21:12) ¡ºBut God told Abraham, "Do not be upset over the boy and your servant wife. Do just as Sarah says, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.¡»
(â 21:13) ¡ºBut I will make a nation of the descendants of Hagar's son because he also is your son."¡»
(â 21:14) ¡ºSo Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food for the journey, and strapped a container of water to Hagar's shoulders. He sent her away with their son, and she walked out into the wilderness of Beersheba, wandering aimlessly.¡»
(â 21:15) ¡ºWhen the water was gone, she left the boy in the shade of a bush.¡»
(â 21:16) ¡ºThen she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. "I don't want to watch the boy die," she said, as she burst into tears.¡»
(â 21:17) ¡ºThen God heard the boy's cries, and the angel of God called to Hagar from the sky, "Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy's cries from the place where you laid him.¡»
(â 21:18) ¡ºGo to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants."¡»
(â 21:19) ¡ºThen God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well. She immediately filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.¡»
(â 21:20) ¡ºAnd God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness of Paran. He became an expert archer,¡»
(â 21:21) ¡ºand his mother arranged a marriage for him with a young woman from Egypt.¡»
(â 21:22) ¡ºAbout this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. "It is clear that God helps you in everything you do," Abimelech said.¡»
(â 21:23) ¡º"Swear to me in God's name that you won't deceive me, my children, or my grandchildren. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living."¡»
(â 21:24) ¡ºAbraham replied, "All right, I swear to it!"¡»
(â 21:25) ¡ºThen Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's servants had taken violently from Abraham's servants.¡»
(â 21:26) ¡º"This is the first I've heard of it," Abimelech said. "And I have no idea who is responsible. Why didn't you say something about this before?"¡»
(â 21:27) ¡ºThen Abraham gave sheep and oxen to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.¡»
(â 21:28) ¡ºBut when Abraham took seven additional ewe lambs and set them off by themselves,¡»
(â 21:29) ¡ºAbimelech asked, "Why are you doing that?"¡»
(â 21:30) ¡ºAbraham replied, "They are my gift to you as a public confirmation that I dug this well."¡»
(â 21:31) ¡ºSo ever since, that place has been known as Beersheba--"well of the oath"--because that was where they had sworn an oath.¡»
(â 21:32) ¡ºAfter making their covenant, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines.¡»
(â 21:33) ¡ºThen Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and he worshiped the LORD, the Eternal God, at that place.¡»
(â 21:34) ¡ºAnd Abraham lived in Philistine country for a long time.¡»
(â 22:1) ¡ºLater on God tested Abraham's faith and obedience. "Abraham!" God called. "Yes," he replied. "Here I am."¡»
(â 22:2) ¡º"Take your son, your only son--yes, Isaac, whom you love so much--and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you."¡»
(â 22:3) ¡ºThe next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son Isaac. Then he chopped wood to build a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place where God had told him to go.¡»
(â 22:4) ¡ºOn the third day of the journey, Abraham saw the place in the distance.¡»
(â 22:5) ¡º"Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the young men. "The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back."¡»
(â 22:6) ¡ºAbraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the knife and the fire. As the two of them went on together,¡»
(â 22:7) ¡ºIsaac said, "Father?" "Yes, my son," Abraham replied. "We have the wood and the fire," said the boy, "but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?"¡»
(â 22:8) ¡º"God will provide a lamb, my son," Abraham answered. And they both went on together.¡»
(â 22:9) ¡ºWhen they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood.¡»
(â 22:10) ¡ºAnd Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to kill his son as a sacrifice to the LORD.¡»
(â 22:11) ¡ºAt that moment the angel of the LORD shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," he answered. "I'm listening."¡»
(â 22:12) ¡º"Lay down the knife," the angel said. "Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me."¡»
(â 22:13) ¡ºThen Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering on the altar in place of his son.¡»
(â 22:14) ¡ºAbraham named the place "The LORD Will Provide." This name has now become a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."¡»
(â 22:15) ¡ºThen the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven,¡»
(â 22:16) ¡º"This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son, I swear by my own self that¡»
(â 22:17) ¡ºI will bless you richly. I will multiply your descendants into countless millions, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. They will conquer their enemies,¡»
(â 22:18) ¡ºand through your descendants, all the nations of the earth will be blessed--all because you have obeyed me."¡»
(â 22:19) ¡ºThen they returned to Abraham's young men and traveled home again to Beersheba, where Abraham lived for quite some time.¡»
(â 22:20) ¡ºSoon after this, Abraham heard that Milcah, his brother Nahor's wife, had borne Nahor eight sons.¡»
(â 22:21) ¡ºThe oldest was named Uz, the next oldest was Buz, followed by Kemuel (the father of Aram),¡»
(â 22:22) ¡ºKesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.¡»
(â 22:23) ¡ºBethuel became the father of Rebekah.¡»
(â 22:24) ¡ºIn addition to his eight sons from Milcah, Nahor had four other children from his concubine Reumah. Their names were Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.¡»
(â 23:1) ¡ºWhen Sarah was 127 years old,¡»
(â 23:2) ¡ºshe died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her.¡»
(â 23:3) ¡ºThen, leaving her body, he went to the Hittite elders and said,¡»
(â 23:4) ¡º"Here I am, a stranger in a foreign land, with no place to bury my wife. Please let me have a piece of land for a burial plot."¡»
(â 23:5) ¡ºThe Hittites replied to Abraham,¡»
(â 23:6) ¡º"Certainly, for you are an honored prince among us. It will be a privilege to have you choose the finest of our tombs so you can bury her there."¡»
(â 23:7) ¡ºThen Abraham bowed low before them and said,¡»
(â 23:8) ¡º"Since this is how you feel, be so kind as to ask Ephron son of Zohar¡»
(â 23:9) ¡ºto let me have the cave of Machpelah, down at the end of his field. I want to pay the full price, of course, whatever is publicly agreed upon, so I may have a permanent burial place for my family."¡»
(â 23:10) ¡ºEphron was sitting there among the others, and he answered Abraham as the others listened, speaking publicly before all the elders of the town.¡»
(â 23:11) ¡º"No, sir," he said to Abraham, "please listen to me. I will give you the cave and the field. Here in the presence of my people, I give it to you. Go and bury your dead."¡»
(â 23:12) ¡ºAbraham bowed again to the people of the land,¡»
(â 23:13) ¡ºand he replied to Ephron as everyone listened. "No, listen to me," he insisted. "I will buy it from you. Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there."¡»
(â 23:14) ¡º"Well," Ephron answered,¡»
(â 23:15) ¡º"the land is worth four hundred pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead."¡»
(â 23:16) ¡ºSo Abraham paid Ephron the amount he had suggested, four hundred pieces of silver, as was publicly agreed.¡»
(â 23:17) ¡ºHe bought the plot of land belonging to Ephron at Machpelah, near Mamre. This included the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees nearby.¡»
(â 23:18) ¡ºThey became Abraham's permanent possession by the agreement made in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate.¡»
(â 23:19) ¡ºSo Abraham buried Sarah there in Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, which is at Hebron.¡»
(â 23:20) ¡ºThe field and the cave were sold to Abraham by the Hittites as a permanent burial place.¡»
(â 24:1) ¡ºAbraham was now a very old man, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.¡»
(â 24:2) ¡ºOne day Abraham said to the man in charge of his household, who was his oldest servant,¡»
(â 24:3) ¡º"Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not let my son marry one of these local Canaanite women.¡»
(â 24:4) ¡ºGo instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac."¡»
(â 24:5) ¡ºThe servant asked, "But suppose I can't find a young woman who will travel so far from home? May I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives?"¡»
(â 24:6) ¡º"No!" Abraham warned. "Be careful never to take my son there.¡»
(â 24:7) ¡ºFor the LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my offspring. He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a young woman there to be my son's wife.¡»
(â 24:8) ¡ºIf she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there."¡»
(â 24:9) ¡ºSo the servant took a solemn oath that he would follow Abraham's instructions.¡»
(â 24:10) ¡ºHe loaded ten of Abraham's camels with gifts and set out, taking with him the best of everything his master owned. He traveled to Aram-naharaim and went to the village where Abraham's brother Nahor had settled.¡»
(â 24:11) ¡ºThere the servant made the camels kneel down beside a well just outside the village. It was evening, and the women were coming out to draw water.¡»
(â 24:12) ¡º"O LORD, God of my master," he prayed. "Give me success and show kindness to my master, Abraham. Help me to accomplish the purpose of my journey.¡»
(â 24:13) ¡ºSee, here I am, standing beside this spring, and the young women of the village are coming out to draw water.¡»
(â 24:14) ¡ºThis is my request. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, `Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels, too!'--let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac's wife. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."¡»
(â 24:15) ¡ºAs he was still praying, a young woman named Rebekah arrived with a water jug on her shoulder. Her father was Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham's brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah.¡»
(â 24:16) ¡ºNow Rebekah was very beautiful, and she was a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up again.¡»
(â 24:17) ¡ºRunning over to her, the servant asked, "Please give me a drink."¡»
(â 24:18) ¡º"Certainly, sir," she said, and she quickly lowered the jug for him to drink.¡»
(â 24:19) ¡ºWhen he had finished, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough!"¡»
(â 24:20) ¡ºSo she quickly emptied the jug into the watering trough and ran down to the well again. She kept carrying water to the camels until they had finished drinking.¡»
(â 24:21) ¡ºThe servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not she was the one the LORD intended him to meet.¡»
(â 24:22) ¡ºThen at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he gave her a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists.¡»
(â 24:23) ¡º"Whose daughter are you?" he asked. "Would your father have any room to put us up for the night?"¡»
(â 24:24) ¡º"My father is Bethuel," she replied. "My grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.¡»
(â 24:25) ¡ºYes, we have plenty of straw and food for the camels, and we have a room for guests."¡»
(â 24:26) ¡ºThe man fell down to the ground and worshiped the LORD.¡»
(â 24:27) ¡º"Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham," he said. "The LORD has been so kind and faithful to Abraham, for he has led me straight to my master's relatives."¡»
(â 24:28) ¡ºThe young woman ran home to tell her family about all that had happened.¡»
(â 24:29) ¡ºNow Rebekah had a brother named Laban.¡»
(â 24:30) ¡ºWhen he saw the nose-ring and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard her story, he rushed out to the spring, where the man was still standing beside his camels. Laban said to him,¡»
(â 24:31) ¡º"Come and stay with us, you who are blessed by the LORD. Why do you stand here outside the village when we have a room all ready for you and a place prepared for the camels!"¡»
(â 24:32) ¡ºSo the man went home with Laban, and Laban unloaded the camels, gave him straw to bed them down, fed them, and provided water for the camel drivers to wash their feet.¡»
(â 24:33) ¡ºThen supper was served. But Abraham's servant said, "I don't want to eat until I have told you why I have come." "All right," Laban said, "tell us your mission."¡»
(â 24:34) ¡º"I am Abraham's servant," he explained.¡»
(â 24:35) ¡º"And the LORD has blessed my master richly; he has become a great man. The LORD has given him flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold, and many servants and camels and donkeys.¡»
(â 24:36) ¡ºWhen Sarah, my master's wife, was very old, she gave birth to my master's son, and my master has given him everything he owns.¡»
(â 24:37) ¡ºAnd my master made me swear that I would not let Isaac marry one of the local Canaanite women.¡»
(â 24:38) ¡ºInstead, I was to come to his relatives here in this far-off land, to his father's home. I was told to bring back a young woman from here to marry his son.¡»
(â 24:39) ¡º" `But suppose I can't find a young woman willing to come back with me?' I asked him.¡»
(â 24:40) ¡º`You will,' he told me, `for the LORD, in whose presence I have walked, will send his angel with you and will make your mission successful. Yes, you must get a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father's family.¡»
(â 24:41) ¡ºBut if you go to my relatives and they refuse to let her come, you will be free from your oath.'¡»
(â 24:42) ¡º"So this afternoon when I came to the spring I prayed this prayer: `O LORD, the God of my master, Abraham, if you are planning to make my mission a success, please guide me in a special way.¡»
(â 24:43) ¡ºHere I am, standing beside this spring. I will say to some young woman who comes to draw water, "Please give me a drink of water!"¡»
(â 24:44) ¡ºAnd she will reply, "Certainly! And I'll water your camels, too!" LORD, let her be the one you have selected to be the wife of my master's son.'¡»
(â 24:45) ¡º"Before I had finished praying these words, I saw Rebekah coming along with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water and filled the jug. So I said to her, `Please give me a drink.'¡»
(â 24:46) ¡ºShe quickly lowered the jug from her shoulder so I could drink, and she said, `Certainly, sir, and I will water your camels, too!' And she did.¡»
(â 24:47) ¡ºWhen I asked her whose daughter she was, she told me, `My father is Bethuel, the son of Nahor and his wife, Milcah.' So I gave her the ring and the bracelets.¡»
(â 24:48) ¡º"Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham, because he had led me along the right path to find a wife from the family of my master's relatives.¡»
(â 24:49) ¡ºSo tell me--will you or won't you show true kindness to my master? When you tell me, then I'll know what my next step should be, whether to move this way or that."¡»
(â 24:50) ¡ºThen Laban and Bethuel replied, "The LORD has obviously brought you here, so what can we say?¡»
(â 24:51) ¡ºHere is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."¡»
(â 24:52) ¡ºAt this reply, Abraham's servant bowed to the ground and worshiped the LORD.¡»
(â 24:53) ¡ºThen he brought out silver and gold jewelry and lovely clothing for Rebekah. He also gave valuable presents to her mother and brother.¡»
(â 24:54) ¡ºThen they had supper, and the servant and the men with him stayed there overnight. But early the next morning, he said, "Send me back to my master."¡»
(â 24:55) ¡º"But we want Rebekah to stay at least ten days," her brother and mother said. "Then she can go."¡»
(â 24:56) ¡ºBut he said, "Don't hinder my return. The LORD has made my mission successful, and I want to report back to my master."¡»
(â 24:57) ¡º"Well," they said, "we'll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks."¡»
(â 24:58) ¡ºSo they called Rebekah. "Are you willing to go with this man?" they asked her. And she replied, "Yes, I will go."¡»
(â 24:59) ¡ºSo they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham's servant and his men. The woman who had been Rebekah's childhood nurse went along with her.¡»
(â 24:60) ¡ºThey blessed her with this blessing as she parted: "Our sister, may you become the mother of many millions! May your descendants overcome all their enemies."¡»
(â 24:61) ¡ºThen Rebekah and her servants mounted the camels and left with Abraham's servant.¡»
(â 24:62) ¡ºMeanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had returned from Beer-lahairoi.¡»
(â 24:63) ¡ºOne evening as he was taking a walk out in the fields, meditating, he looked up and saw the camels coming.¡»
(â 24:64) ¡ºWhen Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted.¡»
(â 24:65) ¡º"Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?" she asked the servant. And he replied, "It is my master." So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.¡»
(â 24:66) ¡ºThen the servant told Isaac the whole story.¡»
(â 24:67) ¡ºAnd Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother's tent, and she became his wife. He loved her very much, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.¡»
(â 25:1) ¡ºNow Abraham married again. Keturah was his new wife,¡»
(â 25:2) ¡ºand she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.¡»
(â 25:3) ¡ºJokshan's two sons were Sheba and Dedan. Dedan's descendants were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites.¡»
(â 25:4) ¡ºMidian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were all descendants of Abraham through Keturah.¡»
(â 25:5) ¡ºAbraham left everything he owned to his son Isaac.¡»
(â 25:6) ¡ºBut before he died, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to the east, away from Isaac.¡»
(â 25:7) ¡ºAbraham lived for 175 years,¡»
(â 25:8) ¡ºand he died at a ripe old age, joining his ancestors in death.¡»
(â 25:9) ¡ºHis sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.¡»
(â 25:10) ¡ºThis was the field Abraham had purchased from the Hittites, where he had buried his wife Sarah.¡»
(â 25:11) ¡ºAfter Abraham's death, God poured out rich blessings on Isaac, who settled near Beer-lahairoi in the Negev.¡»
(â 25:12) ¡ºThis is the history of the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian servant.¡»
(â 25:13) ¡ºHere is a list, by their names and clans, of Ishmael's descendants: The oldest was Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,¡»
(â 25:14) ¡ºMishma, Dumah, Massa,¡»
(â 25:15) ¡ºHadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.¡»
(â 25:16) ¡ºThese twelve sons of Ishmael became the founders of twelve tribes that bore their names, listed according to the places they settled and camped.¡»
(â 25:17) ¡ºIshmael finally died at the age of 137 and joined his ancestors in death.¡»
(â 25:18) ¡ºIshmael's descendants were scattered across the country from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. The clans descended from Ishmael camped close to one another.¡»
(â 25:19) ¡ºThis is the history of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham.¡»
(â 25:20) ¡ºWhen Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban.¡»
(â 25:21) ¡ºIsaac pleaded with the LORD to give Rebekah a child because she was childless. So the LORD answered Isaac's prayer, and his wife became pregnant with twins.¡»
(â 25:22) ¡ºBut the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the LORD about it. "Why is this happening to me?" she asked.¡»
(â 25:23) ¡ºAnd the LORD told her, "The sons in your womb will become two rival nations. One nation will be stronger than the other; the descendants of your older son will serve the descendants of your younger son."¡»
(â 25:24) ¡ºAnd when the time came, the twins were born.¡»
(â 25:25) ¡ºThe first was very red at birth. He was covered with so much hair that one would think he was wearing a piece of clothing. So they called him Esau.¡»
(â 25:26) ¡ºThen the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau's heel. So they called him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.¡»
(â 25:27) ¡ºAs the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open fields, while Jacob was the kind of person who liked to stay at home.¡»
(â 25:28) ¡ºIsaac loved Esau in particular because of the wild game he brought home, but Rebekah favored Jacob.¡»
(â 25:29) ¡ºOne day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home exhausted and hungry from a hunt.¡»
(â 25:30) ¡ºEsau said to Jacob, "I'm starved! Give me some of that red stew you've made." (This was how Esau got his other name, Edom--"Red.")¡»
(â 25:31) ¡ºJacob replied, "All right, but trade me your birthright for it."¡»
(â 25:32) ¡º"Look, I'm dying of starvation!" said Esau. "What good is my birthright to me now?"¡»
(â 25:33) ¡ºSo Jacob insisted, "Well then, swear to me right now that it is mine." So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his younger brother.¡»
(â 25:34) ¡ºThen Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.¡»
(â 26:1) ¡ºNow a severe famine struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham's time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.¡»
(â 26:2) ¡ºThe LORD appeared to him there and said, "Do not go to Egypt.¡»
(â 26:3) ¡ºDo as I say, and stay here in this land. If you do, I will be with you and bless you. I will give all this land to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father.¡»
(â 26:4) ¡ºI will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.¡»
(â 26:5) ¡ºI will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, regulations, and laws."¡»
(â 26:6) ¡ºSo Isaac stayed in Gerar.¡»
(â 26:7) ¡ºAnd when the men there asked him about Rebekah, he said, "She is my sister." He was afraid to admit that she was his wife. He thought they would kill him to get her, because she was very beautiful.¡»
(â 26:8) ¡ºBut some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah.¡»
(â 26:9) ¡ºAbimelech called for Isaac and exclaimed, "She is obviously your wife! Why did you say she was your sister?" "Because I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me," Isaac replied.¡»
(â 26:10) ¡º"How could you treat us this way!" Abimelech exclaimed. "Someone might have taken your wife and slept with her, and you would have made us guilty of great sin."¡»
(â 26:11) ¡ºThen Abimelech made a public proclamation: "Anyone who harms this man or his wife will die!"¡»
(â 26:12) ¡ºThat year Isaac's crops were tremendous! He harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. 13He became a rich man, and his wealth only continued to grow.¡»
(â 26:14) ¡ºHe acquired large flocks of sheep and goats, great herds of cattle, and many servants. Soon the Philistines became jealous of him,¡»
(â 26:15) ¡ºand they filled up all of Isaac's wells with earth. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham.¡»
(â 26:16) ¡ºAnd Abimelech asked Isaac to leave the country. "Go somewhere else," he said, "for you have become too rich and powerful for us."¡»
(â 26:17) ¡ºSo Isaac moved to the Gerar Valley and lived there instead.¡»
(â 26:18) ¡ºHe reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham's death. Isaac renamed them, using the names Abraham had given them.¡»
(â 26:19) ¡ºHis shepherds also dug in the Gerar Valley and found a gushing spring.¡»
(â 26:20) ¡ºBut then the local shepherds came and claimed the spring. "This is our water," they said, and they argued over it with Isaac's herdsmen. So Isaac named the well "Argument," because they had argued about it with him.¡»
(â 26:21) ¡ºIsaac's men then dug another well, but again there was a fight over it. So Isaac named it "Opposition."¡»
(â 26:22) ¡ºAbandoning that one, he dug another well, and the local people finally left him alone. So Isaac called it "Room Enough," for he said, "At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be able to thrive."¡»
(â 26:23) ¡ºFrom there Isaac moved to Beersheba,¡»
(â 26:24) ¡ºwhere the LORD appeared to him on the night of his arrival. "I am the God of your father, Abraham," he said. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant."¡»
(â 26:25) ¡ºThen Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the LORD. He set up his camp at that place, and his servants dug a well.¡»
(â 26:26) ¡ºOne day Isaac had visitors from Gerar. King Abimelech arrived with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander.¡»
(â 26:27) ¡º"Why have you come?" Isaac asked them. "This is obviously no friendly visit, since you sent me from your land in a most unfriendly way."¡»
(â 26:28) ¡ºThey replied, "We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we decided we should have a treaty, a covenant between us.¡»
(â 26:29) ¡ºSwear that you will not harm us, just as we did not harm you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the LORD has blessed you!"¡»
(â 26:30) ¡ºSo Isaac prepared a great feast for them, and they ate and drank in preparation for the treaty ceremony.¡»
(â 26:31) ¡ºEarly the next morning, they each took a solemn oath of nonaggression. Then Isaac sent them home again in peace.¡»
(â 26:32) ¡ºThat very day Isaac's servants came and told him about a well they had dug. "We've found water!" they said.¡»
(â 26:33) ¡ºSo Isaac named the well "Oath," and from that time to this, the town that grew up there has been called Beersheba--"well of the oath."¡»
(â 26:34) ¡ºAt the age of forty, Esau married a young woman named Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite. He also married Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.¡»
(â 26:35) ¡ºBut Esau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah.¡»
(â 27:1) ¡ºWhen Isaac was old and almost blind, he called for Esau, his older son, and said, "My son?" "Yes, Father?" Esau replied.¡»
(â 27:2) ¡º"I am an old man now," Isaac said, "and I expect every day to be my last.¡»
(â 27:3) ¡ºTake your bow and a quiver full of arrows out into the open country, and hunt some wild game for me.¡»
(â 27:4) ¡ºPrepare it just the way I like it so it's savory and good, and bring it here for me to eat. Then I will pronounce the blessing that belongs to you, my firstborn son, before I die."¡»
(â 27:5) ¡ºBut Rebekah overheard the conversation. So when Esau left to hunt for the wild game,¡»
(â 27:6) ¡ºshe said to her son Jacob, "I overheard your father asking Esau¡»
(â 27:7) ¡ºto prepare him a delicious meal of wild game. He wants to bless Esau in the LORD's presence before he dies.¡»
(â 27:8) ¡ºNow, my son, do exactly as I tell you.¡»
(â 27:9) ¡ºGo out to the flocks and bring me two fine young goats. I'll prepare your father's favorite dish from them.¡»
(â 27:10) ¡ºTake the food to your father; then he can eat it and bless you instead of Esau before he dies."¡»
(â 27:11) ¡º"But Mother!" Jacob replied. "He won't be fooled that easily. Think how hairy Esau is and how smooth my skin is!¡»
(â 27:12) ¡ºWhat if my father touches me? He'll see that I'm trying to trick him, and then he'll curse me instead of blessing me."¡»
(â 27:13) ¡º"Let the curse fall on me, dear son," said Rebekah. "Just do what I tell you. Go out and get the goats."¡»
(â 27:14) ¡ºSo Jacob followed his mother's instructions, bringing her the two goats. She took them and cooked a delicious meat dish, just the way Isaac liked it.¡»
(â 27:15) ¡ºThen she took Esau's best clothes, which were there in the house, and dressed Jacob with them.¡»
(â 27:16) ¡ºShe made him a pair of gloves from the hairy skin of the young goats, and she fastened a strip of the goat's skin around his neck.¡»
(â 27:17) ¡ºThen she gave him the meat dish, with its rich aroma, and some freshly baked bread.¡»
(â 27:18) ¡ºJacob carried the platter of food to his father and said, "My father?" "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it--Esau or Jacob?"¡»
(â 27:19) ¡ºJacob replied, "It's Esau, your older son. I've done as you told me. Here is the wild game, cooked the way you like it. Sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing."¡»
(â 27:20) ¡ºIsaac asked, "How were you able to find it so quickly, my son?" "Because the LORD your God put it in my path!" Jacob replied.¡»
(â 27:21) ¡ºThen Isaac said to Jacob, "Come over here. I want to touch you to make sure you really are Esau."¡»
(â 27:22) ¡ºSo Jacob went over to his father, and Isaac touched him. "The voice is Jacob's, but the hands are Esau's," Isaac said to himself.¡»
(â 27:23) ¡ºBut he did not recognize Jacob because Jacob's hands felt hairy just like Esau's. So Isaac pronounced his blessing on Jacob.¡»
(â 27:24) ¡º"Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "Yes, of course," Jacob replied.¡»
(â 27:25) ¡ºThen Isaac said, "Now, my son, bring me the meat. I will eat it, and then I will give you my blessing." So Jacob took the food over to his father, and Isaac ate it. He also drank the wine that Jacob served him. Then Isaac said,¡»
(â 27:26) ¡º"Come here and kiss me, my son."¡»
(â 27:27) ¡ºSo Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son. He said, "The smell of my son is the good smell of the open fields that the LORD has blessed.¡»
(â 27:28) ¡ºMay God always give you plenty of dew for healthy crops and good harvests of grain and wine.¡»
(â 27:29) ¡ºMay many nations become your servants. May you be the master of your brothers. May all your mother's sons bow low before you. All who curse you are cursed, and all who bless you are blessed."¡»
(â 27:30) ¡ºAs soon as Isaac had blessed Jacob, and almost before Jacob had left his father, Esau returned from his hunting trip.¡»
(â 27:31) ¡ºEsau prepared his father's favorite meat dish and brought it to him. Then he said, "I'm back, Father, and I have the wild game. Sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing."¡»
(â 27:32) ¡ºBut Isaac asked him, "Who are you?" "Why, it's me, of course!" he replied. "It's Esau, your older son."¡»
(â 27:33) ¡ºIsaac began to tremble uncontrollably and said, "Then who was it that just served me wild game? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him with an irrevocable blessing before you came."¡»
(â 27:34) ¡ºWhen Esau understood, he let out a loud and bitter cry. "O my father, bless me, too!" he begged.¡»
(â 27:35) ¡ºBut Isaac said, "Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has carried away your blessing."¡»
(â 27:36) ¡ºEsau said bitterly, "No wonder his name is Jacob, for he has deceived me twice, first taking my birthright and now stealing my blessing. Oh, haven't you saved even one blessing for me?"¡»
(â 27:37) ¡ºIsaac said to Esau, "I have made Jacob your master and have declared that all his brothers will be his servants. I have guaranteed him an abundance of grain and wine--what is there left to give?"¡»
(â 27:38) ¡ºEsau pleaded, "Not one blessing left for me? O my father, bless me, too!" Then Esau broke down and wept.¡»
(â 27:39) ¡ºHis father, Isaac, said to him, "You will live off the land and what it yields,¡»
(â 27:40) ¡ºand you will live by your sword. You will serve your brother for a time, but then you will shake loose from him and be free."¡»
(â 27:41) ¡ºEsau hated Jacob because he had stolen his blessing, and he said to himself, "My father will soon be dead and gone. Then I will kill Jacob."¡»
(â 27:42) ¡ºBut someone got wind of what Esau was planning and reported it to Rebekah. She sent for Jacob and told him, "Esau is threatening to kill you.¡»
(â 27:43) ¡ºThis is what you should do. Flee to your uncle Laban in Haran. 44Stay there with him until your brother's fury is spent.¡»
(â 27:45) ¡ºWhen he forgets what you have done, I will send for you. Why should I lose both of you in one day?"¡»
(â 27:46) ¡ºThen Rebekah said to Isaac, "I'm sick and tired of these local Hittite women. I'd rather die than see Jacob marry one of them."¡»
(â 28:1) ¡ºSo Isaac called for Jacob, blessed him, and said, "Do not marry any of these Canaanite women.¡»
(â 28:2) ¡ºInstead, go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of your uncle Laban's daughters.¡»
(â 28:3) ¡ºMay God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants become a great assembly of nations!¡»
(â 28:4) ¡ºMay God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where we now are foreigners, for God gave it to Abraham."¡»
(â 28:5) ¡ºSo Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle Laban, his mother's brother, the son of Bethuel the Aramean.¡»
(â 28:6) ¡ºEsau heard that his father had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to find a wife, and that he had warned Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman.¡»
(â 28:7) ¡ºHe also knew that Jacob had obeyed his parents and gone to Paddan-aram.¡»
(â 28:8) ¡ºIt was now very clear to Esau that his father despised the local Canaanite women.¡»
(â 28:9) ¡ºSo he visited his uncle Ishmael's family and married one of Ishmael's daughters, in addition to the wives he already had. His new wife's name was Mahalath. She was the sister of Nebaioth and the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son.¡»
(â 28:10) ¡ºMeanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran.¡»
(â 28:11) ¡ºAt sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone for a pillow and lay down to sleep.¡»
(â 28:12) ¡ºAs he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down on it.¡»
(â 28:13) ¡ºAt the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, "I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants.¡»
(â 28:14) ¡ºYour descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.¡»
(â 28:15) ¡ºWhat's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised."¡»
(â 28:16) ¡ºThen Jacob woke up and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it."¡»
(â 28:17) ¡ºHe was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God--the gateway to heaven!"¡»
(â 28:18) ¡ºThe next morning he got up very early. He took the stone he had used as a pillow and set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it.¡»
(â 28:19) ¡ºHe named the place Bethel--"house of God"--though the name of the nearby village was Luz.¡»
(â 28:20) ¡ºThen Jacob made this vow: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing,¡»
(â 28:21) ¡ºand if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God.¡»
(â 28:22) ¡ºThis memorial pillar will become a place for worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me."¡»
(â 29:1) ¡ºJacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east.¡»
(â 29:2) ¡ºHe saw in the distance three flocks of sheep lying in an open field beside a well, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well.¡»
(â 29:3) ¡ºIt was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to arrive before removing the stone. After watering them, the stone would be rolled back over the mouth of the well.¡»
(â 29:4) ¡ºJacob went over to the shepherds and asked them, "Where do you live?" "At Haran," they said.¡»
(â 29:5) ¡º"Do you know a man there named Laban, the grandson of Nahor?" "Yes, we do," they replied.¡»
(â 29:6) ¡º"How is he?" Jacob asked. "He's well and prosperous. Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."¡»
(â 29:7) ¡º"Why don't you water the flocks so they can get back to grazing?" Jacob asked. "They'll be hungry if you stop so early in the day."¡»
(â 29:8) ¡º"We don't roll away the stone and begin the watering until all the flocks and shepherds are here," they replied.¡»
(â 29:9) ¡ºAs this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd.¡»
(â 29:10) ¡ºAnd because she was his cousin, the daughter of his mother's brother, and because the sheep were his uncle's, Jacob went over to the well and rolled away the stone and watered his uncle's flock.¡»
(â 29:11) ¡ºThen Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes.¡»
(â 29:12) ¡ºHe explained that he was her cousin on her father's side, her aunt Rebekah's son. So Rachel quickly ran and told her father, Laban.¡»
(â 29:13) ¡ºAs soon as Laban heard about Jacob's arrival, he rushed out to meet him and greeted him warmly. Laban then brought him home, and Jacob told him his story.¡»
(â 29:14) ¡º"Just think, my very own flesh and blood!" Laban exclaimed. After Jacob had been there about a month,¡»
(â 29:15) ¡ºLaban said to him, "You shouldn't work for me without pay just because we are relatives. How much do you want?"¡»
(â 29:16) ¡ºNow Laban had two daughters: Leah, who was the oldest, and her younger sister, Rachel.¡»
(â 29:17) ¡ºLeah had pretty eyes, but Rachel was beautiful in every way, with a lovely face and shapely figure.¡»
(â 29:18) ¡ºSince Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, "I'll work for you seven years if you'll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife."¡»
(â 29:19) ¡º"Agreed!" Laban replied. "I'd rather give her to you than to someone outside the family."¡»
(â 29:20) ¡ºSo Jacob spent the next seven years working to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.¡»
(â 29:21) ¡ºFinally, the time came for him to marry her. "I have fulfilled my contract," Jacob said to Laban. "Now give me my wife so we can be married."¡»
(â 29:22) ¡ºSo Laban invited everyone in the neighborhood to celebrate with Jacob at a wedding feast.¡»
(â 29:23) ¡ºThat night, when it was dark, Laban took Leah to Jacob, and he slept with her.¡»
(â 29:24) ¡ºAnd Laban gave Leah a servant, Zilpah, to be her maid.¡»
(â 29:25) ¡ºBut when Jacob woke up in the morning--it was Leah! "What sort of trick is this?" Jacob raged at Laban. "I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?"¡»
(â 29:26) ¡º"It's not our custom to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn," Laban replied.¡»
(â 29:27) ¡º"Wait until the bridal week is over, and you can have Rachel, too--that is, if you promise to work another seven years for me."¡»
(â 29:28) ¡ºSo Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too.¡»
(â 29:29) ¡ºAnd Laban gave Rachel a servant, Bilhah, to be her maid.¡»
(â 29:30) ¡ºSo Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her more than Leah. He then stayed and worked the additional seven years.¡»
(â 29:31) ¡ºBut because Leah was unloved, the LORD let her have a child, while Rachel was childless.¡»
(â 29:32) ¡ºSo Leah became pregnant and had a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, "The LORD has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me."¡»
(â 29:33) ¡ºShe soon became pregnant again and had another son. She named him Simeon, for she said, "The LORD heard that I was unloved and has given me another son."¡»
(â 29:34) ¡ºAgain she became pregnant and had a son. She named him Levi, for she said, "Surely now my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons!"¡»
(â 29:35) ¡ºOnce again she became pregnant and had a son. She named him Judah, for she said, "Now I will praise the LORD!" And then she stopped having children.¡»
(â 30:1) ¡ºWhen Rachel saw that she wasn't having any children, she became jealous of her sister. "Give me children, or I'll die!" she exclaimed to Jacob.¡»
(â 30:2) ¡ºJacob flew into a rage. "Am I God?" he asked. "He is the only one able to give you children!"¡»
(â 30:3) ¡ºThen Rachel told him, "Sleep with my servant, Bilhah, and she will bear children for me."¡»
(â 30:4) ¡ºSo Rachel gave him Bilhah to be his wife, and Jacob slept with her.¡»
(â 30:5) ¡ºBilhah became pregnant and presented him with a son.¡»
(â 30:6) ¡ºRachel named him Dan, for she said, "God has vindicated me! He has heard my request and given me a son."¡»
(â 30:7) ¡ºThen Bilhah became pregnant again and gave Jacob a second son.¡»
(â 30:8) ¡ºRachel named him Naphtali, for she said, "I have had an intense struggle with my sister, and I am winning!"¡»
(â 30:9) ¡ºMeanwhile, Leah realized that she wasn't getting pregnant anymore, so she gave her servant, Zilpah, to Jacob to be his wife.¡»
(â 30:10) ¡ºSoon Zilpah presented him with another son.¡»
(â 30:11) ¡ºLeah named him Gad, for she said, "How fortunate I am!"¡»
(â 30:12) ¡ºThen Zilpah produced a second son,¡»
(â 30:13) ¡ºand Leah named him Asher, for she said, "What joy is mine! The other women will consider me happy indeed!"¡»
(â 30:14) ¡ºOne day during the wheat harvest, Reuben found some mandrakes growing in a field and brought the roots to his mother, Leah. Rachel begged Leah to give some of them to her.¡»
(â 30:15) ¡ºBut Leah angrily replied, "Wasn't it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son's mandrake roots, too?" Rachel said, "I will let him sleep with you tonight in exchange for the mandrake roots."¡»
(â 30:16) ¡ºSo that evening, as Jacob was coming home from the fields, Leah went out to meet him. "You must sleep with me tonight!" she said. "I have paid for you with some mandrake roots my son has found." So Jacob slept with her.¡»
(â 30:17) ¡ºAnd God answered her prayers. She became pregnant again and gave birth to her fifth son.¡»
(â 30:18) ¡ºShe named him Issachar, for she said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband as a wife."¡»
(â 30:19) ¡ºThen she became pregnant again and had a sixth son.¡»
(â 30:20) ¡ºShe named him Zebulun, for she said, "God has given me good gifts for my husband. Now he will honor me, for I have given him six sons."¡»
(â 30:21) ¡ºLater she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.¡»
(â 30:22) ¡ºThen God remembered Rachel's plight and answered her prayers by giving her a child.¡»
(â 30:23) ¡ºShe became pregnant and gave birth to a son. "God has removed my shame," she said.¡»
(â 30:24) ¡ºAnd she named him Joseph, for she said, "May the LORD give me yet another son."¡»
(â 30:25) ¡ºSoon after Joseph was born to Rachel, Jacob said to Laban, "I want to go back home.¡»
(â 30:26) ¡ºLet me take my wives and children, for I have earned them from you, and let me be on my way. You know I have fully paid for them with my service to you."¡»
(â 30:27) ¡º"Please don't leave me," Laban replied, "for I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because you are here.¡»
(â 30:28) ¡ºHow much do I owe you? Whatever it is, I'll pay it."¡»
(â 30:29) ¡ºJacob replied, "You know how faithfully I've served you through these many years, and how your flocks and herds have grown.¡»
(â 30:30) ¡ºYou had little indeed before I came, and your wealth has increased enormously. The LORD has blessed you from everything I do! But now, what about me? When should I provide for my own family?"¡»
(â 30:31) ¡º"What wages do you want?" Laban asked again. Jacob replied, "Don't give me anything at all. Just do one thing, and I'll go back to work for you.¡»
(â 30:32) ¡ºLet me go out among your flocks today and remove all the sheep and goats that are speckled or spotted, along with all the dark-colored sheep. Give them to me as my wages.¡»
(â 30:33) ¡ºThis will make it easy for you to see whether or not I have been honest. If you find in my flock any white sheep or goats that are not speckled, you will know that I have stolen them from you."¡»
(â 30:34) ¡º"All right," Laban replied. "It will be as you have said."¡»
(â 30:35) ¡ºBut that very day Laban went out and removed all the male goats that were speckled and spotted, the females that were speckled and spotted with any white patches, and all the dark-colored sheep. He placed them in the care of his sons,¡»
(â 30:36) ¡ºand they took them three days' distance from where Jacob was. Meanwhile, Jacob stayed and cared for Laban's flock.¡»
(â 30:37) ¡ºNow Jacob took fresh shoots from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of the bark to make white streaks on them.¡»
(â 30:38) ¡ºThen he set up these peeled branches beside the watering troughs so Laban's flocks would see them as they came to drink, for that was when they mated.¡»
(â 30:39) ¡ºSo when the flocks mated in front of the white-streaked branches, all of their offspring were streaked, speckled, and spotted.¡»
(â 30:40) ¡ºJacob added them to his own flock, thus separating the lambs from Laban's flock. Then at mating time, he turned the flocks toward the streaked and dark-colored rams in Laban's flock. This is how he built his flock from Laban's.¡»
(â 30:41) ¡ºWhenever the stronger females were ready to mate, Jacob set up the peeled branches in front of them.¡»
(â 30:42) ¡ºBut he didn't do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob's.¡»
(â 30:43) ¡ºAs a result, Jacob's flocks increased rapidly, and he became very wealthy, with many servants, camels, and donkeys.¡»
(â 31:1) ¡ºBut Jacob soon learned that Laban's sons were beginning to grumble. "Jacob has robbed our father!" they said. "All his wealth has been gained at our father's expense."¡»
(â 31:2) ¡ºAnd Jacob began to notice a considerable cooling in Laban's attitude toward him.¡»
(â 31:3) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you."¡»
(â 31:4) ¡ºJacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching the flocks,¡»
(â 31:5) ¡ºso he could talk things over with them. "Your father has turned against me and is not treating me like he used to," he told them. "But the God of my father has been with me.¡»
(â 31:6) ¡ºYou know how hard I have worked for your father,¡»
(â 31:7) ¡ºbut he has tricked me, breaking his wage agreement with me again and again. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.¡»
(â 31:8) ¡ºFor if he said the speckled animals were mine, the whole flock began to produce speckled lambs. And when he changed his mind and said I could have the streaked ones, then all the lambs were born streaked.¡»
(â 31:9) ¡ºIn this way, God has made me wealthy at your father's expense.¡»
(â 31:10) ¡ºDuring the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled, and spotted.¡»
(â 31:11) ¡ºThen in my dream, the angel of God said to me, `Jacob!' And I replied, `Yes, I'm listening!'¡»
(â 31:12) ¡ºThe angel said, `Look, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen all that Laban has done to you.¡»
(â 31:13) ¡ºI am the God you met at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made a vow to serve me. Now leave this country and return to the land you came from.' "¡»
(â 31:14) ¡ºRachel and Leah said, "That's fine with us! There's nothing for us here--none of our father's wealth will come to us anyway.¡»
(â 31:15) ¡ºHe has reduced our rights to those of foreign women. He sold us, and what he received for us has disappeared.¡»
(â 31:16) ¡ºThe riches God has given you from our father are legally ours and our children's to begin with. So go ahead and do whatever God has told you."¡»
(â 31:17) ¡ºSo Jacob put his wives and children on camels.¡»
(â 31:18) ¡ºHe drove the flocks in front of him--all the livestock he had acquired at Paddan-aram--and set out on his journey to the land of Canaan, where his father, Isaac, lived.¡»
(â 31:19) ¡ºAt the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father's household gods and took them with her.¡»
(â 31:20) ¡ºThey set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.¡»
(â 31:21) ¡ºJacob took all his possessions with him and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the territory of Gilead.¡»
(â 31:22) ¡ºLaban didn't learn of their flight for three days.¡»
(â 31:23) ¡ºBut when he did, he gathered a group of his relatives and set out in hot pursuit. He caught up with them seven days later in the hill country of Gilead.¡»
(â 31:24) ¡ºBut the previous night God had appeared to Laban in a dream. "Be careful about what you say to Jacob!" he was told.¡»
(â 31:25) ¡ºSo when Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, he set up his camp not far from Jacob's.¡»
(â 31:26) ¡º"What do you mean by sneaking off like this?" Laban demanded. "Are my daughters prisoners, the plunder of war, that you have stolen them away like this?¡»
(â 31:27) ¡ºWhy did you slip away secretly? I would have given you a farewell party, with joyful singing accompanied by tambourines and harps.¡»
(â 31:28) ¡ºWhy didn't you let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren and tell them good-bye? You have acted very foolishly!¡»
(â 31:29) ¡ºI could destroy you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night and told me, `Be careful about what you say to Jacob!'¡»
(â 31:30) ¡ºI know you feel you must go, and you long intensely for your childhood home, but why have you stolen my household gods?"¡»
(â 31:31) ¡º"I rushed away because I was afraid," Jacob answered. "I said to myself, `He'll take his daughters from me by force.'¡»
(â 31:32) ¡ºBut as for your household gods, let the person who has taken them die! If you find anything that belongs to you, I swear before all these relatives of ours, I will give it back without question." But Jacob didn't know that Rachel had taken them.¡»
(â 31:33) ¡ºLaban went first into Jacob's tent to search there, then into Leah's, and then he searched the tents of the two concubines, but he didn't find the gods. Finally, he went into Rachel's tent.¡»
(â 31:34) ¡ºRachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn't find them.¡»
(â 31:35) ¡º"Forgive my not getting up, Father," Rachel explained. "I'm having my monthly period." So despite his thorough search, Laban didn't find them.¡»
(â 31:36) ¡ºThen Jacob became very angry. "What did you find?" he demanded of Laban. "What is my crime? You have chased me as though I were a criminal.¡»
(â 31:37) ¡ºYou have searched through everything I own. Now show me what you have found that belongs to you! Set it out here in front of us, before our relatives, for all to see. Let them decide who is the real owner!¡»
(â 31:38) ¡º"Twenty years I have been with you, and all that time I cared for your sheep and goats so they produced healthy offspring. In all those years I never touched a single ram of yours for food.¡»
(â 31:39) ¡ºIf any were attacked and killed by wild animals, did I show them to you and ask you to reduce the count of your flock? No, I took the loss! You made me pay for every animal stolen from the flocks, whether the loss was my fault or not.¡»
(â 31:40) ¡ºI worked for you through the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights.¡»
(â 31:41) ¡ºYes, twenty years--fourteen of them earning your two daughters, and six years to get the flock. And you have reduced my wages ten times!¡»
(â 31:42) ¡ºIn fact, except for the grace of God--the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac--you would have sent me off without a penny to my name. But God has seen your cruelty and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and vindicated me."¡»
(â 31:43) ¡ºThen Laban replied to Jacob, "These women are my daughters, and these children are my grandchildren, and these flocks and all that you have--all are mine. But what can I do now to my own daughters and grandchildren?¡»
(â 31:44) ¡ºCome now, and we will make a peace treaty, you and I, and we will live by its terms."¡»
(â 31:45) ¡ºSo Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument.¡»
(â 31:46) ¡ºHe also told his men to gather stones and pile them up in a heap. Jacob and Laban then sat down beside the pile of stones to share a meal.¡»
(â 31:47) ¡ºThey named it "Witness Pile," which is Jegar-sahadutha in Laban's language and Galeed in Jacob's.¡»
(â 31:48) ¡º"This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of our agreement," Laban said.¡»
(â 31:49) ¡ºThis place was also called Mizpah, for Laban said, "May the LORD keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this treaty when we are out of each other's sight.¡»
(â 31:50) ¡ºI won't know about it if you are harsh to my daughters or if you take other wives, but God will see it.¡»
(â 31:51) ¡ºThis heap of stones and this pillar¡»
(â 31:52) ¡ºstand between us as a witness of our vows. I will not cross this line to harm you, and you will not cross it to harm me.¡»
(â 31:53) ¡ºI call on the God of our ancestors--the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of my grandfather Nahor--to punish either one of us who harms the other." So Jacob took an oath before the awesome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line.¡»
(â 31:54) ¡ºThen Jacob presented a sacrifice to God and invited everyone to a feast. Afterward they spent the night there in the hills.¡»
(â 31:55) ¡ºLaban got up early the next morning, and he kissed his daughters and grandchildren and blessed them. Then he returned home.¡»
(â 32:1) ¡ºAs Jacob and his household started on their way again, angels of God came to meet him.¡»
(â 32:2) ¡ºWhen Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, "This is God's camp!" So he named the place Mahanaim.¡»
(â 32:3) ¡ºJacob now sent messengers to his brother, Esau, in Edom, the land of Seir.¡»
(â 32:4) ¡ºHe told them, "Give this message to my master Esau: `Humble greetings from your servant Jacob! I have been living with Uncle Laban until recently,¡»
(â 32:5) ¡ºand now I own oxen, donkeys, sheep, goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform you of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to us.' "¡»
(â 32:6) ¡ºThe messengers returned with the news that Esau was on his way to meet Jacob--with an army of four hundred men!¡»
(â 32:7) ¡ºJacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps.¡»
(â 32:8) ¡ºHe thought, "If Esau attacks one group, perhaps the other can escape."¡»
(â 32:9) ¡ºThen Jacob prayed, "O God of my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac--O LORD, you told me to return to my land and to my relatives, and you promised to treat me kindly.¡»
(â 32:10) ¡ºI am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!¡»
(â 32:11) ¡ºO LORD, please rescue me from my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to kill me, along with my wives and children.¡»
(â 32:12) ¡ºBut you promised to treat me kindly and to multiply my descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore--too many to count."¡»
(â 32:13) ¡ºJacob stayed where he was for the night and prepared a present for Esau:¡»
(â 32:14) ¡ºtwo hundred female goats, twenty male goats, two hundred ewes, twenty rams,¡»
(â 32:15) ¡ºthirty female camels with their young, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys, and ten male donkeys.¡»
(â 32:16) ¡ºHe told his servants to lead them on ahead, each group of animals by itself, separated by a distance in between.¡»
(â 32:17) ¡ºHe gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: "When you meet Esau, he will ask, `Where are you going? Whose servants are you? Whose animals are these?'¡»
(â 32:18) ¡ºYou should reply, `These belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present for his master Esau! He is coming right behind us.' "¡»
(â 32:19) ¡ºJacob gave the same instructions to each of the herdsmen and told them, "You are all to say the same thing to Esau when you see him.¡»
(â 32:20) ¡ºAnd be sure to say, `Your servant Jacob is right behind us.' " Jacob's plan was to appease Esau with the presents before meeting him face to face. "Perhaps," Jacob hoped, "he will be friendly to us."¡»
(â 32:21) ¡ºSo the presents were sent on ahead, and Jacob spent that night in the camp.¡»
(â 32:22) ¡ºBut during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River.¡»
(â 32:23) ¡ºAfter they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions.¡»
(â 32:24) ¡ºThis left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn.¡»
(â 32:25) ¡ºWhen the man saw that he couldn't win the match, he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket.¡»
(â 32:26) ¡ºThen the man said, "Let me go, for it is dawn." But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."¡»
(â 32:27) ¡º"What is your name?" the man asked. He replied, "Jacob."¡»
(â 32:28) ¡º"Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."¡»
(â 32:29) ¡º"What is your name?" Jacob asked him. "Why do you ask?" the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.¡»
(â 32:30) ¡ºJacob named the place Peniel--"face of God"--for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared."¡»
(â 32:31) ¡ºThe sun rose as he left Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.¡»
(â 32:32) ¡ºThat is why even today the people of Israel don't eat meat from near the hip, in memory of what happened that night.¡»
(â 33:1) ¡ºThen, in the distance, Jacob saw Esau coming with his four hundred men.¡»
(â 33:2) ¡ºJacob now arranged his family into a column, with his two concubines and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.¡»
(â 33:3) ¡ºThen Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed low seven times before him.¡»
(â 33:4) ¡ºThen Esau ran to meet him and embraced him affectionately and kissed him. Both of them were in tears.¡»
(â 33:5) ¡ºThen Esau looked at the women and children and asked, "Who are these people with you?" "These are the children God has graciously given to me," Jacob replied.¡»
(â 33:6) ¡ºThen the concubines came forward with their children and bowed low before him.¡»
(â 33:7) ¡ºNext Leah came with her children, and they bowed down. Finally, Rachel and Joseph came and made their bows.¡»
(â 33:8) ¡º"And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?" Esau asked. Jacob replied, "They are gifts, my lord, to ensure your goodwill."¡»
(â 33:9) ¡º"Brother, I have plenty," Esau answered. "Keep what you have."¡»
(â 33:10) ¡º"No, please accept them," Jacob said, "for what a relief it is to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God!¡»
(â 33:11) ¡ºPlease take my gifts, for God has been very generous to me. I have more than enough." Jacob continued to insist, so Esau finally accepted them.¡»
(â 33:12) ¡º"Well, let's be going," Esau said. "I will stay with you and lead the way."¡»
(â 33:13) ¡ºBut Jacob replied, "You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, they may die.¡»
(â 33:14) ¡ºSo go on ahead of us. We will follow at our own pace and meet you at Seir."¡»
(â 33:15) ¡º"Well," Esau said, "at least let me leave some of my men to guide and protect you." "There is no reason for you to be so kind to me," Jacob insisted.¡»
(â 33:16) ¡ºSo Esau started back to Seir that same day.¡»
(â 33:17) ¡ºMeanwhile, Jacob and his household traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his flocks and herds. That is why the place was named Succoth.¡»
(â 33:18) ¡ºThen they arrived safely at Shechem, in Canaan, and they set up camp just outside the town.¡»
(â 33:19) ¡ºJacob bought the land he camped on from the family of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver.¡»
(â 33:20) ¡ºAnd there he built an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.¡»
(â 34:1) ¡ºOne day Dinah, Leah's daughter, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area.¡»
(â 34:2) ¡ºBut when the local prince, Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, saw her, he took her and raped her.¡»
(â 34:3) ¡ºBut Shechem's love for Dinah was strong, and he tried to win her affection.¡»
(â 34:4) ¡ºHe even spoke to his father about it. "Get this girl for me," he demanded. "I want to marry her."¡»
(â 34:5) ¡ºWord soon reached Jacob that his daughter had been defiled, but his sons were out in the fields herding cattle so he did nothing until they returned.¡»
(â 34:6) ¡ºMeanwhile, Hamor, Shechem's father, came out to discuss the matter with Jacob.¡»
(â 34:7) ¡ºHe arrived just as Jacob's sons were coming in from the fields. They were shocked and furious that their sister had been raped. Shechem had done a disgraceful thing against Jacob's family, a thing that should never have been done.¡»
(â 34:8) ¡ºHamor told Jacob and his sons, "My son Shechem is truly in love with your daughter, and he longs for her to be his wife. Please let him marry her.¡»
(â 34:9) ¡ºWe invite you to let your daughters marry our sons, and we will give our daughters as wives for your young men.¡»
(â 34:10) ¡ºAnd you may live among us; the land is open to you! Settle here and trade with us. You are free to acquire property among us."¡»
(â 34:11) ¡ºThen Shechem addressed Dinah's father and brothers. "Please be kind to me, and let me have her as my wife," he begged. "I will give whatever you require.¡»
(â 34:12) ¡ºNo matter what dowry or gift you demand, I will pay it--only give me the girl as my wife."¡»
(â 34:13) ¡ºBut Dinah's brothers deceived Shechem and Hamor because of what Shechem had done to their sister.¡»
(â 34:14) ¡ºThey said to them, "We couldn't possibly allow this, because you aren't circumcised. It would be a disgrace for her to marry a man like you!¡»
(â 34:15) ¡ºBut here is a solution. If every man among you will be circumcised like we are,¡»
(â 34:16) ¡ºwe will intermarry with you and live here and unite with you to become one people.¡»
(â 34:17) ¡ºOtherwise we will take her and be on our way."¡»
(â 34:18) ¡ºHamor and Shechem gladly agreed,¡»
(â 34:19) ¡ºand Shechem lost no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Dinah desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,¡»
(â 34:20) ¡ºand he appeared with his father before the town leaders to present this proposal.¡»
(â 34:21) ¡º"Those men are our friends," they said. "Let's invite them to live here among us and ply their trade. For the land is large enough to hold them, and we can intermarry with them.¡»
(â 34:22) ¡ºBut they will consider staying here only on one condition. Every one of us men must be circumcised, just as they are.¡»
(â 34:23) ¡ºBut if we do this, all their flocks and possessions will become ours. Come, let's agree to this so they will settle here among us."¡»
(â 34:24) ¡ºSo all the men agreed and were circumcised.¡»
(â 34:25) ¡ºBut three days later, when their wounds were still sore, two of Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, took their swords, entered the town without opposition, and slaughtered every man there,¡»
(â 34:26) ¡ºincluding Hamor and Shechem. They rescued Dinah from Shechem's house and returned to their camp.¡»
(â 34:27) ¡ºThen all of Jacob's sons plundered the town because their sister had been defiled there.¡»
(â 34:28) ¡ºThey seized all the flocks and herds and donkeys--everything they could lay their hands on, both inside the town and outside in the fields.¡»
(â 34:29) ¡ºThey also took all the women and children and wealth of every kind.¡»
(â 34:30) ¡ºAfterward Jacob said to Levi and Simeon, "You have made me stink among all the people of this land--among all the Canaanites and Perizzites. We are so few that they will come and crush us. We will all be killed!"¡»
(â 34:31) ¡º"Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?" they retorted angrily.¡»
(â 35:1) ¡ºGod said to Jacob, "Now move on to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to worship me--the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau."¡»
(â 35:2) ¡ºSo Jacob told everyone in his household, "Destroy your idols, wash yourselves, and put on clean clothing.¡»
(â 35:3) ¡ºWe are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has stayed with me wherever I have gone."¡»
(â 35:4) ¡ºSo they gave Jacob all their idols and their earrings, and he buried them beneath the tree near Shechem.¡»
(â 35:5) ¡ºWhen they set out again, terror from God came over the people in all the towns of that area, and no one attacked them.¡»
(â 35:6) ¡ºFinally, they arrived at Luz (now called Bethel) in Canaan.¡»
(â 35:7) ¡ºJacob built an altar there and named it El-bethel, because God had appeared to him there at Bethel when he was fleeing from Esau.¡»
(â 35:8) ¡ºSoon after this, Rebekah's old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called the "Oak of Weeping."¡»
(â 35:9) ¡ºGod appeared to Jacob once again when he arrived at Bethel after traveling from Paddan-aram. God blessed him¡»
(â 35:10) ¡ºand said, "Your name is no longer Jacob; you will now be called Israel."¡»
(â 35:11) ¡ºThen God said, "I am God Almighty. Multiply and fill the earth! Become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants!¡»
(â 35:12) ¡ºAnd I will pass on to you the land I gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants."¡»
(â 35:13) ¡ºThen God went up from the place where he had spoken to Jacob.¡»
(â 35:14) ¡ºJacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. He then poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil.¡»
(â 35:15) ¡ºJacob called the place Bethel--"house of God"--because God had spoken to him there.¡»
(â 35:16) ¡ºLeaving Bethel, they traveled on toward Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). But Rachel's pains of childbirth began while they were still some distance away.¡»
(â 35:17) ¡ºAfter a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, "Don't be afraid--you have another son!"¡»
(â 35:18) ¡ºRachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named him Ben-oni; the baby's father, however, called him Benjamin.¡»
(â 35:19) ¡ºSo Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).¡»
(â 35:20) ¡ºJacob set up a stone monument over her grave, and it can be seen there to this day.¡»
(â 35:21) ¡ºJacob then traveled on and camped beyond the tower of Eder.¡»
(â 35:22) ¡ºWhile he was there, Reuben slept with Bilhah, his father's concubine, and someone told Jacob about it. These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob:¡»
(â 35:23) ¡ºThe sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob's oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.¡»
(â 35:24) ¡ºThe sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.¡»
(â 35:25) ¡ºThe sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant, were Dan and Naphtali.¡»
(â 35:26) ¡ºThe sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons born to Jacob at Paddan-aram.¡»
(â 35:27) ¡ºSo Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, which is near Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham had also lived.¡»
(â 35:28) ¡ºIsaac lived for 180 years,¡»
(â 35:29) ¡ºand he died at a ripe old age, joining his ancestors in death. Then his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.¡»
(â 36:1) ¡ºThis is the history of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom).¡»
(â 36:2) ¡ºEsau married two young women from Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite.¡»
(â 36:3) ¡ºHe also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth.¡»
(â 36:4) ¡ºEsau and Adah had a son named Eliphaz. Esau and Basemath had a son named Reuel.¡»
(â 36:5) ¡ºEsau and Oholibamah had sons named Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons were born to Esau in the land of Canaan.¡»
(â 36:6) ¡ºThen Esau took his wives, children, household servants, cattle, and flocks--all the wealth he had gained in the land of Canaan--and moved away from his brother, Jacob.¡»
(â 36:7) ¡ºThere was not enough land to support them both because of all their cattle and livestock.¡»
(â 36:8) ¡ºSo Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.¡»
(â 36:9) ¡ºThis is a list of Esau's descendants, the Edomites, who lived in the hill country of Seir.¡»
(â 36:10) ¡ºAmong Esau's sons were Eliphaz, the son of Esau's wife Adah; and Reuel, the son of Esau's wife Basemath.¡»
(â 36:11) ¡ºThe sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.¡»
(â 36:12) ¡ºEliphaz had another son named Amalek, born to Timna, his concubine. These were all grandchildren of Esau's wife Adah.¡»
(â 36:13) ¡ºThe sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were all grandchildren of Esau's wife Basemath.¡»
(â 36:14) ¡ºEsau also had sons through Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon. Their names were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.¡»
(â 36:15) ¡ºEsau's children and grandchildren became the leaders of different clans. The sons of Esau's oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,¡»
(â 36:16) ¡ºKorah, Gatam, and Amalek. These clans in the land of Edom were descended from Eliphaz, the son of Esau and Adah.¡»
(â 36:17) ¡ºThe sons of Esau's son Reuel became the leaders of the clans of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These clans in the land of Edom were descended from Reuel, the son of Esau and Basemath.¡»
(â 36:18) ¡ºThe sons of Esau and his wife Oholibamah became the leaders of the clans of Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the clans descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.¡»
(â 36:19) ¡ºThese are all the clans descended from Esau (also known as Edom).¡»
(â 36:20) ¡ºThese are the names of the tribes that descended from Seir the Horite, one of the families native to the land of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,¡»
(â 36:21) ¡ºDishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the Horite clans, the descendants of Seir, who lived in the land of Edom.¡»
(â 36:22) ¡ºThe sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was named Timna.¡»
(â 36:23) ¡ºThe sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.¡»
(â 36:24) ¡ºThe sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the wilderness while he was grazing his father's donkeys.¡»
(â 36:25) ¡ºThe son of Anah was Dishon, and Oholibamah was his daughter.¡»
(â 36:26) ¡ºThe sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.¡»
(â 36:27) ¡ºThe sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.¡»
(â 36:28) ¡ºThe sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.¡»
(â 36:29) ¡ºSo the leaders of the Horite clans were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,¡»
(â 36:30) ¡ºDishon, Ezer, and Dishan. The Horite clans are named after their clan leaders, who lived in the land of Seir.¡»
(â 36:31) ¡ºThese are the kings who ruled in Edom before there were kings in Israel :¡»
(â 36:32) ¡ºBela son of Beor, who ruled from his city of Dinhabah.¡»
(â 36:33) ¡ºWhen Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became king.¡»
(â 36:34) ¡ºWhen Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king.¡»
(â 36:35) ¡ºWhen Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king and ruled from the city of Avith. He was the one who destroyed the Midianite army in the land of Moab.¡»
(â 36:36) ¡ºWhen Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king.¡»
(â 36:37) ¡ºWhen Samlah died, Shaul from the city of Rehoboth on the Euphrates River became king.¡»
(â 36:38) ¡ºWhen Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Acbor became king.¡»
(â 36:39) ¡ºWhen Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king and ruled from the city of Pau. Hadad's wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab.¡»
(â 36:40) ¡ºThese are the leaders of the clans of Esau, who lived in the places named for them: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,¡»
(â 36:41) ¡ºOholibamah, Elah, Pinon,¡»
(â 36:42) ¡ºKenaz, Teman, Mibzar,¡»
(â 36:43) ¡ºMagdiel, and Iram. These are the names of the clans of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites, each clan giving its name to the area it occupied.¡»
(â 37:1) ¡ºSo Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived.¡»
(â 37:2) ¡ºThis is the history of Jacob's family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father's flocks with his half brothers, the sons of his father's wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.¡»
(â 37:3) ¡ºNow Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day he gave Joseph a special gift--a beautiful robe.¡»
(â 37:4) ¡ºBut his brothers hated Joseph because of their father's partiality. They couldn't say a kind word to him.¡»
(â 37:5) ¡ºOne night Joseph had a dream and promptly reported the details to his brothers, causing them to hate him even more.¡»
(â 37:6) ¡º"Listen to this dream," he announced.¡»
(â 37:7) ¡º"We were out in the field tying up bundles of grain. My bundle stood up, and then your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before it!"¡»
(â 37:8) ¡º"So you are going to be our king, are you?" his brothers taunted. And they hated him all the more for his dream and what he had said.¡»
(â 37:9) ¡ºThen Joseph had another dream and told his brothers about it. "Listen to this dream," he said. "The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!"¡»
(â 37:10) ¡ºThis time he told his father as well as his brothers, and his father rebuked him. "What do you mean?" his father asked. "Will your mother, your brothers, and I actually come and bow before you?"¡»
(â 37:11) ¡ºBut while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father gave it some thought and wondered what it all meant.¡»
(â 37:12) ¡ºSoon after this, Joseph's brothers went to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem.¡»
(â 37:13) ¡ºWhen they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, "Your brothers are over at Shechem with the flocks. I'm going to send you to them." "I'm ready to go," Joseph replied.¡»
(â 37:14) ¡º"Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along," Jacob said. "Then come back and bring me word." So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from his home in the valley of Hebron.¡»
(â 37:15) ¡ºWhen he arrived there, a man noticed him wandering around the countryside. "What are you looking for?" he asked.¡»
(â 37:16) ¡º"For my brothers and their flocks," Joseph replied. "Have you seen them?"¡»
(â 37:17) ¡º"Yes," the man told him, "but they are no longer here. I heard your brothers say they were going to Dothan." So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.¡»
(â 37:18) ¡ºWhen Joseph's brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance and made plans to kill him.¡»
(â 37:19) ¡º"Here comes that dreamer!" they exclaimed.¡»
(â 37:20) ¡º"Come on, let's kill him and throw him into a deep pit. We can tell our father that a wild animal has eaten him. Then we'll see what becomes of all his dreams!"¡»
(â 37:21) ¡ºBut Reuben came to Joseph's rescue. "Let's not kill him," he said.¡»
(â 37:22) ¡º"Why should we shed his blood? Let's just throw him alive into this pit here. That way he will die without our having to touch him." Reuben was secretly planning to help Joseph escape, and then he would bring him back to his father.¡»
(â 37:23) ¡ºSo when Joseph arrived, they pulled off his beautiful robe¡»
(â 37:24) ¡ºand threw him into the pit. This pit was normally used to store water, but it was empty at the time.¡»
(â 37:25) ¡ºThen, just as they were sitting down to eat, they noticed a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking spices, balm, and myrrh from Gilead to Egypt.¡»
(â 37:26) ¡ºJudah said to the others, "What can we gain by killing our brother? That would just give us a guilty conscience.¡»
(â 37:27) ¡ºLet's sell Joseph to those Ishmaelite traders. Let's not be responsible for his death; after all, he is our brother!" And his brothers agreed.¡»
(â 37:28) ¡ºSo when the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver, and the Ishmaelite traders took him along to Egypt.¡»
(â 37:29) ¡ºSome time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the pit. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in anguish and frustration.¡»
(â 37:30) ¡ºThen he went back to his brothers and lamented, "The boy is gone! What can I do now?"¡»
(â 37:31) ¡ºThen Joseph's brothers killed a goat and dipped the robe in its blood.¡»
(â 37:32) ¡ºThey took the beautiful robe to their father and asked him to identify it. "We found this in the field," they told him. "It's Joseph's robe, isn't it?"¡»
(â 37:33) ¡ºTheir father recognized it at once. "Yes," he said, "it is my son's robe. A wild animal has attacked and eaten him. Surely Joseph has been torn in pieces!"¡»
(â 37:34) ¡ºThen Jacob tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. He mourned deeply for his son for many days.¡»
(â 37:35) ¡ºHis family all tried to comfort him, but it was no use. "I will die in mourning for my son," he would say, and then begin to weep.¡»
(â 37:36) ¡ºMeanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard.¡»
(â 38:1) ¡ºAbout this time, Judah left home and moved to Adullam, where he visited a man named Hirah.¡»
(â 38:2) ¡ºThere he met a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua, and he married her.¡»
(â 38:3) ¡ºShe became pregnant and had a son, and Judah named the boy Er.¡»
(â 38:4) ¡ºThen Judah's wife had another son, and she named him Onan.¡»
(â 38:5) ¡ºAnd when she had a third son, she named him Shelah. At the time of Shelah's birth, they were living at Kezib.¡»
(â 38:6) ¡ºWhen his oldest son, Er, grew up, Judah arranged his marriage to a young woman named Tamar.¡»
(â 38:7) ¡ºBut Er was a wicked man in the LORD's sight, so the LORD took his life.¡»
(â 38:8) ¡ºThen Judah said to Er's brother Onan, "You must marry Tamar, as our law requires of the brother of a man who has died. Her first son from you will be your brother's heir."¡»
(â 38:9) ¡ºBut Onan was not willing to have a child who would not be his own heir. So whenever he had intercourse with Tamar, he spilled the semen on the ground to keep her from having a baby who would belong to his brother.¡»
(â 38:10) ¡ºBut the LORD considered it a wicked thing for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the LORD took Onan's life, too.¡»
(â 38:11) ¡ºThen Judah told Tamar, his daughter-in-law, not to marry again at that time but to return to her parents' home. She was to remain a widow until his youngest son, Shelah, was old enough to marry her. (But Judah didn't really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers.) So Tamar went home to her parents.¡»
(â 38:12) ¡ºIn the course of time Judah's wife died. After the time of mourning was over, Judah and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went to Timnah to supervise the shearing of his sheep.¡»
(â 38:13) ¡ºSomeone told Tamar that her father-in-law had left for the sheep-shearing at Timnah.¡»
(â 38:14) ¡ºTamar was aware that Shelah had grown up, but they had not called her to come and marry him. So she changed out of her widow's clothing and covered herself with a veil to disguise herself. Then she sat beside the road at the entrance to the village of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah.¡»
(â 38:15) ¡ºJudah noticed her as he went by and thought she was a prostitute, since her face was veiled.¡»
(â 38:16) ¡ºSo he stopped and propositioned her to sleep with him, not realizing that she was his own daughter-in-law. "How much will you pay me?" Tamar asked.¡»
(â 38:17) ¡º"I'll send you a young goat from my flock," Judah promised. "What pledge will you give me so I can be sure you will send it?" she asked.¡»
(â 38:18) ¡º"Well, what do you want?" he inquired. She replied, "I want your identification seal, your cord, and the walking stick you are carrying." So Judah gave these items to her. She then let him sleep with her, and she became pregnant.¡»
(â 38:19) ¡ºAfterward she went home, took off her veil, and put on her widow's clothing as usual.¡»
(â 38:20) ¡ºJudah asked his friend Hirah the Adullamite to take the young goat back to her and to pick up the pledges he had given her, but Hirah couldn't find her.¡»
(â 38:21) ¡ºSo he asked the men who lived there, "Where can I find the prostitute who was sitting beside the road at the entrance to the village?" "We've never had a prostitute here," they replied.¡»
(â 38:22) ¡ºSo Hirah returned to Judah and told him that he couldn't find her anywhere and that the men of the village had claimed they didn't have a prostitute there.¡»
(â 38:23) ¡º"Then let her keep the pledges!" Judah exclaimed. "We tried our best to send her the goat. We'd be the laughingstock of the village if we went back again."¡»
(â 38:24) ¡ºAbout three months later, word reached Judah that Tamar, his daughter-in-law, was pregnant as a result of prostitution. "Bring her out and burn her!" Judah shouted.¡»
(â 38:25) ¡ºBut as they were taking her out to kill her, she sent this message to her father-in-law: "The man who owns this identification seal and walking stick is the father of my child. Do you recognize them?"¡»
(â 38:26) ¡ºJudah admitted that they were his and said, "She is more in the right than I am, because I didn't keep my promise to let her marry my son Shelah." But Judah never slept with Tamar again.¡»
(â 38:27) ¡ºIn due season the time of Tamar's delivery arrived, and she had twin sons.¡»
(â 38:28) ¡ºAs they were being born, one of them reached out his hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around the wrist of the child who appeared first, saying, "This one came out first."¡»
(â 38:29) ¡ºBut then he drew back his hand, and the other baby was actually the first to be born. "What!" the midwife exclaimed. "How did you break out first?" And ever after, he was called Perez.¡»
(â 38:30) ¡ºThen the baby with the scarlet thread on his wrist was born, and he was named Zerah.¡»
(â 39:1) ¡ºNow when Joseph arrived in Egypt with the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, a member of the personal staff of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was the captain of the palace guard.¡»
(â 39:2) ¡ºThe LORD was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.¡»
(â 39:3) ¡ºPotiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.¡»
(â 39:4) ¡ºSo Joseph naturally became quite a favorite with him. Potiphar soon put Joseph in charge of his entire household and entrusted him with all his business dealings.¡»
(â 39:5) ¡ºFrom the day Joseph was put in charge, the LORD began to bless Potiphar for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs began to run smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.¡»
(â 39:6) ¡ºSo Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn't have a worry in the world, except to decide what he wanted to eat! Now Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man.¡»
(â 39:7) ¡ºAnd about this time, Potiphar's wife began to desire him and invited him to sleep with her.¡»
(â 39:8) ¡ºBut Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.¡»
(â 39:9) ¡ºNo one here has more authority than I do! He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I ever do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God."¡»
(â 39:10) ¡ºShe kept putting pressure on him day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.¡»
(â 39:11) ¡ºOne day, however, no one else was around when he was doing his work inside the house.¡»
(â 39:12) ¡ºShe came and grabbed him by his shirt, demanding, "Sleep with me!" Joseph tore himself away, but as he did, his shirt came off. She was left holding it as he ran from the house.¡»
(â 39:13) ¡ºWhen she saw that she had his shirt and that he had fled,¡»
(â 39:14) ¡ºshe began screaming. Soon all the men around the place came running. "My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to insult us!" she sobbed. "He tried to rape me, but I screamed.¡»
(â 39:15) ¡ºWhen he heard my loud cries, he ran and left his shirt behind with me."¡»
(â 39:16) ¡ºShe kept the shirt with her, and when her husband came home that night,¡»
(â 39:17) ¡ºshe told him her story. "That Hebrew slave you've had around here tried to make a fool of me," she said.¡»
(â 39:18) ¡º"I was saved only by my screams. He ran out, leaving his shirt behind!"¡»
(â 39:19) ¡ºAfter hearing his wife's story, Potiphar was furious!¡»
(â 39:20) ¡ºHe took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king's prisoners were held.¡»
(â 39:21) ¡ºBut the LORD was with Joseph there, too, and he granted Joseph favor with the chief jailer.¡»
(â 39:22) ¡ºBefore long, the jailer put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.¡»
(â 39:23) ¡ºThe chief jailer had no more worries after that, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully.¡»
(â 40:1) ¡ºSome time later, Pharaoh's chief cup-bearer and chief baker offended him.¡»
(â 40:2) ¡ºPharaoh became very angry with these officials,¡»
(â 40:3) ¡ºand he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of Potiphar, the captain of the guard.¡»
(â 40:4) ¡ºThey remained in prison for quite some time, and Potiphar assigned Joseph to take care of them.¡»
(â 40:5) ¡ºOne night the cup-bearer and the baker each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning.¡»
(â 40:6) ¡ºThe next morning Joseph noticed the dejected look on their faces.¡»
(â 40:7) ¡º"Why do you look so worried today?" he asked.¡»
(â 40:8) ¡ºAnd they replied, "We both had dreams last night, but there is no one here to tell us what they mean." "Interpreting dreams is God's business," Joseph replied. "Tell me what you saw."¡»
(â 40:9) ¡ºThe cup-bearer told his dream first. "In my dream," he said, "I saw a vine in front of me.¡»
(â 40:10) ¡ºIt had three branches that began to bud and blossom, and soon there were clusters of ripe grapes.¡»
(â 40:11) ¡ºI was holding Pharaoh's wine cup in my hand, so I took the grapes and squeezed the juice into it. Then I placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."¡»
(â 40:12) ¡º"I know what the dream means," Joseph said. "The three branches mean three days.¡»
(â 40:13) ¡ºWithin three days Pharaoh will take you out of prison and return you to your position as his chief cup-bearer.¡»
(â 40:14) ¡ºAnd please have some pity on me when you are back in his favor. Mention me to Pharaoh, and ask him to let me out of here.¡»
(â 40:15) ¡ºFor I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I'm here in jail, but I did nothing to deserve it."¡»
(â 40:16) ¡ºWhen the chief baker saw that the first dream had such a good meaning, he told his dream to Joseph, too. "In my dream," he said, "there were three baskets of pastries on my head.¡»
(â 40:17) ¡ºIn the top basket were all kinds of bakery goods for Pharaoh, but the birds came and ate them."¡»
(â 40:18) ¡º"I'll tell you what it means," Joseph told him. "The three baskets mean three days.¡»
(â 40:19) ¡ºThree days from now Pharaoh will cut off your head and impale your body on a pole. Then birds will come and peck away at your flesh."¡»
(â 40:20) ¡ºPharaoh's birthday came three days later, and he gave a banquet for all his officials and household staff. He sent for his chief cup-bearer and chief baker, and they were brought to him from the prison.¡»
(â 40:21) ¡ºHe then restored the chief cup-bearer to his former position,¡»
(â 40:22) ¡ºbut he sentenced the chief baker to be impaled on a pole, just as Joseph had predicted.¡»
(â 40:23) ¡ºPharaoh's cup-bearer, however, promptly forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.¡»
(â 41:1) ¡ºTwo years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.¡»
(â 41:2) ¡ºIn his dream, seven fat, healthy-looking cows suddenly came up out of the river and began grazing along its bank.¡»
(â 41:3) ¡ºThen seven other cows came up from the river, but these were very ugly and gaunt. These cows went over and stood beside the fat cows.¡»
(â 41:4) ¡ºThen the thin, ugly cows ate the fat ones! At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up.¡»
(â 41:5) ¡ºSoon he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain on one stalk, with every kernel well formed and plump.¡»
(â 41:6) ¡ºThen suddenly, seven more heads appeared on the stalk, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind.¡»
(â 41:7) ¡ºAnd these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream.¡»
(â 41:8) ¡ºThe next morning, as he thought about it, Pharaoh became very concerned as to what the dreams might mean. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them about his dreams, but not one of them could suggest what they meant.¡»
(â 41:9) ¡ºThen the king's cup-bearer spoke up. "Today I have been reminded of my failure," he said.¡»
(â 41:10) ¡º"Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard.¡»
(â 41:11) ¡ºOne night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had a meaning.¡»
(â 41:12) ¡ºWe told the dreams to a young Hebrew man who was a servant of the captain of the guard. He told us what each of our dreams meant,¡»
(â 41:13) ¡ºand everything happened just as he said it would. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole."¡»
(â 41:14) ¡ºPharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was brought hastily from the dungeon. After a quick shave and change of clothes, he went in and stood in Pharaoh's presence.¡»
(â 41:15) ¡º"I had a dream last night," Pharaoh told him, "and none of these men can tell me what it means. But I have heard that you can interpret dreams, and that is why I have called for you."¡»
(â 41:16) ¡º"It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied. "But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease."¡»
(â 41:17) ¡ºSo Pharaoh told him the dream. "I was standing on the bank of the Nile River," he said.¡»
(â 41:18) ¡º"Suddenly, seven fat, healthy-looking cows came up out of the river and began grazing along its bank.¡»
(â 41:19) ¡ºBut then seven other cows came up from the river. They were very thin and gaunt--in fact, I've never seen such ugly animals in all the land of Egypt.¡»
(â 41:20) ¡ºThese thin, ugly cows ate up the seven fat ones that had come out of the river first,¡»
(â 41:21) ¡ºbut afterward they were still as ugly and gaunt as before! Then I woke up.¡»
(â 41:22) ¡º"A little later I had another dream. This time there were seven heads of grain on one stalk, and all seven heads were plump and full.¡»
(â 41:23) ¡ºThen out of the same stalk came seven withered heads, shriveled by the east wind.¡»
(â 41:24) ¡ºAnd the withered heads swallowed up the plump ones! I told these dreams to my magicians, but not one of them could tell me what they mean."¡»
(â 41:25) ¡º"Both dreams mean the same thing," Joseph told Pharaoh. "God was telling you what he is about to do.¡»
(â 41:26) ¡ºThe seven fat cows and the seven plump heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity.¡»
(â 41:27) ¡ºThe seven thin, ugly cows and the seven withered heads of grain represent seven years of famine.¡»
(â 41:28) ¡ºThis will happen just as I have described it, for God has shown you what he is about to do.¡»
(â 41:29) ¡ºThe next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt.¡»
(â 41:30) ¡ºBut afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten and wiped out. Famine will destroy the land.¡»
(â 41:31) ¡ºThis famine will be so terrible that even the memory of the good years will be erased.¡»
(â 41:32) ¡ºAs for having the dream twice, it means that the matter has been decreed by God and that he will make these events happen soon.¡»
(â 41:33) ¡º"My suggestion is that you find the wisest man in Egypt and put him in charge of a nationwide program.¡»
(â 41:34) ¡ºLet Pharaoh appoint officials over the land, and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years.¡»
(â 41:35) ¡ºHave them gather all the food and grain of these good years into the royal storehouses, and store it away so there will be food in the cities.¡»
(â 41:36) ¡ºThat way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come. Otherwise disaster will surely strike the land, and all the people will die."¡»
(â 41:37) ¡ºJoseph's suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his advisers.¡»
(â 41:38) ¡ºAs they discussed who should be appointed for the job, Pharaoh said, "Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the spirit of God."¡»
(â 41:39) ¡ºTurning to Joseph, Pharaoh said, "Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, you are the wisest man in the land!¡»
(â 41:40) ¡ºI hereby appoint you to direct this project. You will manage my household and organize all my people. Only I will have a rank higher than yours."¡»
(â 41:41) ¡ºAnd Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt."¡»
(â 41:42) ¡ºThen Pharaoh placed his own signet ring on Joseph's finger as a symbol of his authority. He dressed him in beautiful clothing and placed the royal gold chain about his neck.¡»
(â 41:43) ¡ºPharaoh also gave Joseph the chariot of his second-in-command, and wherever he went the command was shouted, "Kneel down!" So Joseph was put in charge of all Egypt.¡»
(â 41:44) ¡ºAnd Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am the king, but no one will move a hand or a foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval."¡»
(â 41:45) ¡ºPharaoh renamed him Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife--a young woman named Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis. So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt.¡»
(â 41:46) ¡ºHe was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. And when Joseph left Pharaoh's presence, he made a tour of inspection throughout the land.¡»
(â 41:47) ¡ºAnd sure enough, for the next seven years there were bumper crops everywhere.¡»
(â 41:48) ¡ºDuring those years, Joseph took a portion of all the crops grown in Egypt and stored them for the government in nearby cities.¡»
(â 41:49) ¡ºAfter seven years, the granaries were filled to overflowing. There was so much grain, like sand on the seashore, that the people could not keep track of the amount.¡»
(â 41:50) ¡ºDuring this time, before the arrival of the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis.¡»
(â 41:51) ¡ºJoseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and the family of my father."¡»
(â 41:52) ¡ºJoseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering."¡»
(â 41:53) ¡ºAt last the seven years of plenty came to an end.¡»
(â 41:54) ¡ºThen the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. There were crop failures in all the surrounding countries, too, but in Egypt there was plenty of grain in the storehouses.¡»
(â 41:55) ¡ºThroughout the land of Egypt the people began to starve. They pleaded with Pharaoh for food, and he told them, "Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you."¡»
(â 41:56) ¡ºSo with severe famine everywhere in the land, Joseph opened up the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians.¡»
(â 41:57) ¡ºAnd people from surrounding lands also came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.¡»
(â 42:1) ¡ºWhen Jacob heard that there was grain available in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why are you standing around looking at one another?¡»
(â 42:2) ¡ºI have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some for us before we all starve to death."¡»
(â 42:3) ¡ºSo Joseph's ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain.¡»
(â 42:4) ¡ºJacob wouldn't let Joseph's younger brother, Benjamin, go with them, however, for fear some harm might come to him.¡»
(â 42:5) ¡ºSo Jacob's sons arrived in Egypt along with others to buy food, for the famine had reached Canaan as well.¡»
(â 42:6) ¡ºSince Joseph was governor of all Egypt and in charge of the sale of the grain, it was to him that his brothers came. They bowed low before him, with their faces to the ground.¡»
(â 42:7) ¡ºJoseph recognized them instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger. "Where are you from?" he demanded roughly. "From the land of Canaan," they replied. "We have come to buy grain."¡»
(â 42:8) ¡ºJoseph's brothers didn't recognize him, but Joseph recognized them.¡»
(â 42:9) ¡ºAnd he remembered the dreams he had had many years before. He said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see how vulnerable our land has become."¡»
(â 42:10) ¡º"No, my lord!" they exclaimed. "We have come to buy food.¡»
(â 42:11) ¡ºWe are all brothers and honest men, sir! We are not spies!"¡»
(â 42:12) ¡º"Yes, you are!" he insisted. "You have come to discover how vulnerable the famine has made us."¡»
(â 42:13) ¡º"Sir," they said, "there are twelve of us brothers, and our father is in the land of Canaan. Our youngest brother is there with our father, and one of our brothers is no longer with us."¡»
(â 42:14) ¡ºBut Joseph insisted, "As I said, you are spies!¡»
(â 42:15) ¡ºThis is how I will test your story. I swear by the life of Pharaoh that you will not leave Egypt unless your youngest brother comes here.¡»
(â 42:16) ¡ºOne of you go and get your brother! I'll keep the rest of you here, bound in prison. Then we'll find out whether or not your story is true. If it turns out that you don't have a younger brother, then I'll know you are spies."¡»
(â 42:17) ¡ºSo he put them all in prison for three days.¡»
(â 42:18) ¡ºOn the third day Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.¡»
(â 42:19) ¡ºWe'll see how honorable you really are. Only one of you will remain in the prison. The rest of you may go on home with grain for your families.¡»
(â 42:20) ¡ºBut bring your youngest brother back to me. In this way, I will know whether or not you are telling me the truth. If you are, I will spare you." To this they agreed.¡»
(â 42:21) ¡ºSpeaking among themselves, they said, "This has all happened because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his terror and anguish and heard his pleadings, but we wouldn't listen. That's why this trouble has come upon us."¡»
(â 42:22) ¡º"Didn't I tell you not to do it?" Reuben asked. "But you wouldn't listen. And now we are going to die because we murdered him."¡»
(â 42:23) ¡ºOf course, they didn't know that Joseph understood them as he was standing there, for he had been speaking to them through an interpreter.¡»
(â 42:24) ¡ºNow he left the room and found a place where he could weep. Returning, he talked some more with them. He then chose Simeon from among them and had him tied up right before their eyes.¡»
(â 42:25) ¡ºJoseph then ordered his servants to fill the men's sacks with grain, but he also gave secret instructions to return each brother's payment at the top of his sack. He also gave them provisions for their journey.¡»
(â 42:26) ¡ºSo they loaded up their donkeys with the grain and started for home.¡»
(â 42:27) ¡ºBut when they stopped for the night and one of them opened his sack to get some grain to feed the donkeys, he found his money in the sack.¡»
(â 42:28) ¡º"Look!" he exclaimed to his brothers. "My money is here in my sack!" They were filled with terror and said to each other, "What has God done to us?"¡»
(â 42:29) ¡ºSo they came to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened.¡»
(â 42:30) ¡º"The man who is ruler over the land spoke very roughly to us," they told him. "He took us for spies.¡»
(â 42:31) ¡ºBut we said, `We are honest men, not spies.¡»
(â 42:32) ¡ºWe are twelve brothers, sons of one father; one brother has disappeared, and the youngest is with our father in the land of Canaan.'¡»
(â 42:33) ¡ºThen the man, the ruler of the land, told us, `This is the way I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take grain for your families and go on home.¡»
(â 42:34) ¡ºBut bring your youngest brother back to me. Then I will know that you are honest men and not spies. If you prove to be what you say, then I will give you back your brother, and you may come as often as you like to buy grain.' "¡»
(â 42:35) ¡ºAs they emptied out the sacks, there at the top of each one was the bag of money paid for the grain. Terror gripped them, as it did their father.¡»
(â 42:36) ¡ºJacob exclaimed, "You have deprived me of my children! Joseph has disappeared, Simeon is gone, and now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!"¡»
(â 42:37) ¡ºThen Reuben said to his father, "You may kill my two sons if I don't bring Benjamin back to you. I'll be responsible for him."¡»
(â 42:38) ¡ºBut Jacob replied, "My son will not go down with you, for his brother Joseph is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children. If anything should happen to him, you would bring my gray head down to the grave in deep sorrow."¡»
(â 43:1) ¡ºBut there was no relief from the terrible famine throughout the land.¡»
(â 43:2) ¡ºWhen the grain they had brought from Egypt was almost gone, Jacob said to his sons, "Go again and buy us a little food."¡»
(â 43:3) ¡ºBut Judah said, "The man wasn't joking when he warned that we couldn't see him again unless Benjamin came along.¡»
(â 43:4) ¡ºIf you let him come with us, we will go down and buy some food.¡»
(â 43:5) ¡ºBut if you don't let Benjamin go, we may as well stay at home. Remember that the man said, `You won't be allowed to come and see me unless your brother is with you.' "¡»
(â 43:6) ¡º"Why did you ever tell him you had another brother?" Jacob moaned. "Why did you have to treat me with such cruelty?"¡»
(â 43:7) ¡º"But the man specifically asked us about our family," they replied. "He wanted to know whether our father was still living, and he asked us if we had another brother so we told him. How could we have known he would say, `Bring me your brother'?"¡»
(â 43:8) ¡ºJudah said to his father, "Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation--and not only we, but you and our little ones.¡»
(â 43:9) ¡ºI personally guarantee his safety. If I don't bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame forever.¡»
(â 43:10) ¡ºFor we could have gone and returned twice by this time if you had let him come without delay."¡»
(â 43:11) ¡ºSo their father, Jacob, finally said to them, "If it can't be avoided, then at least do this. Fill your bags with the best products of the land. Take them to the man as gifts--balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.¡»
(â 43:12) ¡ºTake double the money that you found in your sacks, as it was probably someone's mistake.¡»
(â 43:13) ¡ºThen take your brother and go back to the man.¡»
(â 43:14) ¡ºMay God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, that he might release Simeon and return Benjamin. And if I must bear the anguish of their deaths, then so be it."¡»
(â 43:15) ¡ºSo they took Benjamin and the gifts and double the money and hurried to Egypt, where they presented themselves to Joseph. 16When Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them, he said to the manager of his household, "These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside and prepare a big feast."¡»
(â 43:17) ¡ºSo the man did as he was told and took them to Joseph's palace.¡»
(â 43:18) ¡ºThey were badly frightened when they saw where they were being taken. "It's because of the money returned to us in our sacks," they said. "He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."¡»
(â 43:19) ¡ºAs the brothers arrived at the entrance to the palace, they went over to the man in charge of Joseph's household.¡»
(â 43:20) ¡ºThey said to him, "Sir, after our first trip to Egypt to buy food,¡»
(â 43:21) ¡ºas we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. The money we had used to pay for the grain was there in our sacks. Here it is; we have brought it back again.¡»
(â 43:22) ¡ºWe also have additional money to buy more grain. We have no idea how the money got into our sacks."¡»
(â 43:23) ¡º"Relax. Don't worry about it," the household manager told them. "Your God, the God of your ancestors, must have put it there. We collected your money all right." Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.¡»
(â 43:24) ¡ºThe brothers were then led into the palace and given water to wash their feet and food for their donkeys.¡»
(â 43:25) ¡ºThey were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon.¡»
(â 43:26) ¡ºWhen Joseph came, they gave him their gifts and bowed low before him.¡»
(â 43:27) ¡ºHe asked them how they had been getting along, and then he said, "How is your father--the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?"¡»
(â 43:28) ¡º"Yes," they replied. "He is alive and well." Then they bowed again before him.¡»
(â 43:29) ¡ºLooking at his brother Benjamin, Joseph asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about? May God be gracious to you, my son."¡»
(â 43:30) ¡ºThen Joseph made a hasty exit because he was overcome with emotion for his brother and wanted to cry. Going into his private room, he wept there.¡»
(â 43:31) ¡ºThen he washed his face and came out, keeping himself under control. "Bring on the food!" he ordered.¡»
(â 43:32) ¡ºJoseph ate by himself, and his brothers were served at a separate table. The Egyptians sat at their own table because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them.¡»
(â 43:33) ¡ºJoseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them in the order of their ages, from oldest to youngest.¡»
(â 43:34) ¡ºTheir food was served to them from Joseph's own table. He gave the largest serving to Benjamin--five times as much as to any of the others. So they all feasted and drank freely with him.¡»
(â 44:1) ¡ºWhen his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to the man in charge of his household: "Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man's money back into his sack.¡»
(â 44:2) ¡ºThen put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother's sack, along with his grain money." So the household manager did as he was told.¡»
(â 44:3) ¡ºThe brothers were up at dawn and set out on their journey with their loaded donkeys.¡»
(â 44:4) ¡ºBut when they were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his household manager, "Chase after them and stop them. Ask them, `Why have you repaid an act of kindness with such evil?¡»
(â 44:5) ¡ºWhat do you mean by stealing my master's personal silver drinking cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!' "¡»
(â 44:6) ¡ºSo the man caught up with them and spoke to them in the way he had been instructed.¡»
(â 44:7) ¡º"What are you talking about?" the brothers responded. "What kind of people do you think we are, that you accuse us of such a terrible thing?¡»
(â 44:8) ¡ºDidn't we bring back the money we found in our sacks? Why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?¡»
(â 44:9) ¡ºIf you find his cup with any one of us, let that one die. And all the rest of us will be your master's slaves forever."¡»
(â 44:10) ¡º"Fair enough," the man replied, "except that only the one who stole it will be a slave. The rest of you may go free."¡»
(â 44:11) ¡ºThey quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them.¡»
(â 44:12) ¡ºJoseph's servant began searching the oldest brother's sack, going on down the line to the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack!¡»
(â 44:13) ¡ºAt this, they tore their clothing in despair, loaded the donkeys again, and returned to the city.¡»
(â 44:14) ¡ºJoseph was still at home when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him.¡»
(â 44:15) ¡º"What were you trying to do?" Joseph demanded. "Didn't you know that a man such as I would know who stole it?"¡»
(â 44:16) ¡ºAnd Judah said, "Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we plead? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves--we and our brother who had your cup in his sack."¡»
(â 44:17) ¡º"No," Joseph said. "Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go home to your father."¡»
(â 44:18) ¡ºThen Judah stepped forward and said, "My lord, let me say just this one word to you. Be patient with me for a moment, for I know you could have me killed in an instant, as though you were Pharaoh himself.¡»
(â 44:19) ¡º"You asked us, my lord, if we had a father or a brother.¡»
(â 44:20) ¡ºWe said, `Yes, we have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, his youngest son. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him very much.'¡»
(â 44:21) ¡ºAnd you said to us, `Bring him here so I can see him.'¡»
(â 44:22) ¡ºBut we said to you, `My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.'¡»
(â 44:23) ¡ºBut you told us, `You may not see me again unless your youngest brother is with you.'¡»
(â 44:24) ¡ºSo we returned to our father and told him what you had said.¡»
(â 44:25) ¡ºAnd when he said, `Go back again and buy us a little food,'¡»
(â 44:26) ¡ºwe replied, `We can't unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We won't be allowed to see the man in charge of the grain unless our youngest brother is with us.'¡»
(â 44:27) ¡ºThen my father said to us, `You know that my wife had two sons,¡»
(â 44:28) ¡ºand that one of them went away and never returned--doubtless torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since.¡»
(â 44:29) ¡ºIf you take away his brother from me, too, and any harm comes to him, you would bring my gray head down to the grave in deep sorrow.'¡»
(â 44:30) ¡º"And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father's life is bound up in the boy's life.¡»
(â 44:31) ¡ºWhen he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We will be responsible for bringing his gray head down to the grave in sorrow.¡»
(â 44:32) ¡ºMy lord, I made a pledge to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, `If I don't bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.'¡»
(â 44:33) ¡ºPlease, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.¡»
(â 44:34) ¡ºFor how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I cannot bear to see what this would do to him."¡»
(â 45:1) ¡ºJoseph could stand it no longer. "Out, all of you!" he cried out to his attendants. He wanted to be alone with his brothers when he told them who he was.¡»
(â 45:2) ¡ºThen he broke down and wept aloud. His sobs could be heard throughout the palace, and the news was quickly carried to Pharaoh's palace.¡»
(â 45:3) ¡º"I am Joseph!" he said to his brothers. "Is my father still alive?" But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.¡»
(â 45:4) ¡º"Come over here," he said. So they came closer. And he said again, "I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt.¡»
(â 45:5) ¡ºBut don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.¡»
(â 45:6) ¡ºThese two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.¡»
(â 45:7) ¡ºGod has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation.¡»
(â 45:8) ¡ºYes, it was God who sent me here, not you! And he has made me a counselor to Pharaoh--manager of his entire household and ruler over all Egypt.¡»
(â 45:9) ¡º"Hurry, return to my father and tell him, `This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all the land of Egypt. Come down to me right away!¡»
(â 45:10) ¡ºYou will live in the land of Goshen so you can be near me with all your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all that you have.¡»
(â 45:11) ¡ºI will take care of you there, for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you and your household will come to utter poverty.' "¡»
(â 45:12) ¡ºThen Joseph said, "You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that I really am Joseph!¡»
(â 45:13) ¡ºTell my father how I am honored here in Egypt. Tell him about everything you have seen, and bring him to me quickly."¡»
(â 45:14) ¡ºWeeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin also began to weep.¡»
(â 45:15) ¡ºThen Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and then they began talking freely with him.¡»
(â 45:16) ¡ºThe news soon reached Pharaoh: "Joseph's brothers have come!" Pharaoh was very happy to hear this and so were his officials.¡»
(â 45:17) ¡ºPharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers to load their pack animals and return quickly to their homes in Canaan.¡»
(â 45:18) ¡ºTell them to bring your father and all of their families, and to come here to Egypt to live. Tell them, `Pharaoh will assign to you the very best territory in the land of Egypt. You will live off the fat of the land!'¡»
(â 45:19) ¡ºAnd tell your brothers to take wagons from Egypt to carry their wives and little ones and to bring your father here.¡»
(â 45:20) ¡ºDon't worry about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."¡»
(â 45:21) ¡ºSo the sons of Jacob did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he supplied them with provisions for the journey.¡»
(â 45:22) ¡ºAnd he gave each of them new clothes--but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred pieces of silver!¡»
(â 45:23) ¡ºHe sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten donkeys loaded with grain and all kinds of other food to be eaten on his journey.¡»
(â 45:24) ¡ºSo he sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, "Don't quarrel along the way!"¡»
(â 45:25) ¡ºAnd they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan.¡»
(â 45:26) ¡º"Joseph is still alive!" they told him. "And he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!" Jacob was stunned at the news--he couldn't believe it.¡»
(â 45:27) ¡ºBut when they had given him Joseph's messages, and when he saw the wagons loaded with the food sent by Joseph, his spirit revived.¡»
(â 45:28) ¡ºThen Jacob said, "It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I will go and see him before I die."¡»
(â 46:1) ¡ºSo Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac.¡»
(â 46:2) ¡ºDuring the night God spoke to him in a vision. "Jacob! Jacob!" he called. "Here I am," Jacob replied.¡»
(â 46:3) ¡º"I am God," the voice said, "the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will see to it that you become a great nation there.¡»
(â 46:4) ¡ºI will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring your descendants back again. But you will die in Egypt with Joseph at your side."¡»
(â 46:5) ¡ºSo Jacob left Beersheba, and his sons brought him to Egypt. They carried their little ones and wives in the wagons Pharaoh had provided for them.¡»
(â 46:6) ¡ºThey brought their livestock, too, and all the belongings they had acquired in the land of Canaan. Jacob and his entire family arrived in Egypt--¡»
(â 46:7) ¡ºsons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters--all his descendants.¡»
(â 46:8) ¡ºThese are the names of the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob, who went with him to Egypt: Reuben was Jacob's oldest son.¡»
(â 46:9) ¡ºThe sons of Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.¡»
(â 46:10) ¡ºThe sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul. (Shaul's mother was a Canaanite woman.)¡»
(â 46:11) ¡ºThe sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.¡»
(â 46:12) ¡ºThe sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. (But Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan.) The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.¡»
(â 46:13) ¡ºThe sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.¡»
(â 46:14) ¡ºThe sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.¡»
(â 46:15) ¡ºThese are the sons of Jacob who were born to Leah in Paddan-aram, along with their sister, Dinah. In all, Jacob's descendants through Leah numbered thirty-three.¡»
(â 46:16) ¡ºThe sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.¡»
(â 46:17) ¡ºThe sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Their sister was named Serah. Beriah's sons were Heber and Malkiel.¡»
(â 46:18) ¡ºThese sixteen were descendants of Jacob through Zilpah, the servant given to Leah by her father, Laban.¡»
(â 46:19) ¡ºThe sons of Jacob's wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.¡»
(â 46:20) ¡ºJoseph's sons, born in the land of Egypt, were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis.¡»
(â 46:21) ¡ºBenjamin's sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.¡»
(â 46:22) ¡ºThese fourteen were the descendants of Jacob and his wife Rachel.¡»
(â 46:23) ¡ºThe son of Dan was Hushim.¡»
(â 46:24) ¡ºThe sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.¡»
(â 46:25) ¡ºThese seven were the descendants of Jacob through Bilhah, the servant given to Rachel by her father, Laban.¡»
(â 46:26) ¡ºSo the total number of Jacob's direct descendants who went with him to Egypt, not counting his sons' wives, was sixty-six.¡»
(â 46:27) ¡ºJoseph also had two sons who had been born in Egypt. So altogether, there were seventy members of Jacob's family in the land of Egypt.¡»
(â 46:28) ¡ºJacob sent Judah on ahead to meet Joseph and get directions to the land of Goshen. And when they all arrived there,¡»
(â 46:29) ¡ºJoseph prepared his chariot and traveled to Goshen to meet his father. As soon as Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept on his shoulder for a long time.¡»
(â 46:30) ¡ºThen Jacob said to Joseph, "Now let me die, for I have seen you with my own eyes and know you are still alive."¡»
(â 46:31) ¡ºAnd Joseph said to his brothers and to all their households, "I'll go and tell Pharaoh that you have all come from the land of Canaan to join me.¡»
(â 46:32) ¡ºAnd I will tell him, `These men are shepherds and livestock breeders. They have brought with them their flocks and herds and everything they own.'¡»
(â 46:33) ¡ºSo when Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation,¡»
(â 46:34) ¡ºtell him, `We have been livestock breeders from our youth, as our ancestors have been for many generations.' When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the land of Goshen, for shepherds are despised in the land of Egypt."¡»
(â 47:1) ¡ºSo Joseph went to see Pharaoh and said, "My father and my brothers are here from Canaan. They came with all their flocks and herds and possessions, and they are now in the land of Goshen."¡»
(â 47:2) ¡ºJoseph took five of his brothers with him and presented them to Pharaoh.¡»
(â 47:3) ¡ºPharaoh asked them, "What is your occupation?" And they replied, "We are shepherds like our ancestors.¡»
(â 47:4) ¡ºWe have come to live here in Egypt, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan. The famine is very severe there. We request permission to live in the land of Goshen."¡»
(â 47:5) ¡ºAnd Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Now that your family has joined you here,¡»
(â 47:6) ¡ºchoose any place you like for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt--the land of Goshen will be fine. And if any of them have special skills, put them in charge of my livestock, too."¡»
(â 47:7) ¡ºThen Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.¡»
(â 47:8) ¡º"How old are you?" Pharaoh asked him.¡»
(â 47:9) ¡ºJacob replied, "I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am still not nearly as old as many of my ancestors."¡»
(â 47:10) ¡ºThen Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left.¡»
(â 47:11) ¡ºSo Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt--the land of Rameses--to his father and brothers, just as Pharaoh had commanded.¡»
(â 47:12) ¡ºAnd Joseph furnished food to his father and brothers in amounts appropriate to the number of their dependents.¡»
(â 47:13) ¡ºMeanwhile, the famine became worse and worse, and the crops continued to fail throughout Egypt and Canaan.¡»
(â 47:14) ¡ºJoseph collected all the money in Egypt and Canaan in exchange for grain, and he brought the money to Pharaoh's treasure-house.¡»
(â 47:15) ¡ºWhen the people of Egypt and Canaan ran out of money, they came to Joseph crying again for food. "Our money is gone," they said, "but give us bread. Why should we die?"¡»
(â 47:16) ¡º"Well, then," Joseph replied, "since your money is gone, give me your livestock. I will give you food in exchange."¡»
(â 47:17) ¡ºSo they gave their livestock to Joseph in exchange for food. Soon all the horses, flocks, herds, and donkeys of Egypt were in Pharaoh's possession. But at least they were able to purchase food for that year.¡»
(â 47:18) ¡ºThe next year they came again and said, "Our money is gone, and our livestock are yours. We have nothing left but our bodies and land.¡»
(â 47:19) ¡ºWhy should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we will then become servants to Pharaoh. Just give us grain so that our lives may be saved and so the land will not become empty and desolate."¡»
(â 47:20) ¡ºSo Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and their land then belonged to Pharaoh.¡»
(â 47:21) ¡ºThus, all the people of Egypt became servants to Pharaoh.¡»
(â 47:22) ¡ºThe only land he didn't buy was that belonging to the priests, for they were assigned food from Pharaoh and didn't need to sell their land.¡»
(â 47:23) ¡ºThen Joseph said to the people, "See, I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh. I will provide you with seed, so you can plant the fields.¡»
(â 47:24) ¡ºThen when you harvest it, a fifth of your crop will belong to Pharaoh. Keep four-fifths for yourselves, and use it to plant the next year's crop and to feed yourselves, your households, and your little ones."¡»
(â 47:25) ¡º"You have saved our lives!" they exclaimed. "May it please you, sir, to let us be Pharaoh's servants."¡»
(â 47:26) ¡ºJoseph then made it a law throughout the land of Egypt--and it is still the law--that Pharaoh should receive one-fifth of all the crops grown on his land. But since Pharaoh had not taken over the priests' land, they were exempt from this payment.¡»
(â 47:27) ¡ºSo the people of Israel settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt. And before long, they began to prosper there, and their population grew rapidly.¡»
(â 47:28) ¡ºJacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he was 147 years old when he died.¡»
(â 47:29) ¡ºAs the time of his death drew near, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If you are pleased with me, swear most solemnly that you will honor this, my last request: Do not bury me in Egypt.¡»
(â 47:30) ¡ºWhen I am dead, take me out of Egypt and bury me beside my ancestors." So Joseph promised that he would.¡»
(â 47:31) ¡º"Swear that you will do it," Jacob insisted. So Joseph gave his oath, and Jacob bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.¡»
(â 48:1) ¡ºOne day not long after this, word came to Joseph that his father was failing rapidly. So Joseph went to visit him, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.¡»
(â 48:2) ¡ºWhen Jacob heard that Joseph had arrived, he gathered his strength and sat up in bed to greet him.¡»
(â 48:3) ¡ºJacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.¡»
(â 48:4) ¡ºHe said to me, `I will make you a multitude of nations, and I will give this land of Canaan to you and your descendants as an everlasting possession.'¡»
(â 48:5) ¡ºNow I am adopting as my own sons these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I arrived. They will inherit from me just as Reuben and Simeon will.¡»
(â 48:6) ¡ºBut the children born to you in the future will be your own. The land they inherit will be within the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh.¡»
(â 48:7) ¡ºAs I was returning from Paddan, Rachel died in the land of Canaan. We were still on the way, just a short distance from Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). So with great sorrow I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath."¡»
(â 48:8) ¡ºThen Jacob looked over at the two boys. "Are these your sons?" he asked.¡»
(â 48:9) ¡º"Yes," Joseph told him, "these are the sons God has given me here in Egypt." And Jacob said, "Bring them over to me, and I will bless them."¡»
(â 48:10) ¡ºNow Jacob was half blind because of his age and could hardly see. So Joseph brought the boys close to him, and Jacob kissed and embraced them.¡»
(â 48:11) ¡ºThen Jacob said to Joseph, "I never thought I would see you again, but now God has let me see your children, too."¡»
(â 48:12) ¡ºJoseph took the boys from their grandfather's knees, and he bowed low to him.¡»
(â 48:13) ¡ºThen he positioned the boys so Ephraim was at Jacob's left hand and Manasseh was at his right hand.¡»
(â 48:14) ¡ºBut Jacob crossed his arms as he reached out to lay his hands on the boys' heads. So his right hand was on the head of Ephraim, the younger boy, and his left hand was on the head of Manasseh, the older.¡»
(â 48:15) ¡ºThen he blessed Joseph and said, "May God, the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac, walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life,¡»
(â 48:16) ¡ºand the angel who has kept me from all harm--may he bless these boys. May they preserve my name and the names of my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac. And may they become a mighty nation."¡»
(â 48:17) ¡ºBut Joseph was upset when he saw that his father had laid his right hand on Ephraim's head. So he lifted it to place it on Manasseh's head instead.¡»
(â 48:18) ¡º"No, Father," he said, "this one over here is older. Put your right hand on his head."¡»
(â 48:19) ¡ºBut his father refused. "I know what I'm doing, my son," he said. "Manasseh, too, will become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. His descendants will become a multitude of nations!"¡»
(â 48:20) ¡ºSo Jacob blessed the boys that day with this blessing: "The people of Israel will use your names to bless each other. They will say, `May God make you as prosperous as Ephraim and Manasseh.' " In this way, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.¡»
(â 48:21) ¡ºThen Jacob said to Joseph, "I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to Canaan, the land of your ancestors.¡»
(â 48:22) ¡ºAnd I give you an extra portion beyond what I have given your brothers--the portion that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow."¡»
(â 49:1) ¡ºThen Jacob called together all his sons and said, "Gather around me, and I will tell you what is going to happen to you in the days to come.¡»
(â 49:2) ¡º"Come and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.¡»
(â 49:3) ¡º"Reuben, you are my oldest son, the child of my vigorous youth. You are first on the list in rank and honor.¡»
(â 49:4) ¡ºBut you are as unruly as the waves of the sea, and you will be first no longer. For you slept with one of my wives; you dishonored me in my own bed.¡»
(â 49:5) ¡º"Simeon and Levi are two of a kind-- men of violence.¡»
(â 49:6) ¡ºO my soul, stay away from them. May I never be a party to their wicked plans. For in their anger they murdered men, and they crippled oxen just for sport.¡»
(â 49:7) ¡ºCursed be their anger, for it is fierce; cursed be their wrath, for it is cruel. Therefore, I will scatter their descendants throughout the nation of Israel.¡»
(â 49:8) ¡º"Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will defeat your enemies. All your relatives will bow before you.¡»
(â 49:9) ¡ºJudah is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness--who will dare to rouse him?¡»
(â 49:10) ¡ºThe scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will obey.¡»
(â 49:11) ¡ºHe ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine because his harvest is so plentiful.¡»
(â 49:12) ¡ºHis eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.¡»
(â 49:13) ¡º"Zebulun will settle on the shores of the sea and will be a harbor for ships; his borders will extend to Sidon.¡»
(â 49:14) ¡º"Issachar is a strong beast of burden, resting among the sheepfolds.¡»
(â 49:15) ¡ºWhen he sees how good the countryside is, how pleasant the land, he will bend his shoulder to the task and submit to forced labor.¡»
(â 49:16) ¡º"Dan will govern his people like any other tribe in Israel.¡»
(â 49:17) ¡ºHe will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so the rider is thrown off.¡»
(â 49:18) ¡ºI trust in you for salvation, O LORD!¡»
(â 49:19) ¡º"Gad will be plundered by marauding bands, but he will turn and plunder them.¡»
(â 49:20) ¡º"Asher will produce rich foods, food fit for kings.¡»
(â 49:21) ¡º"Naphtali is a deer let loose, producing magnificent fawns.¡»
(â 49:22) ¡º"Joseph is a fruitful tree, a fruitful tree beside a fountain. His branches reach over the wall.¡»
(â 49:23) ¡ºHe has been attacked by archers, who shot at him and harassed him.¡»
(â 49:24) ¡ºBut his bow remained strong, and his arms were strengthened by the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.¡»
(â 49:25) ¡ºMay the God of your ancestors help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the earth beneath, and blessings of the breasts and womb.¡»
(â 49:26) ¡ºMay the blessings of your ancestors be greater than the blessings of the eternal mountains, reaching to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills. These blessings will fall on the head of Joseph, who is a prince among his brothers.¡»
(â 49:27) ¡º"Benjamin is a wolf that prowls. He devours his enemies in the morning, and in the evening he divides the plunder."¡»
(â 49:28) ¡ºThese are the twelve tribes of Israel, and these are the blessings with which Jacob blessed his twelve sons. Each received a blessing that was appropriate to him.¡»
(â 49:29) ¡ºThen Jacob told them, "Soon I will die. Bury me with my father and grandfather in the cave in Ephron's field.¡»
(â 49:30) ¡ºThis is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a permanent burial place.¡»
(â 49:31) ¡ºThere Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried. And there I buried Leah.¡»
(â 49:32) ¡ºIt is the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites."¡»
(â 49:33) ¡ºThen when Jacob had finished this charge to his sons, he lay back in the bed, breathed his last, and died.¡»
(â 50:1) ¡ºJoseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him.¡»
(â 50:2) ¡ºThen Joseph told his morticians to embalm the body.¡»
(â 50:3) ¡ºThe embalming process took forty days, and there was a period of national mourning for seventy days.¡»
(â 50:4) ¡ºWhen the period of mourning was over, Joseph approached Pharaoh's advisers and asked them to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf.¡»
(â 50:5) ¡ºHe told them, "Tell Pharaoh that my father made me swear an oath. He said to me, `I am about to die; take my body back to the land of Canaan, and bury me in our family's burial cave.' Now I need to go and bury my father. After his burial is complete, I will return without delay."¡»
(â 50:6) ¡ºPharaoh agreed to Joseph's request. "Go and bury your father, as you promised," he said.¡»
(â 50:7) ¡ºSo Joseph went, with a great number of Pharaoh's counselors and advisers--all the senior officers of Egypt.¡»
(â 50:8) ¡ºJoseph also took his brothers and the entire household of Jacob. But they left their little children and flocks and herds in the land of Goshen.¡»
(â 50:9) ¡ºSo a great number of chariots, cavalry, and people accompanied Joseph.¡»
(â 50:10) ¡ºWhen they arrived at the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan River, they held a very great and solemn funeral, with a seven-day period of mourning for Joseph's father.¡»
(â 50:11) ¡ºThe local residents, the Canaanites, renamed the place Abel-mizraim, for they said, "This is a place of very deep mourning for these Egyptians."¡»
(â 50:12) ¡ºSo Jacob's sons did as he had commanded them.¡»
(â 50:13) ¡ºThey carried his body to the land of Canaan and buried it there in the cave of Machpelah. This is the cave that Abraham had bought for a permanent burial place in the field of Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre.¡»
(â 50:14) ¡ºThen Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father's funeral.¡»
(â 50:15) ¡ºBut now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became afraid. "Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him," they said.¡»
(â 50:16) ¡ºSo they sent this message to Joseph: "Before your father died, he instructed us¡»
(â 50:17) ¡ºto say to you: `Forgive your brothers for the great evil they did to you.' So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive us." When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.¡»
(â 50:18) ¡ºThen his brothers came and bowed low before him. "We are your slaves," they said.¡»
(â 50:19) ¡ºBut Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you?¡»
(â 50:20) ¡ºAs far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.¡»
(â 50:21) ¡ºNo, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them.¡»
(â 50:22) ¡ºSo Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph was 110 years old when he died.¡»
(â 50:23) ¡ºHe lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim and the children of Manasseh's son Makir, who were treated as if they were his own.¡»
(â 50:24) ¡º"Soon I will die," Joseph told his brothers, "but God will surely come for you, to lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he vowed to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."¡»
(â 50:25) ¡ºThen Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, "When God comes to lead us back to Canaan, you must take my body back with you."¡»
(â 50:26) ¡ºSo Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.¡»


(Ãâ 1:1) ¡ºThese are the sons of Jacob who went with their father to Egypt, each with his family:¡»
(Ãâ 1:2) ¡ºReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,¡»
(Ãâ 1:3) ¡ºIssachar, Zebulun, Benjamin,¡»
(Ãâ 1:4) ¡ºDan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.¡»
(Ãâ 1:5) ¡ºJoseph was already down in Egypt. In all, Jacob had seventy direct descendants.¡»
(Ãâ 1:6) ¡ºIn time, Joseph and each of his brothers died, ending that generation.¡»
(Ãâ 1:7) ¡ºBut their descendants had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so quickly that they soon filled the land.¡»
(Ãâ 1:8) ¡ºThen a new king came to the throne of Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.¡»
(Ãâ 1:9) ¡ºHe told his people, "These Israelites are becoming a threat to us because there are so many of them.¡»
(Ãâ 1:10) ¡ºWe must find a way to put an end to this. If we don't and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country."¡»
(Ãâ 1:11) ¡ºSo the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves and put brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down under heavy burdens. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.¡»
(Ãâ 1:12) ¡ºBut the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more quickly the Israelites multiplied! The Egyptians soon became alarmed¡»
(Ãâ 1:13) ¡ºand decided to make their slavery more bitter still.¡»
(Ãâ 1:14) ¡ºThey were ruthless with the Israelites, forcing them to make bricks and mortar and to work long hours in the fields.¡»
(Ãâ 1:15) ¡ºThen Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah:¡»
(Ãâ 1:16) ¡º"When you help the Hebrew women give birth, kill all the boys as soon as they are born. Allow only the baby girls to live."¡»
(Ãâ 1:17) ¡ºBut because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king and allowed the boys to live, too.¡»
(Ãâ 1:18) ¡ºThen the king called for the midwives. "Why have you done this?" he demanded. "Why have you allowed the boys to live?"¡»
(Ãâ 1:19) ¡º"Sir," they told him, "the Hebrew women are very strong. They have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time! They are not slow in giving birth like Egyptian women."¡»
(Ãâ 1:20) ¡ºSo God blessed the midwives, and the Israelites continued to multiply, growing more and more powerful.¡»
(Ãâ 1:21) ¡ºAnd because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.¡»
(Ãâ 1:22) ¡ºThen Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: "Throw all the newborn Israelite boys into the Nile River. But you may spare the baby girls."¡»
(Ãâ 2:1) ¡ºDuring this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married.¡»
(Ãâ 2:2) ¡ºThe woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw what a beautiful baby he was and kept him hidden for three months.¡»
(Ãâ 2:3) ¡ºBut when she could no longer hide him, she got a little basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile River.¡»
(Ãâ 2:4) ¡ºThe baby's sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.¡»
(Ãâ 2:5) ¡ºSoon after this, one of Pharaoh's daughters came down to bathe in the river, and her servant girls walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the little basket among the reeds, she told one of her servant girls to get it for her.¡»
(Ãâ 2:6) ¡ºAs the princess opened it, she found the baby boy. His helpless cries touched her heart. "He must be one of the Hebrew children," she said.¡»
(Ãâ 2:7) ¡ºThen the baby's sister approached the princess. "Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" she asked.¡»
(Ãâ 2:8) ¡º"Yes, do!" the princess replied. So the girl rushed home and called the baby's mother.¡»
(Ãâ 2:9) ¡º"Take this child home and nurse him for me," the princess told her. "I will pay you for your help." So the baby's mother took her baby home and nursed him.¡»
(Ãâ 2:10) ¡ºLater, when he was older, the child's mother brought him back to the princess, who adopted him as her son. The princess named him Moses, for she said, "I drew him out of the water."¡»
(Ãâ 2:11) ¡ºMany years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his people, the Israelites, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of the Hebrew slaves.¡»
(Ãâ 2:12) ¡ºAfter looking around to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand.¡»
(Ãâ 2:13) ¡ºThe next day, as Moses was out visiting his people again, he saw two Hebrew men fighting. "What are you doing, hitting your neighbor like that?" Moses said to the one in the wrong.¡»
(Ãâ 2:14) ¡º"Who do you think you are?" the man replied. "Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Do you plan to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?" Moses was badly frightened because he realized that everyone knew what he had done.¡»
(Ãâ 2:15) ¡ºAnd sure enough, when Pharaoh heard about it, he gave orders to have Moses arrested and killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and escaped to the land of Midian. When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well.¡»
(Ãâ 2:16) ¡ºNow it happened that the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came regularly to this well to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father's flocks.¡»
(Ãâ 2:17) ¡ºBut other shepherds would often come and chase the girls and their flocks away. This time, however, Moses came to their aid, rescuing the girls from the shepherds. Then he helped them draw water for their flocks.¡»
(Ãâ 2:18) ¡ºWhen the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked, "How did you get the flocks watered so quickly today?"¡»
(Ãâ 2:19) ¡º"An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds," they told him. "And then he drew water for us and watered our flocks."¡»
(Ãâ 2:20) ¡º"Well, where is he then?" their father asked. "Did you just leave him there? Go and invite him home for a meal!"¡»
(Ãâ 2:21) ¡ºMoses was happy to accept the invitation, and he settled down to live with them. In time, Reuel gave Moses one of his daughters, Zipporah, to be his wife.¡»
(Ãâ 2:22) ¡ºLater they had a baby boy, and Moses named him Gershom, for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."¡»
(Ãâ 2:23) ¡ºYears passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites still groaned beneath their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their pleas for deliverance rose up to God.¡»
(Ãâ 2:24) ¡ºGod heard their cries and remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.¡»
(Ãâ 2:25) ¡ºHe looked down on the Israelites and felt deep concern for their welfare.¡»
(Ãâ 3:1) ¡ºOne day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God.¡»
(Ãâ 3:2) ¡ºSuddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn't burn up.¡»
(Ãâ 3:3) ¡º"Amazing!" Moses said to himself. "Why isn't that bush burning up? I must go over to see this."¡»
(Ãâ 3:4) ¡ºWhen the LORD saw that he had caught Moses' attention, God called to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" "Here I am!" Moses replied.¡»
(Ãâ 3:5) ¡º"Do not come any closer," God told him. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground."¡»
(Ãâ 3:6) ¡ºThen he said, "I am the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." When Moses heard this, he hid his face in his hands because he was afraid to look at God.¡»
(Ãâ 3:7) ¡ºThen the LORD told him, "You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.¡»
(Ãâ 3:8) ¡ºSo I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey--the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites live.¡»
(Ãâ 3:9) ¡ºThe cries of the people of Israel have reached me, and I have seen how the Egyptians have oppressed them with heavy tasks.¡»
(Ãâ 3:10) ¡ºNow go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 3:11) ¡º"But who am I to appear before Pharaoh?" Moses asked God. "How can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?"¡»
(Ãâ 3:12) ¡ºThen God told him, "I will be with you. And this will serve as proof that I have sent you: When you have brought the Israelites out of Egypt, you will return here to worship God at this very mountain."¡»
(Ãâ 3:13) ¡ºBut Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, `The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they won't believe me. They will ask, `Which god are you talking about? What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?"¡»
(Ãâ 3:14) ¡ºGod replied, "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Just tell them, `I AM has sent me to you.' "¡»
(Ãâ 3:15) ¡ºGod also said, "Tell them, `The LORD, the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This will be my name forever; it has always been my name, and it will be used throughout all generations.¡»
(Ãâ 3:16) ¡º"Now go and call together all the leaders of Israel. Tell them, `The LORD, the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--appeared to me in a burning bush. He said, "You can be sure that I am watching over you and have seen what is happening to you in Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 3:17) ¡ºI promise to rescue you from the oppression of the Egyptians. I will lead you to the land now occupied by the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites--a land flowing with milk and honey." '¡»
(Ãâ 3:18) ¡º"The leaders of the people of Israel will accept your message. Then all of you must go straight to the king of Egypt and tell him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.'¡»
(Ãâ 3:19) ¡º"But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go except under heavy pressure.¡»
(Ãâ 3:20) ¡ºSo I will reach out and strike at the heart of Egypt with all kinds of miracles. Then at last he will let you go.¡»
(Ãâ 3:21) ¡ºAnd I will see to it that the Egyptians treat you well. They will load you down with gifts so you will not leave empty-handed.¡»
(Ãâ 3:22) ¡ºThe Israelite women will ask for silver and gold jewelry and fine clothing from their Egyptian neighbors and their neighbors' guests. With this clothing, you will dress your sons and daughters. In this way, you will plunder the Egyptians!"¡»
(Ãâ 4:1) ¡ºBut Moses protested again, "Look, they won't believe me! They won't do what I tell them. They'll just say, `The LORD never appeared to you.' "¡»
(Ãâ 4:2) ¡ºThen the LORD asked him, "What do you have there in your hand?" "A shepherd's staff," Moses replied.¡»
(Ãâ 4:3) ¡º"Throw it down on the ground," the LORD told him. So Moses threw it down, and it became a snake! Moses was terrified, so he turned and ran away.¡»
(Ãâ 4:4) ¡ºThen the LORD told him, "Take hold of its tail." So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it became a shepherd's staff again.¡»
(Ãâ 4:5) ¡º"Perform this sign, and they will believe you," the LORD told him. "Then they will realize that the LORD, the God of their ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob--really has appeared to you."¡»
(Ãâ 4:6) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Put your hand inside your robe." Moses did so, and when he took it out again, his hand was white as snow with leprosy.¡»
(Ãâ 4:7) ¡º"Now put your hand back into your robe again," the LORD said. Moses did, and when he took it out this time, it was as healthy as the rest of his body.¡»
(Ãâ 4:8) ¡º"If they do not believe the first miraculous sign, they will believe the second," the LORD said.¡»
(Ãâ 4:9) ¡º"And if they do not believe you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry ground. When you do, it will turn into blood."¡»
(Ãâ 4:10) ¡ºBut Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words."¡»
(Ãâ 4:11) ¡º"Who makes mouths?" the LORD asked him. "Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the LORD?¡»
(Ãâ 4:12) ¡ºNow go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say."¡»
(Ãâ 4:13) ¡ºBut Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send someone else."¡»
(Ãâ 4:14) ¡ºThen the LORD became angry with Moses. "All right," he said. "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? He is a good speaker. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. And when he sees you, he will be very glad.¡»
(Ãâ 4:15) ¡ºYou will talk to him, giving him the words to say. I will help both of you to speak clearly, and I will tell you what to do.¡»
(Ãâ 4:16) ¡ºAaron will be your spokesman to the people, and you will be as God to him, telling him what to say.¡»
(Ãâ 4:17) ¡ºAnd be sure to take your shepherd's staff along so you can perform the miraculous signs I have shown you."¡»
(Ãâ 4:18) ¡ºThen Moses went back home and talked it over with Jethro, his father-in-law. "With your permission," Moses said, "I would like to go back to Egypt to visit my family. I don't even know whether they are still alive." "Go with my blessing," Jethro replied.¡»
(Ãâ 4:19) ¡ºBefore Moses left Midian, the LORD said to him, "Do not be afraid to return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead."¡»
(Ãâ 4:20) ¡ºSo Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand he carried the staff of God.¡»
(Ãâ 4:21) ¡ºThen the LORD reminded him, "When you arrive back in Egypt, go to Pharaoh and perform the miracles I have empowered you to do. But I will make him stubborn so he will not let the people go.¡»
(Ãâ 4:22) ¡ºThen you will tell him, `This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.¡»
(Ãâ 4:23) ¡ºI commanded you to let him go, so he could worship me. But since you have refused, be warned! I will kill your firstborn son!' "¡»
(Ãâ 4:24) ¡ºOn the journey, when Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the LORD confronted Moses and was about to kill him.¡»
(Ãâ 4:25) ¡ºBut Zipporah, his wife, took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She threw the foreskin at Moses' feet and said, "What a blood-smeared bridegroom you are to me!"¡»
(Ãâ 4:26) ¡º(When she called Moses a "blood-smeared bridegroom," she was referring to the circumcision.) After that, the LORD left him alone.¡»
(Ãâ 4:27) ¡ºNow the LORD had said to Aaron, "Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses." So Aaron traveled to the mountain of God, where he found Moses and greeted him warmly.¡»
(Ãâ 4:28) ¡ºMoses then told Aaron everything the LORD had commanded them to do and say. And he told him about the miraculous signs they were to perform.¡»
(Ãâ 4:29) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron returned to Egypt and called the leaders of Israel to a meeting.¡»
(Ãâ 4:30) ¡ºAaron told them everything the LORD had told Moses, and Moses performed the miraculous signs as they watched.¡»
(Ãâ 4:31) ¡ºThe leaders were soon convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. And when they realized that the LORD had seen their misery and was deeply concerned for them, they all bowed their heads and worshiped.¡»
(Ãâ 5:1) ¡ºAfter this presentation to Israel's leaders, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh. They told him, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Let my people go, for they must go out into the wilderness to hold a religious festival in my honor.' "¡»
(Ãâ 5:2) ¡º"Is that so?" retorted Pharaoh. "And who is the LORD that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I don't know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go."¡»
(Ãâ 5:3) ¡ºBut Aaron and Moses persisted. "The God of the Hebrews has met with us," they declared. "Let us take a three-day trip into the wilderness so we can offer sacrifices to the LORD our God. If we don't, we will surely die by disease or the sword."¡»
(Ãâ 5:4) ¡º"Who do you think you are," Pharaoh shouted, "distracting the people from their tasks? Get back to work!¡»
(Ãâ 5:5) ¡ºLook, there are many people here in Egypt, and you are stopping them from doing their work."¡»
(Ãâ 5:6) ¡ºThat same day Pharaoh sent this order to the slave drivers and foremen he had set over the people of Israel:¡»
(Ãâ 5:7) ¡º"Do not supply the people with any more straw for making bricks. Let them get it themselves!¡»
(Ãâ 5:8) ¡ºBut don't reduce their production quotas by a single brick. They obviously don't have enough to do. If they did, they wouldn't be talking about going into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to their God.¡»
(Ãâ 5:9) ¡ºLoad them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to these liars!"¡»
(Ãâ 5:10) ¡ºSo the slave drivers and foremen informed the people: "Pharaoh has ordered us not to provide straw for you.¡»
(Ãâ 5:11) ¡ºGo and get it yourselves. Find it wherever you can. But you must produce just as many bricks as before!"¡»
(Ãâ 5:12) ¡ºSo the people scattered throughout the land in search of straw.¡»
(Ãâ 5:13) ¡ºThe slave drivers were brutal. "Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did before!" they demanded.¡»
(Ãâ 5:14) ¡ºThen they whipped the Israelite foremen in charge of the work crews. "Why haven't you met your quotas either yesterday or today?" they demanded.¡»
(Ãâ 5:15) ¡ºSo the Israelite foremen went to Pharaoh and pleaded with him. "Please don't treat us like this," they begged.¡»
(Ãâ 5:16) ¡º"We are given no straw, but we are still told to make as many bricks as before. We are beaten for something that isn't our fault! It is the fault of your slave drivers for making such unreasonable demands."¡»
(Ãâ 5:17) ¡ºBut Pharaoh replied, "You're just lazy! You obviously don't have enough to do. If you did, you wouldn't be saying, `Let us go, so we can offer sacrifices to the LORD.'¡»
(Ãâ 5:18) ¡ºNow, get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still deliver the regular quota of bricks."¡»
(Ãâ 5:19) ¡ºSince Pharaoh would not let up on his demands, the Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble.¡»
(Ãâ 5:20) ¡ºAs they left Pharaoh's court, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them.¡»
(Ãâ 5:21) ¡ºThe foremen said to them, "May the LORD judge you for getting us into this terrible situation with Pharaoh and his officials. You have given them an excuse to kill us!"¡»
(Ãâ 5:22) ¡ºSo Moses went back to the LORD and protested, "Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord? Why did you send me? 23Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people. You have not even begun to rescue them!"¡»
(Ãâ 6:1) ¡º"Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh," the LORD told Moses. "When he feels my powerful hand upon him, he will let the people go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of them that he will force them to leave his land!"¡»
(Ãâ 6:2) ¡ºAnd God continued, "I am the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 6:3) ¡ºI appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, though I did not reveal my name, the LORD, to them.¡»
(Ãâ 6:4) ¡ºAnd I entered into a solemn covenant with them. Under its terms, I swore to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living.¡»
(Ãâ 6:5) ¡ºYou can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. I have remembered my covenant with them.¡»
(Ãâ 6:6) ¡º"Therefore, say to the Israelites: `I am the LORD, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment.¡»
(Ãâ 6:7) ¡ºI will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the LORD your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 6:8) ¡ºI will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the LORD!' "¡»
(Ãâ 6:9) ¡ºSo Moses told the people what the LORD had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery.¡»
(Ãâ 6:10) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 6:11) ¡º"Go back to Pharaoh, and tell him to let the people of Israel leave Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 6:12) ¡º"But LORD!" Moses objected. "My own people won't listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I'm no orator!"¡»
(Ãâ 6:13) ¡ºBut the LORD ordered Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and to demand that he let the people of Israel leave Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 6:14) ¡ºThese are the ancestors of clans from some of Israel's tribes: The descendants of Reuben, Israel's oldest son, included Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. Their descendants became the clans of Reuben.¡»
(Ãâ 6:15) ¡ºThe descendants of Simeon included Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul (whose mother was a Canaanite). Their descendants became the clans of Simeon.¡»
(Ãâ 6:16) ¡ºThese are the descendants of Levi, listed according to their family groups. In the first generation were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Levi, their father, lived to be 137 years old.)¡»
(Ãâ 6:17) ¡ºThe descendants of Gershon included Libni and Shimei, each of whom is the ancestor of a clan.¡»
(Ãâ 6:18) ¡ºThe descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. (Kohath lived to be 133 years old.)¡»
(Ãâ 6:19) ¡ºThe descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed according to their genealogies.¡»
(Ãâ 6:20) ¡ºAmram married his father's sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. (Amram lived to be 137 years old.)¡»
(Ãâ 6:21) ¡ºThe descendants of Izhar included Korah, Nepheg, and Zicri.¡»
(Ãâ 6:22) ¡ºThe descendants of Uzziel included Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.¡»
(Ãâ 6:23) ¡ºAaron married Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.¡»
(Ãâ 6:24) ¡ºThe descendants of Korah included Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. Their descendants became the clans of Korah.¡»
(Ãâ 6:25) ¡ºEleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the ancestors of the Levite clans, listed according to their family groups.¡»
(Ãâ 6:26) ¡ºThe Aaron and Moses named in this list are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Lead all the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, division by division."¡»
(Ãâ 6:27) ¡ºThey are the ones who went to Pharaoh to ask permission to lead the people from the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 6:28) ¡ºAt that time, the LORD had said to them,¡»
(Ãâ 6:29) ¡º"I am the LORD! Give Pharaoh the message I have given you."¡»
(Ãâ 6:30) ¡ºThis is the same Moses who had argued with the LORD, saying, "I can't do it! I'm no orator. Why should Pharaoh listen to me?"¡»
(Ãâ 7:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh. Your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you.¡»
(Ãâ 7:2) ¡ºTell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoh. He will demand that the people of Israel be allowed to leave Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 7:3) ¡ºBut I will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 7:4) ¡ºEven then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will crush Egypt with a series of disasters, after which I will lead the forces of Israel out with great acts of judgment.¡»
(Ãâ 7:5) ¡ºWhen I show the Egyptians my power and force them to let the Israelites go, they will realize that I am the LORD."¡»
(Ãâ 7:6) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them.¡»
(Ãâ 7:7) ¡ºMoses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three at the time they made their demands to Pharaoh.¡»
(Ãâ 7:8) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,¡»
(Ãâ 7:9) ¡º"Pharaoh will demand that you show him a miracle to prove that God has sent you. When he makes this demand, say to Aaron, `Throw down your shepherd's staff,' and it will become a snake."¡»
(Ãâ 7:10) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, and they performed the miracle just as the LORD had told them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his court, and it became a snake.¡»
(Ãâ 7:11) ¡ºThen Pharaoh called in his wise men and magicians, and they did the same thing with their secret arts.¡»
(Ãâ 7:12) ¡ºTheir staffs became snakes, too! But then Aaron's snake swallowed up their snakes.¡»
(Ãâ 7:13) ¡ºPharaoh's heart, however, remained hard and stubborn. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 7:14) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh is very stubborn, and he continues to refuse to let the people go.¡»
(Ãâ 7:15) ¡ºSo go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes down to the river. Stand on the riverbank and meet him there. Be sure to take along the shepherd's staff that turned into a snake.¡»
(Ãâ 7:16) ¡ºSay to him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say, "Let my people go, so they can worship me in the wilderness." Until now, you have refused to listen to him.¡»
(Ãâ 7:17) ¡ºNow the LORD says, "You are going to find out that I am the LORD." Look! I will hit the water of the Nile with this staff, and the river will turn to blood.¡»
(Ãâ 7:18) ¡ºThe fish in it will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink any water from the Nile.' "¡»
(Ãâ 7:19) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses: "Tell Aaron to point his staff toward the waters of Egypt--all its rivers, canals, marshes, and reservoirs. Everywhere in Egypt the water will turn into blood, even the water stored in wooden bowls and stone pots in the people's homes."¡»
(Ãâ 7:20) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and hit the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood!¡»
(Ãâ 7:21) ¡ºThe fish in the river died, and the water became so foul that the Egyptians couldn't drink it. There was blood everywhere throughout the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 7:22) ¡ºBut again the magicians of Egypt used their secret arts, and they, too, turned water into blood. So Pharaoh's heart remained hard and stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 7:23) ¡ºPharaoh returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind.¡»
(Ãâ 7:24) ¡ºThen the Egyptians dug wells along the riverbank to get drinking water, for they couldn't drink from the river.¡»
(Ãâ 7:25) ¡ºAn entire week passed from the time the LORD turned the water of the Nile to blood.¡»
(Ãâ 8:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh once again and tell him, `This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.¡»
(Ãâ 8:2) ¡ºIf you refuse, then listen carefully to this: I will send vast hordes of frogs across your entire land from one border to the other.¡»
(Ãâ 8:3) ¡ºThe Nile River will swarm with them. They will come up out of the river and into your houses, even into your bedrooms and onto your beds! Every home in Egypt will be filled with them. They will fill even your ovens and your kneading bowls.¡»
(Ãâ 8:4) ¡ºYou and your people will be overwhelmed by frogs!' "¡»
(Ãâ 8:5) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to point his shepherd's staff toward all the rivers, canals, and marshes of Egypt so there will be frogs in every corner of the land."¡»
(Ãâ 8:6) ¡ºAaron did so, and frogs covered the whole land of Egypt!¡»
(Ãâ 8:7) ¡ºBut the magicians were able to do the same thing with their secret arts. They, too, caused frogs to come up on the land.¡»
(Ãâ 8:8) ¡ºThen Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, "Plead with the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let the people go, so they can offer sacrifices to the LORD."¡»
(Ãâ 8:9) ¡º"You set the time!" Moses replied. "Tell me when you want me to pray for you, your officials, and your people. I will pray that you and your houses will be rid of the frogs. Then only the frogs in the Nile River will remain alive."¡»
(Ãâ 8:10) ¡º"Do it tomorrow," Pharaoh said. "All right," Moses replied, "it will be as you have said. Then you will know that no one is as powerful as the LORD our God.¡»
(Ãâ 8:11) ¡ºAll the frogs will be destroyed, except those in the river."¡»
(Ãâ 8:12) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, and Moses pleaded with the LORD about the frogs he had sent.¡»
(Ãâ 8:13) ¡ºAnd the LORD did as Moses had promised. The frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields all died.¡»
(Ãâ 8:14) ¡ºThey were piled into great heaps, and a terrible stench filled the land.¡»
(Ãâ 8:15) ¡ºBut when Pharaoh saw that the frogs were gone, he hardened his heart. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 8:16) ¡ºSo the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to strike the dust with his staff. The dust will turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 8:17) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. Suddenly, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats.¡»
(Ãâ 8:18) ¡ºPharaoh's magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered all the people and animals.¡»
(Ãâ 8:19) ¡º"This is the finger of God!" the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh's heart remained hard and stubborn. He wouldn't listen to them, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 8:20) ¡ºNext the LORD told Moses, "Get up early in the morning and meet Pharaoh as he goes down to the river. Say to him, `This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.¡»
(Ãâ 8:21) ¡ºIf you refuse, I will send swarms of flies throughout Egypt. Your homes will be filled with them, and the ground will be covered with them.¡»
(Ãâ 8:22) ¡ºBut it will be very different in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I have power even in the heart of your land.¡»
(Ãâ 8:23) ¡ºI will make a clear distinction between your people and my people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.' "¡»
(Ãâ 8:24) ¡ºAnd the LORD did just as he had said. There were terrible swarms of flies in Pharaoh's palace and in every home in Egypt. The whole country was thrown into chaos by the flies.¡»
(Ãâ 8:25) ¡ºPharaoh hastily called for Moses and Aaron. "All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God," he said. "But do it here in this land. Don't go out into the wilderness."¡»
(Ãâ 8:26) ¡ºBut Moses replied, "That won't do! The Egyptians would detest the sacrifices that we offer to the LORD our God. If we offer them here where they can see us, they will be sure to stone us.¡»
(Ãâ 8:27) ¡ºWe must take a three-day trip into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, just as he has commanded us."¡»
(Ãâ 8:28) ¡º"All right, go ahead," Pharaoh replied. "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the wilderness. But don't go too far away. Now hurry, and pray for me."¡»
(Ãâ 8:29) ¡º"As soon as I go," Moses said, "I will ask the LORD to cause the swarms of flies to disappear from you and all your people. But I am warning you, don't change your mind again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."¡»
(Ãâ 8:30) ¡ºSo Moses left Pharaoh and asked the LORD to remove all the flies.¡»
(Ãâ 8:31) ¡ºAnd the LORD did as Moses asked and caused the swarms to disappear. Not a single fly remained in the land!¡»
(Ãâ 8:32) ¡ºBut Pharaoh hardened his heart again and refused to let the people go.¡»
(Ãâ 9:1) ¡º"Go back to Pharaoh," the LORD commanded Moses. "Tell him, `This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.¡»
(Ãâ 9:2) ¡ºIf you continue to oppress them and refuse to let them go,¡»
(Ãâ 9:3) ¡ºthe LORD will send a deadly plague to destroy your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep.¡»
(Ãâ 9:4) ¡ºBut the LORD will again make a distinction between the property of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel's livestock will die!' "¡»
(Ãâ 9:5) ¡ºThe LORD announced that he would send the plague the very next day,¡»
(Ãâ 9:6) ¡ºand he did it, just as he had said. The next morning all the livestock of the Egyptians began to die, but the Israelites didn't lose a single animal from their flocks and herds.¡»
(Ãâ 9:7) ¡ºPharaoh sent officials to see whether it was true that none of the Israelites' animals were dead. But even after he found it to be true, his heart remained stubborn. He still refused to let the people go.¡»
(Ãâ 9:8) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take soot from a furnace, and have Moses toss it into the sky while Pharaoh watches.¡»
(Ãâ 9:9) ¡ºIt will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing boils to break out on people and animals alike."¡»
(Ãâ 9:10) ¡ºSo they gathered soot from a furnace and went to see Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses tossed the soot into the air, and terrible boils broke out on the people and animals throughout Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 9:11) ¡ºEven the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them, too.¡»
(Ãâ 9:12) ¡ºBut the LORD made Pharaoh even more stubborn, and he refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 9:13) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning. Go to Pharaoh and tell him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.¡»
(Ãâ 9:14) ¡ºIf you don't, I will send a plague that will really speak to you and your officials and all the Egyptian people. I will prove to you that there is no other God like me in all the earth.¡»
(Ãâ 9:15) ¡ºI could have killed you all by now. I could have attacked you with a plague that would have wiped you from the face of the earth.¡»
(Ãâ 9:16) ¡ºBut I have let you live for this reason--that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth.¡»
(Ãâ 9:17) ¡ºBut you are still lording it over my people, and you refuse to let them go.¡»
(Ãâ 9:18) ¡ºSo tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm worse than any in all of Egypt's history.¡»
(Ãâ 9:19) ¡ºQuick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields. Every person or animal left outside will die beneath the hail.' "¡»
(Ãâ 9:20) ¡ºSome of Pharaoh's officials believed what the LORD said. They immediately brought their livestock and servants in from the fields.¡»
(Ãâ 9:21) ¡ºBut those who had no respect for the word of the LORD left them out in the open.¡»
(Ãâ 9:22) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward the sky, and cause the hail to fall throughout Egypt, on the people, the animals, and the crops."¡»
(Ãâ 9:23) ¡ºSo Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. The LORD sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 9:24) ¡ºNever in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such severe hail and continuous lightning.¡»
(Ãâ 9:25) ¡ºIt left all of Egypt in ruins. Everything left in the fields was destroyed--people, animals, and crops alike. Even all the trees were destroyed.¡»
(Ãâ 9:26) ¡ºThe only spot in all Egypt without hail that day was the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.¡»
(Ãâ 9:27) ¡ºThen Pharaoh urgently sent for Moses and Aaron. "I finally admit my fault," he confessed. "The LORD is right, and my people and I are wrong.¡»
(Ãâ 9:28) ¡ºPlease beg the LORD to end this terrifying thunder and hail. I will let you go at once."¡»
(Ãâ 9:29) ¡º"All right," Moses replied. "As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the LORD. Then the thunder and hail will stop. This will prove to you that the earth belongs to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 9:30) ¡ºBut as for you and your officials, I know that you still do not fear the LORD God as you should."¡»
(Ãâ 9:31) ¡ºAll the flax and barley were destroyed because the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom.¡»
(Ãâ 9:32) ¡ºBut the wheat and the spelt were not destroyed because they had not yet sprouted from the ground.¡»
(Ãâ 9:33) ¡ºSo Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. As he lifted his hands to the LORD, all at once the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased.¡»
(Ãâ 9:34) ¡ºWhen Pharaoh saw this, he and his officials sinned yet again by stubbornly refusing to do as they had promised.¡»
(Ãâ 9:35) ¡ºPharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the LORD had predicted.¡»
(Ãâ 10:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Return to Pharaoh and again make your demands. I have made him and his officials stubborn so I can continue to display my power by performing miraculous signs among them.¡»
(Ãâ 10:2) ¡ºYou will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the LORD."¡»
(Ãâ 10:3) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to submit to me? Let my people go, so they can worship me.¡»
(Ãâ 10:4) ¡ºIf you refuse, watch out! For tomorrow I will cover the whole country with locusts.¡»
(Ãâ 10:5) ¡ºThere will be so many that you won't be able to see the ground. They will devour everything that escaped the hailstorm, including all the trees in the fields.¡»
(Ãâ 10:6) ¡ºThey will overrun your palaces and the homes of your officials and all the houses of Egypt. Never in the history of Egypt has there been a plague like this one!" And with that, Moses turned and walked out.¡»
(Ãâ 10:7) ¡ºThe court officials now came to Pharaoh and appealed to him. "How long will you let these disasters go on? Please let the Israelites go to serve the LORD their God! Don't you realize that Egypt lies in ruins?"¡»
(Ãâ 10:8) ¡ºSo Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "All right, go and serve the LORD your God," he said. "But tell me, just whom do you want to take along?"¡»
(Ãâ 10:9) ¡º"Young and old, all of us will go," Moses replied. "We will take our sons and daughters and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in a festival to the LORD."¡»
(Ãâ 10:10) ¡ºPharaoh retorted, "The LORD will certainly need to be with you if you try to take your little ones along! I can see through your wicked intentions.¡»
(Ãâ 10:11) ¡ºNever! Only the men may go and serve the LORD, for that is what you requested." And Pharaoh threw them out of the palace.¡»
(Ãâ 10:12) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the land of Egypt to bring on the locusts. Let them cover the land and eat all the crops still left after the hailstorm."¡»
(Ãâ 10:13) ¡ºSo Moses raised his staff, and the LORD caused an east wind to blow all that day and through the night. When morning arrived, the east wind had brought the locusts.¡»
(Ãâ 10:14) ¡ºAnd the locusts swarmed over the land of Egypt from border to border. It was the worst locust plague in Egyptian history, and there has never again been one like it.¡»
(Ãâ 10:15) ¡ºFor the locusts covered the surface of the whole country, making the ground look black. They ate all the plants and all the fruit on the trees that had survived the hailstorm. Not one green thing remained, neither tree nor plant, throughout the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 10:16) ¡ºPharaoh quickly sent for Moses and Aaron. "I confess my sin against the LORD your God and against you," he said to them.¡»
(Ãâ 10:17) ¡º"Forgive my sin only this once, and plead with the LORD your God to take away this terrible plague."¡»
(Ãâ 10:18) ¡ºSo Moses left Pharaoh and pleaded with the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 10:19) ¡ºThe LORD responded by sending a strong west wind that blew the locusts out into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remained in all the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 10:20) ¡ºBut the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn once again, and he did not let the people go.¡»
(Ãâ 10:21) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward heaven, and a deep and terrifying darkness will descend on the land of Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 10:22) ¡ºSo Moses lifted his hand toward heaven, and there was deep darkness over the entire land for three days.¡»
(Ãâ 10:23) ¡ºDuring all that time the people scarcely moved, for they could not see. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.¡»
(Ãâ 10:24) ¡ºThen Pharaoh called for Moses. "Go and worship the LORD," he said. "But let your flocks and herds stay here. You can even take your children with you."¡»
(Ãâ 10:25) ¡º"No," Moses said, "we must take our flocks and herds for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the LORD our God.¡»
(Ãâ 10:26) ¡ºAll our property must go with us; not a hoof can be left behind. We will have to choose our sacrifices for the LORD our God from among these animals. And we won't know which sacrifices he will require until we get there."¡»
(Ãâ 10:27) ¡ºSo the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart once more, and he would not let them go.¡»
(Ãâ 10:28) ¡º"Get out of here!" Pharaoh shouted at Moses. "Don't ever let me see you again! The day you do, you will die!"¡»
(Ãâ 10:29) ¡º"Very well," Moses replied. "I will never see you again."¡»
(Ãâ 11:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "I will send just one more disaster on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt. After that, Pharaoh will let you go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of you that he will practically force you to leave the country.¡»
(Ãâ 11:2) ¡ºTell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold."¡»
(Ãâ 11:3) ¡º(Now the LORD had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel, and Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt. He was respected by Pharaoh's officials and the Egyptian people alike.)¡»
(Ãâ 11:4) ¡ºSo Moses announced to Pharaoh, "This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will pass through Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 11:5) ¡ºAll the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave. Even the firstborn of the animals will die.¡»
(Ãâ 11:6) ¡ºThen a loud wail will be heard throughout the land of Egypt; there has never been such wailing before, and there never will be again.¡»
(Ãâ 11:7) ¡ºBut among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.¡»
(Ãâ 11:8) ¡ºAll the officials of Egypt will come running to me, bowing low. `Please leave!' they will beg. `Hurry! And take all your followers with you.' Only then will I go!" Then, burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh's presence.¡»
(Ãâ 11:9) ¡ºNow the LORD had told Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. But this will give me the opportunity to do even more mighty miracles in the land of Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 11:10) ¡ºAlthough Moses and Aaron did these miracles in Pharaoh's presence, the LORD hardened his heart so he wouldn't let the Israelites leave the country.¡»
(Ãâ 12:1) ¡ºNow the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron while they were still in the land of Egypt:¡»
(Ãâ 12:2) ¡º"From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you.¡»
(Ãâ 12:3) ¡ºAnnounce to the whole community that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice.¡»
(Ãâ 12:4) ¡ºIf a family is too small to eat an entire lamb, let them share the lamb with another family in the neighborhood. Whether or not they share in this way depends on the size of each family and how much they can eat.¡»
(Ãâ 12:5) ¡ºThis animal must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no physical defects.¡»
(Ãâ 12:6) ¡º"Take special care of these lambs until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then each family in the community must slaughter its lamb.¡»
(Ãâ 12:7) ¡ºThey are to take some of the lamb's blood and smear it on the top and sides of the doorframe of the house where the lamb will be eaten.¡»
(Ãâ 12:8) ¡ºThat evening everyone must eat roast lamb with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.¡»
(Ãâ 12:9) ¡ºThe meat must never be eaten raw or boiled; roast it all, including the head, legs, and internal organs.¡»
(Ãâ 12:10) ¡ºDo not leave any of it until the next day. Whatever is not eaten that night must be burned before morning.¡»
(Ãâ 12:11) ¡º"Wear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal, as though prepared for a long journey. Wear your sandals, and carry your walking sticks in your hands. Eat the food quickly, for this is the LORD's Passover.¡»
(Ãâ 12:12) ¡ºOn that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn sons and firstborn male animals in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD!¡»
(Ãâ 12:13) ¡ºThe blood you have smeared on your doorposts will serve as a sign. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 12:14) ¡º"You must remember this day forever. Each year you will celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 12:15) ¡ºFor seven days, you may eat only bread made without yeast. On the very first day you must remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast at any time during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel.¡»
(Ãâ 12:16) ¡ºOn the first day of the festival, and again on the seventh day, all the people must gather for a time of special worship. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food.¡»
(Ãâ 12:17) ¡º"Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent regulation for you, to be kept from generation to generation.¡»
(Ãâ 12:18) ¡ºOnly bread without yeast may be eaten from the evening of the fourteenth day of the month until the evening of the twenty-first day of the month.¡»
(Ãâ 12:19) ¡ºDuring those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These same regulations apply to the foreigners living with you, as if they had been born among you.¡»
(Ãâ 12:20) ¡ºI repeat, during those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread that has no yeast in it."¡»
(Ãâ 12:21) ¡ºThen Moses called for the leaders of Israel and said, "Tell each of your families to slaughter the lamb they have set apart for the Passover.¡»
(Ãâ 12:22) ¡ºDrain each lamb's blood into a basin. Then take a cluster of hyssop branches and dip it into the lamb's blood. Strike the hyssop against the top and sides of the doorframe, staining it with the blood. And remember, no one is allowed to leave the house until morning.¡»
(Ãâ 12:23) ¡ºFor the LORD will pass through the land and strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the LORD will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter and strike down your firstborn.¡»
(Ãâ 12:24) ¡º"Remember, these instructions are permanent and must be observed by you and your descendants forever.¡»
(Ãâ 12:25) ¡ºWhen you arrive in the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to celebrate this festival.¡»
(Ãâ 12:26) ¡ºThen your children will ask, `What does all this mean? What is this ceremony about?'¡»
(Ãâ 12:27) ¡ºAnd you will reply, `It is the celebration of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he killed the Egyptians, he spared our families and did not destroy us.' " Then all the people bowed their heads and worshiped.¡»
(Ãâ 12:28) ¡ºSo the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded through Moses and Aaron.¡»
(Ãâ 12:29) ¡ºAnd at midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed.¡»
(Ãâ 12:30) ¡ºPharaoh and his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died.¡»
(Ãâ 12:31) ¡ºPharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. "Leave us!" he cried. "Go away, all of you! Go and serve the LORD as you have requested.¡»
(Ãâ 12:32) ¡ºTake your flocks and herds, and be gone. Go, but give me a blessing as you leave."¡»
(Ãâ 12:33) ¡ºAll the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, "We will all die!"¡»
(Ãâ 12:34) ¡ºThe Israelites took with them their bread dough made without yeast. They wrapped their kneading bowls in their spare clothing and carried them on their shoulders.¡»
(Ãâ 12:35) ¡ºAnd the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed and asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold.¡»
(Ãâ 12:36) ¡ºThe LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So, like a victorious army, they plundered the Egyptians!¡»
(Ãâ 12:37) ¡ºThat night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot.¡»
(Ãâ 12:38) ¡ºMany people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds.¡»
(Ãâ 12:39) ¡ºWhenever they stopped to eat, they baked bread from the yeastless dough they had brought from Egypt. It was made without yeast because the people were rushed out of Egypt and had no time to wait for bread to rise.¡»
(Ãâ 12:40) ¡ºThe people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years.¡»
(Ãâ 12:41) ¡ºIn fact, it was on the last day of the 430th year that all the LORD's forces left the land.¡»
(Ãâ 12:42) ¡ºThis night had been reserved by the LORD to bring his people out from the land of Egypt, so this same night now belongs to him. It must be celebrated every year, from generation to generation, to remember the LORD's deliverance.¡»
(Ãâ 12:43) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the regulations for the festival of Passover. No foreigners are allowed to eat the Passover lamb.¡»
(Ãâ 12:44) ¡ºBut any slave who has been purchased may eat it if he has been circumcised.¡»
(Ãâ 12:45) ¡ºHired servants and visiting foreigners may not eat it.¡»
(Ãâ 12:46) ¡ºAll who eat the lamb must eat it together in one house. You must not carry any of its meat outside, and you may not break any of its bones.¡»
(Ãâ 12:47) ¡ºThe whole community of Israel must celebrate this festival at the same time.¡»
(Ãâ 12:48) ¡º"If there are foreigners living among you who want to celebrate the LORD's Passover, let all the males be circumcised. Then they may come and celebrate the Passover with you. They will be treated just as if they had been born among you. But an uncircumcised male may never eat of the Passover lamb.¡»
(Ãâ 12:49) ¡ºThis law applies to everyone, whether a native-born Israelite or a foreigner who has settled among you."¡»
(Ãâ 12:50) ¡ºSo the people of Israel followed all the LORD's instructions to Moses and Aaron.¡»
(Ãâ 12:51) ¡ºAnd that very day the LORD began to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, division by division.¡»
(Ãâ 13:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 13:2) ¡º"Dedicate to me all the firstborn sons of Israel and every firstborn male animal. They are mine."¡»
(Ãâ 13:3) ¡ºSo Moses said to the people, "This is a day to remember forever--the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. For the LORD has brought you out by his mighty power. (Remember, you are not to use any yeast.)¡»
(Ãâ 13:4) ¡ºThis day in early spring will be the anniversary of your exodus.¡»
(Ãâ 13:5) ¡ºYou must celebrate this day when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. This is the land he swore to give your ancestors--a land flowing with milk and honey.¡»
(Ãâ 13:6) ¡ºFor seven days you will eat only bread without yeast. Then on the seventh day, you will celebrate a great feast to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 13:7) ¡ºEat only bread without yeast during those seven days. In fact, there must be no yeast in your homes or anywhere within the borders of your land during this time.¡»
(Ãâ 13:8) ¡º"During these festival days each year, you must explain to your children why you are celebrating. Say to them, `This is a celebration of what the LORD did for us when we left Egypt.'¡»
(Ãâ 13:9) ¡ºThis annual festival will be a visible reminder to you, like a mark branded on your hands or your forehead. Let it remind you always to keep the LORD's instructions in your minds and on your lips. After all, it was the LORD who rescued you from Egypt with great power.¡»
(Ãâ 13:10) ¡º"So celebrate this festival at the appointed time each year.¡»
(Ãâ 13:11) ¡ºAnd remember these instructions when the LORD brings you into the land he swore to give your ancestors long ago, the land where the Canaanites are now living.¡»
(Ãâ 13:12) ¡ºAll firstborn sons and firstborn male animals must be presented to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 13:13) ¡ºA 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, the donkey must be killed by breaking its neck. However, you must redeem every firstborn son.¡»
(Ãâ 13:14) ¡º"And in the future, your children will ask you, `What does all this mean?' Then you will tell them, `With mighty power the LORD brought us out of Egypt from our slavery.¡»
(Ãâ 13:15) ¡ºPharaoh refused to let us go, so the LORD killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why we now offer all the firstborn males to the LORD--except that the firstborn sons are always redeemed.'¡»
(Ãâ 13:16) ¡ºAgain I say, this ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hands or your forehead. It is a visible reminder that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt with great power."¡»
(Ãâ 13:17) ¡ºWhen Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 13:18) ¡ºSo God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.¡»
(Ãâ 13:19) ¡ºMoses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear that they would take his bones with them when God led them out of Egypt--as he was sure God would.¡»
(Ãâ 13:20) ¡ºLeaving Succoth, they camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.¡»
(Ãâ 13:21) ¡ºThe LORD guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night.¡»
(Ãâ 13:22) ¡ºAnd the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight.¡»
(Ãâ 14:1) ¡ºThen the LORD gave these instructions to Moses:¡»
(Ãâ 14:2) ¡º"Tell the people to march toward Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, opposite Baal-zephon.¡»
(Ãâ 14:3) ¡ºThen Pharaoh will think, `Those Israelites are confused. They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!'¡»
(Ãâ 14:4) ¡ºAnd once again I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this so I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!" So the Israelites camped there as they were told.¡»
(Ãâ 14:5) ¡ºWhen word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. "What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?" they asked.¡»
(Ãâ 14:6) ¡ºSo Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot.¡»
(Ãâ 14:7) ¡ºHe took with him six hundred of Egypt's best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with a commander.¡»
(Ãâ 14:8) ¡ºThe LORD continued to strengthen Pharaoh's resolve, and he chased after the people of Israel who had escaped so defiantly.¡»
(Ãâ 14:9) ¡ºAll the forces in Pharaoh's army--all his horses, chariots, and charioteers--were used in the chase. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.¡»
(Ãâ 14:10) ¡ºAs Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the LORD for help.¡»
(Ãâ 14:11) ¡ºThen they turned against Moses and complained, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave?¡»
(Ãâ 14:12) ¡ºDidn't we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!"¡»
(Ãâ 14:13) ¡ºBut Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again.¡»
(Ãâ 14:14) ¡ºThe LORD himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!"¡»
(Ãâ 14:15) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!¡»
(Ãâ 14:16) ¡ºUse your shepherd's staff--hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground.¡»
(Ãâ 14:17) ¡ºYet I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow the Israelites into the sea. Then I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies, chariots, and charioteers.¡»
(Ãâ 14:18) ¡ºWhen I am finished with Pharaoh and his army, all Egypt will know that I am the LORD!"¡»
(Ãâ 14:19) ¡ºThen the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to a position behind them, and the pillar of cloud also moved around behind them.¡»
(Ãâ 14:20) ¡ºThe cloud settled between the Israelite and Egyptian camps. As night came, the pillar of cloud turned into a pillar of fire, lighting the Israelite camp. But the cloud became darkness to the Egyptians, and they couldn't find the Israelites.¡»
(Ãâ 14:21) ¡ºThen Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.¡»
(Ãâ 14:22) ¡ºSo the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!¡»
(Ãâ 14:23) ¡ºThen the Egyptians--all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers--followed them across the bottom of the sea.¡»
(Ãâ 14:24) ¡ºBut early in the morning, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw them into confusion.¡»
(Ãâ 14:25) ¡ºTheir chariot wheels began to come off, making their chariots impossible to drive. "Let's get out of here!" the Egyptians shouted. "The LORD is fighting for Israel against us!"¡»
(Ãâ 14:26) ¡ºWhen all the Israelites were on the other side, the LORD said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back over the Egyptian chariots and charioteers."¡»
(Ãâ 14:27) ¡ºSo as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea. The water roared back into its usual place, and the LORD swept the terrified Egyptians into the surging currents.¡»
(Ãâ 14:28) ¡ºThe waters covered all the chariots and charioteers--the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.¡»
(Ãâ 14:29) ¡ºThe people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry land, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.¡»
(Ãâ 14:30) ¡ºThis was how the LORD rescued Israel from the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites could see the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the shore.¡»
(Ãâ 14:31) ¡ºWhen the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and put their faith in him and his servant Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 15:1) ¡ºThen Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.¡»
(Ãâ 15:2) ¡ºThe LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my father's God, and I will exalt him!¡»
(Ãâ 15:3) ¡ºThe LORD is a warrior; yes, the LORD is his name!¡»
(Ãâ 15:4) ¡ºPharaoh's chariots and armies, he has thrown into the sea. The very best of Pharaoh's officers have been drowned in the Red Sea.¡»
(Ãâ 15:5) ¡ºThe deep waters have covered them; they sank to the bottom like a stone.¡»
(Ãâ 15:6) ¡º"Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, dashes the enemy to pieces.¡»
(Ãâ 15:7) ¡ºIn the greatness of your majesty, you overthrew those who rose against you. Your anger flashed forth; it consumed them as fire burns straw.¡»
(Ãâ 15:8) ¡ºAt the blast of your breath, the waters piled up! The surging waters stood straight like a wall; in the middle of the sea the waters became hard.¡»
(Ãâ 15:9) ¡º"The enemy said, `I will chase them, catch up with them, and destroy them. I will divide the plunder, avenging myself against them. I will unsheath my sword; my power will destroy them.'¡»
(Ãâ 15:10) ¡ºBut with a blast of your breath, the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.¡»
(Ãâ 15:11) ¡º"Who else among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is glorious in holiness like you-- so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?¡»
(Ãâ 15:12) ¡ºYou raised up your hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.¡»
(Ãâ 15:13) ¡º"With unfailing love you will lead this people whom you have ransomed. You will guide them in your strength to the place where your holiness dwells.¡»
(Ãâ 15:14) ¡ºThe nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia.¡»
(Ãâ 15:15) ¡ºThe leaders of Edom will be terrified; the nobles of Moab will tremble. All the people of Canaan will melt with fear;¡»
(Ãâ 15:16) ¡ºterror and dread will overcome them. Because of your great power, they will be silent like a stone, until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people whom you purchased pass by.¡»
(Ãâ 15:17) ¡ºYou will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain-- the place you have made as your home, O LORD, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have made.¡»
(Ãâ 15:18) ¡ºThe LORD will reign forever and ever!"¡»
(Ãâ 15:19) ¡ºWhen Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the LORD brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through on dry land!¡»
(Ãâ 15:20) ¡ºThen Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance.¡»
(Ãâ 15:21) ¡ºAnd Miriam sang this song: "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea."¡»
(Ãâ 15:22) ¡ºThen Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the Shur Desert. They traveled in this desert for three days without water.¡»
(Ãâ 15:23) ¡ºWhen they came to Marah, they finally found water. But the people couldn't drink it because it was bitter. (That is why the place was called Marah, which means "bitter.")¡»
(Ãâ 15:24) ¡ºThen the people turned against Moses. "What are we going to drink?" they demanded.¡»
(Ãâ 15:25) ¡ºSo Moses cried out to the LORD for help, and the LORD showed him a branch. Moses took the branch and threw it into the water. This made the water good to drink. It was there at Marah that the LORD laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him:¡»
(Ãâ 15:26) ¡º"If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you."¡»
(Ãâ 15:27) ¡ºAfter leaving Marah, they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the springs.¡»
(Ãâ 16:1) ¡ºThen they left Elim and journeyed into the Sin Desert, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there a month after leaving Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 16:2) ¡ºThere, too, the whole community of Israel spoke bitterly against Moses and Aaron.¡»
(Ãâ 16:3) ¡º"Oh, that we were back in Egypt," they moaned. "It would have been better if the LORD had killed us there! At least there we had plenty to eat. But now you have brought us into this desert to starve us to death."¡»
(Ãâ 16:4) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions.¡»
(Ãâ 16:5) ¡ºTell them to pick up twice as much as usual on the sixth day of each week."¡»
(Ãâ 16:6) ¡ºThen Moses and Aaron called a meeting of all the people of Israel and told them, "In the evening you will realize that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 16:7) ¡ºIn the morning you will see the glorious presence of the LORD. He has heard your complaints, which are against the LORD and not against us.¡»
(Ãâ 16:8) ¡ºThe LORD will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. Yes, your complaints are against the LORD, not against us."¡»
(Ãâ 16:9) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron, "Say this to the entire community of Israel: `Come into the LORD's presence, and hear his reply to your complaints.' "¡»
(Ãâ 16:10) ¡ºAnd as Aaron spoke to the people, they looked out toward the desert. Within the guiding cloud, they could see the awesome glory of the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 16:11) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 16:12) ¡º"I have heard the people's complaints. Now tell them, `In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.' "¡»
(Ãâ 16:13) ¡ºThat evening vast numbers of quail arrived and covered the camp. The next morning the desert all around the camp was wet with dew.¡»
(Ãâ 16:14) ¡ºWhen the dew disappeared later in the morning, thin flakes, white like frost, covered the ground.¡»
(Ãâ 16:15) ¡ºThe Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. "What is it?" they asked. And Moses told them, "It is the food the LORD has given you.¡»
(Ãâ 16:16) ¡ºThe LORD says that each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person."¡»
(Ãâ 16:17) ¡ºSo the people of Israel went out and gathered this food--some getting more, and some getting less.¡»
(Ãâ 16:18) ¡ºBy gathering two quarts for each person, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.¡»
(Ãâ 16:19) ¡ºThen Moses told them, "Do not keep any of it overnight."¡»
(Ãâ 16:20) ¡ºBut, of course, some of them didn't listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. And Moses was very angry with them.¡»
(Ãâ 16:21) ¡ºThe people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the food they had not picked up melted and disappeared.¡»
(Ãâ 16:22) ¡ºOn the sixth day, there was twice as much as usual on the ground--four quarts for each person instead of two. The leaders of the people came and asked Moses why this had happened.¡»
(Ãâ 16:23) ¡ºHe replied, "The LORD has appointed tomorrow as a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. On this day we will rest from our normal daily tasks. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow."¡»
(Ãâ 16:24) ¡ºThe next morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.¡»
(Ãâ 16:25) ¡ºMoses said, "This is your food for today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD. There will be no food on the ground today.¡»
(Ãâ 16:26) ¡ºGather the food for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground for you on that day."¡»
(Ãâ 16:27) ¡ºSome of the people went out anyway to gather food, even though it was the Sabbath day. But there was none to be found.¡»
(Ãâ 16:28) ¡º"How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?" the LORD asked Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 16:29) ¡º"Do they not realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest? That is why I give you twice as much food on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must stay in your places. Do not pick up food from the ground on that day."¡»
(Ãâ 16:30) ¡ºSo the people rested on the seventh day.¡»
(Ãâ 16:31) ¡ºIn time, the food became known as manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey cakes.¡»
(Ãâ 16:32) ¡ºThen Moses gave them this command from the LORD: "Take two quarts of manna and keep it forever as a treasured memorial of the LORD's provision. By doing this, later generations will be able to see the bread that the LORD provided in the wilderness when he brought you out of Egypt."¡»
(Ãâ 16:33) ¡ºMoses said to Aaron, "Get a container and put two quarts of manna into it. Then store it in a sacred place as a reminder for all future generations."¡»
(Ãâ 16:34) ¡ºAaron did this, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it for safekeeping in the Ark of the Covenant.¡»
(Ãâ 16:35) ¡ºSo the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived in the land of Canaan, where there were crops to eat.¡»
(Ãâ 16:36) ¡º(The container used to measure the manna was an omer, which held about two quarts.)¡»
(Ãâ 17:1) ¡ºAt the LORD's command, the people of Israel left the Sin Desert and moved from place to place. Eventually they came to Rephidim, but there was no water to be found there.¡»
(Ãâ 17:2) ¡ºSo once more the people grumbled and complained to Moses. "Give us water to drink!" they demanded. "Quiet!" Moses replied. "Why are you arguing with me? And why are you testing the LORD?"¡»
(Ãâ 17:3) ¡ºBut tormented by thirst, they continued to complain, "Why did you ever take us out of Egypt? Why did you bring us here? We, our children, and our livestock will all die!"¡»
(Ãâ 17:4) ¡ºThen Moses pleaded with the LORD, "What should I do with these people? They are about to stone me!"¡»
(Ãâ 17:5) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses, "Take your shepherd's staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people.¡»
(Ãâ 17:6) ¡ºI will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink." Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out.¡»
(Ãâ 17:7) ¡ºMoses named the place Massah--"the place of testing"--and Meribah--"the place of arguing"--because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?"¡»
(Ãâ 17:8) ¡ºWhile the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek came to fight against them.¡»
(Ãâ 17:9) ¡ºMoses commanded Joshua, "Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army of Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."¡»
(Ãâ 17:10) ¡ºSo Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill.¡»
(Ãâ 17:11) ¡ºAs long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand.¡»
(Ãâ 17:12) ¡ºMoses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.¡»
(Ãâ 17:13) ¡ºAs a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek.¡»
(Ãâ 17:14) ¡ºThen the LORD instructed Moses, "Write this down as a permanent record, and announce it to Joshua: I will blot out every trace of Amalek from under heaven."¡»
(Ãâ 17:15) ¡ºMoses built an altar there and called it "The LORD Is My Banner."¡»
(Ãâ 17:16) ¡ºHe said, "They have dared to raise their fist against the LORD's throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation."¡»
(Ãâ 18:1) ¡ºWord soon reached Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, about all the wonderful things God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He had heard about how the LORD had brought them safely out of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 18:2) ¡ºSome time before this, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons to live with Jethro, his father-in-law.¡»
(Ãâ 18:3) ¡ºThe name of Moses' first son was Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."¡»
(Ãâ 18:4) ¡ºThe name of his second son was Eliezer, for Moses had said at his birth, "The God of my fathers was my helper; he delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh."¡»
(Ãâ 18:5) ¡ºJethro now came to visit Moses, and he brought Moses' wife and two sons with him. They arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.¡»
(Ãâ 18:6) ¡ºMoses was told, "Jethro, your father-in-law, has come to visit you. Your wife and your two sons are with him."¡»
(Ãâ 18:7) ¡ºSo Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed to him respectfully and greeted him warmly. They asked about each other's health and then went to Moses' tent to talk further.¡»
(Ãâ 18:8) ¡ºMoses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to rescue Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He also told him about the problems they had faced along the way and how the LORD had delivered his people from all their troubles.¡»
(Ãâ 18:9) ¡ºJethro was delighted when he heard about all that the LORD had done for Israel as he brought them out of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 18:10) ¡º"Praise be to the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has saved you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. He has rescued Israel from the power of Egypt!¡»
(Ãâ 18:11) ¡ºI know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because his people have escaped from the proud and cruel Egyptians."¡»
(Ãâ 18:12) ¡ºThen Jethro presented a burnt offering and gave sacrifices to God. As Jethro was doing this, Aaron and the leaders of Israel came out to meet him. They all joined him in a sacrificial meal in God's presence.¡»
(Ãâ 18:13) ¡ºThe next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening.¡»
(Ãâ 18:14) ¡ºWhen Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help."¡»
(Ãâ 18:15) ¡ºMoses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance.¡»
(Ãâ 18:16) ¡ºWhen an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions."¡»
(Ãâ 18:17) ¡º"This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed.¡»
(Ãâ 18:18) ¡º"You're going to wear yourself out--and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.¡»
(Ãâ 18:19) ¡ºNow let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided.¡»
(Ãâ 18:20) ¡ºYou should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives.¡»
(Ãâ 18:21) ¡ºBut find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.¡»
(Ãâ 18:22) ¡ºThese men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.¡»
(Ãâ 18:23) ¡ºIf you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."¡»
(Ãâ 18:24) ¡ºMoses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.¡»
(Ãâ 18:25) ¡ºHe chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.¡»
(Ãâ 18:26) ¡ºThese men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves.¡»
(Ãâ 18:27) ¡ºSoon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.¡»
(Ãâ 19:1) ¡ºThe Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Sinai exactly two months after they left Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 19:2) ¡ºAfter breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the base of Mount Sinai and set up camp there.¡»
(Ãâ 19:3) ¡ºThen Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called out to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel:¡»
(Ãâ 19:4) ¡º`You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings.¡»
(Ãâ 19:5) ¡ºNow if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me.¡»
(Ãâ 19:6) ¡ºAnd you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' Give this message to the Israelites."¡»
(Ãâ 19:7) ¡ºMoses returned from the mountain and called together the leaders of the people and told them what the LORD had said.¡»
(Ãâ 19:8) ¡ºThey all responded together, "We will certainly do everything the LORD asks of us." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 19:9) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a thick cloud so the people themselves can hear me as I speak to you. Then they will always have confidence in you." Moses told the LORD what the people had said.¡»
(Ãâ 19:10) ¡ºThen the LORD told Moses, "Go down and prepare the people for my visit. Purify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.¡»
(Ãâ 19:11) ¡ºBe sure they are ready on the third day, for I will come down upon Mount Sinai as all the people watch.¡»
(Ãâ 19:12) ¡ºSet boundary lines that the people may not pass. Warn them, `Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Those who do will certainly die!¡»
(Ãâ 19:13) ¡ºAny people or animals that cross the boundary must be stoned to death or shot with arrows. They must not be touched by human hands.' The people must stay away from the mountain until they hear one long blast from the ram's horn. Then they must gather at the foot of the mountain."¡»
(Ãâ 19:14) ¡ºSo Moses went down to the people. He purified them for worship and had them wash their clothing.¡»
(Ãâ 19:15) ¡ºHe told them, "Get ready for an important event two days from now. And until then, abstain from having sexual intercourse."¡»
(Ãâ 19:16) ¡ºOn the morning of the third day, there was a powerful thunder and lightning storm, and a dense cloud came down upon the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram's horn, and all the people trembled.¡»
(Ãâ 19:17) ¡ºMoses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 19:18) ¡ºAll Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook with a violent earthquake.¡»
(Ãâ 19:19) ¡ºAs the horn blast grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply for all to hear.¡»
(Ãâ 19:20) ¡ºThe LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 19:21) ¡ºThen the LORD told Moses, "Go back down and warn the people not to cross the boundaries. They must not come up here to see the LORD, for those who do will die.¡»
(Ãâ 19:22) ¡ºEven the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves, or I will destroy them."¡»
(Ãâ 19:23) ¡º"But LORD, the people cannot come up on the mountain!" Moses protested. "You already told them not to. You told me to set boundaries around the mountain and to declare it off limits."¡»
(Ãâ 19:24) ¡ºBut the LORD said, "Go down anyway and bring Aaron back with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people cross the boundaries to come up here. If they do, I will punish them."¡»
(Ãâ 19:25) ¡ºSo Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said.¡»
(Ãâ 20:1) ¡ºThen God instructed the people as follows:¡»
(Ãâ 20:2) ¡º"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 20:3) ¡º"Do not worship any other gods besides me.¡»
(Ãâ 20:4) ¡º"Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish.¡»
(Ãâ 20:5) ¡ºYou must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations.¡»
(Ãâ 20:6) ¡ºBut I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.¡»
(Ãâ 20:7) ¡º"Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.¡»
(Ãâ 20:8) ¡º"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.¡»
(Ãâ 20:9) ¡ºSix days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work,¡»
(Ãâ 20:10) ¡ºbut the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.¡»
(Ãâ 20:11) ¡ºFor in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.¡»
(Ãâ 20:12) ¡º"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you.¡»
(Ãâ 20:13) ¡º"Do not murder.¡»
(Ãâ 20:14) ¡º"Do not commit adultery.¡»
(Ãâ 20:15) ¡º"Do not steal.¡»
(Ãâ 20:16) ¡º"Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.¡»
(Ãâ 20:17) ¡º"Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns."¡»
(Ãâ 20:18) ¡ºWhen the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the horn, and when they saw the lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.¡»
(Ãâ 20:19) ¡ºAnd they said to Moses, "You tell us what God says, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us. If he does, we will die!"¡»
(Ãâ 20:20) ¡º"Don't be afraid," Moses said, "for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!"¡»
(Ãâ 20:21) ¡ºAs the people stood in the distance, Moses entered into the deep darkness where God was.¡»
(Ãâ 20:22) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: You are witnesses that I have spoken to you from heaven.¡»
(Ãâ 20:23) ¡ºRemember, you must not make or worship idols of silver or gold.¡»
(Ãâ 20:24) ¡º"The altars you make for me must be simple altars of earth. Offer on such altars your sacrifices to me--your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Build altars in the places where I remind you who I am, and I will come and bless you there.¡»
(Ãâ 20:25) ¡ºIf you build altars from stone, use only uncut stones. Do not chip or shape the stones with a tool, for that would make them unfit for holy use.¡»
(Ãâ 20:26) ¡ºAnd you may not approach my altar by steps. If you do, someone might look up under the skirts of your clothing and see your nakedness.¡»
(Ãâ 21:1) ¡º"Here are some other instructions you must present to Israel:¡»
(Ãâ 21:2) ¡º"If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for only six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom.¡»
(Ãâ 21:3) ¡ºIf he was single when he became your slave and then married afterward, only he will go free in the seventh year. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife will be freed with him.¡»
(Ãâ 21:4) ¡º"If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave, and they had sons or daughters, then the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master.¡»
(Ãâ 21:5) ¡ºBut the slave may plainly declare, `I love my master, my wife, and my children. I would rather not go free.'¡»
(Ãâ 21:6) ¡ºIf he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will belong to his master forever.¡»
(Ãâ 21:7) ¡º"When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are.¡»
(Ãâ 21:8) ¡ºIf she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her.¡»
(Ãâ 21:9) ¡ºAnd if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter.¡»
(Ãâ 21:10) ¡ºIf he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife.¡»
(Ãâ 21:11) ¡ºIf he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.¡»
(Ãâ 21:12) ¡º"Anyone who hits a person hard enough to cause death must be put to death.¡»
(Ãâ 21:13) ¡ºBut if it is an accident and God allows it to happen, I will appoint a place where the slayer can run for safety.¡»
(Ãâ 21:14) ¡ºHowever, if someone deliberately attacks and kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and put to death.¡»
(Ãâ 21:15) ¡º"Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death.¡»
(Ãâ 21:16) ¡º"Kidnappers must be killed, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves.¡»
(Ãâ 21:17) ¡º"Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death.¡»
(Ãâ 21:18) ¡º"Now suppose two people quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, causing injury but not death.¡»
(Ãâ 21:19) ¡ºIf the injured person is later able to walk again, even with a crutch, the assailant will be innocent. Nonetheless, the assailant must pay for time lost because of the injury and must pay for the medical expenses.¡»
(Ãâ 21:20) ¡º"If a male or female slave is beaten and dies, the owner must be punished.¡»
(Ãâ 21:21) ¡ºIf the slave recovers after a couple of days, however, then the owner should not be punished, since the slave is the owner's property.¡»
(Ãâ 21:22) ¡º"Now suppose two people are fighting, and in the process, they hurt a pregnant woman so her child is born prematurely. If no further harm results, then the person responsible must pay damages in the amount the woman's husband demands and the judges approve.¡»
(Ãâ 21:23) ¡ºBut if any harm results, then the offender must be punished according to the injury. If the result is death, the offender must be executed.¡»
(Ãâ 21:24) ¡ºIf an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. Similarly, the payment must be hand for hand, foot for foot,¡»
(Ãâ 21:25) ¡ºburn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.¡»
(Ãâ 21:26) ¡º"If an owner hits a male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, then the slave may go free because of the eye.¡»
(Ãâ 21:27) ¡ºAnd if an owner knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave, the slave should be released in payment for the tooth.¡»
(Ãâ 21:28) ¡º"If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable.¡»
(Ãâ 21:29) ¡ºSuppose, on the other hand, that the owner knew the bull had gored people in the past, yet the bull was not kept under control. If this is true and if the bull kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be killed.¡»
(Ãâ 21:30) ¡ºHowever, the dead person's relatives may accept payment from the owner of the bull to compensate for the loss of life. The owner will have to pay whatever is demanded.¡»
(Ãâ 21:31) ¡º"The same principle applies if the bull gores a boy or a girl.¡»
(Ãâ 21:32) ¡ºBut if the bull gores a slave, either male or female, the slave's owner is to be given thirty silver coins in payment, and the bull must be stoned.¡»
(Ãâ 21:33) ¡º"Suppose someone digs or uncovers a well and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it.¡»
(Ãâ 21:34) ¡ºThe owner of the well must pay in full for the dead animal but then gets to keep it.¡»
(Ãâ 21:35) ¡º"If someone's bull injures a neighbor's bull and the injured bull dies, then the two owners must sell the live bull and divide the money between them. Each will also own half of the dead bull.¡»
(Ãâ 21:36) ¡ºBut if the bull was known from past experience to gore, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, the money will not be divided. The owner of the living bull must pay in full for the dead bull but then gets to keep it.¡»
(Ãâ 22:1) ¡º"A fine must be paid by anyone who steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it. For oxen the fine is five oxen for each one stolen. For sheep the fine is four sheep for each one stolen.¡»
(Ãâ 22:2) ¡º"If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty.¡»
(Ãâ 22:3) ¡ºBut if it happens in daylight, the one who killed the thief is guilty of murder. "A thief who is caught must pay in full for everything that was stolen. If payment is not made, the thief must be sold as a slave to pay the debt.¡»
(Ãâ 22:4) ¡ºIf someone steals an ox or a donkey or a sheep and it is recovered alive, then the thief must pay double the value.¡»
(Ãâ 22:5) ¡º"If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else's field to graze, then the animal's owner must pay damages in the form of high-quality grain or grapes.¡»
(Ãâ 22:6) ¡º"If a fire gets out of control and goes into another person's field, destroying the sheaves or the standing grain, then the one who started the fire must pay for the lost crops.¡»
(Ãâ 22:7) ¡º"Suppose someone entrusts money or goods to a neighbor, and they are stolen from the neighbor's house. If the thief is found, the fine is double the value of what was stolen.¡»
(Ãâ 22:8) ¡ºBut if the thief is not found, God will determine whether or not it was the neighbor who stole the property.¡»
(Ãâ 22:9) ¡º"Suppose there is a dispute between two people as to who owns a particular ox, donkey, sheep, article of clothing, or anything else. Both parties must come before God for a decision, and the person whom God declares guilty must pay double to the other.¡»
(Ãâ 22:10) ¡º"Now suppose someone asks a neighbor to care for a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal, but it dies or is injured or gets away, and there is no eyewitness to report just what happened.¡»
(Ãâ 22:11) ¡ºThe neighbor must then take an oath of innocence in the presence of the LORD. The owner must accept the neighbor's word, and no payment will be required.¡»
(Ãâ 22:12) ¡ºBut if the animal or property was stolen, payment must be made to the owner.¡»
(Ãâ 22:13) ¡ºIf it was attacked by a wild animal, the carcass must be shown as evidence, and no payment will be required.¡»
(Ãâ 22:14) ¡º"If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is injured or killed, and if the owner was not there at the time, the person who borrowed it must pay for it.¡»
(Ãâ 22:15) ¡ºBut if the owner is there, no payment is required. And no payment is required if the animal was rented because this loss was covered by the rental fee.¡»
(Ãâ 22:16) ¡º"If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and sleeps with her, he must pay the customary dowry and accept her as his wife.¡»
(Ãâ 22:17) ¡ºBut if her father refuses to let her marry him, the man must still pay the money for her dowry.¡»
(Ãâ 22:18) ¡º"A sorceress must not be allowed to live.¡»
(Ãâ 22:19) ¡º"Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be executed.¡»
(Ãâ 22:20) ¡º"Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.¡»
(Ãâ 22:21) ¡º"Do not oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 22:22) ¡º"Do not exploit widows or orphans.¡»
(Ãâ 22:23) ¡ºIf you do and they cry out to me, then I will surely help them.¡»
(Ãâ 22:24) ¡ºMy anger will blaze forth against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless.¡»
(Ãâ 22:25) ¡º"If you lend money to a fellow Hebrew in need, do not be like a money lender, charging interest.¡»
(Ãâ 22:26) ¡ºIf you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge of repayment, you must return it by nightfall.¡»
(Ãâ 22:27) ¡ºYour neighbor will need it to stay warm during the night. If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am very merciful.¡»
(Ãâ 22:28) ¡º"Do not blaspheme God or curse anyone who rules over you.¡»
(Ãâ 22:29) ¡º"Do not hold anything back when you give me the tithe of your crops and your wine. "You must make the necessary payment for redemption of your firstborn sons.¡»
(Ãâ 22:30) ¡º"You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle and sheep. Leave the newborn animal with its mother for seven days; then give it to me on the eighth day.¡»
(Ãâ 22:31) ¡º"You are my own holy people. Therefore, do not eat any animal that has been attacked and killed by a wild animal. Throw its carcass out for the dogs to eat.¡»
(Ãâ 23:1) ¡º"Do not pass along false reports. Do not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand.¡»
(Ãâ 23:2) ¡º"Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority.¡»
(Ãâ 23:3) ¡ºAnd do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.¡»
(Ãâ 23:4) ¡º"If you come upon your enemy's ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner.¡»
(Ãâ 23:5) ¡ºIf you see the donkey of someone who hates you struggling beneath a heavy load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and offer to help.¡»
(Ãâ 23:6) ¡º"Do not twist justice against people simply because they are poor.¡»
(Ãâ 23:7) ¡º"Keep far away from falsely charging anyone with evil. Never put an innocent or honest person to death. I will not allow anyone guilty of this to go free.¡»
(Ãâ 23:8) ¡º"Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right.¡»
(Ãâ 23:9) ¡º"Do not oppress the foreigners living among you. You know what it is like to be a foreigner. Remember your own experience in the land of Egypt.¡»
(Ãâ 23:10) ¡º"Plant and harvest your crops for six years,¡»
(Ãâ 23:11) ¡ºbut let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest any volunteer crop that may come up. Leave the rest for the animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves.¡»
(Ãâ 23:12) ¡º"Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed.¡»
(Ãâ 23:13) ¡º"Be sure to obey all my instructions. And remember, never pray to or swear by any other gods. Do not even mention their names.¡»
(Ãâ 23:14) ¡º"Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor.¡»
(Ãâ 23:15) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:16) ¡ºYou 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:17) ¡ºAt these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 23:18) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:19) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:20) ¡º"See, I am sending my angel before you to lead you safely to the land I have prepared for you.¡»
(Ãâ 23:21) ¡ºPay 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:22) ¡ºBut 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:23) ¡ºFor 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:24) ¡ºDo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:25) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:26) ¡ºThere will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives.¡»
(Ãâ 23:27) ¡º"I will send my terror upon all the people whose lands you invade, and they will panic before you.¡»
(Ãâ 23:28) ¡ºI will send hornets ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites.¡»
(Ãâ 23:29) ¡ºBut 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:30) ¡ºI will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to fill the land.¡»
(Ãâ 23:31) ¡ºAnd 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.¡»
(Ãâ 23:32) ¡º"Make no treaties with them and have nothing to do with their gods.¡»
(Ãâ 23:33) ¡ºDo 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:1) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 24:2) ¡ºYou 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:3) ¡ºWhen 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:4) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 24:5) ¡ºThen he sent some of the young men to sacrifice young bulls as burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 24:6) ¡ºMoses took half the blood from these animals and drew it off into basins. The other half he splashed against the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 24:7) ¡ºThen 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:8) ¡ºThen 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:9) ¡ºThen Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 24:10) ¡ºThere they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens.¡»
(Ãâ 24:11) ¡ºAnd though Israel's leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God's presence!¡»
(Ãâ 24:12) ¡ºAnd 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:13) ¡ºSo Moses and his assistant Joshua climbed up the mountain of God.¡»
(Ãâ 24:14) ¡ºMoses 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."¡»
(Ãâ 24:15) ¡ºThen Moses went up the mountain, and the cloud covered it.¡»
(Ãâ 24:16) ¡ºAnd 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.¡»
(Ãâ 24:17) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 24:18) ¡ºThen Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.¡»
(Ãâ 25:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 25:2) ¡º"Tell the people of Israel that everyone who wants to may bring me an offering.¡»
(Ãâ 25:3) ¡ºHere is a list of items you may accept on my behalf: gold, silver, and bronze;¡»
(Ãâ 25:4) ¡ºblue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth;¡»
(Ãâ 25:5) ¡ºtanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood;¡»
(Ãâ 25:6) ¡ºolive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;¡»
(Ãâ 25:7) ¡ºonyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece.¡»
(Ãâ 25:8) ¡º"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them.¡»
(Ãâ 25:9) ¡ºYou must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you.¡»
(Ãâ 25:10) ¡º"Make an Ark of acacia wood--a sacred chest 3 3/4 feet long, 2 1/4 feet wide, and 2 1/4 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 25:11) ¡ºOverlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and put a molding of gold all around it.¡»
(Ãâ 25:12) ¡ºCast four rings of gold for it, and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side.¡»
(Ãâ 25:13) ¡ºMake poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 25:14) ¡ºFit the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.¡»
(Ãâ 25:15) ¡ºThese carrying poles must never be taken from the rings; they are to be left there permanently.¡»
(Ãâ 25:16) ¡ºWhen the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.¡»
(Ãâ 25:17) ¡º"Then make the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--out of pure gold. It must be 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 25:18) ¡ºThen use hammered gold to make two cherubim, and place them at the two ends of the atonement cover.¡»
(Ãâ 25:19) ¡ºAttach the cherubim to each end of the atonement cover, making it all one piece.¡»
(Ãâ 25:20) ¡ºThe cherubim will face each other, looking down on the atonement cover with their wings spread out above it.¡»
(Ãâ 25:21) ¡ºPlace 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.¡»
(Ãâ 25:22) ¡ºI 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.¡»
(Ãâ 25:23) ¡º"Then make a table of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1 1/2 feet wide, and 2 1/4 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 25:24) ¡ºOverlay it with pure gold and run a molding of gold around it.¡»
(Ãâ 25:25) ¡ºPut a rim about three inches wide around the top edge, and put a gold molding all around the rim.¡»
(Ãâ 25:26) ¡ºMake four gold rings, and put the rings at the four corners by the four legs,¡»
(Ãâ 25:27) ¡ºclose to the rim around the top. These rings will support the poles used to carry the table.¡»
(Ãâ 25:28) ¡ºMake these poles from acacia wood and overlay them with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 25:29) ¡ºAnd make gold plates and dishes, as well as pitchers and bowls to be used in pouring out drink offerings.¡»
(Ãâ 25:30) ¡ºYou must always keep the special Bread of the Presence on the table before me.¡»
(Ãâ 25:31) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 25:32) ¡ºIt will have six branches, three branches going out from each side of the center stem.¡»
(Ãâ 25:33) ¡ºEach of the six branches will hold a cup shaped like an almond blossom, complete with buds and petals.¡»
(Ãâ 25:34) ¡ºThe center stem of the lampstand will be decorated with four almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.¡»
(Ãâ 25:35) ¡ºOne blossom will be set beneath each pair of branches where they extend from the center stem.¡»
(Ãâ 25:36) ¡ºThe decorations and branches must all be one piece with the stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 25:37) ¡ºThen make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward.¡»
(Ãâ 25:38) ¡ºThe lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 25:39) ¡ºYou will need seventy-five pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories.¡»
(Ãâ 25:40) ¡º"Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 26:1) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:2) ¡ºEach sheet must be forty-two feet long and six feet wide. All ten sheets must be exactly the same size.¡»
(Ãâ 26:3) ¡ºJoin five of these sheets together into one set; then join the other five sheets into a second set.¡»
(Ãâ 26:4) ¡ºPut loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last sheet in each set.¡»
(Ãâ 26:5) ¡ºThe fifty loops along the edge of one set are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other.¡»
(Ãâ 26:6) ¡ºThen make fifty gold clasps to fasten the loops of the two sets of sheets together, making the Tabernacle a single unit.¡»
(Ãâ 26:7) ¡º"Make heavy sheets of cloth from goat hair to cover the Tabernacle. There must be eleven of these sheets,¡»
(Ãâ 26:8) ¡ºeach forty-five feet long and six feet wide. All eleven of these sheets must be exactly the same size.¡»
(Ãâ 26:9) ¡ºJoin 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:10) ¡ºPut fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set,¡»
(Ãâ 26:11) ¡ºand fasten them together with fifty bronze clasps. In this way, the two sets will become a single unit.¡»
(Ãâ 26:12) ¡ºAn extra half sheet of this roof covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle,¡»
(Ãâ 26:13) ¡ºand the covering will hang down an extra eighteen inches on each side.¡»
(Ãâ 26:14) ¡ºOn 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:15) ¡º"The framework of the Tabernacle will consist of frames made of acacia wood.¡»
(Ãâ 26:16) ¡ºEach frame must be 15 feet high and 2 1/4 feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 26:17) ¡ºThere will be two pegs on each frame so they can be joined to the next frame. All the frames must be made this way.¡»
(Ãâ 26:18) ¡ºTwenty of these frames will support the south side of the Tabernacle.¡»
(Ãâ 26:19) ¡ºThey will fit into forty silver bases--two bases under each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 26:20) ¡ºOn the north side there will also be twenty of these frames,¡»
(Ãâ 26:21) ¡ºwith their forty silver bases, two bases for each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 26:22) ¡ºOn the west side there will be six frames,¡»
(Ãâ 26:23) ¡ºalong with an extra frame at each corner.¡»
(Ãâ 26:24) ¡ºThese 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:25) ¡ºSo there will be eight frames on that end of the Tabernacle, supported by sixteen silver bases--two bases under each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 26:26) ¡º"Make crossbars of acacia wood to run across the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle¡»
(Ãâ 26:27) ¡ºand five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face westward.¡»
(Ãâ 26:28) ¡ºThe middle crossbar, halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other.¡»
(Ãâ 26:29) ¡ºOverlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to support the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well.¡»
(Ãâ 26:30) ¡º"Set up this Tabernacle according to the design you were shown on the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 26:31) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:32) ¡ºHang 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:33) ¡ºWhen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:34) ¡º"Then put the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.¡»
(Ãâ 26:35) ¡ºPlace 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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:36) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 26:37) ¡ºHang 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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:1) ¡º"Using acacia wood, make a square altar 7 1/2 feet wide, 7 1/2 feet long, and 4 1/2 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 27:2) ¡ºMake 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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:3) ¡ºThe ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and firepans will all be made of bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 27:4) ¡ºMake a bronze grating, with a metal ring at each corner.¡»
(Ãâ 27:5) ¡ºFit the grating halfway down into the firebox, resting it on the ledge built there.¡»
(Ãâ 27:6) ¡ºFor moving the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 27:7) ¡ºTo carry it, put the poles into the rings at two sides of the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 27:8) ¡ºThe altar must be hollow, made from planks. Be careful to build it just as you were shown on the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 27:9) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:10) ¡ºThey 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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:11) ¡ºIt 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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:12) ¡ºThe curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases.¡»
(Ãâ 27:13) ¡ºThe east end will also be 75 feet long.¡»
(Ãâ 27:14) ¡ºThe courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22 1/2 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.¡»
(Ãâ 27:15) ¡ºThe curtain on the left side will also be 22 1/2 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.¡»
(Ãâ 27:16) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:17) ¡ºAll the posts around the courtyard must be connected by silver rods, using silver hooks. The posts are to be set in solid bronze bases.¡»
(Ãâ 27:18) ¡ºSo the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7 1/2 feet high, made from fine linen. The bases supporting its walls will be made of bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 27:19) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 27:20) ¡º"Tell the people of Israel to bring you pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually.¡»
(Ãâ 27:21) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:1) ¡º"Your 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:2) ¡ºMake special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God--beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work.¡»
(Ãâ 28:3) ¡ºInstruct 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:4) ¡ºThey 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:5) ¡ºThese items must be made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 28:6) ¡º"The ephod must be made of fine linen cloth and skillfully embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 28:7) ¡ºIt will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.¡»
(Ãâ 28:8) ¡ºAnd the sash will be made of the same materials: fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 28:9) ¡ºTake two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel.¡»
(Ãâ 28:10) ¡ºSix names will be on each stone, naming all the tribes in the order of their ancestors' births.¡»
(Ãâ 28:11) ¡ºEngrave these names in the same way a gemcutter engraves a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings.¡»
(Ãâ 28:12) ¡ºFasten 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:13) ¡ºThe settings are to be made of gold filigree,¡»
(Ãâ 28:14) ¡ºand two cords made of pure gold will be attached to the settings on the shoulders of the ephod.¡»
(Ãâ 28:15) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:16) ¡ºThis chestpiece will be made of two folds of cloth, forming a pouch nine inches square.¡»
(Ãâ 28:17) ¡ºFour rows of gemstones will be attached to it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald.¡»
(Ãâ 28:18) ¡ºThe second row will contain a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone.¡»
(Ãâ 28:19) ¡ºThe third row will contain a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.¡»
(Ãâ 28:20) ¡ºThe fourth row will contain a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. All these stones will be set in gold.¡»
(Ãâ 28:21) ¡ºEach 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:22) ¡º"To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 28:23) ¡ºThen make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece.¡»
(Ãâ 28:24) ¡ºThe two gold cords will go through the rings on the chestpiece,¡»
(Ãâ 28:25) ¡ºand the ends of the cords will be tied to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.¡»
(Ãâ 28:26) ¡ºThen make two more gold rings, and attach them to the two lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod.¡»
(Ãâ 28:27) ¡ºAnd make two more gold rings and attach them to the ephod near the sash.¡»
(Ãâ 28:28) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:29) ¡ºIn 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:30) ¡ºInsert 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:31) ¡º"Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,¡»
(Ãâ 28:32) ¡ºwith 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:33) ¡ºMake pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.¡»
(Ãâ 28:34) ¡ºThe gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all the way around the hem.¡»
(Ãâ 28:35) ¡ºAaron 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:36) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:37) ¡ºThis medallion will be attached to the front of Aaron's turban by means of a blue cord.¡»
(Ãâ 28:38) ¡ºAaron 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:39) ¡º"Weave Aaron's patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban out of this linen as well. Also make him an embroidered sash.¡»
(Ãâ 28:40) ¡º"Then for Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and headdresses to give them dignity and respect.¡»
(Ãâ 28:41) ¡ºClothe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 28:42) ¡ºAlso make linen underclothes for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from waist to thigh.¡»
(Ãâ 28:43) ¡ºThese 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:1) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:2) ¡ºThen using fine wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers with oil poured over them.¡»
(Ãâ 29:3) ¡ºPlace 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:4) ¡º"Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.¡»
(Ãâ 29:5) ¡ºThen put Aaron's tunic on him, along with the embroidered robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, the chestpiece, and the sash.¡»
(Ãâ 29:6) ¡ºAnd place on his head the turban with the gold medallion.¡»
(Ãâ 29:7) ¡ºThen take the anointing oil and pour it over his head.¡»
(Ãâ 29:8) ¡ºNext present his sons, and dress them in their tunics¡»
(Ãâ 29:9) ¡ºwith their woven sashes and their headdresses. They will then be priests forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons.¡»
(Ãâ 29:10) ¡º"Then bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head.¡»
(Ãâ 29:11) ¡ºYou will then slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(Ãâ 29:12) ¡ºSmear some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 29:13) ¡ºTake 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:14) ¡ºThen take the carcass (including the skin and the dung) outside the camp, and burn it as a sin offering.¡»
(Ãâ 29:15) ¡º"Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams¡»
(Ãâ 29:16) ¡ºas it is slaughtered. Its blood will be collected and sprinkled on the sides of the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 29:17) ¡ºCut up the ram and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body,¡»
(Ãâ 29:18) ¡ºand burn them all on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the LORD, which is very pleasing to him.¡»
(Ãâ 29:19) ¡º"Now take the other ram and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head¡»
(Ãâ 29:20) ¡ºas 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:21) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:22) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:23) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:24) ¡ºPut all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special gift to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 29:25) ¡ºAfterward take the bread from their hands, and burn it on the altar as a burnt offering that will be pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 29:26) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:27) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:28) ¡ºIn 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:29) ¡º"Aaron's sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who will succeed him, so they can be anointed and ordained in them.¡»
(Ãâ 29:30) ¡ºWhoever 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:31) ¡º"Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place.¡»
(Ãâ 29:32) ¡ºAaron and his sons are to eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance.¡»
(Ãâ 29:33) ¡ºThey 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:34) ¡ºIf any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy.¡»
(Ãâ 29:35) ¡º"This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days.¡»
(Ãâ 29:36) ¡ºEach 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:37) ¡ºMake atonement for the altar every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be exceedingly holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.¡»
(Ãâ 29:38) ¡º"This is what you are to offer on the altar. Offer two one-year-old lambs each day,¡»
(Ãâ 29:39) ¡ºone in the morning and the other in the evening.¡»
(Ãâ 29:40) ¡ºWith 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:41) ¡ºOffer 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:42) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:43) ¡ºI will meet the people of Israel there, and the Tabernacle will be sanctified by my glorious presence.¡»
(Ãâ 29:44) ¡ºYes, 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.¡»
(Ãâ 29:45) ¡ºI will live among the people of Israel and be their God,¡»
(Ãâ 29:46) ¡ºand 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:1) ¡º"Then make a small altar out of acacia wood for burning incense.¡»
(Ãâ 30:2) ¡ºIt must be eighteen inches square and three feet high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 30:3) ¡ºOverlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar.¡»
(Ãâ 30:4) ¡ºBeneath the molding, on opposite sides of the altar, attach two gold rings to support the carrying poles.¡»
(Ãâ 30:5) ¡ºThe poles are to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 30:6) ¡ºPlace 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:7) ¡º"Every morning when Aaron trims the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.¡»
(Ãâ 30:8) ¡ºAnd 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:9) ¡ºDo not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings.¡»
(Ãâ 30:10) ¡º"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."¡»
(Ãâ 30:11) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 30:12) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:13) ¡ºHis payment to the LORD will be one-fifth of an ounce of silver.¡»
(Ãâ 30:14) ¡ºAll who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this offering to the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 30:15) ¡ºWhen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:16) ¡ºUse 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."¡»
(Ãâ 30:17) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 30:18) ¡º"Make a large bronze washbasin with a bronze pedestal. Put it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.¡»
(Ãâ 30:19) ¡ºAaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there¡»
(Ãâ 30:20) ¡ºbefore 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:21) ¡ºThis is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be kept from generation to generation."¡»
(Ãâ 30:22) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 30:23) ¡º"Collect choice spices--12 1/2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1/4 pounds each of cinnamon and of sweet cane,¡»
(Ãâ 30:24) ¡º12 1/2 pounds of cassia, and one gallon of olive oil.¡»
(Ãâ 30:25) ¡ºBlend these ingredients into a holy anointing oil.¡»
(Ãâ 30:26) ¡ºUse this scented oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant,¡»
(Ãâ 30:27) ¡ºthe table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar,¡»
(Ãâ 30:28) ¡ºthe altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the large washbasin with its pedestal.¡»
(Ãâ 30:29) ¡ºSanctify them to make them entirely holy. After this, whatever touches them will become holy.¡»
(Ãâ 30:30) ¡ºUse this oil also to anoint Aaron and his sons, sanctifying them so they can minister before me as priests.¡»
(Ãâ 30:31) ¡ºAnd say to the people of Israel, `This will always be my holy anointing oil.¡»
(Ãâ 30:32) ¡ºIt 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:33) ¡ºAnyone 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.' "¡»
(Ãâ 30:34) ¡ºThese 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:35) ¡ºUsing the usual techniques of the incense maker, refine it to produce a pure and holy incense.¡»
(Ãâ 30:36) ¡ºBeat 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.¡»
(Ãâ 30:37) ¡ºNever make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy.¡»
(Ãâ 30:38) ¡ºThose who make it for their own enjoyment will be cut off from the community."¡»
(Ãâ 31:1) ¡ºThe LORD also said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 31:2) ¡º"Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.¡»
(Ãâ 31:3) ¡ºI have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts.¡»
(Ãâ 31:4) ¡ºHe is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 31:5) ¡ºHe is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!¡»
(Ãâ 31:6) ¡º"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:¡»
(Ãâ 31:7) ¡ºthe Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;¡»
(Ãâ 31:8) ¡ºthe table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar;¡»
(Ãâ 31:9) ¡ºthe altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal;¡»
(Ãâ 31:10) ¡ºthe beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;¡»
(Ãâ 31:11) ¡ºthe anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you."¡»
(Ãâ 31:12) ¡ºThe LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses:¡»
(Ãâ 31:13) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 31:14) ¡ºYes, 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.¡»
(Ãâ 31:15) ¡ºWork 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.¡»
(Ãâ 31:16) ¡ºThe people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever.¡»
(Ãâ 31:17) ¡ºIt 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."¡»
(Ãâ 31:18) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:1) ¡ºWhen 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:2) ¡ºSo Aaron said, "Tell your wives and sons and daughters to take off their gold earrings, and then bring them to me."¡»
(Ãâ 32:3) ¡ºAll the people obeyed Aaron and brought him their gold earrings.¡»
(Ãâ 32:4) ¡ºThen 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!"¡»
(Ãâ 32:5) ¡ºWhen 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!"¡»
(Ãâ 32:6) ¡ºSo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:7) ¡ºThen the LORD told Moses, "Quick! Go down the mountain! The people you brought from Egypt have defiled themselves.¡»
(Ãâ 32:8) ¡ºThey 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.' "¡»
(Ãâ 32:9) ¡ºThen the LORD said, "I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are.¡»
(Ãâ 32:10) ¡ºNow 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:11) ¡ºBut 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?¡»
(Ãâ 32:12) ¡ºThe 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!¡»
(Ãâ 32:13) ¡ºRemember 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.' "¡»
(Ãâ 32:14) ¡ºSo the LORD withdrew his threat and didn't bring against his people the disaster he had threatened.¡»
(Ãâ 32:15) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:16) ¡ºThese stone tablets were God's work; the words on them were written by God himself.¡»
(Ãâ 32:17) ¡ºWhen 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!"¡»
(Ãâ 32:18) ¡ºBut Moses replied, "No, it's neither a cry of victory nor a cry of defeat. It is the sound of a celebration."¡»
(Ãâ 32:19) ¡ºWhen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:20) ¡ºHe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:21) ¡ºAfter 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?"¡»
(Ãâ 32:22) ¡º"Don't get upset, sir," Aaron replied. "You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are.¡»
(Ãâ 32:23) ¡ºThey said to me, `Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.'¡»
(Ãâ 32:24) ¡ºSo 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!"¡»
(Ãâ 32:25) ¡ºWhen Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control--and much to the amusement of their enemies--¡»
(Ãâ 32:26) ¡ºhe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 32:27) ¡ºHe 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:28) ¡ºThe Levites obeyed Moses, and about three thousand people died that day.¡»
(Ãâ 32:29) ¡ºThen 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:30) ¡ºThe 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:31) ¡ºSo Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves.¡»
(Ãâ 32:32) ¡ºBut now, please forgive their sin--and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping."¡»
(Ãâ 32:33) ¡ºThe LORD replied to Moses, "I will blot out whoever has sinned against me.¡»
(Ãâ 32:34) ¡ºNow 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."¡»
(Ãâ 32:35) ¡ºAnd the LORD sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.¡»
(Ãâ 33:1) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:2) ¡ºAnd I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.¡»
(Ãâ 33:3) ¡ºTheirs 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."¡»
(Ãâ 33:4) ¡ºWhen the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and refused to wear their jewelry and ornaments.¡»
(Ãâ 33:5) ¡ºFor 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."¡»
(Ãâ 33:6) ¡ºSo from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry.¡»
(Ãâ 33:7) ¡ºIt 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:8) ¡ºWhenever 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:9) ¡ºAs he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at the entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 33:10) ¡ºThen all the people would stand and bow low at their tent entrances.¡»
(Ãâ 33:11) ¡ºInside 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:12) ¡ºMoses 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:13) ¡ºPlease, 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."¡»
(Ãâ 33:14) ¡ºAnd the LORD replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest--everything will be fine for you."¡»
(Ãâ 33:15) ¡ºThen Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place.¡»
(Ãâ 33:16) ¡ºIf 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?"¡»
(Ãâ 33:17) ¡ºAnd 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."¡»
(Ãâ 33:18) ¡ºThen Moses had one more request. "Please let me see your glorious presence," he said.¡»
(Ãâ 33:19) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 33:20) ¡ºBut you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live."¡»
(Ãâ 33:21) ¡ºThe LORD continued, "Stand here on this rock beside me.¡»
(Ãâ 33:22) ¡ºAs 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. 23Then I will remove my hand, and you will see me from behind. But my face will not be seen."¡»
(Ãâ 34:1) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:2) ¡ºBe ready in the morning to come up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain.¡»
(Ãâ 34:3) ¡ºNo 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."¡»
(Ãâ 34:4) ¡ºSo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:5) ¡ºThen the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and called out his own name, "the LORD," as Moses stood there in his presence.¡»
(Ãâ 34:6) ¡ºHe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:7) ¡ºI 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."¡»
(Ãâ 34:8) ¡ºMoses immediately fell to the ground and worshiped.¡»
(Ãâ 34:9) ¡ºAnd 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."¡»
(Ãâ 34:10) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:11) ¡ºYour 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:12) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:13) ¡ºInstead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash the sacred pillars they worship, and cut down their carved images.¡»
(Ãâ 34:14) ¡ºYou must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.¡»
(Ãâ 34:15) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:16) ¡ºAnd 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:17) ¡ºYou must make no gods for yourselves at all.¡»
(Ãâ 34:18) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:19) ¡º"Every firstborn male belongs to me--of both cattle and sheep.¡»
(Ãâ 34:20) ¡ºA 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:21) ¡º"Six days are set aside for work, but on the Sabbath day you must rest, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.¡»
(Ãâ 34:22) ¡ºAnd 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:23) ¡ºThree times each year all the men of Israel must appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel.¡»
(Ãâ 34:24) ¡ºNo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:25) ¡º"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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:26) ¡ºYou 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."¡»
(Ãâ 34:27) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses, "Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of my covenant with you and with Israel."¡»
(Ãâ 34:28) ¡ºMoses 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:29) ¡ºWhen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 34:30) ¡ºAnd when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him.¡»
(Ãâ 34:31) ¡ºBut Moses called to them and asked Aaron and the community leaders to come over and talk with him.¡»
(Ãâ 34:32) ¡ºThen all the people came, and Moses gave them the instructions the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.¡»
(Ãâ 34:33) ¡ºWhen Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.¡»
(Ãâ 34:34) ¡ºBut 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,¡»
(Ãâ 34:35) ¡ºand the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 35:1) ¡ºNow Moses called a meeting of all the people and told them, "You must obey these instructions from the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 35:2) ¡ºEach 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.¡»
(Ãâ 35:3) ¡ºDo not even light fires in your homes on that day."¡»
(Ãâ 35:4) ¡ºThen Moses said to all the people, "This is what the LORD has commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 35:5) ¡ºEveryone is invited to bring these offerings to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze;¡»
(Ãâ 35:6) ¡ºblue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth;¡»
(Ãâ 35:7) ¡ºtanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood;¡»
(Ãâ 35:8) ¡ºolive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;¡»
(Ãâ 35:9) ¡ºonyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and the chestpiece.¡»
(Ãâ 35:10) ¡º"Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the LORD has commanded:¡»
(Ãâ 35:11) ¡ºthe entire Tabernacle, including the sacred tent and its coverings, the clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;¡»
(Ãâ 35:12) ¡ºthe Ark and its poles; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement; the inner curtain to enclose the Ark in the Most Holy Place;¡»
(Ãâ 35:13) ¡ºthe table, its carrying poles, and all of its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;¡»
(Ãâ 35:14) ¡ºthe lampstand and its accessories; the lamp cups and the oil for lighting;¡»
(Ãâ 35:15) ¡ºthe incense altar and its carrying poles; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tabernacle;¡»
(Ãâ 35:16) ¡ºthe altar of burnt offering; the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils; the large washbasin with its pedestal;¡»
(Ãâ 35:17) ¡ºthe curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;¡»
(Ãâ 35:18) ¡ºthe tent pegs of the Tabernacle and courtyard and their cords;¡»
(Ãâ 35:19) ¡ºthe 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."¡»
(Ãâ 35:20) ¡ºSo all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts.¡»
(Ãâ 35:21) ¡ºIf 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.¡»
(Ãâ 35:22) ¡ºBoth 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.¡»
(Ãâ 35:23) ¡ºOthers brought blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, or goat hair for cloth. Some gave tanned ram skins or fine goatskin leather.¡»
(Ãâ 35:24) ¡ºOthers brought silver and bronze objects as their offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it.¡»
(Ãâ 35:25) ¡ºAll the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen cloth, and they brought them in.¡»
(Ãâ 35:26) ¡ºAll the women who were willing used their skills to spin and weave the goat hair into cloth.¡»
(Ãâ 35:27) ¡ºThe leaders brought onyx stones and the other gemstones to be used for the ephod and the chestpiece.¡»
(Ãâ 35:28) ¡ºThey also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense.¡»
(Ãâ 35:29) ¡ºSo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 35:30) ¡ºAnd Moses told them, "The LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.¡»
(Ãâ 35:31) ¡ºThe LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts.¡»
(Ãâ 35:32) ¡ºHe is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 35:33) ¡ºHe is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. In fact, he has every necessary skill.¡»
(Ãâ 35:34) ¡ºAnd the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others.¡»
(Ãâ 35:35) ¡ºThe 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:1) ¡º"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."¡»
(Ãâ 36:2) ¡ºSo Moses told Bezalel and Oholiab to begin the work, along with all those who were specially gifted by the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 36:3) ¡ºMoses gave them the materials donated by the people for the completion of the sanctuary. Additional gifts were brought each morning.¡»
(Ãâ 36:4) ¡ºBut finally the craftsmen left their work to meet with Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 36:5) ¡º"We have more than enough materials on hand now to complete the job the LORD has given us to do!" they exclaimed.¡»
(Ãâ 36:6) ¡ºSo 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:7) ¡ºTheir contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.¡»
(Ãâ 36:8) ¡ºThe skilled weavers first made ten sheets from fine linen. One of the craftsmen then embroidered blue, purple, and scarlet cherubim into them.¡»
(Ãâ 36:9) ¡ºEach sheet was exactly the same size--forty-two feet long and six feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 36:10) ¡ºFive of these sheets were joined together to make one set, and a second set was made of the other five.¡»
(Ãâ 36:11) ¡ºFifty blue loops were placed along the edge of the last sheet in each set.¡»
(Ãâ 36:12) ¡ºThe fifty loops along the edge of the first set of sheets matched the loops along the edge of the second set.¡»
(Ãâ 36:13) ¡ºThen fifty gold clasps were made to connect the loops on the edge of each set. Thus the Tabernacle was joined together in one piece.¡»
(Ãâ 36:14) ¡ºAbove the Tabernacle, a roof covering was made from eleven sheets of cloth made from goat hair.¡»
(Ãâ 36:15) ¡ºEach sheet was exactly the same size--forty-five feet long and six feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 36:16) ¡ºThe craftsmen joined five of these sheets together to make one set, and the six remaining sheets were joined to make a second set.¡»
(Ãâ 36:17) ¡ºThen they made fifty loops along the edge of the last sheet in each set.¡»
(Ãâ 36:18) ¡ºThey 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:19) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:20) ¡ºFor the framework of the Tabernacle, they made frames of acacia wood standing on end.¡»
(Ãâ 36:21) ¡ºEach frame was 15 feet high and 2 1/4 feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 36:22) ¡ºThere were two pegs on each frame so they could be joined to the next frame. All the frames were made this way.¡»
(Ãâ 36:23) ¡ºThey made twenty frames to support the south side,¡»
(Ãâ 36:24) ¡ºalong with forty silver bases, two for each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 36:25) ¡ºThey also made twenty frames for the north side of the Tabernacle,¡»
(Ãâ 36:26) ¡ºalong with forty silver bases, two for each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 36:27) ¡ºThe west side of the Tabernacle, which was its rear, was made from six frames,¡»
(Ãâ 36:28) ¡ºplus an extra frame at each corner.¡»
(Ãâ 36:29) ¡ºThese 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:30) ¡ºSo for the west side they made a total of eight frames, along with sixteen silver bases, two for each frame.¡»
(Ãâ 36:31) ¡ºThen they made five crossbars from acacia wood to tie the frames on the south side together.¡»
(Ãâ 36:32) ¡ºThey made another five for the north side and five for the west side.¡»
(Ãâ 36:33) ¡ºThe middle crossbar of the five was halfway up the frames, along each side, running from one end to the other.¡»
(Ãâ 36:34) ¡ºThe frames and crossbars were all overlaid with gold. The rings used to hold the crossbars were made of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 36:35) ¡ºThe inner curtain was made of fine linen cloth, and cherubim were skillfully embroidered into it with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 36:36) ¡ºThis 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:37) ¡ºThen 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.¡»
(Ãâ 36:38) ¡ºThis 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.¡»
(Ãâ 37:1) ¡ºNext Bezalel made the Ark out of acacia wood. It was 3 3/4 feet long, 2 1/4 feet wide, and 2 1/4 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 37:2) ¡ºIt was overlaid with pure gold inside and out, and it had a molding of gold all the way around.¡»
(Ãâ 37:3) ¡ºFour gold rings were fastened to its four feet, two rings at each side.¡»
(Ãâ 37:4) ¡ºThen he made poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:5) ¡ºHe put the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.¡»
(Ãâ 37:6) ¡ºThen, from pure gold, he made the Ark's cover--the place of atonement. It was 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 37:7) ¡ºHe made two figures of cherubim out of hammered gold and placed them at the two ends of the atonement cover.¡»
(Ãâ 37:8) ¡ºThey were made so they were actually a part of the atonement cover--it was all one piece.¡»
(Ãâ 37:9) ¡ºThe cherubim faced each other as they looked down on the atonement cover, and their wings were stretched out above the atonement cover to protect it.¡»
(Ãâ 37:10) ¡ºThen he made a table out of acacia wood, 3 feet long, 1 1/2 feet wide, and 2 1/4 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 37:11) ¡ºIt was overlaid with pure gold, with a gold molding all around the edge.¡»
(Ãâ 37:12) ¡ºA rim about 3 inches wide was attached along the edges of the table, and a gold molding ran around the rim.¡»
(Ãâ 37:13) ¡ºThen he cast four rings of gold and attached them to the four table legs¡»
(Ãâ 37:14) ¡ºnext to the rim. These were made to hold the carrying poles in place.¡»
(Ãâ 37:15) ¡ºHe made the carrying poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:16) ¡ºNext, using pure gold, he made the plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers to be placed on the table. These utensils were to be used in pouring out drink offerings.¡»
(Ãâ 37:17) ¡ºThen he made the lampstand, again using pure, hammered gold. Its base, center stem, lamp cups, blossoms, and buds were all of one piece.¡»
(Ãâ 37:18) ¡ºThe lampstand had six branches, three going out from each side of the center stem.¡»
(Ãâ 37:19) ¡ºEach of the six branches held a cup shaped like an almond blossom, complete with buds and petals.¡»
(Ãâ 37:20) ¡ºThe center stem of the lampstand was also decorated with four almond blossoms.¡»
(Ãâ 37:21) ¡ºOne blossom was set beneath each pair of branches, where they extended from the center stem.¡»
(Ãâ 37:22) ¡ºThe decorations and branches were all one piece with the stem, and they were hammered from pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:23) ¡ºHe also made the seven lamps, the lamp snuffers, and the trays, all of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:24) ¡ºThe entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from seventy-five pounds of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:25) ¡ºThe incense altar was made of acacia wood. It was eighteen inches square and three feet high, with its corner horns made from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.¡»
(Ãâ 37:26) ¡ºHe overlaid the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold and ran a gold molding around the edge.¡»
(Ãâ 37:27) ¡ºTwo gold rings were placed on opposite sides, beneath the molding, to hold the carrying poles.¡»
(Ãâ 37:28) ¡ºThe carrying poles were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold.¡»
(Ãâ 37:29) ¡ºThen he made the sacred oil, for anointing the priests, and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of the most skilled incense maker.¡»
(Ãâ 38:1) ¡ºThe altar for burning animal sacrifices also was constructed of acacia wood. It was 7 1/2 feet square at the top and 4 1/2 feet high.¡»
(Ãâ 38:2) ¡ºThere were four horns, one at each of the four corners, all of one piece with the rest. This altar was overlaid with bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 38:3) ¡ºThen he made all the bronze utensils to be used with the altar--the ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat hooks, and firepans.¡»
(Ãâ 38:4) ¡ºNext he made a bronze grating that rested on a ledge about halfway down into the firebox.¡»
(Ãâ 38:5) ¡ºFour rings were cast for each side of the grating to support the carrying poles.¡»
(Ãâ 38:6) ¡ºThe carrying poles themselves were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 38:7) ¡ºThese poles were inserted into the rings at the side of the altar. The altar was hollow and was made from planks.¡»
(Ãâ 38:8) ¡ºThe bronze washbasin and its bronze pedestal were cast from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(Ãâ 38:9) ¡ºThen he constructed the courtyard. The south wall was 150 feet long. It consisted of curtains made of fine linen.¡»
(Ãâ 38:10) ¡ºThere were twenty posts, each with its own bronze base, and there were silver hooks and rods to hold up the curtains.¡»
(Ãâ 38:11) ¡ºThe north wall was also 150 feet long, with twenty bronze posts and bases and with silver hooks and rods.¡»
(Ãâ 38:12) ¡ºThe west end was 75 feet wide. The walls were made from curtains supported by ten posts and bases and with silver hooks and rods.¡»
(Ãâ 38:13) ¡ºThe east end was also 75 feet wide.¡»
(Ãâ 38:14) ¡ºThe courtyard entrance was on the east side, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side was 22 1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.¡»
(Ãâ 38:15) ¡ºThe curtain on the left side was also 22 1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.¡»
(Ãâ 38:16) ¡ºAll the curtains used in the courtyard walls were made of fine linen.¡»
(Ãâ 38:17) ¡ºEach post had a bronze base, and all the hooks and rods were silver. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the rods to hold up the curtains were solid silver.¡»
(Ãâ 38:18) ¡ºThe curtain that covered the entrance to the courtyard was made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It was 30 feet long and 7 1/2 feet high, just like the curtains of the courtyard walls.¡»
(Ãâ 38:19) ¡ºIt was supported by four posts set into four bronze bases. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the hooks and rods were also made of silver.¡»
(Ãâ 38:20) ¡ºAll the tent pegs used in the Tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.¡»
(Ãâ 38:21) ¡ºHere is an inventory of the materials used in building the Tabernacle of the Covenant. Moses directed the Levites to compile the figures, and Ithamar son of Aaron the priest served as recorder.¡»
(Ãâ 38:22) ¡ºBezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, was in charge of the whole project, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 38:23) ¡ºHe was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth.¡»
(Ãâ 38:24) ¡ºThe people brought gifts of gold totaling about 2,200 pounds, all of which was used throughout the Tabernacle.¡»
(Ãâ 38:25) ¡ºThe amount of silver that was given was about 7,545 pounds.¡»
(Ãâ 38:26) ¡ºIt came from the tax of one-fifth of an ounce of silver collected from each of those registered in the census. This included all the men who were twenty years old or older, 603,550 in all.¡»
(Ãâ 38:27) ¡ºThe 100 bases for the frames of the sanctuary walls and for the posts supporting the inner curtain required 7,500 pounds of silver, about 75 pounds for each base.¡»
(Ãâ 38:28) ¡ºThe rest of the silver, about 45 pounds, was used to make the rods and hooks and to overlay the tops of the posts.¡»
(Ãâ 38:29) ¡ºThe people also brought 5,310 pounds of bronze,¡»
(Ãâ 38:30) ¡ºwhich was used for casting the bases for the posts at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and for the bronze altar with its bronze grating and altar utensils.¡»
(Ãâ 38:31) ¡ºBronze was also used to make the bases for the posts that supported the curtains around the courtyard, the bases for the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard, and all the tent pegs used to hold the curtains of the courtyard in place.¡»
(Ãâ 39:1) ¡ºFor the priests, the craftsmen made beautiful garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth--clothing to be worn while ministering in the Holy Place. This same cloth was used for Aaron's sacred garments, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:2) ¡ºThe ephod was made from fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 39:3) ¡ºA skilled craftsman made gold thread by beating gold into thin sheets and cutting it into fine strips. He then embroidered it into the linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 39:4) ¡ºThey made two shoulder-pieces for the ephod, which were attached to its corners so it could be tied down.¡»
(Ãâ 39:5) ¡ºThey also made an elaborate woven sash of the same materials: fine linen cloth; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; and gold thread, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:6) ¡ºThe two onyx stones, attached to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, were set in gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as initials are engraved on a seal.¡»
(Ãâ 39:7) ¡ºThese stones served as reminders to the LORD concerning the people of Israel. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:8) ¡ºThe chestpiece was made in the same style as the ephod, crafted from fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 39:9) ¡ºIt was doubled over to form a pouch, nine inches square.¡»
(Ãâ 39:10) ¡ºFour rows of gemstones were set across it. In the first row were a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald.¡»
(Ãâ 39:11) ¡ºIn the second row were a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone.¡»
(Ãâ 39:12) ¡ºIn the third row were a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.¡»
(Ãâ 39:13) ¡ºIn the fourth row were a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Each of these gemstones was set in gold.¡»
(Ãâ 39:14) ¡ºThe stones were engraved like a seal, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.¡»
(Ãâ 39:15) ¡ºTo attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold.¡»
(Ãâ 39:16) ¡ºThey also made two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece.¡»
(Ãâ 39:17) ¡ºThe two gold cords were put through the gold rings on the chestpiece,¡»
(Ãâ 39:18) ¡ºand the ends of the cords were tied to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.¡»
(Ãâ 39:19) ¡ºTwo more gold rings were attached to the lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod.¡»
(Ãâ 39:20) ¡ºThen two gold rings were attached to the ephod near the sash.¡»
(Ãâ 39:21) ¡ºBlue cords were used to attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the beautiful sash. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:22) ¡ºThe robe of the ephod was woven entirely of blue yarn,¡»
(Ãâ 39:23) ¡ºwith an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The edge of this opening was reinforced with a woven collar, so it would not tear.¡»
(Ãâ 39:24) ¡ºPomegranates were attached to the bottom edge of the robe. These were finely crafted of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.¡»
(Ãâ 39:25) ¡ºBells of pure gold were placed between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe,¡»
(Ãâ 39:26) ¡ºwith bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn when Aaron ministered to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:27) ¡ºTunics were then made for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth.¡»
(Ãâ 39:28) ¡ºThe turban, the headdresses, and the underclothes were all made of this fine linen.¡»
(Ãâ 39:29) ¡ºThe sashes were made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:30) ¡ºFinally, they made the sacred medallion of pure gold to be worn on the front of the turban. Using the techniques of an engraver, they inscribed it with these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 39:31) ¡ºThis medallion was tied to the turban with a blue cord, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:32) ¡ºAnd so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:33) ¡ºAnd they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, the clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;¡»
(Ãâ 39:34) ¡ºthe layers of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain that enclosed the Most Holy Place;¡»
(Ãâ 39:35) ¡ºthe Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark's cover--the place of atonement;¡»
(Ãâ 39:36) ¡ºthe table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;¡»
(Ãâ 39:37) ¡ºthe gold lampstand and its accessories; the lamp cups and the oil for lighting;¡»
(Ãâ 39:38) ¡ºthe gold altar; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;¡»
(Ãâ 39:39) ¡ºthe bronze altar; the bronze grating; its poles and utensils; the large washbasin and its pedestal;¡»
(Ãâ 39:40) ¡ºthe curtains for the walls of the courtyard and the posts and bases holding them up; the curtain at the courtyard entrance; the cords and tent pegs; all the articles used in the operation of the Tabernacle;¡»
(Ãâ 39:41) ¡ºthe beautifully crafted garments to be worn while ministering in the Holy Place--the holy garments for Aaron the priest and for his sons to wear while on duty.¡»
(Ãâ 39:42) ¡ºSo the people of Israel followed all of the LORD's instructions to Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 39:43) ¡ºMoses inspected all their work and blessed them because it had been done as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(Ãâ 40:1) ¡ºThe LORD now said to Moses,¡»
(Ãâ 40:2) ¡º"Set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the new year.¡»
(Ãâ 40:3) ¡ºPlace the Ark of the Covenant inside, and install the inner curtain to enclose the Ark within the Most Holy Place.¡»
(Ãâ 40:4) ¡ºThen bring in the table, and arrange the utensils on it. And bring in the lampstand, and set up the lamps.¡»
(Ãâ 40:5) ¡º"Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain, opposite the Ark of the Covenant. Set up the curtain made for the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(Ãâ 40:6) ¡ºPlace the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance.¡»
(Ãâ 40:7) ¡ºSet the large washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar and fill it with water.¡»
(Ãâ 40:8) ¡ºThen set up the courtyard around the outside of the tent, and hang the curtain for the courtyard entrance.¡»
(Ãâ 40:9) ¡º"Take the anointing oil and sprinkle it on the Tabernacle and on all its furnishings to make them holy.¡»
(Ãâ 40:10) ¡ºSprinkle the anointing oil on the altar of burnt offering and its utensils, sanctifying them. Then the altar will become most holy.¡»
(Ãâ 40:11) ¡ºNext anoint the large washbasin and its pedestal to make them holy.¡»
(Ãâ 40:12) ¡º"Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.¡»
(Ãâ 40:13) ¡ºClothe Aaron with the holy garments and anoint him, setting him apart to serve me as a priest.¡»
(Ãâ 40:14) ¡ºThen bring his sons and dress them in their tunics.¡»
(Ãâ 40:15) ¡ºAnoint them as you did their father, so they may serve me as priests. With this anointing, Aaron's descendants are set apart for the priesthood forever, from generation to generation."¡»
(Ãâ 40:16) ¡ºMoses proceeded to do everything as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(Ãâ 40:17) ¡ºSo the Tabernacle was set up on the first day of the new year.¡»
(Ãâ 40:18) ¡ºMoses put it together by setting its frames into their bases and attaching the crossbars and raising the posts.¡»
(Ãâ 40:19) ¡ºThen he spread the coverings over the Tabernacle framework and put on the roof layers, just as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(Ãâ 40:20) ¡ºHe placed inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, and then he attached the Ark's carrying poles. He also set the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--on top of it.¡»
(Ãâ 40:21) ¡ºThen he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and set up the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the LORD had commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 40:22) ¡ºNext he placed the table in the Tabernacle, along the north side of the Holy Place, just outside the inner curtain.¡»
(Ãâ 40:23) ¡ºAnd he arranged the Bread of the Presence on the table that stands before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 40:24) ¡ºHe set the lampstand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side of the Holy Place.¡»
(Ãâ 40:25) ¡ºThen he set up the lamps in the LORD's presence, just as the LORD had commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 40:26) ¡ºHe also placed the incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain.¡»
(Ãâ 40:27) ¡ºOn it he burned the fragrant incense made from sweet spices, just as the LORD had commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 40:28) ¡ºHe attached the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle,¡»
(Ãâ 40:29) ¡ºand he placed the altar of burnt offering near the Tabernacle entrance. On it he offered a burnt offering and a grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded.¡»
(Ãâ 40:30) ¡ºNext he placed the large washbasin between the Tabernacle and the altar. He filled it with water so the priests could use it to wash themselves.¡»
(Ãâ 40:31) ¡ºMoses and Aaron and Aaron's sons washed their hands and feet in the basin.¡»
(Ãâ 40:32) ¡ºWhenever they walked past the altar to enter the Tabernacle, they were to stop and wash, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(Ãâ 40:33) ¡ºThen he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.¡»
(Ãâ 40:34) ¡ºThen the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled it.¡»
(Ãâ 40:35) ¡ºMoses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the LORD.¡»
(Ãâ 40:36) ¡ºNow whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle and moved, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.¡»
(Ãâ 40:37) ¡ºBut if the cloud stayed, they would stay until it moved again.¡»
(Ãâ 40:38) ¡ºThe cloud of the LORD rested on the Tabernacle during the day, and at night there was fire in the cloud so all the people of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.¡»


(·¹ 1:1) ¡ºThe LORD called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him,¡»
(·¹ 1:2) ¡º"Give the following instructions to the Israelites: Whenever you present offerings to the LORD, you must bring animals from your flocks and herds.¡»
(·¹ 1:3) ¡º"If your sacrifice for a whole burnt offering is from the herd, bring a bull with no physical defects to the entrance of the Tabernacle so it will be accepted by the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 1:4) ¡ºLay your hand on its head so the LORD will accept it as your substitute, thus making atonement for you.¡»
(·¹ 1:5) ¡ºThen slaughter the animal in the LORD's presence, and Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood by sprinkling it against the sides of the altar that stands in front of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 1:6) ¡ºWhen the animal has been skinned and cut into pieces,¡»
(·¹ 1:7) ¡ºthe sons of Aaron the priest will build a wood fire on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 1:8) ¡ºAaron's sons will then put the pieces of the animal, including its head and fat, on the wood fire.¡»
(·¹ 1:9) ¡ºBut the internal organs and legs must first be washed with water. Then the priests will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 1:10) ¡º"If your sacrifice for a whole burnt offering is from the flock, bring a male sheep or goat with no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 1:11) ¡ºSlaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the LORD's presence. Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 1:12) ¡ºThen you must cut the animal in pieces, and the priests will lay the pieces of the sacrifice, including the head and fat, on top of the wood fire on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 1:13) ¡ºThe internal organs and legs must first be washed with water. Then the priests will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 1:14) ¡º"If you bring a bird as a burnt offering to the LORD, choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon.¡»
(·¹ 1:15) ¡ºThe priest will take the bird to the altar, twist off its head, and burn the head on the altar. He must then let its blood drain out against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 1:16) ¡ºThe priest must remove the crop and the feathers and throw them to the east side of the altar among the ashes.¡»
(·¹ 1:17) ¡ºThen, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird apart, though not completely. Then he will burn it on top of the wood fire on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 2:1) ¡º"When you bring a grain offering to the LORD, the offering must consist of choice flour. You are to pour olive oil on it and sprinkle it with incense.¡»
(·¹ 2:2) ¡ºBring this offering to one of Aaron's sons, and he will take a handful of the flour mixed with olive oil, together with all the incense, and burn this token portion on the altar fire. It is an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 2:3) ¡ºThe rest of the flour will be given to Aaron and his sons. It will be considered a most holy part of the offerings given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 2:4) ¡º"When you present some kind of baked bread as a grain offering, it must be made of choice flour mixed with olive oil but without any yeast. It may be presented in the form of cakes mixed with olive oil or wafers spread with olive oil.¡»
(·¹ 2:5) ¡ºIf your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made of choice flour and olive oil, and it must contain no yeast.¡»
(·¹ 2:6) ¡ºBreak it into pieces and pour oil on it; it is a kind of grain offering.¡»
(·¹ 2:7) ¡ºIf your offering is prepared in a pan, it also must be made of choice flour and olive oil.¡»
(·¹ 2:8) ¡º"No matter how a grain offering has been prepared before being offered to the LORD, bring it to the priests who will present it at the altar.¡»
(·¹ 2:9) ¡ºThe priests will take a token portion of the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 2:10) ¡ºThe rest of the grain offering will be given to Aaron and his sons as their food. It will be considered a most holy part of the offerings given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 2:11) ¡º"Do not use yeast in any of the grain offerings you present to the LORD, because no yeast or honey may be burned as an offering to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 2:12) ¡ºYou may add yeast and honey to the offerings presented at harvesttime, but these must never be burned on the altar as an offering pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 2:13) ¡ºSeason all your grain offerings with salt, to remind you of God's covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings.¡»
(·¹ 2:14) ¡º"If you present a grain offering to the LORD from the first portion of your harvest, bring kernels of new grain that have been roasted on a fire.¡»
(·¹ 2:15) ¡ºSince it is a grain offering, put olive oil on it and sprinkle it with incense.¡»
(·¹ 2:16) ¡ºThe priests will take a token portion of the roasted grain mixed with olive oil, together with all the incense, and burn it as an offering given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 3:1) ¡º"If you want to present a peace offering from the herd, use either a bull or a cow. The animal you offer to the LORD must have no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 3:2) ¡ºLay your hand on the animal's head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Aaron's sons, the priests, will then sprinkle the animal's blood against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 3:3) ¡ºPart of this peace offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This includes the fat around the internal organs,¡»
(·¹ 3:4) ¡ºthe two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.¡»
(·¹ 3:5) ¡ºThe sons of Aaron will burn these on the altar on top of the burnt offering on the wood fire. It is an offering made by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 3:6) ¡º"If you present a peace offering to the LORD from the flock, you may bring either a goat or a sheep. It may be either male or female, and it must have no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 3:7) ¡ºIf you bring a sheep as your gift, present it to the LORD¡»
(·¹ 3:8) ¡ºby laying your hand on its head and slaughtering it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The sons of Aaron will then sprinkle the sheep's blood against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 3:9) ¡ºPart of this peace offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This includes the fat of the entire tail cut off near the backbone, the fat around the internal organs,¡»
(·¹ 3:10) ¡ºthe two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.¡»
(·¹ 3:11) ¡ºThe priest will burn them on the altar as food, an offering given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 3:12) ¡º"If you bring a goat as your offering to the LORD,¡»
(·¹ 3:13) ¡ºlay your hand on its head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then the sons of Aaron will sprinkle the goat's blood against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 3:14) ¡ºPart of this offering must be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This part includes the fat around the internal organs,¡»
(·¹ 3:15) ¡ºthe two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.¡»
(·¹ 3:16) ¡ºThe priest will burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire; these will be very pleasing to the LORD. Remember, all the fat belongs to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 3:17) ¡º"You must never eat any fat or blood. This is a permanent law for you and all your descendants, wherever they may live."¡»
(·¹ 4:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 4:2) ¡º"Give the Israelites the following instructions for dealing with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything forbidden by the LORD's commands.¡»
(·¹ 4:3) ¡º"If the high priest sins, bringing guilt upon the entire community, he must bring to the LORD a young bull with no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 4:4) ¡ºHe must present the bull to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle, lay his hand on the bull's head, and slaughter it there in the LORD's presence.¡»
(·¹ 4:5) ¡ºThe priest on duty will then take some of the animal's blood into the Tabernacle,¡»
(·¹ 4:6) ¡ºdip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place.¡»
(·¹ 4:7) ¡ºThe priest will put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar that stands in the LORD's presence in the Tabernacle. The rest of the bull's blood must be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 4:8) ¡ºThe priest must remove all the fat around the bull's internal organs,¡»
(·¹ 4:9) ¡ºthe two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver.¡»
(·¹ 4:10) ¡ºThen he must burn them on the altar of burnt offerings, just as is done with the bull or cow sacrificed as a peace offering.¡»
(·¹ 4:11) ¡ºBut the rest of the bull--its hide, meat, head, legs, internal organs, and dung--¡»
(·¹ 4:12) ¡ºmust be carried away to a ceremonially clean place outside the camp, the place where the ashes are thrown. He will burn it all on a wood fire in the ash heap.¡»
(·¹ 4:13) ¡º"If the entire Israelite community does something forbidden by the LORD and the matter escapes the community's notice, all the people will be guilty.¡»
(·¹ 4:14) ¡ºWhen they discover their sin, the leaders of the community must bring a young bull for a sin offering and present it at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 4:15) ¡ºThe leaders must then lay their hands on the bull's head and slaughter it there before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 4:16) ¡ºThe priest will bring some of its blood into the Tabernacle,¡»
(·¹ 4:17) ¡ºdip his finger into the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the inner curtain.¡»
(·¹ 4:18) ¡ºHe will then put some of the blood on the horns of the incense altar that stands in the LORD's presence in the Tabernacle. The rest of the blood must then be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 4:19) ¡ºThe priest must remove all the animal's fat and burn it on the altar,¡»
(·¹ 4:20) ¡ºfollowing the same procedure as with the sin offering for the priest. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the people, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 4:21) ¡ºThe priest must then take what is left of the bull outside the camp and burn it there, just as is done with the sin offering for the high priest. This is a sin offering for the entire community of Israel.¡»
(·¹ 4:22) ¡º"If one of Israel's leaders does something forbidden by the LORD his God, he will be guilty even if he sinned unintentionally.¡»
(·¹ 4:23) ¡ºWhen he becomes aware of his sin, he must bring as his offering a male goat with no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 4:24) ¡ºHe is to lay his hand on the goat's head and slaughter it before the LORD at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. This will be his sin offering.¡»
(·¹ 4:25) ¡ºThen the priest will dip his finger into the blood of the sin offering, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 4:26) ¡ºHe must burn all the goat's fat on the altar, just as is done with the peace offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the leader's sin, and he will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 4:27) ¡º"If any of the citizens of Israel do something forbidden by the LORD, they will be guilty even if they sinned unintentionally.¡»
(·¹ 4:28) ¡ºWhen they become aware of their sin, they must bring as their offering a female goat with no physical defects. It will be offered for their sin.¡»
(·¹ 4:29) ¡ºThey are to lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered.¡»
(·¹ 4:30) ¡ºThe priest will then dip his finger into the blood, put the blood on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 4:31) ¡ºThose who are guilty must remove all the goat's fat, just as is done with the peace offering. Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD. In this way, the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 4:32) ¡º"If any of the people bring a sheep as their sin offering, it must be a female with no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 4:33) ¡ºThey are to lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offerings are slaughtered.¡»
(·¹ 4:34) ¡ºThe priest will then dip his finger into the blood, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 4:35) ¡ºThose who are guilty must remove all the sheep's fat, just as is done with a sheep presented as a peace offering. Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar on top of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. In this way, the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 5:1) ¡º"If any of the people are called to testify about something they have witnessed, but they refuse to testify, they will be held responsible and be subject to punishment.¡»
(·¹ 5:2) ¡º"Or if they touch something that is ceremonially unclean, such as the dead body of an animal that is ceremonially unclean--whether a wild animal, a domesticated animal, or an animal that scurries along the ground--they will be considered ceremonially unclean and guilty, even if they are unaware of their defilement.¡»
(·¹ 5:3) ¡º"Or if they come into contact with any source of human defilement, even if they don't realize they have been defiled, they will be considered guilty as soon as they become aware of it.¡»
(·¹ 5:4) ¡º"Or if they make a rash vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or bad, they will be considered guilty even if they were not fully aware of what they were doing at the time.¡»
(·¹ 5:5) ¡º"When any of the people become aware of their guilt in any of these ways, they must confess their sin¡»
(·¹ 5:6) ¡ºand bring to the LORD as their penalty a female from the flock, either a sheep or a goat. This will be a sin offering to remove their sin, and the priest will make atonement for them.¡»
(·¹ 5:7) ¡º"If any of them cannot afford to bring a sheep, they must bring to the LORD two young turtledoves or two young pigeons as the penalty for their sin. One of the birds will be a sin offering, and the other will be a burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 5:8) ¡ºThey must bring them to the priest, who will offer one of the birds as the sin offering. The priest will wring its neck but without severing its head from the body.¡»
(·¹ 5:9) ¡ºThen he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering against the sides of the altar, and the rest will be drained out at the base of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 5:10) ¡ºThe priest will offer the second bird as a whole burnt offering, following all the procedures that have been prescribed. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 5:11) ¡º"If any of the people cannot afford to bring young turtledoves or pigeons, they must bring two quarts of choice flour for their sin offering. Since it is a sin offering, they must not mix it with olive oil or put any incense on it.¡»
(·¹ 5:12) ¡ºThey must take the flour to the priest, who will scoop out a handful as a token portion. He will burn this flour on the altar just like any other offering given to the LORD by fire. This will be their sin offering.¡»
(·¹ 5:13) ¡ºIn this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven. The rest of the flour will belong to the priest, just as with the grain offering."¡»
(·¹ 5:14) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 5:15) ¡º"If any of the people sin by unintentionally defiling the LORD's sacred property, they must bring to the LORD a ram from the flock as their guilt offering. The animal must have no physical defects, and it must be of the proper value in silver as measured by the standard sanctuary shekel.¡»
(·¹ 5:16) ¡ºThey must then make restitution for whatever holy things they have defiled by paying for the loss, plus an added penalty of 20 percent. When they give their payments to the priest, he will make atonement for them with the ram sacrificed as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 5:17) ¡º"If any of them sin by doing something forbidden by the LORD, even if it is done unintentionally, they will be held responsible. When they become aware of their guilt,¡»
(·¹ 5:18) ¡ºthey must bring to the priest a ram from the flock as a guilt offering. The animal must have no physical defects, and it must be of the proper value. In this way, the priest will make atonement for those who are guilty, and they will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 5:19) ¡ºThis is a guilt offering, for they have been guilty of an offense against the LORD."¡»
(·¹ 6:1) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 6:2) ¡º"Suppose some of the people sin against the LORD by falsely telling their neighbor that an item entrusted to their safekeeping has been lost or stolen. Or suppose they have been dishonest with regard to a security deposit, or they have taken something by theft or extortion.¡»
(·¹ 6:3) ¡ºOr suppose they find a lost item and lie about it, or they deny something while under oath, or they commit any other similar sin.¡»
(·¹ 6:4) ¡ºIf they have sinned in any of these ways and are guilty, they must give back whatever they have taken by theft or extortion, whether a security deposit, or property entrusted to them, or a lost object that they claimed as their own,¡»
(·¹ 6:5) ¡ºor anything gained by swearing falsely. When they realize their guilt, they must restore the principal amount plus a penalty of 20 percent to the person they have harmed.¡»
(·¹ 6:6) ¡ºThey must then bring a guilt offering to the priest, who will present it before the LORD. This offering must be a ram with no physical defects or the animal's equivalent value in silver.¡»
(·¹ 6:7) ¡ºThe priest will then make atonement for them before the LORD, and they will be forgiven."¡»
(·¹ 6:8) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 6:9) ¡º"Give Aaron and his sons the following instructions regarding the whole burnt offering. The burnt offering must be left on the altar until the next morning, and the altar fire must be kept burning all night.¡»
(·¹ 6:10) ¡ºThe next morning, after dressing in his special linen clothing and undergarments, the priest on duty must clean out the ashes of the burnt offering and put them beside the altar.¡»
(·¹ 6:11) ¡ºThen he must change back into his normal clothing and carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 6:12) ¡ºMeanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the daily whole burnt offering on it. He must then burn the fat of the peace offerings on top of this daily whole burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 6:13) ¡ºRemember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.¡»
(·¹ 6:14) ¡º"These are the instructions regarding the grain offering. Aaron's sons must present this offering to the LORD in front of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 6:15) ¡ºThe priest on duty will take a handful of the choice flour that has been mixed with olive oil and sprinkled with incense. He will burn this token portion on the altar, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 6:16) ¡ºAfter burning this handful, the rest of the flour will belong to Aaron and his sons for their food. It must, however, be baked without yeast and eaten in a sacred place within the courtyard of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 6:17) ¡ºRemember, this flour may never be prepared with yeast. I have given it to the priests as their share of the offerings presented to me by fire. Like the sin offering and the guilt offering, it is most holy.¡»
(·¹ 6:18) ¡ºAny of Aaron's male descendants, from generation to generation, may eat of the grain offering, because it is their regular share of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. Anyone or anything that touches this food will become holy."¡»
(·¹ 6:19) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 6:20) ¡º"On the day Aaron and his sons are anointed, they must bring to the LORD a grain offering of two quarts of choice flour, half to be offered in the morning and half to be offered in the evening.¡»
(·¹ 6:21) ¡ºIt must be cooked on a griddle with olive oil, and it must be well mixed and broken into pieces. You must present this grain offering, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 6:22) ¡ºAs the sons of the priests replace their fathers, they will be inducted into office by offering this same sacrifice on the day they are anointed. It is the LORD's regular share, and it must be completely burned up.¡»
(·¹ 6:23) ¡ºAll such grain offerings of the priests must be entirely burned up. None of the flour may be eaten."¡»
(·¹ 6:24) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 6:25) ¡º"Give Aaron and his sons these further instructions regarding the sin offering. The animal given as a sin offering is most holy and must be slaughtered in the LORD's presence at the place where the burnt offerings are slaughtered.¡»
(·¹ 6:26) ¡ºThe priest who offers the sacrifice may eat his portion in a sacred place within the courtyard of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 6:27) ¡ºAnything or anyone who touches the sacrificial meat will become holy, and if the sacrificial blood splatters anyone's clothing, it must be washed off in a sacred place.¡»
(·¹ 6:28) ¡ºIf a clay pot is used to boil the sacrificial meat, it must be broken. If a bronze kettle is used, it must be scoured and rinsed thoroughly with water.¡»
(·¹ 6:29) ¡ºOnly males from a priest's family may eat of this offering, for it is most holy.¡»
(·¹ 6:30) ¡ºIf, however, the blood of a sin offering has been taken into the Tabernacle to make atonement in the Holy Place for the people's sins, none of that animal's meat may be eaten. It must be completely burned up.¡»
(·¹ 7:1) ¡º"These are the instructions for the guilt offering, which is most holy.¡»
(·¹ 7:2) ¡ºThe animal sacrificed as a guilt offering must be slaughtered where the burnt offerings are slaughtered, and its blood sprinkled against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 7:3) ¡ºThe priest will then offer all its fat on the altar, including the fat from the tail, the fat around the internal organs,¡»
(·¹ 7:4) ¡ºthe two kidneys with the fat around them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.¡»
(·¹ 7:5) ¡ºThe priests will burn these parts on the altar as an offering to the LORD made by fire. It is a guilt offering.¡»
(·¹ 7:6) ¡ºAll males from a priest's family may eat the meat, and it must be eaten in a sacred place, for it is most holy.¡»
(·¹ 7:7) ¡º"For both the sin offering and the guilt offering, the meat of the sacrificed animal belongs to the priest in charge of the atonement ceremony.¡»
(·¹ 7:8) ¡ºIn the case of the whole burnt offering, the hide of the sacrificed animal also belongs to the priest.¡»
(·¹ 7:9) ¡ºAny grain offering that has been baked in an oven, prepared in a pan, or cooked on a griddle belongs to the priest who presents it.¡»
(·¹ 7:10) ¡ºAll other grain offerings, whether flour mixed with olive oil or dry flour, are to be shared among all the priests and their sons.¡»
(·¹ 7:11) ¡º"These are the instructions regarding the different kinds of peace offerings that may be presented to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 7:12) ¡ºIf you present your peace offering as a thanksgiving offering, the usual animal sacrifice must be accompanied by various kinds of bread--loaves, wafers, and cakes--all made without yeast and soaked with olive oil.¡»
(·¹ 7:13) ¡ºThis peace offering of thanksgiving must also be accompanied by loaves of yeast bread.¡»
(·¹ 7:14) ¡ºOne of each kind of bread must be presented as a gift to the LORD. This bread will then belong to the priest who sprinkles the altar with blood from the sacrificed animal.¡»
(·¹ 7:15) ¡ºThe animal's meat must be eaten on the same day it is offered. None of it may be saved for the next morning.¡»
(·¹ 7:16) ¡º"However, if you bring an offering to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, the meat may be eaten on that same day, and whatever is left over may be eaten on the second day.¡»
(·¹ 7:17) ¡ºBut anything left over until the third day must be completely burned up.¡»
(·¹ 7:18) ¡ºIf any of the meat from this peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted by the LORD. It will have no value as a sacrifice, and you will receive no credit for bringing it as an offering. By then, the meat will be contaminated; if you eat it, you will have to answer for your sin.¡»
(·¹ 7:19) ¡º"Meat that touches anything ceremonially unclean may not be eaten; it must be completely burned up. And as for meat that may be eaten, it may only be eaten by people who are ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 7:20) ¡ºAnyone who is ceremonially unclean but eats meat from a peace offering that was presented to the LORD must be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 7:21) ¡ºIf anyone touches anything that is unclean, whether it is human defilement or an unclean animal, and then eats meat from the LORD's sacrifices, that person must be cut off from the community."¡»
(·¹ 7:22) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 7:23) ¡º"Give the Israelites these instructions: You must never eat fat, whether from oxen or sheep or goats.¡»
(·¹ 7:24) ¡ºThe fat of an animal found dead or killed by a wild animal may never be eaten, though it may be used for any other purpose.¡»
(·¹ 7:25) ¡ºAnyone who eats fat from an offering given to the LORD by fire must be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 7:26) ¡ºEven in your homes, you must never eat the blood of any bird or animal.¡»
(·¹ 7:27) ¡ºAnyone who eats blood must be cut off from the community."¡»
(·¹ 7:28) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 7:29) ¡º"Give these further instructions to the Israelites: When you present a peace offering to the LORD, bring part of it as a special gift to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 7:30) ¡ºPresent it to him with your own hands as an offering given to the LORD by fire. Bring the fat of the animal, together with the breast, and present it to the LORD by lifting it up before him.¡»
(·¹ 7:31) ¡ºThen the priest will burn the fat on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron and his sons.¡»
(·¹ 7:32) ¡ºYou are to give the right thigh of your peace offering to the priest as a gift.¡»
(·¹ 7:33) ¡ºThe right thigh must always be given to the priest who sprinkles the blood and offers the fat of the peace offering.¡»
(·¹ 7:34) ¡ºFor I have designated the breast and the right thigh for the priests. It is their regular share of the peace offerings brought by the Israelites.¡»
(·¹ 7:35) ¡ºThis is their share. It has been set apart for Aaron and his descendants from the offerings given to the LORD by fire from the time they were appointed to serve the LORD as priests.¡»
(·¹ 7:36) ¡ºThe LORD commanded that the Israelites were to give these portions to the priests as their regular share from the time of the priests' anointing. This regulation applies throughout the generations to come."¡»
(·¹ 7:37) ¡ºThese are the instructions for the whole burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering, and the peace offering.¡»
(·¹ 7:38) ¡ºThe LORD gave these instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai when he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai.¡»
(·¹ 8:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 8:2) ¡º"Now bring Aaron and his sons, along with their special clothing, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread¡»
(·¹ 8:3) ¡ºto the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then call the entire community of Israel to meet you there."¡»
(·¹ 8:4) ¡ºSo Moses followed the LORD's instructions, and all the people assembled at the Tabernacle entrance.¡»
(·¹ 8:5) ¡ºMoses announced to them, "The LORD has commanded what I am now going to do!"¡»
(·¹ 8:6) ¡ºThen he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.¡»
(·¹ 8:7) ¡ºHe clothed Aaron with the embroidered tunic and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe of the ephod, along with the ephod itself, and attached the ephod with its decorative sash.¡»
(·¹ 8:8) ¡ºThen Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it.¡»
(·¹ 8:9) ¡ºHe placed on Aaron's head the turban with the gold medallion at its front, just as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(·¹ 8:10) ¡ºThen Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, thus making them holy.¡»
(·¹ 8:11) ¡ºHe sprinkled the altar seven times, anointing it and all its utensils and the washbasin and its pedestal, making them holy.¡»
(·¹ 8:12) ¡ºThen he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head, thus anointing him and making him holy for his work.¡»
(·¹ 8:13) ¡ºNext Moses presented Aaron's sons and clothed them in their embroidered tunics, their sashes, and their turbans, just as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(·¹ 8:14) ¡ºThen Moses brought in the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head¡»
(·¹ 8:15) ¡ºas Moses slaughtered it. Moses took some of the blood, and with his finger he put it on the four horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. In this way, he set the altar apart as holy and made atonement for it.¡»
(·¹ 8:16) ¡ºHe took all the fat around the internal organs, the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and he burned them all on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 8:17) ¡ºThe rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, was burned outside the camp, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(·¹ 8:18) ¡ºThen Moses presented the ram to the LORD for the whole burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head¡»
(·¹ 8:19) ¡ºas Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took the ram's blood and sprinkled it against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 8:20) ¡ºNext he cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, some of its pieces, and the fat on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 8:21) ¡ºAfter washing the internal organs and the legs with water, Moses burned the entire ram on the altar as a whole burnt offering. It was an offering given to the LORD by fire, very pleasing to the LORD. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(·¹ 8:22) ¡ºNext Moses presented the second ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head¡»
(·¹ 8:23) ¡ºas Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the big toe of his right foot.¡»
(·¹ 8:24) ¡ºNext he presented Aaron's sons and put some of the blood on the lobe of their right ears, the thumb of their right hands, and the big toe of their right feet. He then sprinkled the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 8:25) ¡ºNext he took the fat, including the fat from the tail, the fat around the internal organs, the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat, along with the right thigh.¡»
(·¹ 8:26) ¡ºOn top of these he placed a loaf of unleavened bread, a cake of unleavened bread soaked with olive oil, and a thin wafer spread with olive oil. All these were taken from the basket of bread made without yeast that was placed in the LORD's presence.¡»
(·¹ 8:27) ¡ºHe gave all of these to Aaron and his sons, and he presented the portions by lifting them up before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 8:28) ¡ºMoses then took all the offerings back and burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering as an ordination offering. It was an offering given to the LORD by fire, very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 8:29) ¡ºThen Moses took the breast and lifted it up in the LORD's presence. This was Moses' share of the ram of ordination, just as the LORD had commanded him.¡»
(·¹ 8:30) ¡ºNext Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar, and he sprinkled them on Aaron and his clothing and on his sons and their clothing. In this way, he made Aaron and his sons and their clothing holy.¡»
(·¹ 8:31) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron and his sons, "Boil the rest of the meat at the Tabernacle entrance, and eat it along with the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, just as I commanded you.¡»
(·¹ 8:32) ¡ºAny meat or bread that is left over must then be burned up.¡»
(·¹ 8:33) ¡ºDo not leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven days, for that is the time it will take to complete the ordination ceremony.¡»
(·¹ 8:34) ¡ºWhat has been done today was commanded by the LORD in order to make atonement for you.¡»
(·¹ 8:35) ¡ºRemember, you must stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days, doing everything the LORD requires. If you fail in this, you will die. This is what the LORD has said."¡»
(·¹ 8:36) ¡ºSo Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD had commanded through Moses.¡»
(·¹ 9:1) ¡ºAfter the ordination ceremony, on the eighth day, Moses called together Aaron and his sons and the leaders of Israel.¡»
(·¹ 9:2) ¡ºHe said to Aaron, "Take a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a whole burnt offering, both with no physical defects, and present them to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 9:3) ¡ºThen tell the Israelites to take a male goat for a sin offering for themselves and a year-old calf and a year-old lamb for a whole burnt offering, each with no physical defects.¡»
(·¹ 9:4) ¡ºAlso tell them to take a bull and a ram for a peace offering and flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering. Tell them to present all these offerings to the LORD because the LORD will appear to them today."¡»
(·¹ 9:5) ¡ºSo the people brought all of these things to the entrance of the Tabernacle, just as Moses had commanded, and the whole community came and stood there in the LORD's presence.¡»
(·¹ 9:6) ¡ºThen Moses told them, "When you have followed these instructions from the LORD, the glorious presence of the LORD will appear to you."¡»
(·¹ 9:7) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron, "Approach the altar and present your sin offering and your whole burnt offering to make atonement for yourself. Then present the offerings to make atonement for the people, just as the LORD has commanded."¡»
(·¹ 9:8) ¡ºSo Aaron went to the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself.¡»
(·¹ 9:9) ¡ºHis sons brought him the blood, and he dipped his finger into it and put it on the horns of the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:10) ¡ºThen he burned on the altar the fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver from the sin offering, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(·¹ 9:11) ¡ºThe meat and the hide, however, he burned outside the camp.¡»
(·¹ 9:12) ¡ºNext Aaron slaughtered the animal for the whole burnt offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he sprinkled it against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:13) ¡ºThey handed the animal to him piece by piece, including the head, and he burned each part on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:14) ¡ºThen he washed the internal organs and the legs and also burned them on the altar as a whole burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 9:15) ¡ºNext Aaron presented the sacrifices for the people. He slaughtered the people's goat and presented it as their sin offering, just as he had done previously for himself.¡»
(·¹ 9:16) ¡ºThen he brought the whole burnt offering and presented it in the prescribed way.¡»
(·¹ 9:17) ¡ºHe also brought the grain offering, burning a handful of the flour on the altar, in addition to the regular morning burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 9:18) ¡ºThen Aaron slaughtered the bull and the ram for the people's peace offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he sprinkled it against the sides of the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:19) ¡ºThen he took the fat of the bull and the ram--the fat from the tail and from around the internal organs--along with the kidneys and the lobe of the liver.¡»
(·¹ 9:20) ¡ºHe placed these fat parts on top of the breasts of these animals and then burned them on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:21) ¡ºAaron then lifted up the breasts and right thighs as an offering to the LORD, just as Moses had commanded.¡»
(·¹ 9:22) ¡ºAfter that, Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them. Then, after presenting the sin offering, the whole burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down from the altar.¡»
(·¹ 9:23) ¡ºNext Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people again, and the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to the whole community.¡»
(·¹ 9:24) ¡ºFire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.¡»
(·¹ 10:1) ¡ºAaron's sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over it. In this way, they disobeyed the LORD by burning before him a different kind of fire than he had commanded.¡»
(·¹ 10:2) ¡ºSo fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and burned them up, and they died there before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 10:3) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when he said, `I will show myself holy among those who are near me. I will be glorified before all the people.' " And Aaron was silent.¡»
(·¹ 10:4) ¡ºThen Moses called for Mishael and Elzaphan, Aaron's cousins, the sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel. He said to them, "Come and carry the bodies of your relatives away from the sanctuary to a place outside the camp."¡»
(·¹ 10:5) ¡ºSo they came forward and carried them out of the camp by their tunics as Moses had commanded.¡»
(·¹ 10:6) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not mourn by letting your hair hang loose or by tearing your clothes. If you do, you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole community of Israel. However, the rest of the Israelites, your relatives, may mourn for Nadab and Abihu, whom the LORD has destroyed by fire.¡»
(·¹ 10:7) ¡ºBut you are not to leave the entrance of the Tabernacle, under penalty of death, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you." So they did as Moses commanded.¡»
(·¹ 10:8) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Aaron,¡»
(·¹ 10:9) ¡º"You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be kept by all future generations.¡»
(·¹ 10:10) ¡ºYou are to distinguish between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean.¡»
(·¹ 10:11) ¡ºAnd you must teach the Israelites all the laws that the LORD has given through Moses."¡»
(·¹ 10:12) ¡ºThen Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take what is left of the grain offering after the handful has been presented to the LORD by fire. Make sure there is no yeast in it, and eat it beside the altar, for it is most holy.¡»
(·¹ 10:13) ¡ºIt must be eaten in a sacred place, for it has been given to you and your descendants as your regular share of the offerings given to the LORD by fire. These are the commands I have been given.¡»
(·¹ 10:14) ¡ºBut the breast and thigh that were lifted up may be eaten in any place that is ceremonially clean. These parts have been given to you and to your sons and daughters as your regular share of the peace offerings presented by the people of Israel.¡»
(·¹ 10:15) ¡ºThe thigh and breast that are lifted up must be lifted up to the LORD along with the fat of the offerings given by fire. Then they will belong to you and your descendants forever, just as the LORD has commanded."¡»
(·¹ 10:16) ¡ºWhen Moses demanded to know what had happened to the goat of the sin offering, he discovered that it had been burned up. As a result, he became very angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's remaining sons.¡»
(·¹ 10:17) ¡º"Why didn't you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area?" he demanded. "It is a holy offering! It was given to you for removing the guilt of the community and for making atonement for the people before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 10:18) ¡ºSince the animal's blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the meat in the sanctuary area as I ordered you."¡»
(·¹ 10:19) ¡ºThen Aaron answered Moses on behalf of his sons. "Today my sons presented both their sin offering and their burnt offering to the LORD," he said. "This kind of thing has also happened to me. Would the LORD have approved if I had eaten the sin offering today?"¡»
(·¹ 10:20) ¡ºAnd when Moses heard this, he approved.¡»
(·¹ 11:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,¡»
(·¹ 11:2) ¡º"Give the following instructions to the Israelites: The animals you may use for food¡»
(·¹ 11:3) ¡ºinclude those that have completely divided hooves and chew the cud.¡»
(·¹ 11:4) ¡ºYou may not, however, eat the animals named here because they either have split hooves or chew the cud, but not both. The camel may not be eaten, for though it chews the cud, it does not have split hooves.¡»
(·¹ 11:5) ¡ºThe same is true of the rock badger¡»
(·¹ 11:6) ¡ºand the hare, so they also may never be eaten.¡»
(·¹ 11:7) ¡ºAnd the pig may not be eaten, for though it has split hooves, it does not chew the cud.¡»
(·¹ 11:8) ¡ºYou may not eat the meat of these animals or touch their dead bodies. They are ceremonially unclean for you.¡»
(·¹ 11:9) ¡º"As for marine animals, you may eat whatever has both fins and scales, whether taken from fresh water or salt water.¡»
(·¹ 11:10) ¡ºYou may not, however, eat marine animals that do not have both fins and scales. You are to detest them,¡»
(·¹ 11:11) ¡ºand they will always be forbidden to you. You must never eat their meat or even touch their dead bodies.¡»
(·¹ 11:12) ¡ºI repeat, any marine animal that does not have both fins and scales is strictly forbidden to you.¡»
(·¹ 11:13) ¡º"These are the birds you must never eat because they are detestable for you: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,¡»
(·¹ 11:14) ¡ºthe buzzard, kites of all kinds,¡»
(·¹ 11:15) ¡ºravens of all kinds,¡»
(·¹ 11:16) ¡ºthe ostrich, the nighthawk, the seagull, hawks of all kinds,¡»
(·¹ 11:17) ¡ºthe little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,¡»
(·¹ 11:18) ¡ºthe white owl, the pelican, the carrion vulture,¡»
(·¹ 11:19) ¡ºthe stork, herons of all kinds, the hoopoe, and the bat.¡»
(·¹ 11:20) ¡º"You are to consider detestable all swarming insects that walk along the ground.¡»
(·¹ 11:21) ¡ºHowever, there are some exceptions that you may eat. These include insects that jump with their hind legs:¡»
(·¹ 11:22) ¡ºlocusts of all varieties, crickets, bald locusts, and grasshoppers. All these may be eaten.¡»
(·¹ 11:23) ¡ºBut you are to consider detestable all other swarming insects that walk or crawl.¡»
(·¹ 11:24) ¡º"The following creatures make you ceremonially unclean. If you touch any of their dead bodies, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:25) ¡ºIf you move the dead body of an unclean animal, you must immediately wash your clothes, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:26) ¡º"Any animal that has divided but unsplit hooves or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. If you touch the dead body of such an animal, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:27) ¡ºOf the animals that walk on all fours, those that have paws are unclean for you. If you touch the dead body of such an animal, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:28) ¡ºIf you pick up and move its carcass, you must immediately wash your clothes, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:29) ¡º"Of the small animals that scurry or creep on the ground, these are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, the great lizard of all varieties,¡»
(·¹ 11:30) ¡ºthe gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.¡»
(·¹ 11:31) ¡ºAll these small animals are unclean for you. If you touch the dead body of such an animal, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:32) ¡ºIf such an animal dies and falls on something, that object, whatever its use, will be unclean. This is true whether the object is made of wood, cloth, leather, or sackcloth. It must be put into water, and it will remain defiled until evening. After that, it will be ceremonially clean and may be used again.¡»
(·¹ 11:33) ¡º"If such an animal dies and falls into a clay pot, everything in the pot will be defiled, and the pot must be smashed.¡»
(·¹ 11:34) ¡ºIf the water used to cleanse an unclean object touches any food, all of that food will be defiled. And any beverage that is in such an unclean container will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 11:35) ¡ºAny object on which the dead body of such an animal falls will be defiled. If it is a clay oven or cooking pot, it must be smashed to pieces. It has become defiled, and it will remain that way.¡»
(·¹ 11:36) ¡º"However, if the dead body of such an animal falls into a spring or a cistern, the water will still be clean. But anyone who removes the dead body will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 11:37) ¡ºIf the dead body falls on seed grain to be planted in the field, the seed will still be considered clean.¡»
(·¹ 11:38) ¡ºBut if the seed is wet when the dead body falls on it, the seed will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 11:39) ¡º"If an animal that is permitted for eating dies and you touch its carcass, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:40) ¡ºIf you eat any of its meat or carry away its carcass, you must wash your clothes. Then you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 11:41) ¡º"Consider detestable any animal that scurries along the ground; such animals may never be eaten.¡»
(·¹ 11:42) ¡ºThis includes all animals that slither along on their bellies, as well as those with four legs and those with many feet. All such animals are to be considered detestable.¡»
(·¹ 11:43) ¡ºNever defile yourselves by touching such animals.¡»
(·¹ 11:44) ¡ºAfter all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves by touching any of these animals that scurry along the ground.¡»
(·¹ 11:45) ¡ºI, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God. You must therefore be holy because I am holy.¡»
(·¹ 11:46) ¡º"These are the instructions regarding the land animals, the birds, and all the living things that move through the water or swarm over the earth,¡»
(·¹ 11:47) ¡ºso you can distinguish between what is unclean and may not be eaten and what is clean and may be eaten."¡»
(·¹ 12:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses, "Give these instructions to the Israelites:¡»
(·¹ 12:2) ¡ºWhen a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is defiled during her menstrual period.¡»
(·¹ 12:3) ¡ºOn the eighth day, the boy must be circumcised.¡»
(·¹ 12:4) ¡ºThen the woman must wait for thirty-three days until the time of her purification from the blood of childbirth is completed. During this time of purification, she must not touch anything that is holy. And she must not go to the sanctuary until her time of purification is over.¡»
(·¹ 12:5) ¡ºIf a woman gives birth to a daughter, she will be ceremonially defiled for two weeks, just as she is defiled during her menstrual period. She must then wait another sixty-six days to be purified from the blood of childbirth.¡»
(·¹ 12:6) ¡º"When the time of purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a year-old lamb for a whole burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must take her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 12:7) ¡ºThe priest will then present them to the LORD and make atonement for her. Then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth. These are the instructions to be followed after the birth of a son or a daughter.¡»
(·¹ 12:8) ¡º"If a woman cannot afford to bring a sheep, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the whole burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them, thus making atonement for her, and she will be ceremonially clean."¡»
(·¹ 13:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses and Aaron,¡»
(·¹ 13:2) ¡º"If some of the people notice a swelling or a rash or a shiny patch on their skin that develops into a contagious skin disease, they must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons.¡»
(·¹ 13:3) ¡ºThe priest will then examine the affected area of a person's skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and appears to be more than skin-deep, then it is a contagious skin disease, and the priest must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.¡»
(·¹ 13:4) ¡º"But if the affected area of the skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin-deep, and if the hair in the spot has not turned white, the priest will put the infected person in quarantine for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 13:5) ¡ºOn the seventh day the priest will make another examination. If the affected area has not changed or spread on the skin, then the priest will put the person in quarantine for seven more days.¡»
(·¹ 13:6) ¡ºThe priest will examine the skin again on the seventh day. If the affected area has faded and not spread, the priest will pronounce the person ceremonially clean. It was only a temporary rash. So after washing the clothes, the person will be considered free of disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:7) ¡ºBut if the rash continues to spread after this examination and pronouncement by the priest, the infected person must return to be examined again.¡»
(·¹ 13:8) ¡ºIf the priest notices that the rash has spread, then he must pronounce this person ceremonially unclean, for it is a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:9) ¡º"Anyone who develops a contagious skin disease must go to the priest for an examination.¡»
(·¹ 13:10) ¡ºIf the priest sees that some hair has turned white and an open sore appears in the affected area,¡»
(·¹ 13:11) ¡ºit is clearly a contagious skin disease, and the priest must pronounce that person ceremonially unclean. In such cases, the person need not be quarantined for further observation because it is clear that the skin is defiled by the disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:12) ¡º"Now suppose the priest discovers after his examination that a rash has broken out all over someone's skin, covering the body from head to foot.¡»
(·¹ 13:13) ¡ºIn such cases, the priest must examine the infected person to see if the disease covers the entire body. If it does, he will pronounce the person ceremonially clean because the skin has turned completely white.¡»
(·¹ 13:14) ¡ºBut if any open sores appear, the infected person will be pronounced ceremonially unclean.¡»
(·¹ 13:15) ¡ºThe priest must make this pronouncement as soon as he sees an open sore because open sores indicate the presence of a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:16) ¡ºHowever, if the open sores heal and turn white like the rest of the skin, the person must return to the priest.¡»
(·¹ 13:17) ¡ºIf, after another examination, the affected areas have indeed turned completely white, then the priest will pronounce the person ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:18) ¡º"If anyone has had a boil on the skin that has started to heal,¡»
(·¹ 13:19) ¡ºbut a white swelling or a reddish white spot remains in its place, that person must go to the priest to be examined.¡»
(·¹ 13:20) ¡ºIf the priest finds the disease to be more than skin-deep, and if the hair in the affected area has turned white, then the priest must pronounce that person ceremonially unclean. It is a contagious skin disease that has broken out in the boil.¡»
(·¹ 13:21) ¡ºBut if the priest sees that there is no white hair in the affected area, and if it doesn't appear to be more than skin-deep and has faded, then the priest is to put the person in quarantine for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 13:22) ¡ºIf during that time the affected area spreads on the skin, the priest must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean, because it is a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:23) ¡ºBut if the area grows no larger and does not spread, it is merely the scar from the boil, and the priest will pronounce that person ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:24) ¡º"If anyone has suffered a burn on the skin and the burned area changes color, becoming either a shiny reddish white or white,¡»
(·¹ 13:25) ¡ºthen the priest must examine it. If the hair in the affected area turns white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, a contagious skin disease has broken out in the burn. The priest must then pronounce that person ceremonially unclean, for it is clearly a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:26) ¡ºBut if the priest discovers that there is no white hair in the affected area and the problem appears to be no more than skin-deep and has faded, then the priest is to put the infected person in quarantine for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 13:27) ¡ºIf at the end of that time the affected area has spread on the skin, the priest must pronounce that person ceremonially unclean, for it is clearly a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:28) ¡ºBut if the affected area has not moved or spread on the skin and has faded, it is simply a scar from the burn. The priest must then pronounce the person ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:29) ¡º"If anyone, whether a man or woman, has an open sore on the head or chin,¡»
(·¹ 13:30) ¡ºthe priest must examine the infection. If it appears to be more than skin-deep and fine yellow hair is found in the affected area, the priest must pronounce the infected person ceremonially unclean. The infection is a contagious skin disease of the head or chin.¡»
(·¹ 13:31) ¡ºHowever, if the priest's examination reveals that the infection is only skin-deep and there is no black hair in the affected area, then he must put the person in quarantine for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 13:32) ¡ºIf at the end of that time the affected area has not spread and no yellow hair has appeared, and if the infection does not appear to be more than skin-deep,¡»
(·¹ 13:33) ¡ºthe infected person must shave off all hair except the hair on the affected area. Then the priest must put the person in quarantine for another seven days,¡»
(·¹ 13:34) ¡ºand he will examine the infection again on the seventh day. If it has not spread and appears to be no more than skin-deep, the priest must pronounce that person ceremonially clean. After washing clothes, that person will be clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:35) ¡ºBut if the infection begins to spread after the person is pronounced clean,¡»
(·¹ 13:36) ¡ºthe priest must do another examination. If the infection has spread, he must pronounce the infected person ceremonially unclean, even without checking for yellow hair.¡»
(·¹ 13:37) ¡ºBut if it appears that the infection has stopped spreading and black hair has grown in the affected area, then the infection has healed. The priest will then pronounce the infected person ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:38) ¡º"If anyone, whether a man or woman, has shiny white patches on the skin,¡»
(·¹ 13:39) ¡ºthe priest must examine the affected area. If the patch is only a pale white, this is a harmless skin rash, and the person is ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:40) ¡º"If a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:41) ¡ºAnd if he loses hair on his forehead, he simply has a bald forehead; he is still clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:42) ¡ºHowever, if a reddish white infection appears on the front or the back of his head, this is a contagious skin disease.¡»
(·¹ 13:43) ¡ºThe priest must examine him, and if he finds swelling around the reddish white sore,¡»
(·¹ 13:44) ¡ºthe man is infected with a contagious skin disease and is unclean. The priest must pronounce him ceremonially unclean because of the infection.¡»
(·¹ 13:45) ¡º"Those who suffer from any contagious skin disease must tear their clothing and allow their hair to hang loose. Then, as they go from place to place, they must cover their mouth and call out, `Unclean! Unclean!'¡»
(·¹ 13:46) ¡ºAs long as the disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean and must live in isolation outside the camp.¡»
(·¹ 13:47) ¡º"Now suppose an infectious mildew contaminates some woolen or linen clothing,¡»
(·¹ 13:48) ¡ºsome woolen or linen fabric, the hide of an animal, or anything made of leather.¡»
(·¹ 13:49) ¡ºIf the affected area in the clothing, the animal hide, the fabric, or the leather has turned bright green or a reddish color, it is contaminated with an infectious mildew and must be taken to the priest to be examined.¡»
(·¹ 13:50) ¡ºAfter examining the affected spot, the priest will put it away for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 13:51) ¡ºOn the seventh day the priest must inspect it again. If the affected area has spread, the material is clearly contaminated by an infectious mildew and is unclean.¡»
(·¹ 13:52) ¡ºThe priest must burn the linen or wool clothing or the piece of leather because it has been contaminated by an infectious mildew. It must be completely destroyed by fire.¡»
(·¹ 13:53) ¡º"But if the priest examines it again and the affected spot has not spread in the clothing, the fabric, or the leather,¡»
(·¹ 13:54) ¡ºthe priest will order the contaminated object to be washed and then isolated for seven more days.¡»
(·¹ 13:55) ¡ºThen the priest must inspect the object again. If he sees that the affected area has not changed appearance after being washed, even if it did not spread, the object is defiled. It must be completely burned up, whether it is contaminated on the inside or outside.¡»
(·¹ 13:56) ¡ºBut if the priest sees that the affected area has faded after being washed, he is to cut the spot from the clothing, the fabric, or the leather.¡»
(·¹ 13:57) ¡ºIf the spot reappears at a later time, however, the mildew is clearly spreading, and the contaminated object must be burned up.¡»
(·¹ 13:58) ¡ºBut if the spot disappears after the object is washed, it must be washed again; then it will be ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 13:59) ¡º"These are the instructions for dealing with infectious mildew in woolen or linen clothing or fabric, or in anything made of leather. This is how the priest will determine whether these things are ceremonially clean or unclean."¡»
(·¹ 14:1) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 14:2) ¡º"The following instructions must be followed by those seeking purification from a contagious skin disease. Those who have been healed must be brought to the priest,¡»
(·¹ 14:3) ¡ºwho will examine them at a place outside the camp. If the priest finds that someone has been healed of the skin disease,¡»
(·¹ 14:4) ¡ºhe will perform a purification ceremony, using two wild birds of a kind permitted for food, along with some cedarwood, a scarlet cloth, and a hyssop branch.¡»
(·¹ 14:5) ¡ºThe priest will order one of the birds to be slaughtered over a clay pot that is filled with fresh springwater.¡»
(·¹ 14:6) ¡ºHe will then dip the living bird, along with the cedarwood, the scarlet cloth, and the hyssop branch, into the blood of the slaughtered bird.¡»
(·¹ 14:7) ¡ºThe priest will also sprinkle the dead bird's blood seven times over the person being purified, and the priest will pronounce that person to be ceremonially clean. At the end of the ceremony, the priest will set the living bird free so it can fly away into the open fields.¡»
(·¹ 14:8) ¡º"The people being purified must complete the cleansing ceremony by washing their clothes, shaving off all their hair, and bathing themselves in water. Then they will be ceremonially clean and may return to live inside the camp. However, they must still remain outside their tents for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 14:9) ¡ºOn the seventh day, they must again shave off all their hair, including the hair of the beard and eyebrows, and wash their clothes and bathe themselves in water. Then they will be pronounced ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 14:10) ¡º"On the next day, the eighth day, each person cured of the skin disease must bring two male lambs and one female year-old lamb with no physical defects, along with five quarts of choice flour mixed with olive oil and three-fifths of a pint of olive oil.¡»
(·¹ 14:11) ¡ºThen the officiating priest will present that person for cleansing, along with the offerings, before the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 14:12) ¡ºThe priest will take one of the lambs and the olive oil and offer them as a guilt offering by lifting them up before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 14:13) ¡ºHe will then slaughter the lamb there in the sacred area at the place where sin offerings and burnt offerings are slaughtered. As with the sin offering, the guilt offering will be given to the priest. It is a most holy offering.¡»
(·¹ 14:14) ¡ºThe priest will then take some of the blood from the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the healed person's right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot.¡»
(·¹ 14:15) ¡º"Then the priest will pour some of the olive oil into the palm of his own left hand.¡»
(·¹ 14:16) ¡ºHe will dip his right finger into the oil and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 14:17) ¡ºThe priest will then put some of the oil remaining in his left hand on the tip of the healed person's right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot, in addition to the blood of the guilt offering.¡»
(·¹ 14:18) ¡ºThe oil remaining in the priest's hand will then be poured over the healed person's head. In this way, the priest will make atonement before the LORD for the person being cleansed.¡»
(·¹ 14:19) ¡º"Then the priest must offer the sin offering and again perform the atonement ceremony for the person cured of the skin disease. After that, the priest will slaughter the whole burnt offering¡»
(·¹ 14:20) ¡ºand offer it on the altar along with the grain offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the person being cleansed, and the healed person will be ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 14:21) ¡º"But anyone who cannot afford two lambs must bring one male lamb for a guilt offering, along with two quarts of choice flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering and three-fifths of a pint of olive oil. The guilt offering will be presented by lifting it up, thus making atonement for the person being cleansed.¡»
(·¹ 14:22) ¡ºThe person being cleansed must also bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whichever the person can afford. One of the pair must be used for a sin offering and the other for a whole burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 14:23) ¡ºOn the eighth day, the person being cleansed must bring the offerings to the priest for the cleansing ceremony to be performed in the LORD's presence at the Tabernacle entrance.¡»
(·¹ 14:24) ¡ºThe priest will take the lamb for the guilt offering, along with the olive oil, and lift them up before the LORD as an offering to him.¡»
(·¹ 14:25) ¡ºThen the priest will slaughter the lamb for the guilt offering and put some of its blood on the tip of the person's right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot.¡»
(·¹ 14:26) ¡º"The priest will also pour some of the olive oil into the palm of his own left hand.¡»
(·¹ 14:27) ¡ºHe will dip his right finger into the oil and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 14:28) ¡ºThe priest will then put some of the olive oil from his hand on the lobe of the person's right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot, in addition to the blood of the guilt offering.¡»
(·¹ 14:29) ¡ºThe oil that is still in the priest's hand will then be poured over the person's head. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the person being cleansed.¡»
(·¹ 14:30) ¡º"Then the priest will offer the two turtledoves or the two young pigeons, whichever the person was able to afford.¡»
(·¹ 14:31) ¡ºOne of them is for a sin offering and the other for a whole burnt offering, to be presented along with the grain offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement before the LORD for the person being cleansed.¡»
(·¹ 14:32) ¡ºThese are the instructions for cleansing those who have recovered from a contagious skin disease but who cannot afford to bring the sacrifices normally required for the ceremony of cleansing."¡»
(·¹ 14:33) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,¡»
(·¹ 14:34) ¡º"When you arrive in Canaan, the land I am giving you as an inheritance, I may contaminate some of your houses with an infectious mildew.¡»
(·¹ 14:35) ¡ºThe owner of such a house must then go to the priest and say, `It looks like my house has some kind of disease.'¡»
(·¹ 14:36) ¡ºBefore the priest examines the house, he must have the house emptied so everything inside will not be pronounced unclean. Then the priest will go in and inspect the house.¡»
(·¹ 14:37) ¡ºIf he finds bright green or reddish streaks on the walls of the house and the contamination appears to go deeper than the wall's surface,¡»
(·¹ 14:38) ¡ºhe will leave the house and lock it up for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 14:39) ¡ºOn the seventh day the priest must return for another inspection. If the mildew on the walls of the house has spread,¡»
(·¹ 14:40) ¡ºthe priest must order that the stones from those areas be removed. The contaminated material will then be thrown into an area outside the town designated as ceremonially unclean.¡»
(·¹ 14:41) ¡ºNext the inside walls of the entire house must be scraped thoroughly and the scrapings dumped in the unclean place outside the town.¡»
(·¹ 14:42) ¡ºOther stones will be brought in to replace the ones that were removed, and the walls will be replastered.¡»
(·¹ 14:43) ¡º"But if the mildew reappears after all these things have been done,¡»
(·¹ 14:44) ¡ºthe priest must return and inspect the house again. If he sees that the affected areas have spread, the walls are clearly contaminated with an infectious mildew, and the house is defiled.¡»
(·¹ 14:45) ¡ºIt must be torn down, and all its stones, timbers, and plaster must be carried out of town to the place designated as ceremonially unclean.¡»
(·¹ 14:46) ¡ºAnyone who enters the house while it is closed will be considered ceremonially unclean until evening.¡»
(·¹ 14:47) ¡ºAll who sleep or eat in the house must wash their clothing.¡»
(·¹ 14:48) ¡º"But if the priest returns for his inspection and finds that the affected areas have not reappeared after the fresh plastering, then he will pronounce the house clean because the infectious mildew is clearly gone.¡»
(·¹ 14:49) ¡ºTo purify the house the priest will need two birds, some cedarwood, a scarlet cloth, and a hyssop branch.¡»
(·¹ 14:50) ¡ºHe will slaughter one of the birds over a clay pot that is filled with fresh springwater.¡»
(·¹ 14:51) ¡ºThen he will dip the cedarwood, the hyssop branch, the scarlet cloth, and the living bird into the blood of the slaughtered bird, and he will sprinkle the house seven times.¡»
(·¹ 14:52) ¡ºAfter he has purified the house in this way,¡»
(·¹ 14:53) ¡ºhe will release the living bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the house, and it will be ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 14:54) ¡º"These are the instructions for dealing with the various kinds of contagious skin disease and infectious mildew,¡»
(·¹ 14:55) ¡ºwhether in clothing, in a house,¡»
(·¹ 14:56) ¡ºin a swollen area of skin, in a skin rash, or in a shiny patch of skin.¡»
(·¹ 14:57) ¡ºThese instructions must be followed when dealing with any contagious skin disease or infectious mildew, to determine when something is ceremonially clean or unclean."¡»
(·¹ 15:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses and Aaron,¡»
(·¹ 15:2) ¡º"Give these further instructions to the Israelites: Any man who has a genital discharge is ceremonially unclean because of it.¡»
(·¹ 15:3) ¡ºThis defilement applies whether the discharge continues or is stopped up. In either case the man is unclean.¡»
(·¹ 15:4) ¡ºAny bedding on which he lies and anything on which he sits will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 15:5) ¡º"So if you touch the man's bedding, you will be required to wash your clothes and bathe in water, and you will remain ceremonially defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:6) ¡ºIf you sit where the man with the discharge has sat, you will be required to wash your clothes and bathe in water. You will then remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:7) ¡ºThe same instructions apply if you touch the man who has the unclean discharge.¡»
(·¹ 15:8) ¡ºAnd if he spits on you, you must undergo the same procedure.¡»
(·¹ 15:9) ¡ºAny blanket on which the man rides will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 15:10) ¡ºIf you touch or carry anything that was under him, you will be required to wash your clothes and bathe in water, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:11) ¡ºIf the man touches you without first rinsing his hands, then you will be required to wash your clothes and bathe in water, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:12) ¡ºAny clay pot touched by the man with the discharge must be broken, and every wooden utensil he touches must be rinsed with water.¡»
(·¹ 15:13) ¡º"When the man's discharge heals, he must count off a period of seven days. During that time, he must wash his clothes and bathe in fresh springwater. Then he will be ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 15:14) ¡ºOn the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons and present himself to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle and give his offerings to the priest.¡»
(·¹ 15:15) ¡ºThe priest will present the offerings there, one for a sin offering and the other for a whole burnt offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the man before the LORD for his discharge.¡»
(·¹ 15:16) ¡º"Whenever a man has an emission of semen, he must wash his entire body, and he will remain ceremonially defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:17) ¡ºAny clothing or leather that comes in contact with the semen must be washed, and it will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:18) ¡ºAfter having sexual intercourse, both the man and the woman must bathe, and they will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:19) ¡º"Whenever a woman has her menstrual period, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days. If you touch her during that time, you will be defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:20) ¡ºAnything on which she lies or sits during that time will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 15:21) ¡ºIf you touch her bed, you must wash your clothes and bathe in water, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:22) ¡ºThe same applies if you touch an object on which she sits,¡»
(·¹ 15:23) ¡ºwhether it is her bedding or any piece of furniture.¡»
(·¹ 15:24) ¡ºIf a man has sexual intercourse with her during this time, her menstrual impurity will be transmitted to him. He will remain defiled for seven days, and any bed on which he lies will be defiled.¡»
(·¹ 15:25) ¡º"If the menstrual flow of blood continues for many days beyond the normal period, or if she discharges blood unrelated to her menstruation, the woman will be ceremonially unclean as long as the discharge continues.¡»
(·¹ 15:26) ¡ºAnything on which she lies or sits during that time will be defiled, just as it would be during her normal menstrual period.¡»
(·¹ 15:27) ¡ºIf you touch her bed or anything on which she sits, you will be defiled. You will be required to wash your clothes and bathe in water, and you will remain defiled until evening.¡»
(·¹ 15:28) ¡º"When the woman's menstrual discharge stops, she must count off a period of seven days. After that, she will be ceremonially clean.¡»
(·¹ 15:29) ¡ºOn the eighth day, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons and present them to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 15:30) ¡ºThe priest will offer one for a sin offering and the other for a whole burnt offering. In this way, the priest will make atonement for her before the LORD for her menstrual discharge.¡»
(·¹ 15:31) ¡º"In this way, you will keep the people of Israel separate from things that will defile them, so they will not die as a result of defiling my Tabernacle that is right there among them.¡»
(·¹ 15:32) ¡ºThese are the instructions for dealing with a man who has been defiled by a genital discharge or an emission of semen;¡»
(·¹ 15:33) ¡ºfor dealing with a woman during her monthly menstrual period; for dealing with anyone, man or woman, who has had a bodily discharge of any kind; and for dealing with a man who has had intercourse with a woman during her period."¡»
(·¹ 16:1) ¡ºThe LORD spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons, who died when they burned a different kind of fire than the LORD had commanded.¡»
(·¹ 16:2) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses, "Warn your brother Aaron not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; the penalty for intrusion is death. For the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--is there, and I myself am present in the cloud over the atonement cover.¡»
(·¹ 16:3) ¡º"When Aaron enters the sanctuary area, he must follow these instructions fully. He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a whole burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 16:4) ¡ºThen he must wash his entire body and put on his linen tunic and the undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are his sacred garments.¡»
(·¹ 16:5) ¡ºThe people of Israel must then bring him two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a whole burnt offering.¡»
(·¹ 16:6) ¡º"Aaron will present the bull as a sin offering, to make atonement for himself and his family.¡»
(·¹ 16:7) ¡ºThen he must bring the two male goats and present them to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 16:8) ¡ºHe is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be sacrificed to the LORD and which one will be the scapegoat.¡»
(·¹ 16:9) ¡ºThe goat chosen to be sacrificed to the LORD will be presented by Aaron as a sin offering.¡»
(·¹ 16:10) ¡ºThe goat chosen to be the scapegoat will be presented to the LORD alive. When it is sent away into the wilderness, it will make atonement for the people.¡»
(·¹ 16:11) ¡º"Then Aaron will present the young bull as a sin offering for himself and his family. After he has slaughtered this bull for the sin offering,¡»
(·¹ 16:12) ¡ºhe will fill an incense burner with burning coals from the altar that stands before the LORD. Then, after filling both his hands with fragrant incense, he will carry the burner and incense behind the inner curtain.¡»
(·¹ 16:13) ¡ºThere in the LORD's presence, he will put the incense on the burning coals so that a cloud of incense will rise over the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. If he follows these instructions, he will not die.¡»
(·¹ 16:14) ¡ºThen he must dip his finger into the blood of the bull and sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover and then seven times against the front of the Ark.¡»
(·¹ 16:15) ¡º"Then Aaron must slaughter the goat as a sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the blood on the atonement cover and against the front of the Ark, just as he did with the bull's blood.¡»
(·¹ 16:16) ¡ºIn this way, he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites.¡»
(·¹ 16:17) ¡ºNo one else is allowed inside the Tabernacle while Aaron goes in to make atonement for the Most Holy Place. No one may enter until he comes out again after making atonement for himself, his family, and all the Israelites.¡»
(·¹ 16:18) ¡º"Then Aaron will go out to make atonement for the altar that stands before the LORD by smearing some of the blood from the bull and the goat on each of the altar's horns.¡»
(·¹ 16:19) ¡ºThen he must dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it seven times over the altar. In this way, he will cleanse it from Israel's defilement and return it to its former holiness.¡»
(·¹ 16:20) ¡º"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, and the altar, he must bring the living goat forward.¡»
(·¹ 16:21) ¡ºHe is to lay both of his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the sins and rebellion of the Israelites. In this way, he will lay the people's sins on the head of the goat; then he will send it out into the wilderness, led by a man chosen for this task.¡»
(·¹ 16:22) ¡ºAfter the man sets it free in the wilderness, the goat will carry all the people's sins upon itself into a desolate land.¡»
(·¹ 16:23) ¡º"As Aaron enters the Tabernacle, he must take off the linen garments he wore when he entered the Most Holy Place, and he must leave the garments there.¡»
(·¹ 16:24) ¡ºThen he must bathe his entire body with water in a sacred place, put on his garments, and go out to sacrifice his own whole burnt offering and the whole burnt offering for the people. In this way, he will make atonement for himself and for the people.¡»
(·¹ 16:25) ¡ºHe must also burn all the fat of the sin offering on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 16:26) ¡º"The man chosen to send the goat out into the wilderness as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe in water. Then he may return to the camp.¡»
(·¹ 16:27) ¡º"The bull and goat given as sin offerings, whose blood Aaron brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement for Israel, will be carried outside the camp to be burned. This includes the animals' hides, the internal organs, and the dung.¡»
(·¹ 16:28) ¡ºThe man who does the burning must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water before returning to the camp.¡»
(·¹ 16:29) ¡º"On the appointed day in early autumn, you must spend the day fasting and not do any work. This is a permanent law for you, and it applies to those who are Israelites by birth, as well as to the foreigners living among you.¡»
(·¹ 16:30) ¡ºOn this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the LORD's presence.¡»
(·¹ 16:31) ¡ºIt will be a Sabbath day of total rest, and you will spend the day in fasting. This is a permanent law for you.¡»
(·¹ 16:32) ¡ºIn future generations, the atonement ceremony will be performed by the anointed high priest who serves in place of his ancestor Aaron. He will put on the holy linen garments¡»
(·¹ 16:33) ¡ºand make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, the altar, the priests, and the entire community.¡»
(·¹ 16:34) ¡ºThis is a permanent law for you, to make atonement for the Israelites once each year." Moses followed all these instructions that the LORD had given to him.¡»
(·¹ 17:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 17:2) ¡º"Give Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites these commands from the LORD:¡»
(·¹ 17:3) ¡ºIf any Israelite sacrifices a bull or a lamb or a goat anywhere inside or outside the camp¡»
(·¹ 17:4) ¡ºand does not bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle to present it as an offering to the LORD, that person will be guilty of a capital offense. Such a person has shed blood and must be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 17:5) ¡ºThis rule will stop the Israelites from sacrificing animals in the open fields. It will cause them to bring their sacrifices to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle, so he can present them to the LORD as peace offerings.¡»
(·¹ 17:6) ¡ºThat way the priest will be able to sprinkle the blood and burn the fat on the LORD's altar at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and it will be very pleasing to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 17:7) ¡ºThe people must no longer be unfaithful to the LORD by offering sacrifices to evil spirits out in the fields. This is a permanent law for them, to be kept generation after generation.¡»
(·¹ 17:8) ¡º"Give them this command as well, which applies both to Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. If you offer a whole burnt offering or a sacrifice¡»
(·¹ 17:9) ¡ºand do not bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle to offer it to the LORD, you will be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 17:10) ¡º"And I will turn against anyone, whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among you, who eats or drinks blood in any form. I will cut off such a person from the community,¡»
(·¹ 17:11) ¡ºfor the life of any creature is in its blood. I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement.¡»
(·¹ 17:12) ¡ºThat is why I said to the Israelites: `You and the foreigners who live among you must never eat or drink blood.'¡»
(·¹ 17:13) ¡º"And this command applies both to Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. If you go hunting and kill an animal or bird that is approved for eating, you must drain out the blood and cover it with earth.¡»
(·¹ 17:14) ¡ºThe life of every creature is in the blood. That is why I have told the people of Israel never to eat or drink it, for the life of any bird or animal is in the blood. So whoever eats or drinks blood must be cut off.¡»
(·¹ 17:15) ¡º"And this command also applies both to Israelites and the foreigners living among you. If you eat from the carcass of an animal that died a natural death or was killed by a wild animal, you must wash your clothes and bathe yourselves in water. Then you will remain ceremonially unclean until evening; after that, you will be considered clean.¡»
(·¹ 17:16) ¡ºBut if you do not wash your clothes and bathe, you will be held responsible."¡»
(·¹ 18:1) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 18:2) ¡º"Say this to your people, the Israelites: I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 18:3) ¡ºSo do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.¡»
(·¹ 18:4) ¡ºYou must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 18:5) ¡ºIf you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 18:6) ¡º"You must never have sexual intercourse with a close relative, for I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 18:7) ¡ºDo not violate your father by having sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your mother; you must never have intercourse with her.¡»
(·¹ 18:8) ¡ºDo not have sexual intercourse with any of your father's wives, for this would violate your father.¡»
(·¹ 18:9) ¡º"Do not have sexual intercourse with your sister or half sister, whether she is your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether she was brought up in the same family or somewhere else.¡»
(·¹ 18:10) ¡º"Do not have sexual intercourse with your granddaughter, whether your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would violate you.¡»
(·¹ 18:11) ¡ºDo not have sexual intercourse with the daughter of any of your father's wives; she is your half sister.¡»
(·¹ 18:12) ¡ºDo not have intercourse with your aunt, your father's sister, because she is your father's close relative.¡»
(·¹ 18:13) ¡ºDo not have sexual intercourse with your aunt, your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.¡»
(·¹ 18:14) ¡ºAnd do not violate your uncle, your father's brother, by having sexual intercourse with his wife; she also is your aunt.¡»
(·¹ 18:15) ¡ºDo not have sexual intercourse with your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife.¡»
(·¹ 18:16) ¡ºDo not have intercourse with your brother's wife; this would violate your brother.¡»
(·¹ 18:17) ¡º"Do not have sexual intercourse with both a woman and her daughter or marry both a woman and her granddaughter, whether her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter. They are close relatives, and to do this would be a horrible wickedness.¡»
(·¹ 18:18) ¡º"Do not marry a woman and her sister because they will be rivals. But if your wife dies, then it is all right to marry her sister.¡»
(·¹ 18:19) ¡º"Do not violate a woman by having sexual intercourse with her during her period of menstrual impurity.¡»
(·¹ 18:20) ¡º"Do not defile yourself by having sexual intercourse with your neighbor's wife.¡»
(·¹ 18:21) ¡º"Do not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 18:22) ¡º"Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin.¡»
(·¹ 18:23) ¡º"A man must never defile himself by having sexual intercourse with an animal, and a woman must never present herself to a male animal in order to have intercourse with it; this is a terrible perversion.¡»
(·¹ 18:24) ¡º"Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the people I am expelling from the Promised Land have defiled themselves.¡»
(·¹ 18:25) ¡ºAs a result, the entire land has become defiled. That is why I am punishing the people who live there, and the land will soon vomit them out.¡»
(·¹ 18:26) ¡ºYou must strictly obey all of my laws and regulations, and you must not do any of these detestable things. This applies both to you who are Israelites by birth and to the foreigners living among you.¡»
(·¹ 18:27) ¡º"All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and the land has become defiled.¡»
(·¹ 18:28) ¡ºDo not give the land a reason to vomit you out for defiling it, as it will vomit out the people who live there now.¡»
(·¹ 18:29) ¡ºWhoever does any of these detestable things will be cut off from the community of Israel.¡»
(·¹ 18:30) ¡ºSo be careful to obey my laws, and do not practice any of these detestable activities. Do not defile yourselves by doing any of them, for I, the LORD, am your God."¡»
(·¹ 19:1) ¡ºThe LORD also said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 19:2) ¡º"Say this to the entire community of Israel: You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.¡»
(·¹ 19:3) ¡ºEach of you must show respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest, for I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:4) ¡ºDo not put your trust in idols or make gods of metal for yourselves. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:5) ¡º"When you sacrifice a peace offering to the LORD, offer it properly so it will be accepted on your behalf.¡»
(·¹ 19:6) ¡ºYou must eat it on the same day you offer it or on the next day at the latest. Any leftovers that remain until the third day must be burned.¡»
(·¹ 19:7) ¡ºIf any of the offering is eaten on the third day, it will be contaminated, and I will not accept it.¡»
(·¹ 19:8) ¡ºIf you eat it on the third day, you will answer for the sin of profaning what is holy to the LORD and must be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 19:9) ¡º"When you harvest your crops, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop.¡»
(·¹ 19:10) ¡ºIt is the same with your grape crop--do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners who live among you, for I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:11) ¡º"Do not steal. "Do not cheat one another. "Do not lie.¡»
(·¹ 19:12) ¡º"Do not use my name to swear a falsehood and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:13) ¡º"Do not cheat or rob anyone. "Always pay your hired workers promptly.¡»
(·¹ 19:14) ¡º"Show your fear of God by treating the deaf with respect and by not taking advantage of the blind. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:15) ¡º"Always judge your neighbors fairly, neither favoring the poor nor showing deference to the rich.¡»
(·¹ 19:16) ¡º"Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. "Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor's life, for I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:17) ¡º"Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. "Confront your neighbors directly so you will not be held guilty for their crimes.¡»
(·¹ 19:18) ¡º"Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:19) ¡º"You must obey all my laws. "Do not breed your cattle with other kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of fabric.¡»
(·¹ 19:20) ¡º"If a man has sexual intercourse with a slave girl who is committed to become someone else's wife, compensation must be paid. But since she had not been freed at the time, the couple will not be put to death.¡»
(·¹ 19:21) ¡ºThe man, however, must bring a ram as a guilt offering and present it to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle.¡»
(·¹ 19:22) ¡ºThe priest will then make atonement for him before the LORD with the sacrificial ram of the guilt offering, and the man will be forgiven.¡»
(·¹ 19:23) ¡º"When you enter the land and plant fruit trees, leave the fruit unharvested for the first three years and consider it forbidden.¡»
(·¹ 19:24) ¡ºIn the fourth year the entire crop will be devoted to the LORD as an outburst of praise.¡»
(·¹ 19:25) ¡ºFinally, in the fifth year you may eat the fruit. In this way, its yield will be increased. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:26) ¡º"Never eat meat that has not been drained of its blood. "Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.¡»
(·¹ 19:27) ¡º"Do not trim off the hair on your temples or clip the edges of your beards.¡»
(·¹ 19:28) ¡º"Never cut your bodies in mourning for the dead or mark your skin with tattoos, for I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:29) ¡º"Do not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be filled with promiscuity and detestable wickedness.¡»
(·¹ 19:30) ¡º"Keep my Sabbath days of rest and show reverence toward my sanctuary, for I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:31) ¡º"Do not rely on mediums and psychics, for you will be defiled by them. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:32) ¡º"Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 19:33) ¡º"Do not exploit the foreigners who live in your land.¡»
(·¹ 19:34) ¡ºThey should be treated like everyone else, and you must love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 19:35) ¡º"Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume.¡»
(·¹ 19:36) ¡ºYour scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry goods or liquids must be accurate. I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.¡»
(·¹ 19:37) ¡ºYou must be careful to obey all of my laws and regulations, for I am the LORD."¡»
(·¹ 20:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 20:2) ¡º"Give the Israelites these instructions, which apply to those who are Israelites by birth as well as to the foreigners living among you. If any among them devote their children as burnt offerings to Molech, they must be stoned to death by people of the community.¡»
(·¹ 20:3) ¡ºI myself will turn against them and cut them off from the community, because they have defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name by giving their children to Molech.¡»
(·¹ 20:4) ¡ºAnd if the people of the community ignore this offering of children to Molech and refuse to execute the guilty parents,¡»
(·¹ 20:5) ¡ºthen I myself will turn against them and cut them off from the community, along with all those who commit prostitution by worshiping Molech.¡»
(·¹ 20:6) ¡º"If any among the people are unfaithful by consulting and following mediums or psychics, I will turn against them and cut them off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 20:7) ¡ºSo set yourselves apart to be holy, for I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 20:8) ¡ºKeep all my laws and obey them, for I am the LORD, who makes you holy.¡»
(·¹ 20:9) ¡º"All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:10) ¡º"If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death.¡»
(·¹ 20:11) ¡ºIf a man has intercourse with his father's wife, both the man and the woman must die, for they are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:12) ¡ºIf a man has intercourse with his daughter-in-law, both must be put to death. They have acted contrary to nature and are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:13) ¡º"The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have committed a detestable act and are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:14) ¡ºIf a man has intercourse with both a woman and her mother, such an act is terribly wicked. All three of them must be burned to death to wipe out such wickedness from among you.¡»
(·¹ 20:15) ¡º"If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he must be put to death, and the animal must be killed.¡»
(·¹ 20:16) ¡ºIf a woman approaches a male animal to have intercourse with it, she and the animal must both be put to death. Both must die, for they are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:17) ¡º"If a man has sexual intercourse with his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, it is a terrible disgrace. Both of them must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has had intercourse with his sister, he will suffer the consequences of his guilt.¡»
(·¹ 20:18) ¡ºIf a man has intercourse with a woman suffering from a hemorrhage, both of them must be cut off from the community, because he exposed the source of her flow, and she allowed him to do it.¡»
(·¹ 20:19) ¡º"If a man has sexual intercourse with his aunt, whether his mother's sister or his father's sister, he has violated a close relative. Both parties are guilty of a capital offense.¡»
(·¹ 20:20) ¡ºIf a man has intercourse with his uncle's wife, he has violated his uncle. Both the man and woman involved are guilty of a capital offense and will die childless.¡»
(·¹ 20:21) ¡ºIf a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity. He has violated his brother, and the guilty couple will remain childless.¡»
(·¹ 20:22) ¡º"You must carefully obey all my laws and regulations; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you will vomit you out.¡»
(·¹ 20:23) ¡ºDo not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much.¡»
(·¹ 20:24) ¡ºBut I have promised that you will inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I, the LORD, am your God, who has set you apart from all other people.¡»
(·¹ 20:25) ¡º"You must therefore make a distinction between ceremonially clean and unclean animals, and between clean and unclean birds. You must not defile yourselves by eating any animal or bird or creeping creature that I have forbidden.¡»
(·¹ 20:26) ¡ºYou must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own.¡»
(·¹ 20:27) ¡º"Men and women among you who act as mediums or psychics must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense."¡»
(·¹ 21:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses, "Tell the priests to avoid making themselves ceremonially unclean by touching a dead relative¡»
(·¹ 21:2) ¡ºunless it is a close relative--mother or father, son or daughter, brother¡»
(·¹ 21:3) ¡ºor virgin sister who was dependent because she had no husband.¡»
(·¹ 21:4) ¡ºAs a husband among his relatives, he must not defile himself.¡»
(·¹ 21:5) ¡º"The priests must never shave their heads, trim the edges of their beards, or cut their bodies.¡»
(·¹ 21:6) ¡ºThey must be set apart to God as holy and must never dishonor his name. After all, they are the ones who present the offerings to the LORD by fire, providing God with his food, and they must remain holy.¡»
(·¹ 21:7) ¡º"The priests must not marry women defiled by prostitution or women who have been divorced, for the priests must be set apart to God as holy.¡»
(·¹ 21:8) ¡ºYou must treat them as holy because they offer up food to your God. You must consider them holy because I, the LORD, am holy, and I make you holy.¡»
(·¹ 21:9) ¡ºIf a priest's daughter becomes a prostitute, defiling her father's holiness as well as herself, she must be burned to death.¡»
(·¹ 21:10) ¡º"The high priest, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the special priestly garments, must never let his hair hang loose or tear his clothing.¡»
(·¹ 21:11) ¡ºHe must never defile himself by going near a dead person, even if it is his father or mother.¡»
(·¹ 21:12) ¡ºHe must not desecrate the sanctuary of his God by leaving it to attend his parents' funeral, because he has been made holy by the anointing oil of his God. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 21:13) ¡º"The high priest must marry a virgin.¡»
(·¹ 21:14) ¡ºHe must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution. She must be a virgin from his own clan,¡»
(·¹ 21:15) ¡ºthat he may not dishonor his descendants among the members of his clan, because I, the LORD, have made him holy."¡»
(·¹ 21:16) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 21:17) ¡º"Tell Aaron that in all future generations, his descendants who have physical defects will not qualify to offer food to their God.¡»
(·¹ 21:18) ¡ºNo one who has a defect may come near to me, whether he is blind or lame, stunted or deformed,¡»
(·¹ 21:19) ¡ºor has a broken foot or hand,¡»
(·¹ 21:20) ¡ºor has a humped back or is a dwarf, or has a defective eye, or has oozing sores or scabs on his skin, or has damaged testicles.¡»
(·¹ 21:21) ¡ºEven though he is a descendant of Aaron, his physical defects disqualify him from presenting offerings to the LORD by fire. Since he has a blemish, he may not offer food to his God.¡»
(·¹ 21:22) ¡ºHowever, he may eat from the food offered to God, including the holy offerings and the most holy offerings.¡»
(·¹ 21:23) ¡ºYet because of his physical defect, he must never go behind the inner curtain or come near the altar, for this would desecrate my holy places. I am the LORD who makes them holy."¡»
(·¹ 21:24) ¡ºSo Moses gave these instructions to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.¡»
(·¹ 22:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 22:2) ¡º"Tell Aaron and his sons to treat the sacred gifts that the Israelites set apart for me with great care, so they do not profane my holy name. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 22:3) ¡ºRemind them that if any of their descendants are ceremonially unclean when they approach the sacred food presented by the Israelites, they must be cut off from my presence. I am the LORD!¡»
(·¹ 22:4) ¡º"If any of the priests have a contagious skin disease or any kind of discharge that makes them ceremonially unclean, they may not eat the sacred offerings until they have been pronounced clean. If any of the priests become unclean by touching a corpse, or are defiled by an emission of semen,¡»
(·¹ 22:5) ¡ºor by touching a creeping creature that is unclean, or by touching someone who is ceremonially unclean for any reason,¡»
(·¹ 22:6) ¡ºthey will remain defiled until evening. They must not eat any of the sacred offerings until they have purified their bodies with water.¡»
(·¹ 22:7) ¡ºWhen the sun goes down, they will be clean again and may eat the sacred offerings. After all, this food has been set aside for them.¡»
(·¹ 22:8) ¡ºThe priests may never eat an animal that has died a natural death or has been torn apart by wild animals, for this would defile them. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 22:9) ¡ºWarn all the priests to follow these instructions carefully; otherwise they will be subject to punishment and die for violating them. I am the LORD who makes them holy.¡»
(·¹ 22:10) ¡º"No one outside a priest's family may ever eat the sacred offerings, even if the person lives in a priest's home or is one of his hired servants.¡»
(·¹ 22:11) ¡ºHowever, if the priest buys slaves with his own money, they may eat of his food. And if his slaves have children, they also may share his food.¡»
(·¹ 22:12) ¡ºIf a priest's daughter marries someone outside the priestly family, she may no longer eat the sacred offerings.¡»
(·¹ 22:13) ¡ºBut if she becomes a widow or is divorced and has no children to support her, and she returns to live in her father's home, she may eat her father's food again. But other than these exceptions, only members of the priests' families are allowed to eat the sacred offerings.¡»
(·¹ 22:14) ¡º"Anyone who eats the sacred offerings without realizing it must pay the priest for the amount eaten, plus an added penalty of 20 percent.¡»
(·¹ 22:15) ¡ºNo one may defile the sacred offerings brought to the LORD by the Israelites¡»
(·¹ 22:16) ¡ºby allowing unauthorized people to eat them. The negligent priest would bring guilt upon the people and require them to pay compensation. I am the LORD, who makes them holy."¡»
(·¹ 22:17) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 22:18) ¡º"Give Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites these instructions, which apply to those who are Israelites by birth as well as to the foreigners living among you. If you offer a whole burnt offering to the LORD, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering,¡»
(·¹ 22:19) ¡ºit will be accepted only if it is a male animal with no physical defects. It may be either a bull, a ram, or a male goat.¡»
(·¹ 22:20) ¡ºDo not bring an animal with physical defects, because it won't be accepted on your behalf.¡»
(·¹ 22:21) ¡º"If you bring a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, you must offer an animal that has no physical defects of any kind.¡»
(·¹ 22:22) ¡ºAn animal that is blind, injured, mutilated, or that has a growth, an open sore, or a scab must never be offered to the LORD by fire on the altar.¡»
(·¹ 22:23) ¡ºIf the bull or lamb is deformed or stunted, it may still be offered as a freewill offering, but it may not be offered to fulfill a vow.¡»
(·¹ 22:24) ¡ºIf an animal has damaged testicles or is castrated, it may never be offered to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 22:25) ¡ºYou must never accept mutilated or defective animals from foreigners to be offered as a sacrifice to your God. Such animals will not be accepted on your behalf because they are defective."¡»
(·¹ 22:26) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 22:27) ¡º"When a bull or a ram or a male goat is born, it must be left with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as an offering given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 22:28) ¡ºBut you must never slaughter a mother animal and her offspring on the same day, whether from the herd or the flock.¡»
(·¹ 22:29) ¡ºWhen you bring a thanksgiving offering to the LORD, it must be sacrificed properly so it will be accepted on your behalf.¡»
(·¹ 22:30) ¡ºEat the entire sacrificial animal on the day it is presented. Don't leave any of it until the second day. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 22:31) ¡º"You must faithfully keep all my commands by obeying them, for I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 22:32) ¡ºDo not treat my holy name as common and ordinary. I must be treated as holy by the people of Israel. It is I, the LORD, who makes you holy.¡»
(·¹ 22:33) ¡ºIt was I who rescued you from Egypt, that I might be your very own God. I am the LORD."¡»
(·¹ 23:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 23:2) ¡º"Give the Israelites instructions regarding the LORD's appointed festivals, the days when all of you will be summoned to worship me.¡»
(·¹ 23:3) ¡ºYou may work for six days each week, but on the seventh day all work must come to a complete stop. It is the LORD's Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day to assemble for worship. It must be observed wherever you live.¡»
(·¹ 23:4) ¡ºIn addition to the Sabbath, the LORD has established festivals, the holy occasions to be observed at the proper time each year.¡»
(·¹ 23:5) ¡º"First comes the LORD's Passover, which begins at twilight on its appointed day in early spring.¡»
(·¹ 23:6) ¡ºThen the day after the Passover celebration, the Festival of Unleavened Bread begins. This festival to the LORD continues for seven days, and during that time all the bread you eat must be made without yeast.¡»
(·¹ 23:7) ¡ºOn the first day of the festival, all the people must stop their regular work and gather for a sacred assembly.¡»
(·¹ 23:8) ¡ºOn each of the next seven days, the people must present an offering to the LORD by fire. On the seventh day, the people must again stop all their regular work to hold a sacred assembly."¡»
(·¹ 23:9) ¡ºThen the LORD told Moses¡»
(·¹ 23:10) ¡ºto give these instructions to the Israelites: "When you arrive in the land I am giving you and you harvest your first crops, bring the priest some grain from the first portion of your grain harvest.¡»
(·¹ 23:11) ¡ºOn the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before the LORD so it may be accepted on your behalf.¡»
(·¹ 23:12) ¡ºThat same day you must sacrifice a year-old male lamb with no physical defects as a whole burnt offering to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 23:13) ¡ºA grain offering must accompany it consisting of three quarts of choice flour mixed with olive oil. It will be an offering given to the LORD by fire, and it will be very pleasing to him. Along with this sacrifice, you must also offer one quart of wine as a drink offering.¡»
(·¹ 23:14) ¡ºDo not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until after you have brought this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed wherever you live.¡»
(·¹ 23:15) ¡º"From the day after the Sabbath, the day the bundle of grain was lifted up as an offering, count off seven weeks.¡»
(·¹ 23:16) ¡ºKeep counting until the day after the seventh Sabbath, fifty days later, and bring an offering of new grain to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 23:17) ¡ºFrom wherever you live, bring two loaves of bread to be lifted up before the LORD as an offering. These loaves must be baked from three quarts of choice flour that contains yeast. They will be an offering to the LORD from the first of your crops.¡»
(·¹ 23:18) ¡ºAlong with this bread, present seven one-year-old lambs with no physical defects, one bull, and two rams as burnt offerings to the LORD. These whole burnt offerings, together with the accompanying grain offerings and drink offerings, will be given to the LORD by fire and will be pleasing to him.¡»
(·¹ 23:19) ¡ºThen you must offer one male goat as a sin offering and two one-year-old male lambs as a peace offering.¡»
(·¹ 23:20) ¡º"The priest will lift up these offerings before the LORD, together with the loaves representing the first of your later crops. These offerings are holy to the LORD and will belong to the priests.¡»
(·¹ 23:21) ¡ºThat same day, you must stop all your regular work and gather for a sacred assembly. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed wherever you live.¡»
(·¹ 23:22) ¡º"When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I, the LORD, am your God."¡»
(·¹ 23:23) ¡ºThe LORD told Moses¡»
(·¹ 23:24) ¡ºto give these instructions to the Israelites: "On the appointed day in early autumn, you are to celebrate a day of complete rest. All your work must stop on that day. You will call the people to a sacred assembly--the Festival of Trumpets--with loud blasts from a trumpet.¡»
(·¹ 23:25) ¡ºYou must do no regular work on that day. Instead, you are to present offerings to the LORD by fire."¡»
(·¹ 23:26) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 23:27) ¡º"Remember that the Day of Atonement is to be celebrated on the ninth day after the Festival of Trumpets. On that day you must humble yourselves, gather for a sacred assembly, and present offerings to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 23:28) ¡ºDo no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement will be made for you before the LORD your God, and payment will be made for your sins.¡»
(·¹ 23:29) ¡ºAnyone who does not spend that day in humility will be cut off from the community.¡»
(·¹ 23:30) ¡ºAnd I will destroy anyone among you who does any kind of work on that day.¡»
(·¹ 23:31) ¡ºYou must do no work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed wherever you live.¡»
(·¹ 23:32) ¡ºThis will be a Sabbath day of total rest for you, and on that day you must humble yourselves. This time of rest and fasting will begin the evening before the Day of Atonement and extend until evening of that day."¡»
(·¹ 23:33) ¡ºAnd the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 23:34) ¡º"Tell the Israelites to begin the Festival of Shelters on the fifth day after the Day of Atonement. This festival to the LORD will last for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 23:35) ¡ºIt will begin with a sacred assembly on the first day, and all your regular work must stop.¡»
(·¹ 23:36) ¡ºOn each of the seven festival days, you must present offerings to the LORD by fire. On the eighth day, you must gather again for a sacred assembly and present another offering to the LORD by fire. This will be a solemn closing assembly, and no regular work may be done that day.¡»
(·¹ 23:37) ¡º"These are the LORD's appointed annual festivals. Celebrate them by gathering in sacred assemblies to present all the various offerings to the LORD by fire--whole burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrificial meals and drink offerings--each on its proper day.¡»
(·¹ 23:38) ¡ºThese festivals must be observed in addition to the LORD's regular Sabbath days. And these offerings must be given in addition to your personal gifts, the offerings you make to accompany your vows, and any freewill offerings that you present to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 23:39) ¡º"Now, on the first day of the Festival of Shelters, after you have harvested all the produce of the land, you will begin to celebrate this seven-day festival to the LORD. Remember that the first day and closing eighth day of the festival will be days of total rest.¡»
(·¹ 23:40) ¡ºOn the first day, gather fruit from citrus trees, and collect palm fronds and other leafy branches and willows that grow by the streams. Then rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.¡»
(·¹ 23:41) ¡ºYou must observe this seven-day festival to the LORD every year. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be kept by all future generations.¡»
(·¹ 23:42) ¡ºDuring the seven festival days, all of you who are Israelites by birth must live in shelters.¡»
(·¹ 23:43) ¡ºThis will remind each new generation of Israelites that their ancestors had to live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God."¡»
(·¹ 23:44) ¡ºSo Moses gave these instructions regarding the annual festivals of the LORD to the Israelites.¡»
(·¹ 24:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 24:2) ¡º"Command the people of Israel to provide you with pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually.¡»
(·¹ 24:3) ¡ºAaron will set it up outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle and must arrange to have the lamps tended continually, from evening until morning, before the LORD. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be kept by all future generations.¡»
(·¹ 24:4) ¡ºThe lamps on the pure gold lampstand must be tended continually in the LORD's presence.¡»
(·¹ 24:5) ¡º"You must bake twelve loaves of bread from choice flour, using three quarts of flour for each loaf.¡»
(·¹ 24:6) ¡ºPlace the bread in the LORD's presence on the pure gold table, and arrange the loaves in two rows, with six in each row.¡»
(·¹ 24:7) ¡ºSprinkle some pure frankincense near each row. It will serve as a token offering, to be burned in place of the bread as an offering given to the LORD by fire.¡»
(·¹ 24:8) ¡ºEvery Sabbath day this bread must be laid out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a continual part of the covenant.¡»
(·¹ 24:9) ¡ºThe loaves of bread belong to Aaron and his male descendants, who must eat them in a sacred place, for they represent a most holy portion of the offerings given to the LORD by fire."¡»
(·¹ 24:10) ¡ºOne day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father got into a fight with one of the Israelite men.¡»
(·¹ 24:11) ¡ºDuring the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the LORD's name. So the man was brought to Moses for judgment. His mother's name was Shelomith. She was the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan.¡»
(·¹ 24:12) ¡ºThey put the man in custody until the LORD's will in the matter should become clear.¡»
(·¹ 24:13) ¡ºThen the LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 24:14) ¡º"Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and tell all those who heard him to lay their hands on his head. Then let the entire community stone him to death.¡»
(·¹ 24:15) ¡ºSay to the people of Israel: Those who blaspheme God will suffer the consequences of their guilt and be punished.¡»
(·¹ 24:16) ¡ºAnyone who blasphemes the LORD's name must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel. Any Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the LORD's name will surely die.¡»
(·¹ 24:17) ¡º"Anyone who takes another person's life must be put to death.¡»
(·¹ 24:18) ¡º"Anyone who kills another person's animal must pay it back in full--a live animal for the animal that was killed.¡»
(·¹ 24:19) ¡º"Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted--¡»
(·¹ 24:20) ¡ºfracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whatever anyone does to hurt another person must be paid back in kind.¡»
(·¹ 24:21) ¡º"Whoever kills an animal must make full restitution, but whoever kills another person must be put to death.¡»
(·¹ 24:22) ¡º"These same regulations apply to Israelites by birth and foreigners who live among you. I, the LORD, am your God."¡»
(·¹ 24:23) ¡ºAfter Moses gave all these instructions to the Israelites, they led the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him to death, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(·¹ 25:1) ¡ºWhile Moses was on Mount Sinai, the LORD said to him,¡»
(·¹ 25:2) ¡º"Give these instructions to the Israelites: When you have entered the land I am giving you as an inheritance, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to the LORD every seventh year.¡»
(·¹ 25:3) ¡ºFor six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops,¡»
(·¹ 25:4) ¡ºbut during the seventh year the land will enjoy a Sabbath year of rest to the LORD. Do not plant your crops or prune your vineyards during that entire year.¡»
(·¹ 25:5) ¡ºAnd don't store away the crops that grow naturally or process the grapes that grow on your unpruned vines. The land is to have a year of total rest.¡»
(·¹ 25:6) ¡ºBut you, your male and female slaves, your hired servants, and any foreigners who live with you may eat the produce that grows naturally during the Sabbath year.¡»
(·¹ 25:7) ¡ºAnd your livestock and the wild animals will also be allowed to eat of the land's bounty.¡»
(·¹ 25:8) ¡º"In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven years times seven, adding up to forty-nine years in all.¡»
(·¹ 25:9) ¡ºThen on the Day of Atonement of the fiftieth year, blow the trumpets loud and long throughout the land.¡»
(·¹ 25:10) ¡ºThis year will be set apart as holy, a time to proclaim release for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you returns to the lands that belonged to your ancestors and rejoins your clan.¡»
(·¹ 25:11) ¡ºYes, the fiftieth year will be a jubilee for you. During that year, do not plant any seeds or store away any of the crops that grow naturally, and do not process the grapes that grow on your unpruned vines.¡»
(·¹ 25:12) ¡ºIt will be a jubilee year for you, and you must observe it as a special and holy time. You may, however, eat the produce that grows naturally in the fields that year.¡»
(·¹ 25:13) ¡ºIn the Year of Jubilee each of you must return to the lands that belonged to your ancestors.¡»
(·¹ 25:14) ¡º"When you make an agreement with a neighbor to buy or sell property, you must never take advantage of each other.¡»
(·¹ 25:15) ¡ºWhen you buy land from your neighbor, the price of the land should be based on the number of years since the last jubilee. The seller will charge you only for the crop years left until the next Year of Jubilee.¡»
(·¹ 25:16) ¡ºThe more the years, the higher the price; the fewer the years, the lower the price. After all, the person selling the land is actually selling you a certain number of harvests.¡»
(·¹ 25:17) ¡ºShow your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 25:18) ¡º"If you want to live securely in the land, keep my laws and obey my regulations.¡»
(·¹ 25:19) ¡ºThen the land will yield bumper crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it.¡»
(·¹ 25:20) ¡ºBut you might ask, `What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year?'¡»
(·¹ 25:21) ¡ºThe answer is, `I will order my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a bumper crop, enough to support you for three years.¡»
(·¹ 25:22) ¡ºAs you plant the seed in the eighth year, you will still be eating the produce of the previous year. In fact, you will eat from the old crop until the new harvest comes in the ninth year.'¡»
(·¹ 25:23) ¡ºAnd remember, the land must never be sold on a permanent basis because it really belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenants living with me.¡»
(·¹ 25:24) ¡º"With every sale of land there must be a stipulation that the land can be redeemed at any time.¡»
(·¹ 25:25) ¡ºIf any of your Israelite relatives go bankrupt and are forced to sell some inherited land, then a close relative, a kinsman redeemer, may buy it back for them.¡»
(·¹ 25:26) ¡ºIf there is no one to redeem the land but the person who sold it manages to get enough money to buy it back,¡»
(·¹ 25:27) ¡ºthen that person has the right to redeem it from the one who bought it. The price of the land will be based on the number of years until the next Year of Jubilee. After buying it back, the original owner may then return to the land.¡»
(·¹ 25:28) ¡ºBut if the original owner cannot afford to redeem it, then it will belong to the new owner until the next Year of Jubilee. In the jubilee year, the land will be returned to the original owner.¡»
(·¹ 25:29) ¡º"Anyone who sells a house inside a walled city has the right to redeem it for a full year after its sale. During that time, the seller retains the right to buy it back.¡»
(·¹ 25:30) ¡ºBut if it is not redeemed within a year, then the house within the walled city will become the permanent property of the buyer. It will not be returned to the original owner in the Year of Jubilee.¡»
(·¹ 25:31) ¡ºBut a house in a village--a settlement without fortified walls--will be treated like property in the open fields. Such a house may be redeemed at any time and must be returned to the original owner in the Year of Jubilee.¡»
(·¹ 25:32) ¡º"The Levites always have the right to redeem any house they have sold within the cities belonging to them.¡»
(·¹ 25:33) ¡ºAnd any property that can be redeemed by the Levites--all houses within the Levitical cities--must be returned in the Year of Jubilee. After all, the cities reserved for the Levites are the only property they own in all Israel.¡»
(·¹ 25:34) ¡ºThe strip of pastureland around each of the Levitical cities may never be sold. It is their permanent ancestral property.¡»
(·¹ 25:35) ¡º"If any of your Israelite relatives fall into poverty and cannot support themselves, support them as you would a resident foreigner and allow them to live with you.¡»
(·¹ 25:36) ¡ºDo not demand an advance or charge interest on the money you lend them. Instead, show your fear of God by letting them live with you as your relatives.¡»
(·¹ 25:37) ¡ºRemember, do not charge your relatives interest on anything you lend them, whether money or food.¡»
(·¹ 25:38) ¡ºI, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.¡»
(·¹ 25:39) ¡º"If any of your Israelite relatives go bankrupt and sell themselves to you, do not treat them as slaves.¡»
(·¹ 25:40) ¡ºTreat them instead as hired servants or as resident foreigners who live with you, and they will serve you only until the Year of Jubilee.¡»
(·¹ 25:41) ¡ºAt that time they and their children will no longer be obligated to you, and they will return to their clan and ancestral property.¡»
(·¹ 25:42) ¡ºThe people of Israel are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, so they must never be sold as slaves.¡»
(·¹ 25:43) ¡ºShow your fear of God by treating them well; never exercise your power over them in a ruthless way.¡»
(·¹ 25:44) ¡º"However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you.¡»
(·¹ 25:45) ¡ºYou may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property,¡»
(·¹ 25:46) ¡ºpassing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way.¡»
(·¹ 25:47) ¡º"If a resident foreigner becomes rich, and if some of your Israelite relatives go bankrupt and sell themselves to such a foreigner,¡»
(·¹ 25:48) ¡ºthey still retain the right of redemption. They may be bought back by a close relative--¡»
(·¹ 25:49) ¡ºan uncle, a nephew, or anyone else who is closely related. They may also redeem themselves if they can get the money.¡»
(·¹ 25:50) ¡ºThe price of their freedom will be based on the number of years left until the next Year of Jubilee--whatever it would cost to hire a servant for that number of years.¡»
(·¹ 25:51) ¡ºIf many years still remain, they will repay most of what they received when they sold themselves.¡»
(·¹ 25:52) ¡ºIf only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, then they will repay a relatively small amount for their redemption.¡»
(·¹ 25:53) ¡ºThe foreigner must treat them as servants hired on a yearly basis. You must not allow a resident foreigner to treat any of your Israelite relatives ruthlessly.¡»
(·¹ 25:54) ¡ºIf any Israelites have not been redeemed by the time the Year of Jubilee arrives, then they and their children must be set free at that time.¡»
(·¹ 25:55) ¡ºFor the people of Israel are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 26:1) ¡º"Do not make idols or set up carved images, sacred pillars, or shaped stones to be worshiped in your land. I, the LORD, am your God.¡»
(·¹ 26:2) ¡ºYou must keep my Sabbath days of rest and show reverence for my sanctuary. I am the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 26:3) ¡º"If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands,¡»
(·¹ 26:4) ¡ºI will send the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees will produce their fruit.¡»
(·¹ 26:5) ¡ºYour threshing season will extend until the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will extend until it is time to plant grain again. You will eat your fill and live securely in your land.¡»
(·¹ 26:6) ¡º"I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep without fear. I will remove the wild animals from your land and protect you from your enemies.¡»
(·¹ 26:7) ¡ºIn fact, you will chase down all your enemies and slaughter them with your swords.¡»
(·¹ 26:8) ¡ºFive of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons.¡»
(·¹ 26:9) ¡º"I will look favorably upon you and multiply your people and fulfill my covenant with you.¡»
(·¹ 26:10) ¡ºYou will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to get rid of the leftovers from the previous year to make room for each new harvest.¡»
(·¹ 26:11) ¡ºI will live among you, and I will not despise you.¡»
(·¹ 26:12) ¡ºI will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.¡»
(·¹ 26:13) ¡ºI, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high.¡»
(·¹ 26:14) ¡º"However, if you do not listen to me or obey my commands,¡»
(·¹ 26:15) ¡ºand if you break my covenant by rejecting my laws and treating my regulations with contempt,¡»
(·¹ 26:16) ¡ºI will punish you. You will suffer from sudden terrors, with wasting diseases, and with burning fevers, causing your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them.¡»
(·¹ 26:17) ¡ºI will turn against you, and you will be defeated by all your enemies. They will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!¡»
(·¹ 26:18) ¡º"And if, in spite of this, you still disobey me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over.¡»
(·¹ 26:19) ¡ºI will break down your arrogant spirit by making the skies above as unyielding as iron and the earth beneath as hard as bronze.¡»
(·¹ 26:20) ¡ºAll your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit.¡»
(·¹ 26:21) ¡º"If even then you remain hostile toward me and refuse to obey, I will inflict you with seven more disasters for your sins.¡»
(·¹ 26:22) ¡ºI will release wild animals that will kill your children and destroy your cattle, so your numbers will dwindle and your roads will be deserted.¡»
(·¹ 26:23) ¡º"And if you fail to learn a lesson from this and continue your hostility toward me,¡»
(·¹ 26:24) ¡ºthen I myself will be hostile toward you, and I will personally strike you seven times over for your sins.¡»
(·¹ 26:25) ¡ºI will send armies against you to carry out these covenant threats. If you flee to your cities, I will send a plague to destroy you there, and you will be conquered by your enemies.¡»
(·¹ 26:26) ¡ºI will completely destroy your food supply, so the bread from one oven will have to be stretched to feed ten families. They will ration your food by weight, and even if you have food to eat, you will not be satisfied.¡»
(·¹ 26:27) ¡º"If after this you still refuse to listen and still remain hostile toward me,¡»
(·¹ 26:28) ¡ºthen I will give full vent to my hostility. I will punish you seven times over for your sins.¡»
(·¹ 26:29) ¡ºYou will eat the flesh of your own sons and daughters.¡»
(·¹ 26:30) ¡ºI will destroy your pagan shrines and cut down your incense altars. I will leave your corpses piled up beside your lifeless idols, and I will despise you.¡»
(·¹ 26:31) ¡ºI will make your cities desolate and destroy your places of worship, and I will take no pleasure in your offerings of incense.¡»
(·¹ 26:32) ¡ºYes, I myself will devastate your land. Your enemies who come to occupy it will be utterly shocked at the destruction they see.¡»
(·¹ 26:33) ¡ºI will scatter you among the nations and attack you with my own weapons. Your land will become desolate, and your cities will lie in ruins.¡»
(·¹ 26:34) ¡ºThen at last the land will make up for its missed Sabbath years as it lies desolate during your years of exile in the land of your enemies. Then the land will finally rest and enjoy its Sabbaths.¡»
(·¹ 26:35) ¡ºAs the land lies in ruins, it will take the rest you never allowed it to take every seventh year while you lived in it.¡»
(·¹ 26:36) ¡º"And for those of you who survive, I will demoralize you in the land of your enemies far away. You will live there in such constant fear that the sound of a leaf driven by the wind will send you fleeing. You will run as though chased by a warrior with a sword, and you will fall even when no one is pursuing you.¡»
(·¹ 26:37) ¡ºYes, though no one is chasing you, you will stumble over each other in flight, as though fleeing in battle. You will have no power to stand before your enemies.¡»
(·¹ 26:38) ¡ºYou will die among the foreign nations and be devoured in the land of your enemies.¡»
(·¹ 26:39) ¡ºThose still left alive will rot away in enemy lands because of their sins and the sins of their ancestors.¡»
(·¹ 26:40) ¡º"But at last my people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors for betraying me and being hostile toward me.¡»
(·¹ 26:41) ¡ºFinally, when I have given full expression to my hostility and have brought them to the land of their enemies, then at last their disobedient hearts will be humbled, and they will pay for their sins.¡»
(·¹ 26:42) ¡ºThen I will remember my covenant with Jacob, with Isaac, and with Abraham, and I will remember the land.¡»
(·¹ 26:43) ¡ºAnd the land will enjoy its years of Sabbath rest as it lies deserted. At last the people will receive the due punishment for their sins, for they rejected my regulations and despised my laws.¡»
(·¹ 26:44) ¡º"But despite all this, I will not utterly reject or despise them while they are in exile in the land of their enemies. I will not cancel my covenant with them by wiping them out. I, the LORD, am their God.¡»
(·¹ 26:45) ¡ºI will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of Egypt while all the nations watched. I, the LORD, am their God."¡»
(·¹ 26:46) ¡ºThese are the laws, regulations, and instructions that the LORD gave to the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.¡»
(·¹ 27:1) ¡ºThe LORD said to Moses,¡»
(·¹ 27:2) ¡º"Give the following instructions to the Israelites: If you make a special vow to dedicate someone to the LORD by paying the value of that person,¡»
(·¹ 27:3) ¡ºhere is the scale of values to be used. A man between the ages of twenty and sixty is valued at fifty pieces of silver ;¡»
(·¹ 27:4) ¡ºa woman of that age is valued at thirty pieces of silver.¡»
(·¹ 27:5) ¡ºA boy between five and twenty is valued at twenty pieces of silver; a girl of that age is valued at ten pieces of silver.¡»
(·¹ 27:6) ¡ºA boy between the ages of one month and five years is valued at five pieces of silver; a girl of that age is valued at three pieces of silver.¡»
(·¹ 27:7) ¡ºA man older than sixty is valued at fifteen pieces of silver; a woman older than sixty is valued at ten pieces of silver.¡»
(·¹ 27:8) ¡ºIf you desire to make such a vow but cannot afford to pay the prescribed amount, go to the priest and he will evaluate your ability to pay. You will then pay the amount decided by the priest.¡»
(·¹ 27:9) ¡º"If your vow involves giving a clean animal--one that is acceptable as an offering to the LORD--then your gift to the LORD will be considered holy.¡»
(·¹ 27:10) ¡ºThe animal should never be exchanged or substituted for another--neither a good animal for a bad one nor a bad animal for a good one. But if such an exchange is in fact made, then both the original animal and the substitute will be considered holy.¡»
(·¹ 27:11) ¡ºBut if your vow involves an unclean animal--one that is not acceptable as an offering to the LORD--then you must bring the animal to the priest.¡»
(·¹ 27:12) ¡ºHe will assess its value, and his assessment will be final.¡»
(·¹ 27:13) ¡ºIf you want to redeem the animal, you must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent.¡»
(·¹ 27:14) ¡º"If you dedicate a house to the LORD, the priest must come to assess its value. The priest's assessment will be final.¡»
(·¹ 27:15) ¡ºIf you wish to redeem the house, you must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent. Then the house will again belong to you.¡»
(·¹ 27:16) ¡º"If you dedicate to the LORD a piece of your ancestral property, its value will be assessed by the amount of seed required to plant it--fifty pieces of silver for an area that produces five bushels of barley seed.¡»
(·¹ 27:17) ¡ºIf the field is dedicated to the LORD in the Year of Jubilee, then the entire assessment will apply.¡»
(·¹ 27:18) ¡ºBut if the field is dedicated after the Year of Jubilee, the priest must assess the land's value in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee.¡»
(·¹ 27:19) ¡ºIf you decide to redeem the dedicated field, you must pay the land's value as assessed by the priest, plus 20 percent. Then the field will again belong to you.¡»
(·¹ 27:20) ¡ºBut if you decide not to redeem the field, or if the field is sold to someone else by the priests, it can never be redeemed.¡»
(·¹ 27:21) ¡ºWhen the field is released in the Year of Jubilee, it will be holy, a field specially set apart for the LORD. It will become the property of the priests.¡»
(·¹ 27:22) ¡º"If you dedicate to the LORD a field that you have purchased but which is not part of your ancestral property,¡»
(·¹ 27:23) ¡ºthe priest must assess its value based on the years until the next Year of Jubilee. You must then give the assessed value of the land as a sacred donation to the LORD.¡»
(·¹ 27:24) ¡ºIn the Year of Jubilee the field will be released to the original owner from whom you purchased it.¡»
(·¹ 27:25) ¡ºAll the value assessments must be measured in terms of the standard sanctuary shekel.¡»
(·¹ 27:26) ¡º"You may not dedicate to the LORD the firstborn of your cattle or sheep because the firstborn of these animals already belong to him.¡»
(·¹ 27:27) ¡ºHowever, if it is the firstborn of a ceremonially unclean animal, you may redeem it by paying the priest's assessment of its worth, plus 20 percent. If you do not redeem it, the priest may sell it to someone else for its assessed value.¡»
(·¹ 27:28) ¡º"However, anything specially set apart by the LORD--whether a person, an animal, or an inherited field--must never be sold or redeemed. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart for the LORD as holy.¡»
(·¹ 27:29) ¡ºA person specially set apart by the LORD for destruction cannot be redeemed. Such a person must be put to death.¡»
(·¹ 27:30) ¡º"A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy.¡»
(·¹ 27:31) ¡ºIf you want to redeem the LORD's tenth of the fruit or grain, you must pay its value, plus 20 percent.¡»
(·¹ 27:32) ¡ºThe LORD also owns every tenth animal counted off from your herds and flocks. They are set apart to him as holy.¡»
(·¹ 27:33) ¡ºThe tenth animal must not be selected on the basis of whether it is good or bad, and no substitutions will be allowed. If any exchange is in fact made, then both the original animal and the substituted one will be considered holy and cannot be redeemed."¡»
(·¹ 27:34) ¡ºThese are the commands that the LORD gave to the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai.¡»


(¹Î 1:1) ¡ºOne day in midspring, during the second year after Israel's departure from Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. He said,¡»
(¹Î 1:2) ¡º"Take a census of the whole community of Israel by their clans and families. List the names of all the men¡»
(¹Î 1:3) ¡ºtwenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron are to direct the project,¡»
(¹Î 1:4) ¡ºassisted by one family leader from each tribe."¡»
(¹Î 1:5) ¡ºThese are the tribes and the names of the leaders chosen for the task: Tribe................ Leader, Reuben.................. Elizur son of Shedeur,¡»
(¹Î 1:6) ¡ºSimeon................. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai,¡»
(¹Î 1:7) ¡ºJudah.................... Nahshon son of Amminadab,¡»
(¹Î 1:8) ¡ºIssachar........................ Nethanel son of Zuar,¡»
(¹Î 1:9) ¡ºZebulun......................... Eliab son of Helon,¡»
(¹Î 1:10) ¡ºEphraim son of Joseph...... Elishama son of Ammihud, Manasseh son of Joseph...... Gamaliel son of Pedahzur,¡»
(¹Î 1:11) ¡ºBenjamin.................... Abidan son of Gideoni,¡»
(¹Î 1:12) ¡ºDan................... Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai,¡»
(¹Î 1:13) ¡ºAsher......................... Pagiel son of Ocran,¡»
(¹Î 1:14) ¡ºGad......................... Eliasaph son of Deuel,¡»
(¹Î 1:15) ¡ºNaphtali........................ Ahira son of Enan,¡»
(¹Î 1:16) ¡ºThese tribal leaders, heads of their own families, were chosen from among all the people.¡»
(¹Î 1:17) ¡ºNow Moses and Aaron and the chosen leaders¡»
(¹Î 1:18) ¡ºcalled together the whole community of Israel on that very day. All the people were registered according to their ancestry by their clans and families. The men of Israel twenty years old or older were registered, one by one,¡»
(¹Î 1:19) ¡ºjust as the LORD had commanded Moses. So Moses counted the people there in the wilderness of Sinai.¡»
(¹Î 1:20) ¡ºThis is the number of men twenty years old or older who were able to go to war,¡»
(¹Î 1:21) ¡ºeach listed according to his own clan and family : Tribe......................... Number, Reuben (Jacob's oldest son)...... 46,500,¡»
(¹Î 1:22) ¡ºSimeon.....................¡»
(¹Î 1:23) ¡º59,300¡»
(¹Î 1:24) ¡ºGad........................¡»
(¹Î 1:25) ¡º45,650¡»
(¹Î 1:26) ¡ºJudah......................¡»
(¹Î 1:27) ¡º74,600¡»
(¹Î 1:28) ¡ºIssachar....................¡»
(¹Î 1:29) ¡º54,400¡»
(¹Î 1:30) ¡ºZebulun....................¡»
(¹Î 1:31) ¡º57,400¡»
(¹Î 1:32) ¡ºEphraim son of Joseph........¡»
(¹Î 1:33) ¡º40,500¡»
(¹Î 1:34) ¡ºManasseh son of Joseph........¡»
(¹Î 1:35) ¡º32,200¡»
(¹Î 1:36) ¡ºBenjamin...................¡»
(¹Î 1:37) ¡º35,400¡»
(¹Î 1:38) ¡ºDan........................¡»
(¹Î 1:39) ¡º62,700¡»
(¹Î 1:40) ¡ºAsher......................¡»
(¹Î 1:41) ¡º41,500¡»
(¹Î 1:42) ¡ºNaphtali....................¡»
(¹Î 1:43) ¡º53,400¡»
(¹Î 1:44) ¡ºThese were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, all listed according to their ancestral descent.¡»
(¹Î 1:45) ¡ºThey were counted by families--all the men of Israel who were twenty years old or older and able to go to war.¡»
(¹Î 1:46) ¡ºThe total number was 603,550.¡»
(¹Î 1:47) ¡ºBut this total did not include the Levites.¡»
(¹Î 1:48) ¡ºFor the LORD had said to Moses,¡»
(¹Î 1:49) ¡º"Exempt the tribe of Levi from the census; do not include them when you count the rest of the Israelites.¡»
(¹Î 1:50) ¡ºYou must put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and its equipment as you travel, and they must care for it and camp around it.¡»
(¹Î 1:51) ¡ºWhenever the Tabernacle is moved, the Levites will take it down and set it up again. Anyone else who goes too near the Tabernacle will be executed.¡»
(¹Î 1:52) ¡ºEach tribe of Israel will have a designated camping area with its own family banner.¡»
(¹Î 1:53) ¡ºBut the Levites will camp around the Tabernacle of the Covenant to offer the people of Israel protection from the LORD's fierce anger. The Levites are responsible to stand guard around the Tabernacle."¡»
(¹Î 1:54) ¡ºSo the Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.¡»
(¹Î 2:1) ¡ºThen the LORD gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron:¡»
(¹Î 2:2) ¡º"Each tribe will be assigned its own area in the camp, and the various groups will camp beneath their family banners. The Tabernacle will be located at the center of these tribal compounds.¡»
(¹Î 2:3) ¡º"The divisions of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun are to camp toward the sunrise on the east side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.¡»
(¹Î 2:4) ¡ºThese are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the number of their available troops: Tribe........... Leader.................. Number, Judah....... Nahshon son of Amminadab.... 74,600,¡»
(¹Î 2:5) ¡ºIssachar.... Nethanel son of Zuar..........¡»
(¹Î 2:6) ¡º54,400¡»
(¹Î 2:7) ¡ºZebulun.... Eliab son of Helon............¡»
(¹Î 2:8) ¡º57,400¡»
(¹Î 2:9) ¡ºSo the total of all the troops on Judah's side of the camp is 186,400. These three tribes are to lead the way whenever the Israelites travel to a new campsite.¡»
(¹Î 2:10) ¡º"The divisions of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad are to camp on the south side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.¡»
(¹Î 2:11) ¡ºThese are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the number of their available troops: Tribe........... Leader.................. Number, Reuben....... Elizur son of Shedeur.......... 46,500,¡»
(¹Î 2:12) ¡ºSimeon.... Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai....¡»
(¹Î 2:13) ¡º59,300,¡»
(¹Î 2:14) ¡ºGad....... Eliasaph son of Deuel.........¡»
(¹Î 2:15) ¡º45,650,¡»
(¹Î 2:16) ¡ºSo the total of all the troops on Reuben's side of the camp is 151,450. These three tribes will be second in line whenever the Israelites travel.¡»
(¹Î 2:17) ¡º"Then the Levites will set out from the middle of the camp with the Tabernacle. All the tribes are to travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.¡»
(¹Î 2:18) ¡º"The divisions of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin are to camp on the west side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.¡»
(¹Î 2:19) ¡ºThese are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the number of their available troops: Tribe........... Leader.................. Number, Ephraim....... Elishama son of Ammihud.... 40,500,¡»
(¹Î 2:20) ¡ºManasseh.... Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.....¡»
(¹Î 2:21) ¡º32,200¡»
(¹Î 2:22) ¡ºBenjamin.... Abidan son of Gideoni.......¡»
(¹Î 2:23) ¡º35,400¡»
(¹Î 2:24) ¡ºSo the total of all the troops on Ephraim's side of the camp is 108,100, and they will follow the Levites in the line of march.¡»
(¹Î 2:25) ¡º"The divisions of Dan, Asher, and Naphtali are to camp on the north side of the Tabernacle, beneath their family banners.¡»
(¹Î 2:26) ¡ºThese are the names of the tribes, their leaders, and the number of their available troops: Tribe........... Leader.................. Number, Dan.......... Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai... 62,700,¡»
(¹Î 2:27) ¡ºAsher...... Pagiel son of Ocran...........¡»
(¹Î 2:28) ¡º41,500¡»
(¹Î 2:29) ¡ºNaphtali.... Ahira son of Enan............¡»
(¹Î 2:30) ¡º53,400¡»
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