Exodus 25:1-40, NLT

Exodus 25

Offerings for the Tabernacle

1The Lord said to Moses,

2“Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. 3Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them:

gold, silver, and bronze;

4blue, purple, and scarlet thread;

fine linen and goat hair for cloth;

5tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;

acacia wood;

6olive oil for the lamps;

spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;

7onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.

8“Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.

9You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

Plans for the Ark of the Covenant

10“Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.*25:10 Hebrew 2.5 cubits [115 centimeters] long, 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits high.

11Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 12Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 13Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them. 16When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant,*25:16 Hebrew Place inside the Ark the Testimony; similarly in 25:21. The Hebrew word for “testimony” refers to the terms of the Lord’s covenant with Israel as written on stone tablets, and also to the covenant itself. which I will give to you.

17“Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.*25:17 Hebrew 2.5 cubits [115 centimeters] long and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide.

18Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover. 19Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 20The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it. 21Place 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. 22I 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.*25:22 Or Ark of the Testimony. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

Plans for the Table

23“Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.*25:23 Hebrew 2 cubits [92 centimeters] long, 1 cubit [46 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] high.

24Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge. 25Decorate it with a 3-inch border*25:25 Hebrew a border of a handbreadth [8 centimeters]. all around, and run a gold molding along the border. 26Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs. 27Attach the rings near the border to hold the poles that are used to carry the table. 28Make these poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 29Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, ladles, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings. 30Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.

Plans for the Lampstand

31“Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals.

32Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 33Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 34Craft the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 35There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. 36The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 38The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 39You will need 75 pounds*25:39 Hebrew 1 talent [34 kilograms]. of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories.

40“Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.