Category: DAB Readings

⁷ Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering; make atonement for yourself and the people.^[a](A) Sacrifice the people’s offering and make atonement for them, as the Lord commanded.”

⁸ So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. ⁹ Aaron’s sons brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. He poured out the blood at the base of the altar. ¹⁰ He burned the fat, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe of the liver from the sin offering on the altar, as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹¹ He burned the flesh and the hide^(B) outside the camp.^(C)

¹² Then he slaughtered the burnt offering. Aaron’s sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it on all sides of the altar. ¹³ They brought him the burnt offering piece by piece, along with the head, and he burned them on the altar. ¹⁴ He washed the entrails and the legs and burned them with the burnt offering on the altar.

¹⁵ Aaron presented the people’s offering. He took the male goat for the people’s sin offering, slaughtered it, and made a sin offering with it as he did before. ¹⁶ He presented the burnt offering and sacrificed it according to the regulation.^{(D) 17} Next he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning burnt offering.^(E)

¹⁸ Finally, he slaughtered the ox and the ram as the people’s fellowship sacrifice. Aaron’s sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it on all sides of the altar. ¹⁹ They also brought the fat portions from the ox and the ram—the fat tail, the fat surrounding the entrails, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe of the liver— ²⁰ and placed these on the breasts. Aaron burned the fat portions on the altar, ²¹ but he presented the breasts^(F) and the right thigh as a presentation offering^(G) before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.^[b]

²² Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed^(H) them. He came down after sacrificing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the fellowship offering. ²³ Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. ²⁴ Fire came from the Lord and consumed^(I) the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted^(J) and fell facedown.^(K)

Nadab and Abihu

10 Aaron’s sons Nadab^(L) and Abihu^(M) each took his own firepan,^(N) put fire in it, placed incense on it,^(O) and presented unauthorized^(P) fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do. ² Then fire came from the Lord^(Q) and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.^{(R) 3} Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has spoken:

And Aaron remained silent.

⁴ Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan,^(V) sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel,^(W) and said to them, “Come here and carry your relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp.”^{(X) 5} So they came forward and carried them in their tunics outside the camp, as Moses had said.

⁶ Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar,^(Y) “Do not let your hair hang loose^(Z) and do not tear your clothes,^(AA) or else you will die, and the Lord will become angry^(AB) with the whole community. However, your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may weep^(AC) over the fire that the Lord caused. ⁷ You must not go outside the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, for the Lord’s anointing oil^(AD) is on you.” So they did as Moses said.

Regulations for Priests

⁸ The Lord spoke to Aaron: ⁹ “You and your sons are not to drink wine^(AE) or beer^(AF) when you enter the tent of meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute^(AG) throughout your generations. ¹⁰ You must distinguish^(AH) between the holy and the common,^(AI) and the clean and the unclean,^{(AJ) 11} and teach the Israelites all the statutes^(AK) that the Lord has given to them through Moses.”

¹² Moses spoke to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar: “Take the grain offering that is left over from the food offerings^(AL) to the Lord, and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, because it is especially holy. ¹³ You must eat it in a holy place because it is your portion^[e] and your sons’ from the food offerings to the Lord, for this is what I was commanded. ¹⁴ But you and your sons and your daughters may eat the breast of the presentation offering and the thigh of the contribution in any ceremonially clean place, because these portions have been assigned to you and your children from the Israelites’ fellowship sacrifices. ¹⁵ They are to bring the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the presentation offering, together with the food offerings of the fat portions, to present as a presentation offering before the Lord. It will belong permanently^(AM) to you and your children, as the Lord commanded.”

¹⁶ Then Moses inquired carefully about the male goat of the sin offering, but it had already been burned up. He was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s surviving sons, and asked, ¹⁷ “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area?^(AN) For it is especially holy, and he has assigned it to you to take away the guilt^(AO) of the community^(AP) and make atonement for them before the Lord. ¹⁸ Since its blood was not brought inside the sanctuary, you should have eaten it in the sanctuary area, as I commanded.”^(AQ)

¹⁹ But Aaron replied to Moses, “See, today they presented their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord. Since these things have happened to me, if I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been acceptable in the Lord’s sight?” ²⁰ When Moses heard this, it was acceptable to him.^[f]

The Parable of the Growing Seed

²⁶ “The kingdom of God^(A) is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷ He sleeps^(B) and rises^(C) night^(D) and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. ²⁸ The soil produces a crop^(E) by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain^(F) on the head. ²⁹ As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle,^(G) because the harvest^(H) has come.”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³⁰ And^(I) he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,^(J) or what parable^(K) can we use to describe it? ³¹ It’s like a mustard seed^(L) that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground. ³² And when sown,^(M) it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants,^(N) and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky^(O) can nest in its shade.”

Using Parables

³³ He was speaking the word^(P) to them with many parables^(Q) like these, as they were able to understand.^{(R) 34} He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.^(S)

Wind and Waves Obey Jesus

³⁵ On^(T) that day, when evening had come, he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” ³⁶ So they left the crowd and took him along since he was in the boat. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ A great windstorm^(U) arose, and the waves^(V) were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸ He was in the stern, sleeping^(W) on the cushion. So they woke him up^(X) and said to him, “Teacher! Don’t you care that we’re going to die?” ^(Y)

³⁹ He got up, rebuked^(Z) the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence!^(AA) Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid?^(AB) Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ And they were terrified^[a](AC) and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey^(AD) him!” ^(AE)

Demons Driven Out by Jesus

5 They^(AF) came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes.^{[b] 2} As soon as he got out of the boat, a man with an unclean^(AG) spirit^(AH) came out of the tombs^(AI) and met him. ³ He lived in the tombs,^(AJ) and no one was able to restrain him anymore—not even with a chain^(AK)— ⁴ because he often had been bound with shackles and chains, but had torn the chains apart and smashed^(AL) the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue^(AM) him. ⁵ Night^(AN) and day among the tombs^(AO) and on the mountains,^(AP) he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son^(AQ) of the Most High God?^(AR) I beg you before God, don’t torment^(AS) me!” ⁸ For he had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean^(AT) spirit!”^(AU)

⁹ “What is your name?” he asked him.

“My name is Legion,”^(AV) he answered him, “because we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the region.

¹¹ A large herd of pigs^(AW) was there, feeding^(AX) on the hillside. ¹² The demons^[c] begged him, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” ¹³ So he gave them permission, and the unclean^(AY) spirits^(AZ) came out and entered the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned there.

¹⁴ The men who tended them ran off^(BA) and reported it in the town and the countryside, and people went to see what had happened. ¹⁵ They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed,^(BB)(BC) sitting there, dressed and in his right mind;^(BD) and they were afraid.^{(BE) 16} Those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed^(BF) man and told about the pigs. ¹⁷ Then they began to beg him to leave their region.

¹⁸ As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him earnestly that he might remain with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him but told him, “Go home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord^(BG) has done^(BH) for you and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So he went out and began to proclaim^(BI) in the Decapolis^(BJ) how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.^(BK)

The Priests’ Share

²⁸ The Lord said to Moses, ²⁹ “Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who brings a fellowship offering to the Lord is to bring part of it as their sacrifice to the Lord. ³⁰ With their own hands they are to present the food offering to the Lord; they are to bring the fat, together with the breast, and wave the breast before the Lord as a wave offering.^{(A) 31} The priest shall burn the fat on the altar,^(B) but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.^{(C) 32} You are to give the right thigh of your fellowship offerings to the priest as a contribution.^{(D) 33} The son of Aaron who offers the blood and the fat of the fellowship offering shall have the right thigh as his share. ³⁴ From the fellowship offerings of the Israelites, I have taken the breast that is waved and the thigh^(E) that is presented and have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons^(F) as their perpetual share from the Israelites.’”

³⁵ This is the portion of the food offerings presented to the Lord that were allotted to Aaron and his sons on the day they were presented to serve the Lord as priests. ³⁶ On the day they were anointed,^(G) the Lord commanded that the Israelites give this to them as their perpetual share for the generations to come.

³⁷ These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering,^(H) the grain offering,^(I) the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering^(J) and the fellowship offering, ³⁸ which the Lord gave Moses^(K) at Mount Sinai^(L) in the Desert of Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord.^(M)

The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons^(N)

8 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Bring Aaron and his sons,^(O) their garments,^(P) the anointing oil,^(Q) the bull for the sin offering,^[a](R) the two rams^(S) and the basket containing bread made without yeast,^{(T) 3} and gather the entire assembly^(U) at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” ⁴ Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

⁵ Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.^(V)” ⁶ Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.^{(W) 7} He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him.^{(X) 8} He placed the breastpiece^(Y) on him and put the Urim and Thummim^(Z) in the breastpiece. ⁹ Then he placed the turban^(AA) on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem,^(AB) on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses.^(AC)

¹⁰ Then Moses took the anointing oil^(AD) and anointed^(AE) the tabernacle^(AF) and everything in it, and so consecrated them. ¹¹ He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.^{(AG) 12} He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed^(AH) him to consecrate him.^{(AI) 13} Then he brought Aaron’s sons^(AJ) forward, put tunics^(AK) on them, tied sashes around them and fastened caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.^(AL)

¹⁴ He then presented the bull^(AM) for the sin offering,^(AN) and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.^{(AO) 15} Moses slaughtered the bull and took some of the blood,^(AP) and with his finger he put it on all the horns of the altar^(AQ) to purify the altar.^(AR) He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. So he consecrated it to make atonement for it.^{(AS) 16} Moses also took all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys and their fat, and burned it on the altar. ¹⁷ But the bull with its hide and its flesh and its intestines^(AT) he burned up outside the camp,^(AU) as the Lord commanded Moses.

¹⁸ He then presented the ram^(AV) for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. ¹⁹ Then Moses slaughtered the ram and splashed the blood against the sides of the altar. ²⁰ He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces and the fat.^{(AW) 21} He washed the internal organs and the legs with water and burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

²² He then presented the other ram, the ram for the ordination,^(AX) and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.^{(AY) 23} Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.^{(AZ) 24} Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splashed blood against the sides of the altar.^{(BA) 25} After that, he took the fat^(BB), the fat tail, all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys and their fat and the right thigh. ²⁶ And from the basket of bread made without yeast, which was before the Lord, he took one thick loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf,^(BC) and he put these on the fat portions and on the right thigh. ²⁷ He put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons, and they waved them before the Lord^(BD) as a wave offering. ²⁸ Then Moses took them from their hands and burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering as an ordination offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord. ²⁹ Moses also took the breast, which was his share of the ordination ram,^(BE) and waved it before the Lord as a wave offering, as the Lord commanded Moses.

³⁰ Then Moses^(BF) took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments^(BG) and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated^(BH) Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments.

³¹ Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, “Cook the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting^(BI) and eat it there with the bread from the basket of ordination offerings, as I was commanded: ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ ³² Then burn up the rest of the meat and the bread. ³³ Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days.^{(BJ) 34} What has been done today was commanded by the Lord^(BK) to make atonement for you. ³⁵ You must stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires,^(BL) so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded.”

³⁶ So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses.

The Priests Begin Their Ministry

9 On the eighth day^(BM) Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders^(BN) of Israel. ² He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for your sin offering^[b] and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the Lord. ³ Then say to the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat^(BO) for a sin offering,^(BP) a calf^(BQ) and a lamb^(BR)—both a year old and without defect—for a burnt offering, ⁴ and an ox^[c](BS) and a ram for a fellowship offering^(BT) to sacrifice before the Lord, together with a grain offering mixed with olive oil. For today the Lord will appear to you.^(BU)’”

⁵ They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. ⁶ Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord^(BV) may appear to you.”

³¹ Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived.^(A) Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. ³² A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

³³ “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

³⁴ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Parable of the Sower^(B)(C)

4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.^(D) The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. ² He taught them many things by parables,^(E) and in his teaching said: ³ “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.^{(F) 4} As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”^(G)

⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”^(H)

¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God^(I) has been given to you. But to those on the outside^(J) everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word.^{(L) 15} Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan^(M) comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth^(N) and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

A Lamp on a Stand

²¹ He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?^{(O) 22} For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.^{(P) 23} If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”^(Q)

²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.^{(R) 25} Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”^(S)

6 ^[a]The Lord said to Moses: ² “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord^(A) by deceiving a neighbor^(B) about something entrusted to them or left in their care^(C) or about something stolen, or if they cheat^(D) their neighbor, ³ or if they find lost property and lie about it,^(E) or if they swear falsely^(F) about any such sin that people may commit— ⁴ when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return^(G) what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found, ⁵ or whatever it was they swore falsely about. They must make restitution^(H) in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day they present their guilt offering.^{(I) 6} And as a penalty they must bring to the priest, that is, to the Lord, their guilt offering,^(J) a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value.^{(K) 7} In this way the priest will make atonement^(L) for them before the Lord, and they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty.”

The Burnt Offering

⁸ The Lord said to Moses: ⁹ “Give Aaron and his sons this command: ‘These are the regulations for the burnt offering^(M): The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.^{(N) 10} The priest shall then put on his linen clothes,^(O) with linen undergarments next to his body,^(P) and shall remove the ashes^(Q) of the burnt offering that the fire has consumed on the altar and place them beside the altar. ¹¹ Then he is to take off these clothes and put on others, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a place that is ceremonially clean.^{(R) 12} The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood^(S) and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat^(T) of the fellowship offerings^(U) on it. ¹³ The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

The Grain Offering

¹⁴ “‘These are the regulations for the grain offering:^(V) Aaron’s sons are to bring it before the Lord, in front of the altar. ¹⁵ The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense^(W) on the grain offering,^(X) and burn the memorial^[b] portion^(Y) on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. ¹⁶ Aaron and his sons^(Z) shall eat the rest^(AA) of it, but it is to be eaten without yeast^(AB) in the sanctuary area;^(AC) they are to eat it in the courtyard^(AD) of the tent of meeting.^{(AE) 17} It must not be baked with yeast; I have given it as their share^(AF) of the food offerings presented to me.^(AG) Like the sin offering^[c] and the guilt offering, it is most holy.^{(AH) 18} Any male descendant of Aaron may eat it.^(AI) For all generations to come^(AJ) it is his perpetual share^(AK) of the food offerings presented to the Lord. Whatever touches them will become holy.^[d](AL)’”

¹⁹ The Lord also said to Moses, ²⁰ “This is the offering Aaron and his sons are to bring to the Lord on the day he^[e] is anointed:^(AM) a tenth of an ephah^[f](AN) of the finest flour^(AO) as a regular grain offering,^(AP) half of it in the morning and half in the evening. ²¹ It must be prepared with oil on a griddle;^(AQ) bring it well-mixed and present the grain offering broken^[g] in pieces as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. ²² The son who is to succeed him as anointed priest^(AR) shall prepare it. It is the Lord’s perpetual share and is to be burned completely.^{(AS) 23} Every grain offering of a priest shall be burned completely; it must not be eaten.”

The Sin Offering

²⁴ The Lord said to Moses, ²⁵ “Say to Aaron and his sons: ‘These are the regulations for the sin offering:^(AT) The sin offering is to be slaughtered before the Lord^(AU) in the place^(AV) the burnt offering is slaughtered; it is most holy. ²⁶ The priest who offers it shall eat it; it is to be eaten in the sanctuary area,^(AW) in the courtyard^(AX) of the tent of meeting.^{(AY) 27} Whatever touches any of the flesh will become holy,^(AZ) and if any of the blood is spattered on a garment, you must wash it in the sanctuary area. ²⁸ The clay pot^(BA) the meat is cooked in must be broken; but if it is cooked in a bronze pot, the pot is to be scoured and rinsed with water. ²⁹ Any male in a priest’s family may eat it;^(BB) it is most holy.^{(BC) 30} But any sin offering whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement^(BD) in the Holy Place^(BE) must not be eaten; it must be burned up.^(BF)

The Guilt Offering

7 “‘These are the regulations for the guilt offering,^(BG) which is most holy: ² The guilt offering is to be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and its blood is to be splashed against the sides of the altar. ³ All its fat^(BH) shall be offered: the fat tail and the fat that covers the internal organs, ⁴ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.^{(BI) 5} The priest shall burn them on the altar^(BJ) as a food offering presented to the Lord. It is a guilt offering. ⁶ Any male in a priest’s family may eat it,^(BK) but it must be eaten in the sanctuary area; it is most holy.^(BL)

⁷ “‘The same law applies to both the sin offering^[h](BM) and the guilt offering:^(BN) They belong to the priest^(BO) who makes atonement with them.^{(BP) 8} The priest who offers a burnt offering for anyone may keep its hide^(BQ) for himself. ⁹ Every grain offering baked in an oven^(BR) or cooked in a pan^(BS) or on a griddle^(BT) belongs to the priest who offers it, ¹⁰ and every grain offering, whether mixed with olive oil or dry, belongs equally to all the sons of Aaron.

The Fellowship Offering

¹¹ “‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord:

¹² “‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering^(BU) they are to offer thick loaves^(BV) made without yeast^(BW) and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves^(BX) made without yeast and brushed with oil,^(BY) and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. ¹³ Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving^(BZ) they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast.^{(CA) 14} They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the Lord; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar. ¹⁵ The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning.^(CB)

¹⁶ “‘If, however, their offering is the result of a vow^(CC) or is a freewill offering,^(CD) the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day.^{(CE) 17} Any meat of the sacrifice left over till the third day must be burned up.^{(CF) 18} If any meat of the fellowship offering^(CG) is eaten on the third day, the one who offered it will not be accepted.^(CH) It will not be reckoned^(CI) to their credit, for it has become impure; the person who eats any of it will be held responsible.^(CJ)

¹⁹ “‘Meat that touches anything ceremonially unclean must not be eaten; it must be burned up. As for other meat, anyone ceremonially clean may eat it. ²⁰ But if anyone who is unclean^(CK) eats any meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord, they must be cut off from their people.^{(CL) 21} Anyone who touches something unclean^(CM)—whether human uncleanness or an unclean animal or any unclean creature that moves along the ground^[i]—and then eats any of the meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord must be cut off from their people.’”

Eating Fat and Blood Forbidden

²² The Lord said to Moses, ²³ “Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats.^{(CN) 24} The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals^(CO) may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. ²⁵ Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be^[j] presented to the Lord must be cut off from their people. ²⁶ And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood^(CP) of any bird or animal. ²⁷ Anyone who eats blood^(CQ) must be cut off from their people.’”

Crowds Follow Jesus^(A)

⁷ Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.^{(B) 8} When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.^{(C) 9} Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. ¹⁰ For he had healed many,^(D) so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.^{(E) 11} Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”^{(F) 12} But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.^(G)

Jesus Appoints the Twelve^(H)

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.^{(I) 14} He appointed twelve^[a](J) that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons.^{(K) 16} These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),^{(L) 17} James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law^(M)(N)

²⁰ Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,^(O) so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.^{(P) 21} When his family^[b] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”^(Q)

²² And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem^(R) said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul!^(S) By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”^(T)

²³ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables:^(U) “How can Satan^(V) drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵ If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶ And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷ In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.^{(W) 28} Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”^(X)

³⁰ He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

Psalm 37^[a]

Of David.

The Sin Offering

4 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally^(A) and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands^(B)—

³ “‘If the anointed priest^(C) sins,^(D) bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the Lord a young bull^(E) without defect^(F) as a sin offering^[a](G) for the sin he has committed.^{(H) 4} He is to present the bull at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord.^(I) He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it there before the Lord. ⁵ Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood^(J) and carry it into the tent of meeting. ⁶ He is to dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle^(K) some of it seven times before the Lord,^(L) in front of the curtain of the sanctuary.^{(M) 7} The priest shall then put some of the blood on the horns^(N) of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the Lord in the tent of meeting. The rest of the bull’s blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar^(O) of burnt offering^(P) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁸ He shall remove all the fat^(Q) from the bull of the sin offering—all the fat that is connected to the internal organs, ⁹ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys^(R)— ¹⁰ just as the fat is removed from the ox^[b](S) sacrificed as a fellowship offering.^(T) Then the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering.^{(U) 11} But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, as well as the head and legs, the internal organs and the intestines^(V)— ¹² that is, all the rest of the bull—he must take outside the camp^(W) to a place ceremonially clean,^(X) where the ashes^(Y) are thrown, and burn it^(Z) there in a wood fire on the ash heap.^(AA)

¹³ “‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally^(AB) and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt ¹⁴ and the sin they committed becomes known, the assembly must bring a young bull^(AC) as a sin offering^(AD) and present it before the tent of meeting. ¹⁵ The elders^(AE) of the community are to lay their hands^(AF) on the bull’s head^(AG) before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord.^{(AH) 16} Then the anointed priest is to take some of the bull’s blood^(AI) into the tent of meeting. ¹⁷ He shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle^(AJ) it before the Lord^(AK) seven times in front of the curtain. ¹⁸ He is to put some of the blood^(AL) on the horns of the altar that is before the Lord^(AM) in the tent of meeting. The rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar^(AN) of burnt offering at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ¹⁹ He shall remove all the fat^(AO) from it and burn it on the altar,^{(AP) 20} and do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement^(AQ) for the community, and they will be forgiven.^{(AR) 21} Then he shall take the bull outside the camp^(AS) and burn it as he burned the first bull. This is the sin offering for the community.^(AT)

²² “‘When a leader^(AU) sins unintentionally^(AV) and does what is forbidden in any of the commands of the Lord his God, when he realizes his guilt ²³ and the sin he has committed becomes known, he must bring as his offering a male goat^(AW) without defect. ²⁴ He is to lay his hand on the goat’s head and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered before the Lord.^(AX) It is a sin offering.^{(AY) 25} Then the priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar^(AZ) of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.^{(BA) 26} He shall burn all the fat on the altar as he burned the fat of the fellowship offering. In this way the priest will make atonement^(BB) for the leader’s sin, and he will be forgiven.^(BC)

²⁷ “‘If any member of the community sins unintentionally^(BD) and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, when they realize their guilt ²⁸ and the sin they have committed becomes known, they must bring as their offering^(BE) for the sin they committed a female goat^(BF) without defect. ²⁹ They are to lay their hand on the head^(BG) of the sin offering^(BH) and slaughter it at the place of the burnt offering.^{(BI) 30} Then the priest is to take some of the blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering^(BJ) and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. ³¹ They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar^(BK) as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(BL) In this way the priest will make atonement^(BM) for them, and they will be forgiven.^(BN)

³² “‘If someone brings a lamb^(BO) as their sin offering, they are to bring a female without defect.^{(BP) 33} They are to lay their hand on its head and slaughter it^(BQ) for a sin offering^(BR) at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered.^{(BS) 34} Then the priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.^{(BT) 35} They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar^(BU) on top of the food offerings presented to the Lord. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.

5 “‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify^(BV) regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.^(BW)

² “‘If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground)^(BX) and they are unaware that they have become unclean,^(BY) but then they come to realize their guilt; ³ or if they touch human uncleanness^(BZ) (anything that would make them unclean)^(CA) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt; ⁴ or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath^(CB) to do anything, whether good or evil^(CC) (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— ⁵ when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess^(CD) in what way they have sinned. ⁶ As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat^(CE) from the flock as a sin offering^[c];^(CF) and the priest shall make atonement^(CG) for them for their sin.

⁷ “‘Anyone who cannot afford^(CH) a lamb^(CI) is to bring two doves or two young pigeons^(CJ) to the Lord as a penalty for their sin—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. ⁸ They are to bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one for the sin offering. He is to wring its head from its neck,^(CK) not dividing it completely,^{(CL) 9} and is to splash^(CM) some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar;^(CN) the rest of the blood must be drained out at the base of the altar.^(CO) It is a sin offering. ¹⁰ The priest shall then offer the other as a burnt offering in the prescribed way^(CP) and make atonement^(CQ) for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.^(CR)

¹¹ “‘If, however, they cannot afford^(CS) two doves or two young pigeons,^(CT) they are to bring as an offering for their sin a tenth of an ephah^[d](CU) of the finest flour^(CV) for a sin offering. They must not put olive oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering. ¹² They are to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful of it as a memorial^[e] portion^(CW) and burn it on the altar^(CX) on top of the food offerings presented to the Lord. It is a sin offering. ¹³ In this way the priest will make atonement^(CY) for them for any of these sins they have committed, and they will be forgiven. The rest of the offering will belong to the priest,^(CZ) as in the case of the grain offering.^(DA)’”

The Guilt Offering

¹⁴ The Lord said to Moses: ¹⁵ “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally^(DB) in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty^(DC) a ram^(DD) from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.^[f](DE) It is a guilt offering.^{(DF) 16} They must make restitution^(DG) for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value^(DH) and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven.

¹⁷ “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though they do not know it,^(DI) they are guilty and will be held responsible.^{(DJ) 18} They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering^(DK) a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven.^{(DL) 19} It is a guilt offering; they have been guilty of^[g] wrongdoing against the Lord.”^(DM)

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners^(A)

¹³ Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him,^(B) and he began to teach them. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,”^(C) Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵ While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees^(D) saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”^(E)

¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”^(F)

Jesus Questioned About Fasting^(G)

¹⁸ Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting.^(H) Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?”

¹⁹ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. ²⁰ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them,^(I) and on that day they will fast.

²¹ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²² And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath^(J)(K)

²³ One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.^{(L) 24} The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”^(M)

²⁵ He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ²⁶ In the days of Abiathar the high priest,^(N) he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat.^(O) And he also gave some to his companions.”^(P)

²⁷ Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man,^(Q) not man for the Sabbath.^{(R) 28} So the Son of Man^(S) is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue,^(T) and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ² Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely^(U) to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.^{(V) 3} Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

⁴ Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

⁵ He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians^(W) how they might kill Jesus.^(X)

Psalm 36^[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord.

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs^(A) of Solomon:^(B)

The Burnt Offering

1 The Lord called to Moses^(A) and spoke to him from the tent of meeting.^(B) He said, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord,^(C) bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.^(D)

³ “‘If the offering is a burnt offering^(E) from the herd,^(F) you are to offer a male without defect.^(G) You must present it at the entrance to the tent^(H) of meeting so that it will be acceptable^(I) to the Lord. ⁴ You are to lay your hand on the head^(J) of the burnt offering,^(K) and it will be accepted^(L) on your behalf to make atonement^(M) for you. ⁵ You are to slaughter^(N) the young bull^(O) before the Lord, and then Aaron’s sons^(P) the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar^(Q) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁶ You are to skin^(R) the burnt offering and cut it into pieces.^{(S) 7} The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood^(T) on the fire. ⁸ Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat,^(U) on the wood^(V) that is burning on the altar. ⁹ You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water,^(W) and the priest is to burn all of it^(X) on the altar.^(Y) It is a burnt offering,^(Z) a food offering,^(AA) an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(AB)

¹⁰ “‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep^(AC) or the goats,^(AD) you are to offer a male without defect. ¹¹ You are to slaughter it at the north side of the altar^(AE) before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar.^{(AF) 12} You are to cut it into pieces, and the priest shall arrange them, including the head and the fat,^(AG) on the wood that is burning on the altar. ¹³ You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water,^(AH) and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them^(AI) on the altar.^(AJ) It is a burnt offering,^(AK) a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁴ “‘If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon.^{(AL) 15} The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head^(AM) and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar.^{(AN) 16} He is to remove the crop and the feathers^[a] and throw them down east of the altar where the ashes^(AO) are. ¹⁷ He shall tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely,^(AP) and then the priest shall burn it on the wood^(AQ) that is burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

The Grain Offering

2 “‘When anyone brings a grain offering^(AR) to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour.^(AS) They are to pour olive oil^(AT) on it,^(AU) put incense on it^{(AV) 2} and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour^(AW) and oil, together with all the incense,^(AX) and burn this as a memorial^[b] portion^(AY) on the altar, a food offering,^(AZ) an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^{(BA) 3} The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;^(BB) it is a most holy^(BC) part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.

⁴ “‘If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven,^(BD) it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves^(BE) made without yeast and brushed with olive oil.^{(BF) 5} If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle,^(BG) it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. ⁶ Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. ⁷ If your grain offering is cooked in a pan,^(BH) it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil. ⁸ Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. ⁹ He shall take out the memorial portion^(BI) from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^{(BJ) 10} The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;^(BK) it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.^(BL)

¹¹ “‘Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast,^(BM) for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord. ¹² You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits,^(BN) but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. ¹³ Season all your grain offerings with salt.^(BO) Do not leave the salt of the covenant^(BP) of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

¹⁴ “‘If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits^(BQ) to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. ¹⁵ Put oil and incense^(BR) on it; it is a grain offering. ¹⁶ The priest shall burn the memorial portion^(BS) of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense,^(BT) as a food offering presented to the Lord.^(BU)

The Fellowship Offering

3 “‘If your offering is a fellowship offering,^(BV) and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect.^{(BW) 2} You are to lay your hand on the head^(BX) of your offering and slaughter it^(BY) at the entrance to the tent of meeting.^(BZ) Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash^(CA) the blood against the sides^(CB) of the altar.^{(CC) 3} From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering to the Lord: the internal organs^(CD) and all the fat^(CE) that is connected to them, ⁴ both kidneys^(CF) with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. ⁵ Then Aaron’s sons^(CG) are to burn it on the altar^(CH) on top of the burnt offering^(CI) that is lying on the burning wood;^(CJ) it is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.^(CK)

⁶ “‘If you offer an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering^(CL) to the Lord, you are to offer a male or female without defect. ⁷ If you offer a lamb,^(CM) you are to present it before the Lord,^{(CN) 8} lay your hand on its head and slaughter it^(CO) in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar. ⁹ From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering^(CP) to the Lord: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, ¹⁰ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. ¹¹ The priest shall burn them on the altar^(CQ) as a food offering^(CR) presented to the Lord.^(CS)

¹² “‘If your offering is a goat,^(CT) you are to present it before the Lord, ¹³ lay your hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash^(CU) its blood against the sides of the altar.^{(CV) 14} From what you offer you are to present this food offering to the Lord: the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, ¹⁵ both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys.^{(CW) 16} The priest shall burn them on the altar^(CX) as a food offering,^(CY) a pleasing aroma.^(CZ) All the fat^(DA) is the Lord’s.^(DB)

¹⁷ “‘This is a lasting ordinance^(DC) for the generations to come,^(DD) wherever you live:^(DE) You must not eat any fat or any blood.^(DF)’”

Jesus Heals Many^(A)(B)

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue,^(C) they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.^(D) The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.^{(E) 33} The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.^(F) He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.^(G)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place^(H)

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.^{(I) 36} Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”^{(J) 39} So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues^(K) and driving out demons.^(L)

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy^(M)

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy^[a] came to him and begged him on his knees,^(N) “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Jesus was indignant.^[b] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.^(O) But go, show yourself to the priest^(P) and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,^(Q) as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.^(R) Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.^(S)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man^(T)

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers^(U) that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man,^(V) carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”^(W)

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(X)

⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man^(Y) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God,^(Z) saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”^(AA)

The Priestly Garments

39 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn^(A) they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary.^(B) They also made sacred garments^(C) for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Ephod^(D)

² They^[a] made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. ³ They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. ⁴ They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. ⁵ Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.

⁶ They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. ⁷ Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial^(E) stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Breastpiece^(F)

⁸ They fashioned the breastpiece^(G)—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. ⁹ It was square—a span^[b] long and a span wide—and folded double. ¹⁰ Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; ¹¹ the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; ¹² the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; ¹³ the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper.^[c] They were mounted in gold filigree settings. ¹⁴ There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.^(H)

¹⁵ For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. ¹⁶ They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece. ¹⁷ They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, ¹⁸ and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. ¹⁹ They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. ²⁰ Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. ²¹ They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.

Other Priestly Garments^(I)

²² They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— ²³ with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar,^[d] and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear. ²⁴ They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe. ²⁵ And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. ²⁶ The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.

²⁷ For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen^(J)—the work of a weaver— ²⁸ and the turban^(K) of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen. ²⁹ The sash was made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.

³⁰ They made the plate, the sacred emblem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.^{(L) 31} Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban,^(M) as the Lord commanded Moses.

Moses Inspects the Tabernacle^(N)

³² So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.^{(O) 33} Then they brought the tabernacle^(P) to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; ³⁴ the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather^[e] and the shielding curtain; ³⁵ the ark of the covenant law^(Q) with its poles and the atonement cover; ³⁶ the table^(R) with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;^{(S) 37} the pure gold lampstand^(T) with its row of lamps and all its accessories,^(U) and the olive oil^(V) for the light; ³⁸ the gold altar,^(W) the anointing oil,^(X) the fragrant incense,^(Y) and the curtain^(Z) for the entrance to the tent; ³⁹ the bronze altar^(AA) with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin^(AB) with its stand; ⁴⁰ the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;^(AC) the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; ⁴¹ and the woven garments^(AD) worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.

⁴² The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.^{(AE) 43} Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.^(AF) So Moses blessed^(AG) them.

Setting Up the Tabernacle

40 Then the Lord said to Moses: ² “Set up^(AH) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,^(AI) on the first day of the first month.^{(AJ) 3} Place the ark^(AK) of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. ⁴ Bring in the table^(AL) and set out what belongs on it.^(AM) Then bring in the lampstand^(AN) and set up its lamps. ⁵ Place the gold altar^(AO) of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

⁶ “Place the altar^(AP) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; ⁷ place the basin^(AQ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. ⁸ Set up the courtyard^(AR) around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

⁹ “Take the anointing oil and anoint^(AS) the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,^(AT) and it will be holy. ¹⁰ Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate^(AU) the altar, and it will be most holy. ¹¹ Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.

¹² “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting^(AV) and wash them with water.^{(AW) 13} Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,^(AX) anoint him and consecrate^(AY) him so he may serve me as priest. ¹⁴ Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.^{(AZ) 15} Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.^(BA)” ¹⁶ Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded^(BB) him.

¹⁷ So the tabernacle^(BC) was set up on the first day of the first month^(BD) in the second year. ¹⁸ When Moses^(BE) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,^(BF) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. ¹⁹ Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering^(BG) over the tent, as the Lord commanded^(BH) him.

²⁰ He took the tablets of the covenant law^(BI) and placed them in the ark,^(BJ) attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover^(BK) over it. ²¹ Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain^(BL) and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the Lord commanded^(BM) him.

²² Moses placed the table^(BN) in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain ²³ and set out the bread^(BO) on it before the Lord, as the Lord commanded^(BP) him.

²⁴ He placed the lampstand^(BQ) in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle ²⁵ and set up the lamps^(BR) before the Lord, as the Lord commanded^(BS) him.

²⁶ Moses placed the gold altar^(BT) in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain ²⁷ and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord commanded^(BU) him.

²⁸ Then he put up the curtain^(BV) at the entrance to the tabernacle. ²⁹ He set the altar^(BW) of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings,^(BX) as the Lord commanded^(BY) him.

³⁰ He placed the basin^(BZ) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, ³¹ and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash^(CA) their hands and feet. ³² They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,^(CB) as the Lord commanded^(CC) Moses.

³³ Then Moses set up the courtyard^(CD) around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain^(CE) at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

The Glory of the Lord

³⁴ Then the cloud^(CF) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory^(CG) of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory^(CH) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.^(CI)

³⁶ In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;^{(CJ) 37} but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. ³⁸ So the cloud^(CK) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way^(A)

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,^[a] the Son of God,^{[b](B) 2} as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

⁴ And so John the Baptist^(E) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance^(F) for the forgiveness of sins.^{(G) 5} The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist,^(H) and he ate locusts^(I) and wild honey. ⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.^{(J) 8} I baptize you with^[e] water, but he will baptize you with^[f] the Holy Spirit.”^(K)

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus^(L)(M)

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth^(N) in Galilee and was baptized by John^(O) in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.^{(P) 11} And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son,^(Q) whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”^(R)

¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, ¹³ and he was in the wilderness forty days,^(S) being tempted^[g] by Satan.^(T) He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News^(U)

¹⁴ After John^(V) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,^(W) proclaiming the good news of God.^{(X) 15} “The time has come,”^(Y) he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe^(Z) the good news!”^(AA)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.^(AB)

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit^(AC)

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.^{(AD) 22} The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.^{(AE) 23} Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us,^(AF) Jesus of Nazareth?^(AG) Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”^(AH)

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”^{(AI) 26} The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.^(AJ)

²⁷ The people were all so amazed^(AK) that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region^(AL) of Galilee.

Psalm 35

Of David.

The Ark^(A)

37 Bezalel^(B) made the ark^(C) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.^{[a] 2} He overlaid it with pure gold,^(D) both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. ³ He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. ⁴ Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. ⁵ And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

⁶ He made the atonement cover^(E) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. ⁷ Then he made two cherubim^(F) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. ⁸ He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. ⁹ The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing^(G) the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.^(H)

The Table^(I)

¹⁰ They^[b] made the table^(J) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.^{[c] 11} Then they overlaid it with pure gold^(K) and made a gold molding around it. ¹² They also made around it a rim a handbreadth^[d] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ¹³ They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. ¹⁴ The rings^(L) were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. ¹⁵ The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. ¹⁶ And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.

The Lampstand^(M)

¹⁷ They made the lampstand^(N) of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. ¹⁸ Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. ¹⁹ Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. ²⁰ And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. ²¹ One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. ²² The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.^(O)

²³ They made its seven lamps,^(P) as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. ²⁴ They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent^[e] of pure gold.

The Altar of Incense^(Q)

²⁵ They made the altar of incense^(R) out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high^[f]—its horns^(S) of one piece with it. ²⁶ They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. ²⁷ They made two gold rings^(T) below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. ²⁸ They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.^(U)

²⁹ They also made the sacred anointing oil^(V) and the pure, fragrant incense^(W)—the work of a perfumer.

The Altar of Burnt Offering^(X)

38 They^[g] built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits^[h] high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.^{[i] 2} They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze.^{(Y) 3} They made all its utensils^(Z) of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. ⁴ They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar. ⁵ They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating. ⁶ They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. ⁷ They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards.

The Basin for Washing

⁸ They made the bronze basin^(AA) and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women^(AB) who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

The Courtyard^(AC)

⁹ Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits^[j] long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, ¹⁰ with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. ¹¹ The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

¹² The west end was fifty cubits^[k] wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts. ¹³ The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide. ¹⁴ Curtains fifteen cubits^[l] long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, ¹⁵ and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases. ¹⁶ All the curtains around the courtyard were of finely twisted linen. ¹⁷ The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks and bands on the posts were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver; so all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands.

¹⁸ The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits^[m] long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits^[n] high, ¹⁹ with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. ²⁰ All the tent pegs^(AD) of the tabernacle and of the surrounding courtyard were bronze.

The Materials Used

²¹ These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law,^(AE) which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar^(AF) son of Aaron, the priest. ²² (Bezalel^(AG) son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; ²³ with him was Oholiab^(AH) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.) ²⁴ The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary^(AI) was 29 talents and 730 shekels,^[o] according to the sanctuary shekel.^(AJ)

²⁵ The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census^(AK) was 100 talents^[p] and 1,775 shekels,^[q] according to the sanctuary shekel— ²⁶ one beka per person,^(AL) that is, half a shekel,^[r] according to the sanctuary shekel,^(AM) from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more,^(AN) a total of 603,550 men.^{(AO) 27} The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases^(AP) for the sanctuary and for the curtain—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base. ²⁸ They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands.

²⁹ The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.^{[s] 30} They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils, ³¹ the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard.