The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday February 14, 2017 (NIV)

Exodus 37-38

Making the Ark

37 Bezalel(A) made the ark of acacia wood, 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.[a] He overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and made a gold molding all around it. He cast four gold rings for it, for its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark for carrying the ark.

He made a mercy seat of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.[b] He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat, one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. At each end, he made a cherub of one piece with the mercy seat. They had wings spread out. They faced each other and covered the mercy seat with their wings. The faces of the cherubim were looking toward the mercy seat.

Making the Table

10 He(B) constructed the table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.[c] 11 He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding all around it. 12 He made a three-inch[d] frame all around it and made a gold molding all around its frame. 13 He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 14 The rings were next to the frame as holders for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles for carrying the table from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 16 He also made the utensils that would be on the table out of pure gold: its plates and cups, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

Making the Lampstand

17 Then(C) he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold. He made it all of one piece: its base and shaft, its ornamental cups, and its calyxes[e] and petals. 18 Six branches extended from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from one side and three branches of the lampstand from the other side. 19 There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and petals, on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a calyx and petals, on the next branch. It was this way for the six branches that extended from the lampstand. 20 On the lampstand shaft there were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with its calyxes and petals. 21 For the six branches that extended from it, a calyx was under the first pair of branches from it, a calyx under the second pair of branches from it, and a calyx under the third pair of branches from it. 22 Their calyxes and branches were of one piece.[f] All of it was a single hammered piece of pure gold. 23 He also made its seven lamps, snuffers, and firepans of pure gold. 24 He made it and all its utensils of 75 pounds[g] of pure gold.

Making the Altar of Incense

25 He(D) made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, 18 inches long and 18 inches wide; it was 36 inches high.[h] Its horns were of one piece.[i] 26 He overlaid it, its top, all around its sides, and its horns with pure gold. Then he made a gold molding all around it. 27 He made two gold rings for it under the molding on two of its sides; he put these on opposite sides of it to be holders for the poles to carry it with. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant, and expertly blended incense.(E)

Making the Altar of Burnt Offering

38 Bezalel(F) constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, 7½ feet long and 7½ feet wide,[j] and was 4½ feet[k] high. He made horns for it on its four corners; the horns were of one piece.[l] Then he overlaid it with bronze.

He made all the altar’s utensils: the pots, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans; he made all its utensils of bronze. He constructed for the altar a grate of bronze mesh under its ledge,[m] halfway up from the bottom. At the four corners of the bronze grate he cast four rings as holders for the poles. Also, he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar in order to carry it with them. He constructed the altar with boards so that it was hollow.

Making the Bronze Basin

He made the bronze basin and its stand from the bronze mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.(G)

Making the Courtyard

Then(H) he made the courtyard. The hangings on the south side of the courtyard were of finely spun linen, 150 feet in length,[n] 10 including their 20 posts and 20 bronze bases. The hooks and bands[o] of the posts were silver. 11 The hangings on the north side were also 150 feet in length,[p] including their 20 posts and 20 bronze bases. The hooks and bands[q] of the posts were silver. 12 The hangings on the west side were 75 feet in length,[r] including their 10 posts and 10 bases. The hooks and bands of the posts were silver. 13 The hangings on the east toward the sunrise were also 75 feet in length.[s] 14 The hangings on one side of the gate were 22½ feet,[t] including their three posts and three bases. 15 It was the same for the other side. The hangings were 22½ feet,[u] including their three posts and three bases on both sides of the courtyard gate. 16 All the hangings around the courtyard were of finely spun linen. 17 The bases for the posts were bronze; the hooks and bands[v] of the posts were silver; and the plating for the tops of the posts was silver. All the posts of the courtyard were banded with silver.

18 The screen for the gate of the courtyard was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It was 30 feet[w] long, and like the hangings of the courtyard, 7½ feet[x] high.[y] 19 It had four posts, including their four bronze bases. Their hooks were silver, and the bands[z] as well as the plating of their tops were silver. 20 All the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the surrounding courtyard were bronze.

Inventory of Materials

21 This is the inventory for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony,(I) that was recorded at Moses’ command. It was the work of the Levites under the direction of[aa] Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.(J) 22 Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything that the Lord commanded Moses. 23 With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a gem cutter, a designer, and an embroiderer with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

24 All the gold of the presentation offering that was used for the project in all the work on the sanctuary, was 2,193 pounds,[ab] according to the sanctuary shekel.(K) 25 The silver from those of the community who were registered was 7,544 pounds,[ac] according to the sanctuary shekel— 26 2⁄5 of an ounce[ad] per man, that is, half a shekel according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone 20 years old or more who had crossed over to the registered group, 603,550 men. 27 There were 7,500 pounds[ae] of silver used to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil—100 bases from 7,500 pounds,[af] 75 pounds[ag] for each base.(L) 28 With the remaining 44 pounds[ah] he made the hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and supplied bands[ai] for them.

29 The bronze of the presentation offering totaled 5,310 pounds.[aj] 30 He made with it the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar and its bronze grate, all the utensils for the altar, 31 the bases for the surrounding courtyard, the bases for the gate of the courtyard, all the tent pegs for the tabernacle, and all the tent pegs for the surrounding courtyard.

Footnotes:

  1. Exodus 37:1 Lit two and a half cubits its length, one and a half cubits its width, and one and a half cubits its height
  2. Exodus 37:6 Lit two and a half cubits its length and one and a half cubits its width
  3. Exodus 37:10 Lit two cubits its length, one cubit its width, and one and a half cubits its height
  4. Exodus 37:12 Lit a handbreadth
  5. Exodus 37:17 = the outer covering of a flower
  6. Exodus 37:22 Lit piece with it
  7. Exodus 37:24 Lit a talent
  8. Exodus 37:25 Lit a cubit its length, a cubit its width, and two cubits its height
  9. Exodus 37:25 Lit piece with it
  10. Exodus 38:1 Lit five cubits its length and five cubits its width
  11. Exodus 38:1 Lit three cubits
  12. Exodus 38:2 Lit piece with it
  13. Exodus 38:4 Or rim
  14. Exodus 38:9 Lit 100 cubits
  15. Exodus 38:10 Or connecting rods
  16. Exodus 38:11 Lit 100 cubits
  17. Exodus 38:11 Or connecting rods
  18. Exodus 38:12 Lit 50 cubits
  19. Exodus 38:13 Lit 50 cubits
  20. Exodus 38:14 Lit 15 cubits
  21. Exodus 38:15 Lit 15 cubits
  22. Exodus 38:17 Or connecting rods
  23. Exodus 38:18 Lit 20 cubits
  24. Exodus 38:18 Lit five cubits
  25. Exodus 38:18 Lit high in width
  26. Exodus 38:19 Or connecting rods
  27. Exodus 38:21 Lit Levites by the hand of
  28. Exodus 38:24 Lit 29 talents and 730 shekels
  29. Exodus 38:25 Lit 100 talents and 1,775 shekels
  30. Exodus 38:26 Lit a beka
  31. Exodus 38:27 Lit 100 talents
  32. Exodus 38:27 Lit 100 talents
  33. Exodus 38:27 Lit one talent
  34. Exodus 38:28 Lit 1,775 (shekels)
  35. Exodus 38:28 Or connecting rods
  36. Exodus 38:29 Lit 70 talents and 2,400 shekels

Matthew 28

Resurrection Morning

28 After the Sabbath,(A) as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it.(B) His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow.(C) The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.(D) He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.(E) Then go quickly and tell His disciples,(F) ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”(G)

So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then[a] Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.(H) 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”(I)

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests[b] had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears,[c] we will deal with[d] him and keep you out of trouble.”(J) 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.(K)

The Great Commission

16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.(L) 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped,[e] but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.(M) 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples(N) of[f] all nations,(O) baptizing(P) them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[g] I am with you always,[h] to the end of the age.”(Q)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 28:9 Other mss add as they were on their way to tell the news to His disciples
  2. Matthew 28:12 Lit After they
  3. Matthew 28:14 Lit this is heard by the governor
  4. Matthew 28:14 Lit will persuade
  5. Matthew 28:17 Other mss add Him
  6. Matthew 28:19 Or and disciple; lit and instruct
  7. Matthew 28:20 Lit look
  8. Matthew 28:20 Lit all the days

Psalm 34:11-22

11 Come, children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.(A)
12 Who is the man who delights in life,
loving a long life to enjoy what is good?(B)
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from deceitful speech.(C)
14 Turn away from evil and do what is good;(D)
seek peace and pursue it.(E)

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and His ears are open to their cry for help.(F)
16 The face of the Lord is set
against those who do what is evil,(G)
to erase[a] all memory of them from the earth.(H)
17 The righteous[b] cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them from all their troubles.(I)
18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
He saves those crushed in spirit.(J)

19 Many adversities come to the one who is righteous,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.(K)
20 He protects all his bones;
not one of them is broken.(L)
21 Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.(M)
22 The Lord redeems the life of His servants,
and all who take refuge in Him will not be punished.(N)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 34:16 Or cut off
  2. Psalm 34:17 Lit They

Proverbs 9:9-10

Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.(A)

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(B)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(C) is understanding.