The Uncleanness of Men

¹And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

²“Say to the Israelites, ‘When any man has a bodily discharge, the discharge is unclean.

³This uncleanness is from his discharge, whether his body allows the discharge to flow or blocks it. So his discharge will bring about uncleanness.

⁴Any bed on which the man with the discharge lies will be unclean, and any furniture on which he sits will be unclean.

⁵Anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

⁶Whoever sits on furniture on which the man with the discharge was sitting must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

⁷Whoever touches the body of the man with a discharge must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

⁸If the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean, that person must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

⁹Any saddle on which the man with the discharge rides will be unclean.

¹⁰Whoever touches anything that was under him will be unclean until evening, and whoever carries such things must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

¹¹If the man with the discharge touches anyone without first rinsing his hands with water, the one who was touched must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

¹²Any clay pot that the man with the discharge touches must be broken, and any wooden utensil must be rinsed with water.

The Cleansing of Men

¹³When the man has been cleansed from his discharge, he must count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe himself in fresh water,and he shall be clean.

¹⁴On the eighth day he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, come before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest.

¹⁵The priest is to sacrifice them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the man before the LORD because of his discharge.

¹⁶When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

¹⁷Any clothing or leather on which there is an emission of semen must be washed with water, and it will remain unclean until evening.

¹⁸If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will remain unclean until evening.

The Uncleanness of Women

¹⁹When a woman has a discharge consisting of blood from her body, she will be unclean due to her menstruation for seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening.

²⁰Anything on which she lies or sits during her menstruation will be unclean,

²¹and anyone who touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

²²Whoever touches any furniture on which she was sitting must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

²³And whether it is a bed or furniture on which she was sitting, whoever touches it will be unclean until evening.

²⁴If a man lies with her and her menstrual flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days, and any bed on which he lies will become unclean.

²⁵When a woman has a discharge of her blood for many days at a time other than her menstrual period, or if it continues beyond her period, she will be unclean all the days of her unclean discharge, just as she is during the days of her menstruation.

²⁶Any bed on which she lies or any furniture on which she sits during the days of her discharge will be unclean, like her bed during her menstrual period.

²⁷Anyone who touches these things will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean until evening.

The Cleansing of Women

²⁸When a woman is cleansed of her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean.

²⁹On the eighth day she is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

³⁰The priest is to sacrifice one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her before the LORD for her unclean discharge.

³¹You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them.

³²This is the law of him who has a discharge, of the man who has an emission of semen whereby he is unclean,

³³of a woman in her menstrual period, of any male or female who has a discharge, and of a man who lies with an unclean woman.’”

The Ephod

¹From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, as well as the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

²Bezalel madethe ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.

³They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.

⁴They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.

⁵And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

⁶They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.

⁷Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The Breastpiece

⁸He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

⁹It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.

¹⁰And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones:The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

¹¹the second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

¹²the third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

¹³and the fourth row had a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.These stones were mounted in gold filigree settings.

¹⁴The twelve stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel. Each stone was engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

¹⁵For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.

¹⁶They also made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the two rings to the two corners of the breastpiece.

¹⁷Then they fastened the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

¹⁸and they fastened the other ends of the two chains to the two filigree settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.

¹⁹They made two more gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the inside edge next to the ephod.

²⁰They made two additional gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near the seam just above its woven waistband.

²¹Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Additional Priestly Garments

²²They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, the work of a weaver,

²³with an opening in the center of the robe like that of a garment,with a collar around the opening so that it would not tear.

²⁴They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen on the lower hem of the robe.

²⁵They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates,

²⁶alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

²⁷For Aaron and his sons they made tunics of fine linen, the work of a weaver,

²⁸as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,

²⁹and the sash of finely spun linen, embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

³⁰They also made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and they engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal:HOLY TO THE LORD.

³¹Then they fastened to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Moses Approves the Work

³²So all the work for the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

³³Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses:the tent with all its furnishings, its clasps, its frames, its crossbars, and its posts and bases;

³⁴the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather,and the veil of the covering;

³⁵the ark of the Testimonywith its poles and the mercy seat;

³⁶the table with all its utensils and the Bread of the Presence;

³⁷the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its utensils, as well as the oil for the light;

³⁸the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

³⁹the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils;the basin with its stand;

⁴⁰the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases;the curtain for the gate of the courtyard, its ropes and tent pegs, and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting;

⁴¹and the woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests.

⁴²The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

⁴³And Moses inspected all the work and saw that they had accomplished it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

Garments for the Priests

¹“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

²Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor.

³You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest.

⁴These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.

⁵They shall use gold, along with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

The Ephod

⁶They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.

⁷It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened.

⁸And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

⁹Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:

¹⁰six of their names on one stone and the remaining six on the other, in the order of their birth.

¹¹Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings.

¹²Fasten both stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear their names on his two shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

¹³Fashion gold filigree settings

¹⁴and two chains of pure gold, made of braided cord work; and attach these chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece

¹⁵You are also to make a breastpiece of judgment with the same workmanship as the ephod. Construct it with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

¹⁶It must be square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.

¹⁷And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones:In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

¹⁸in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

¹⁹in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

²⁰and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.Mount these stones in gold filigree settings.

²¹The twelve stones are to correspond to the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

²²For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.

²³You are also to make two gold rings and fasten them to the two corners of the breastpiece.

²⁴Then fasten the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

²⁵and fasten the other ends of the two chains to the two filigree settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.

²⁶Make two more gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the inside edge next to the ephod.

²⁷Make two additional gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on its front, near its seam just above its woven waistband.

²⁸The rings of the breastpiece shall be tied to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece is above the waistband of the ephod and does not swing out from the ephod.

²⁹Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he shall bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of judgment, as a continual reminder before the LORD.

³⁰And place the Urim and Thummimin the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.

Additional Priestly Garments

³¹You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,

³²with an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening shall be a woven collar with an opening like that of a garment,so that it will not tear.

³³Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem, with gold bells between them,

³⁴alternating the gold bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe.

³⁵Aaron must wear the robe whenever he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he enters or exits the sanctuary before the LORD, so that he will not die.

³⁶You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal:HOLY TO THE LORD.

³⁷Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.

³⁸And it will be worn on Aaron’s forehead, so that he may bear the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrate with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be acceptable before the LORD.

³⁹You are to weave the tunic with fine linen, make the turban of fine linen, and fashion an embroidered sash.

⁴⁰Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.

⁴¹After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests.

⁴²Make linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, extending from waist to thigh.

⁴³Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.

The Beginning of Knowledge

¹These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David,king of Israel,

²for gaining wisdom and discipline,for comprehending words of insight,

³and for receiving instruction in wise livingand in righteousness, justice, and equity.

⁴To impart prudence to the simpleand knowledge and discretion to the young,

⁵let the wise listen and gain instruction,and the discerning acquire wise counsel

⁶by understanding the proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,but foolsdespise wisdom and discipline.

The Enticement of Sin

⁸Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

⁹For they are a garland of grace on your headand a pendant around your neck.

¹⁰My son, if sinners entice you,do not yield to them.

¹¹If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood,let us ambush the innocent without cause,

¹²let us swallow them alive like Sheol,and whole like those descending into the Pit.

¹³We will find all manner of precious goods;we will fill our houses with plunder.

¹⁴Throw in your lot with us;let us all share one purse”—

¹⁵my son, do not walk the road with themor set foot upon their path.

¹⁶For their feet run to evil,and they are swift to shed blood.

¹⁷How futile it is to spread the netwhere any bird can see it!

¹⁸But they lie in wait for their own blood;they ambush their own lives.

¹⁹Such is the fate of all who are greedy,whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.

Wisdom Calls Aloud

²⁰Wisdom calls out in the street,she lifts her voice in the square;

²¹in the main concourseshe cries aloud,at the city gates she makes her speech:

²²“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?How long will scoffers delight in their scornand fools hate knowledge?

²³If you had repented at my rebuke,then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you;I would have made my words known to you.

²⁴Because you refused my call,and no one took my outstretched hand,

²⁵because you neglected all my counsel,and wanted none of my correction,

²⁶in turn I will mock your calamity;I will sneer when terror strikes you,

²⁷when your dread comes like a storm,and your destruction like a whirlwind,when distress and anguish overwhelm you.

²⁸Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

²⁹For they hated knowledgeand chose not to fear the LORD.

³⁰They accepted none of my counsel;they despised all my reproof.

³¹So they will eat the fruit of their own way,and be filled with their own devices.

³²For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

³³But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,secure from the fear of evil.”