Exodus 35:1-3 and Luke 7:1-10 (NLT)

Exodus 35:1-3
Sabbath Regulation
1  Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, “These are the instructions the Lord has commanded you to follow.
2  You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.
3  You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.”
Luke 7:1-10
The Faith of the Centurion

1    When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. 

2    At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 

3    When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 

4    So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, 

5    “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”

6    So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 

7    I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 

8    I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

9    When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” 

10  And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)

Exodus 34:29-35
The Radiant Face of Moses

29  When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.
30  So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.
31  But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them.
32  Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.
33  When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil.
34  But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him,
35  and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.

Luke 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46  “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
47  I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
48  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
49  But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Exodus 34:18-28 and Luke 6:43-45 (NLT)

Exodus 34:18-28
The New Stone Tablet

18  “You must celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.
19  “The firstborn of every animal belongs to me, including the firstborn males from your herds of cattle and your flocks of sheep and goats.
20  A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.
“No one may appear before me without an offering.
21  “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.
22  “You must celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first crop of the wheat harvest, and celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season.
23  Three times each year every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord, the God of Israel.
24  I will drive out the other nations ahead of you and expand your territory, so no one will covet and conquer your land while you appear before the Lord your God three times each year.
25  “You must not offer the blood of my sacrificial offerings together with any baked goods containing yeast. And none of the meat of the Passover sacrifice may be kept over until the next morning.
26  “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.
“You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”
27  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”
28  Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.

Luke 6:43-45
A Tree and Its Fruit
43  “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.
44  A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
45  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Exodus 34:1-17 and Luke 6:37-42 (NLT)

Exodus 34:1-17
A New Copy of the Covenant

1    Then the Lord told Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed.
2    Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.
3    No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is to appear anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain.”
4    So Moses chiseled out two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands.
5   Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh.
6    The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord!  The God of compassion and mercy!  I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7    I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.  I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.  But I do not excuse the guilty.  I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.”
8    Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped.
9    And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.”
10  The Lord replied, “Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord—the awesome power I will display for you.
11  But listen carefully to everything I command you today. Then I will go ahead of you and drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
12  “Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped.
13  Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles.
14  You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
15  “You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them.
16  Then you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for your sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods.
17  You must not make any gods of molten metal for yourselves.


Luke 6:37-42
Judging Others

37  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 

38  Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

39  Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 

40  Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

41  “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 

42  How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Exodus 33:12-23 and Luke 6:27-36 (NLT)

Exodus 33:12-23
Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12  One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 

13  If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”

14  The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
15  Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.
16  How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
17  The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
18  Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”
19  The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.
20  But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21  The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock.
22  As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23  Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”

Luke 6:27-36
Love of Enemies

27  “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 

28  Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 

29  If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 

30  Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 

31  Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

32  “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 

33  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 

34  And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

35  “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 

36  You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Exodus 33:7-11 and Luke 6:17-26 (NLT)

Exodus 33:7-11
The Tent of Meeting

7    It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
8    Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside.
9    As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses.
10  When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents.
11  Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.

Luke 6:17-26
Blessings and Woes
17  When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon.
18  They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed.
19  Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.
20  Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.
21  God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.  God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.
22  What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.
23  When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
24  “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now.
25  What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you.  What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
26  What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Exodus 33:1-6 and Luke 6:12-16 (NLT)

Exodus 33:1-6
Going Up To The Land

1  The Lord said to Moses, “Get going, you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt. Go up to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ 

2  And I will send an angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 

3  Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.”

4  When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes. 

5  For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” 

6  So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes.

Luke 6:12-16
The Twelve Apostles

12  One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. 

13  At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:

14  Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
15  Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot),
16  Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Exodus 32:22-35 and Luke 6:1-11 (NLT)

Exodus 32:22-35
The Golden Calf (cont')

22  “Don’t get so upset, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know how evil these people are.
23  They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.’
24  So I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire—and out came this calf!”
25  Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control, much to the amusement of their enemies.
26  So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
27  Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.”
28  The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.
29  Then Moses told the Levites, “Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the Lord, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Today you have earned a blessing.”
30  The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.”
31  So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves.
32  But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”
33  But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me.
34  Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.”
35  Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.

Luke 6:1-11
Lord of the Sabbath

1    One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. 

2    But some Pharisees said, “Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

3    Jesus replied, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 
4    He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 
5    And Jesus added, “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”
6   On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching.
7    The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
8    But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” So the man came forward.
9    Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”
10  He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
11  At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.

Exodus 32:11-21 and Luke 5:33-39 (NLT)

Exodus 32:11-21
The Golden Calf

11  But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God. “O Lord!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand?
12  Why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people!
13  Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.’”
14  So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.
15  Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.
16  These tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself.
17  When Joshua heard the boisterous noise of the people shouting below them, he exclaimed to Moses, “It sounds like war in the camp!”
18  But Moses replied, “No, it’s not a shout of victory nor the wailing of defeat. I hear the sound of a celebration.”
19  When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and he burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain.
20  He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it.
21  Finally, he turned to Aaron and demanded, “What did these people do to you to make you bring such terrible sin upon them?”

Luke 5:33-39
Jesus Questioned About Fasting

33  One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”

34  Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. 

35  But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

36  Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

37  “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. 

38  New wine must be stored in new wineskins. 

39  But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

Exodus 32:1-10 and Luke 5:27-32 (NLT)

Exodus 32:1-10
The Golden Calf

1    When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

2    So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”

3    All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 

4    Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”

5    Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!”

6    The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.

7    The Lord told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 

8    How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”

9    Then the Lord said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. 

10  Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.”

Luke 5:27-32
Calling of Levi
27  Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him.
28  So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29  Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them.
30  But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
31  Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.
32  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Exodus 31:12-18 and Luke 5:17-26 (NLT)

Exodus 31:12-18
The Sabbath

12  The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 

13  “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 

14  You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community.

15  You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 

16  The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 

17  It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’”

18  When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God.

Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals A Paralytic
17  One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.
18  Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus,
19  but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
21  But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
22  Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?
23  Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?
24  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man^[a] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
25  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.
26  Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Exodus 31:1-11 and Luke 5:12-16 (NLT)

Exodus 31:1-11
Bezalel and Oholiab

1    Then the Lord said to Moses, 

2    “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 

3    I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 

4    He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 

5    He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!

6    “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

7    the Tabernacle;  the Ark of the Covenant;  the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;  all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;

8    the table and its utensils;  the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;  the incense altar;

9    the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;  the washbasin with its stand;

10  the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;

11  the anointing oil;  the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.  The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.”

Luke 5:12-16

The Man With Leprosy

12  In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

13  Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. 

14  Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

15  But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 

16  But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Exodus 30:34-38 and Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

Exodus 30:34-38
Incense
34  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.
35  Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to produce a pure and holy incense.
36  Grind some of the mixture into a very fine powder and put it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. You must treat this incense as most holy.
37  Never use this formula to make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the Lord, and you must treat it as holy.
38  Anyone who makes incense like this for personal use will be cut off from the community.”
Luke 5:1-11
The Calling of the First Disciples

1    One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 

2    He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 

3    Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4    When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5    “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 

6    And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 

7    A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8    When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” 

9    For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 

10  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”
11  And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Exodus 30:22-33 and Luke 4:38-44 (NLT)

Exodus 30:22-33
Anointing Oil

22  Then the Lord said to Moses, 

23  “Collect choice spices—12 1⁄2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1⁄4 pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6 1⁄4 pounds of fragrant calamus, 

24  and 12 1⁄2 pounds of cassia—as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Also get one gallon of olive oil. 

25  Like a skilled incense maker, blend these ingredients to make a holy anointing oil. 

26  Use this sacred oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, 

27  the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar, 

28  the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the washbasin with its stand. 

29  Consecrate them to make them absolutely holy. After this, whatever touches them will also become holy.

30  “Anoint Aaron and his sons also, consecrating them to serve me as priests. 

31  And say to the people of Israel, ‘This holy anointing oil is reserved for me from generation to generation.

32  It must never be used to anoint anyone else, and you must never make any blend like it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy. 

33  Anyone who makes a blend like it or anoints someone other than a priest will be cut off from the community.’”

Luke 4:38-44
Jesus Heals Many

38  After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 

39  Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.

40  As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. 

41  Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.

42  Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 

43  But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” 

44  So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.

Exodus 30:17-21 and Luke 4:31-37 (NLT)

Exodus 30:17-21
Basin for Washing
17  Then the Lord said to Moses,
18  “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.
19  Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there.
20  They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the Lord and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the Lord—or they will die!
21  They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation.”
Luke 4:31-37
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

31  Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day.

32  There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

33  Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—began shouting at Jesus, 

34  “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35  Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

36  Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” 

37  The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Exodus 30:11-16 and Luke 4:14-30 (NLT)

Exodus 30:11-16
Atonement Money
11  Then the Lord said to Moses,
12  “Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.
13  Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the Lord. (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)
14  All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the Lord.
15  When this offering is given to the Lord to purify your lives, making you right with him, the rich must not give more than the specified amount, and the poor must not give less.
16  Receive this ransom money from the Israelites, and use it for the care of the Tabernacle.  It will bring the Israelites to the Lord’s attention, and it will purify your lives.”
Luke 4:14-30
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

14  Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 

15  He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16  When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 

17  The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,

19  and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

20  He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 

21  Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

22  Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

23  Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 

24  But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

25  “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 

26  Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 

27  And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

28  When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 

29  Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 

30   but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Exodus 30:1-10 and Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)

Exodus 30:1-10
The Altar of Incense

1    “Then make another altar of acacia wood for burning incense. 

2    Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself. 

3    Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar. 

4    Make two gold rings, and attach them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles. 

5    Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 

6    Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.  I will meet with you there.

7    “Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. 

8    And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the Lord’s presence. This must be done from generation to generation. 

9    Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings.

10  “Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the Lord’s most holy altar.”

Luke 4:1-13
The Temptation of Jesus

1    Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 

2    where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

3    Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

4    But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”

5    Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 

6    “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 

7    I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

8    Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

9    Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 

10  For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.

11  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

12  Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

13  When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

Exodus 29:29-46 and Luke 3:21-38 (NLT)

Exodus 29:29-45
Consecration of the Priests

29  “Aaron’s sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who succeed him, and they will wear them when they are anointed and ordained.
30  The descendant who succeeds him as high priest will wear these clothes for seven days as he ministers in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place.
31  “Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place.
32  Then Aaron and his sons will eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance.
33  They alone may eat the meat and bread used for their purification in the ordination ceremony. No one else may eat them, for these things are set apart and holy.
34  If any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy.
35  “This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices, just as I have commanded you. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days.
36  Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the Lord.  Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it; make it holy by anointing it with oil.
37  Purify the altar, and consecrate it every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be absolutely holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.
38  “These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old,
39  one in the morning and the other in the evening.
40  With one of them, offer two quarts of choice flour mixed with one quart of pure oil of pressed olives; also, offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering.
41  Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord.
42  “These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the Lord’s presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you.
43  I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence.
44  Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.
45  Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God,
46  They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.  I am the Lord their God.

Luke 3:21:38
The Baptism and the Genealogy of Jesus
21  One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,
22  and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
23  Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.  Jesus was known as the son of Joseph.  Joseph was the son of Heli.
24  Heli was the son of Matthat.  Matthat was the son of Levi.  Levi was the son of Melki.  Melki was the son of Jannai.  Jannai was the son of Joseph.
25  Joseph was the son of Mattathias.  Mattathias was the son of Amos.  Amos was the son of Nahum.

Nahum was the son of Esli.  Esli was the son of Naggai.

26  Naggai was the son of Maath.  Maath was the son of Mattathias.  Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Semein was the son of Josech.  Josech was the son of Joda.

27  Joda was the son of Joanan.  Joanan was the son of Rhesa.  Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.  Shealtiel was the son of Neri.

28  Neri was the son of Melki.  Melki was the son of Addi.  Addi was the son of Cosam.  Cosam was the son of Elmadam.  Elmadam was the son of Er.

29  Er was the son of Joshua.  Joshua was the son of Eliezer.  Eliezer was the son of Jorim.  Jorim was the son of Matthat.  Matthat was the son of Levi.

30  Levi was the son of Simeon.  Simeon was the son of Judah.  Judah was the son of Joseph.  Joseph was the son of Jonam.  Jonam was the son of Eliakim.

31  Eliakim was the son of Melea.  Melea was the son of Menna.  Menna was the son of Mattatha.  Mattatha was the son of Nathan.  Nathan was the son of David.

32  David was the son of Jesse.  Jesse was the son of Obed.  Obed was the son of Boaz.  Boaz was the son of Salmon.  Salmon was the son of Nahshon. 

33  Nahshon was the son of Amminadab.  Amminadab was the son of Admin.  Admin was the son of Arni.
Arni was the son of Hezron.  Hezron was the son of Perez.  Perez was the son of Judah.

34  Judah was the son of Jacob.  Jacob was the son of Isaac.  Isaac was the son of Abraham.  Abraham was the son of Terah.  Terah was the son of Nahor.

35  Nahor was the son of Serug.  Serug was the son of Reu.  Reu was the son of Peleg.  Peleg was the son of Eber.  Eber was the son of Shelah.

36  Shelah was the son of Cainan.  Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.  Arphaxad was the son of Shem.
Shem was the son of Noah.  Noah was the son of Lamech.

37  Lamech was the son of Methuselah.  Methuselah was the son of Enoch.  Enoch was the son of Jared.
Jared was the son of Mahalalel.  Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.

38  Kenan was the son of Enosh.  Enosh was the son of Seth.  Seth was the son of Adam.  Adam was the son of God.

Exodus 29:15-28 and Luke 3:1-20 (NLT)

Exodus 29-15-28
Consecration of the Priest

15  “Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams.
16  Then slaughter the ram, and splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.
17  Cut the ram into pieces, and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body,
18  then burn the entire animal on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord.
19  “Now take the other ram, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head.
20  Then slaughter it, and apply some of its blood to the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands and the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.
21  Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.
22  “Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh.
23  Then take one round loaf of bread, one thin cake mixed with olive oil, and one wafer from the basket of bread without yeast that was placed in the Lord’s presence.
24  Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special offering to the Lord.
25  Afterward take the various breads from their hands, and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering. It is a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a special gift for him.
26  Then take the breast of Aaron’s ordination ram, and lift it up in the Lord’s presence as a special offering to him. Then keep it as your own portion.
27  “Set aside the portions of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up before the Lord as a special offering.
28  In the future, whenever the people of Israel lift up a peace offering, a portion of it must be set aside for Aaron and his descendants. This is their permanent right, and it is a sacred offering from the Israelites to the Lord.

Luke 3:1-20
John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1    It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 

2    Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 

3    Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.    

4    Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,  “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!  Clear the road for him!

5    The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level.  The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth.

6    And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’”  

7    When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 

8    Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 

9    Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

10  The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

11  John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

12  Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13  He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

14  “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.  John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

15  Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 

16  John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

17  He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 

18  John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

19  John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 

20  So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

Exodus 29:1-14 and Luke 2:41-52 (NLT)

Exodus 29: 1-14

Dedication of the Priests

1   “This is the ceremony you must follow when you consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams with no defects. 

2    Then, using choice wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers spread with oil. 

3    Place them all in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams.

4    “Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water. 

5    Dress Aaron in his priestly garments—the tunic, the robe worn with the ephod, the ephod itself, and the chestpiece. Then wrap the decorative sash of the ephod around him. 

6    Place the turban on his head, and fasten the sacred medallion to the turban. 

7    Then anoint him by pouring the anointing oil over his head. 

8    Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics. 

9    Wrap the sashes around the waists of Aaron and his sons, and put their special head coverings on them. Then the right to the priesthood will be theirs by law forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons.

10  “Bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head. 

11  Then slaughter the bull in the Lord’s presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle. 

12  Put some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar. 

13  Take all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and burn it all on the altar. 

14  Then take the rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, and burn it outside the camp as a sin offering.

Luke 2:41-52
Jesus Speaks With Teachers

41  Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 

42  When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 

43  After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 

44  because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

45  When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 

46  Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 

47  All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48  His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

49  “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50  But they didn’t understand what he meant.

51  Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

52  Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people

Exodus 28:31-43 and Luke 2:21-40 (NLT)

Exodus 28:31-43
Other Priestly Garments

31  “Make the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue cloth, 

32  with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. Reinforce the opening with a woven collar so it will not tear. 

33  Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 

34  The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem. 

35  Aaron will wear this robe whenever he ministers before the Lord, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the Lord’s presence in the Holy Place. If he wears it, he will not die.

36  “Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord. 

37  Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron’s turban, where it must remain. 

38  Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.

39  “Weave Aaron’s patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban from this linen as well. Also make a sash, and decorate it with colorful embroidery.

40  “For Aaron’s sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings that are glorious and beautiful. 

41  Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they can serve as my priests. 

42  Also make linen undergarments for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from their hips to their thighs. 

43  These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their priestly duties. Then they will not incur guilt and die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and all his descendants after him.

Luke 2:21-40
Jesus Presented in the Temple/The Prophecy of Simeon/The Prophecy of Anna

21  Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22  Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 

23  The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 

24  So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25  At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 

26  and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 

27  That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 

28  Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29  “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

30  I have seen your salvation,

31  which you have prepared for all people.

32  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33  Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 

34  Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 

35  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

36  Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 

37  Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 

38  She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

39  When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 

40  There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.