« | Exodus 25 | » |
1 GOD spoke to Moses:
2 "Tell the Israelites that they are to set aside offerings for me. Receive the offerings from everyone who is willing to give.
3 These are the offerings I want you to receive from them: gold, silver, bronze;
4 blue, purple, and scarlet material; fine linen; goats' hair;
5 tanned rams' skins; dolphin skins; acacia wood;
6 lamp oil; spices for anointing oils and for fragrant incense;
7 onyx stones and other stones for setting in the Ephod and the Breastpiece.
8 Let them construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them.
9 You are to construct it following the plans I've given you, the design for The Dwelling and the design for all its furnishings.
10 "First let them make a Chest using acacia wood: make it three and three-quarters feet long and two and one-quarter feet wide and deep
11 . Cover it with a veneer of pure gold inside and out and make a molding of gold all around it.
12 Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
13 Make poles from acacia wood and cover them with a veneer of gold
14 and insert them into the rings on the sides of the Chest for carrying the Chest.
15 The poles are to stay in the rings; they must not be removed.
16 "Place The Testimony that I give you in the Chest.
17 "Now make a lid of pure gold for the Chest, an Atonement-Cover, three and three-quarters feet long and two and one-quarter feet wide.
18 "Sculpt two winged angels out of hammered gold for either end of the Atonement-Cover,
19 one angel at one end, one angel at the other. Make them of one piece with the Atonement-Cover.
20 Make the angels with their wings spread, hovering over the Atonement-Cover, facing one another but looking down on it.
21 Set the Atonement-Cover as a lid over the Chest and place in the Chest The Testimony that I will give you.
22 I will meet you there at set times and speak with you from above the Atonement-Cover and from between the angel-figures that are on it, speaking the commands that I have for the Israelites.
23 "Next make a Table from acacia wood. Make it three feet long, one and one-half feet wide and two and one-quarter feet high.
24 Cover it with a veneer of pure gold. Make a molding all around it of gold.
25 Make the border a handbreadth wide all around it and a rim of gold for the border.
26 Make four rings of gold and attach the rings to the four legs
27 parallel to the table top. They will serve as holders for the poles used to carry the Table.
28 Make the poles of acacia wood and cover them with a veneer of gold. They will be used to carry the Table.
29 "Make plates, bowls, jars, and jugs for pouring out offerings. Make them of pure gold.
30 "Always keep fresh Bread of the Presence on the Table before me.
31 "Make a Lampstand of pure hammered gold. Make its stem and branches, cups, calyxes, and petals all of one piece.
32 Give it six branches, three from one side and three from the other;
33 put three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch, three on the next, and so on--the same for all six branches.
34 On the main stem of the Lampstand, make four cups shaped like almonds, with calyx and petals,
35 a calyx extending from under each pair of the six branches,
36 the entire Lampstand fashioned from one piece of hammered pure gold.
37 "Make seven of these lamps for the Table. Arrange the lamps so they throw their light out in front.
38 Make the candle snuffers and trays out of pure gold.
39 "Use a seventy-five-pound brick of pure gold to make the Lampstand and its accessories.
40 Study the design you were given on the mountain and make everything accordingly.
The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a contemporary, paraphrased translation of the Bible, crafted to bring the scriptures to life in modern, conversational English. Developed by pastor and scholar Eugene H. Peterson, The Message was published in segments starting in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson’s aim was to make the Bible accessible and engaging for today’s readers, breaking down the barriers posed by traditional, formal language. His work sought to capture the original tone, rhythm, and intent of the biblical texts, presenting them in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
One of the defining characteristics of The Message is its use of dynamic equivalence, focusing on conveying the thoughts and meanings behind the original texts rather than adhering to a word-for-word translation. This approach allows for the use of idiomatic expressions and modern phrasing, making the scriptures feel more relatable and immediate. Peterson, who had a deep understanding of both the biblical languages and modern culture, aimed to bridge the gap between the ancient world of the Bible and the everyday experiences of today’s readers.
The Message has been praised for its readability and ability to convey the emotional and narrative elements of the Bible in a fresh, vivid manner. Its accessible language makes it particularly appealing to those who might find traditional translations difficult to understand or intimidating. Many readers appreciate The Message for its ability to make familiar passages feel new and impactful, often shedding light on the scriptures in ways that resonate on a personal level. It is frequently used in personal devotions, group studies, and church services where clarity and relatability are paramount.
Despite its popularity, The Message has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who argue that its paraphrased nature can lead to oversimplification and loss of nuance. Critics contend that in striving for contemporary relevance, The Message sometimes departs too far from the original texts, potentially altering the intended meanings. However, supporters of The Message appreciate its ability to engage modern readers and spark interest in the Bible, seeing it as a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship. Overall, The Message stands out as a bold and innovative translation that has made a significant impact on how many people experience and understand the Bible.