« | Exodus 30 | » |
1 Build an altar of acacia wood where you can burn incense.
2 Make it eighteen inches square and thirty-six inches high, and make each of its four corners stick up like the horn of a bull.
3 Cover it with pure gold and put a gold edging around it.
4 Then below the edging on opposite sides attach two gold rings through which you can put the poles for carrying the altar.
5 These poles are also to be made of acacia wood covered with gold.
6 Put the altar in front of the inside curtain of the sacred tent. The chest with the place of mercy is kept behind that curtain, and I will talk with you there.
7 From now on, when Aaron tends the lamp each morning and evening, he must burn sweet-smelling incense to me on the altar.
8 (SEE 30:7)
9 Burn only the proper incense on the altar and never use it for grain sacrifices or animal sacrifices or drink offerings.
10 Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing on its four corners the blood of an animal sacrificed for sin, and this practice must always be followed. The altar is sacred because it is dedicated to me.
11 The LORD said to Moses:
12 Find out how many grown men there are in Israel and require each of them to pay me to keep him safe from danger while you are counting them.
13 Each man over nineteen, whether rich or poor, must pay me the same amount of money, weighed according to the official standards.
14 (SEE 30:13)
15 (SEE 30:13)
16 This money is to be used for the upkeep of the sacred tent, and because of it, I will never forget my people.
17 The LORD said to Moses:
18 Make a large bronze bowl and a bronze stand for it. Then put them between the altar for sacrifice and the sacred tent, so the priests can wash their hands and feet before entering the tent or offering a sacrifice on the altar. Each priest in every generation must wash himself in this way, or else he will die right there.
19 (SEE 30:18)
20 (SEE 30:18)
21 (SEE 30:18)
22 The LORD said to Moses:
23 Mix a gallon of olive oil with the following costly spices: twelve pounds of myrrh, six pounds of cinnamon, six pounds of cane, and twelve pounds of cassia. Measure these according to the official standards. Then use this sacred mixture
24 (SEE 30:23)
25 (SEE 30:23)
26 for dedicating the tent and chest,
27 the table with its equipment, the lampstand with its equipment, the incense altar with all its utensils,
28 the altar for sacrifices, and the large bowl with its stand.
29 By dedicating them in this way, you will make them so holy that anyone who even touches them will become holy.
30 When you ordain Aaron and his sons as my priests, sprinkle them with some of this oil,
31 and say to the people of Israel: "This oil must always be used in the ordination service of a priest. It is holy because it is dedicated to the LORD.
32 So treat it as holy! Don't ever use it for everyday purposes or mix any for yourselves.
33 If you do, you will no longer belong to the LORD's people."
34 Mix equal amounts of the costly spices stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, then add salt to make the mixture pure and holy.
35 (SEE 30:34)
36 Pound some of it into powder and sprinkle it in front of the sacred chest, where I meet with you. Be sure to treat this incense as something very holy.
37 It is truly holy because it is dedicated to me, so don't ever make any for yourselves.
38 If you ever make any of it to use as perfume, you will no longer belong to my people.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is a modern Bible translation that aims to make the scriptures accessible and understandable to a broad audience, including children and those with limited English proficiency. Published by the American Bible Society in 1995, the CEV emphasizes clarity, readability, and ease of comprehension. Unlike more literal translations, the CEV uses a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, which focuses on conveying the original meaning of the text in a way that is clear and straightforward for contemporary readers.
One of the key features of the CEV is its use of everyday language and simple sentence structures. The translators avoided theological jargon and archaic terms, instead opting for language that is commonly used in daily conversation. This makes the CEV particularly well-suited for public reading, educational settings, and outreach programs where the audience might not be familiar with traditional biblical language. The translation strives to communicate the essence of the biblical message without the barriers that complex language can sometimes create.
The CEV also pays special attention to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. The translators sought to avoid expressions and idioms that might be misunderstood or offensive in different cultural contexts. Additionally, the CEV includes gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to make the text more inclusive while still remaining faithful to the original manuscripts. This approach helps ensure that Bible teachings are accessible to a diverse global audience, promoting understanding and acceptance across different cultures and communities.
Despite its strengths, the CEV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more literal translations. Critics argue that the CEV emphasises on simplicity and readability which can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Some theologians and scholars believe that the thought-for-thought approach may oversimplify complex theological concepts. Nevertheless, the Contemporary English Version remains a valuable resource for many readers, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that is particularly effective for those new to the scriptures or those seeking a more accessible way to engage with the biblical text.