Exodus 26:1-37, NLT

Exodus 26

Plans for the Tabernacle

1“Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.

2These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide.*26:2 Hebrew 28 cubits [12.9 meters] long and 4 cubits [1.8 meters] wide. 3Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain. 4Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set. 5The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain. 6Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece.

7“Make eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle.

8These eleven curtains must all be exactly the same size—45 feet long and 6 feet wide.*26:8 Hebrew 30 cubits [13.8 meters] long and 4 cubits [1.8 meters] wide. 9Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and join the other six into a second long curtain. Allow 3 feet of material from the second set of curtains to hang over the front*26:9 Hebrew Double over the sixth sheet at the front. of the sacred tent. 10Make fifty loops for one edge of each large curtain. 11Then make fifty bronze clasps, and fasten the loops of the long curtains with the clasps. In this way, the tent covering will be made of one continuous piece. 12The remaining 3 feet*26:12 Hebrew The half sheet that is left over. of this tent covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle. 13Allow 18 inches*26:13 Hebrew 1 cubit [46 centimeters]. of remaining material to hang down over each side, so the Tabernacle is completely covered. 14Complete the tent covering with a protective layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather.

15“For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood.

16Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide,*26:16 Hebrew 10 cubits [4.6 meters] high and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide. 17with two pegs under each frame. Make all the frames identical. 18Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle. 19Also make forty silver bases—two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases. 20For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames, 21with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame. 22Make six frames for the rear—the west side of the Tabernacle—23along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle. 24These corner frames will be matched at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single corner unit. Make both of these corner units the same way. 25So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame.

26“Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle

27and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west. 28The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other. 29Overlay the frames with gold, and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well.

30“Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.

31“For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.

32Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases. 33Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant*26:33 Or Ark of the Testimony; also in 26:34. in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

34“Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.

35Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side.

36“Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

37Craft five posts from acacia wood. Overlay them with gold, and hang the curtain from them with gold hooks. Cast five bronze bases for the posts.