Urban Word Bible
Exodus 25
Read Exodus 25 in clear, relatable modern language.
Offerings for the Tabernacle
1 The Lord told Moses,
2 ‘Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. Accept gifts from anyone who is willing to give.’
3 ‘Here is what I need: gold, silver, and bronze.’
4 ‘Blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goat hair.’
5 ‘Ram skins dyed red, fine leather, and acacia wood.’
6 ‘Olive oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and incense.’
7 ‘Onyx stones and other gems to be set in the priest’s breastplate and ephod.’
8 ‘Build Me a sanctuary so I can live among you all.’
9 ‘Make it exactly like the pattern I am about to show you.’
The Ark of the Covenant
10 ‘Make a wooden chest, three and three-quarters feet long, two and a quarter feet wide, and two and a quarter feet high.’
11 ‘Cover it with pure gold, inside and out, and put a gold molding around it.’
12 ‘Make four gold rings for it and attach them to its four feet, two on each side.’
13 ‘Make poles from acacia wood and cover them in gold.’
14 ‘Slide the poles through the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it.’
15 ‘The poles must stay in the rings; do not ever take them out.’
16 ‘Put inside the chest the stone tablets of the covenant that I will give you.’
The Mercy Seat (Lid for the Ark)
17 ‘Make a gold lid (the mercy seat), three and three-quarters feet long and two and a quarter feet wide.’
18 ‘Make two gold cherubim (angel statues) and hammer them out as one piece with the lid.’
19 ‘Put one angel on each end of the lid.’
20 ‘Their wings should spread upward, covering the lid, and their faces should be looking down at it.’
21 ‘Place the lid on the Ark, and inside the Ark, put the tablets of the covenant.’
22 ‘I will meet you there above the mercy seat, between the cherubim, and give you My instructions for Israel.’
The Table for the Bread of Presence
23 ‘Make a wooden table, three feet long, one and a half feet wide, and two and a quarter feet high.’
24 ‘Cover it with pure gold and put a gold trim around it.’
25 ‘Make a gold border three inches wide around the edge.’
26 ‘Attach four gold rings at the four corners by the legs.’
27 ‘Put the rings close to the border to hold the carrying poles.’
28 ‘Make the poles from acacia wood and cover them in gold.’
29 ‘Make gold plates, dishes, pitchers, and bowls for pouring out offerings.’
30 ‘Always keep the special bread (Bread of Presence) on the table before Me.’
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
31 ‘Make a pure gold lampstand. Hammer it out as one piece, base, stem, branches, decorative cups, buds, and blossoms.’
32 ‘It should have six branches, three on one side, three on the other.’
33 ‘Each branch should have three almond blossom cups with buds and flowers.’
34 ‘The center stem should have four cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and flowers.’
35 ‘One bud should be under each pair of branches, making six branches total.’
36 ‘The whole thing, buds, branches, and all, must be hammered out of pure gold.’
37 ‘Make seven lamps and set them up to light the space in front of the lampstand.’
38 ‘Make gold wick trimmers and trays for the lampstand.’
39 ‘Use 75 pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories.’
40 ‘Make sure you follow the exact design I showed you on the mountain.’