Exodus 28

God Chooses the Priests

1 ‘Moses, bring your brother Aaron and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve as My priests.’

2 ‘Make them special clothes to show their importance and set them apart.’

3 ‘Tell the skilled workers I gave wisdom to that they need to make these clothes for Aaron so he can serve as My priest.’

The High Priest’s Outfit

4 ‘Here is what they need to make: a breastplate, an ephod (priestly robe), a robe, a checkered tunic, a turban, and a sash. These should be made for Aaron and his sons so they can serve as priests.’

5 ‘Use gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen for the garments.’

The Ephod (Priestly Vest)

6 ‘Make the ephod from fine linen, embroidered with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread.’

7 ‘Attach two shoulder straps to it so it stays in place.’

8 ‘The waistband should be made from the same materials, gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread woven into fine linen.’

9 ‘Take two onyx stones and engrave the names of Israel’s twelve tribes on them.’

10 ‘Six names on one stone, six on the other, in birth order.’

11 ‘Engrave them like a jeweler engraves a signet ring, then mount them in gold settings.’

12 ‘Put the stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod as a memorial. Aaron will carry the names of Israel before Me on his shoulders.’

13 ‘Make gold settings,’

14 ‘And two braided gold chains attached to them.’

The Breastplate of Judgment

15 ‘Make a chestpiece for making decisions, embroidered with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.’

16 ‘Fold it into a square, 9 inches by 9 inches.’

17 ‘Set four rows of gemstones in it. The first row should have a ruby, topaz, and emerald.’

18 ‘The second row should have a turquoise, sapphire, and amethyst.’

19 ‘The third row should have a jacinth, agate, and crystal.’

20 ‘The fourth row should have a beryl, onyx, and jasper, all mounted in gold settings.’

21 ‘Each of the twelve stones should be engraved with a tribe’s name.’

22 ‘Make braided gold chains for the chestpiece.’

23 ‘Attach two gold rings to the top corners of the breastplate.’

24 ‘Tie the two gold chains to the rings.’

25 ‘Fasten the other ends of the chains to the ephod’s gold settings, at the shoulders.’

26 ‘Put two more gold rings on the lower corners of the breastplate.’

27 ‘Attach two more rings to the ephod’s waistband.’

28 ‘Tie the breastplate’s rings to the ephod’s waistband with a blue cord so it stays in place.’

29 ‘Aaron will wear this chestpiece over his heart when he enters My presence, carrying the names of Israel as a reminder.’

30 ‘Put the Urim and Thummim inside the chestpiece, so Aaron can use them to make decisions. He will carry them over his heart when he stands before Me.’

The High Priest’s Robe

31 ‘Make a blue robe to go with the ephod.’

32 ‘It should have an opening for the head with a reinforced collar so it does not tear.’

33 ‘Sew pomegranates made from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all around the bottom of the robe. Put gold bells between them.’

34 ‘Gold bell, then pomegranate. Gold bell, then pomegranate. All around the hem.’

35 ‘Aaron must wear this when he enters My presence. The bells will ring as he moves, so he does not die.’

The Turban and Gold Plate

36 ‘Make a gold plate and engrave on it: HOLY TO THE LORD.’

37 ‘Tie it to the turban with a blue cord, so it sits on Aaron’s forehead.’

38 ‘This plate shows that Aaron is carrying the guilt of the Israelites’ sacrifices. It makes them acceptable to Me.’

The Other Garments

39 ‘Make a checkered tunic, a turban, and a sash from fine linen.’

40 ‘Also make tunics, sashes, and caps for Aaron’s sons, to give them dignity and honor.’

41 ‘Dress Aaron and his sons in these clothes. Anoint them, ordain them, and set them apart to serve Me as priests.’

42 ‘Make them linen undergarments to cover themselves from waist to thigh.’

43 ‘Aaron and his sons must wear these whenever they enter the Tabernacle, so they do not die. This is a lasting law for them and their descendants.’