Exodus 28, John 7, Proverbs 4, Galatians 3

Exodus 28,

1 "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests.
 
2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor.
 
3 Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
 
4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests.
 
5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
 
6 "Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen-the work of a skilled craftsman.
 
7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened.
 
8 Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it-of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.
 
9 "Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel
 
10 in the order of their birth-six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other.
 
11 Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings
 
12 and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.
 
13 Make gold filigree settings
 
14 and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.
 
15 "Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions-the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.
 
16 It is to be square-a span long and a span wide-and folded double.
 
17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl;
 
18 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald;
 
19 in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst;
 
20 in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings.
 
21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
 
22 "For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.
 
23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece.
 
24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
 
25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.
 
26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.
 
27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod.
 
28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.
 
29 "Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.
 
30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.
 
31 "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
 
32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear.
 
33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.
 
34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe.
 
35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.
 
36 "Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal:HOLY TO THE LORD.
 
37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban.
 
38 It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.
 
39 "Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer.
 
40 Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor.
 
41 After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
 
42 "Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh.
 
43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.

John 7,

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.
 
2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,
 
3 Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
 
4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world."
 
5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
 
6 Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.
 
7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.
 
8 You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come."
 
9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
 
10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
 
11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
 
12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people."
 
13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
 
14 Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.
 
15 The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
 
16 Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.
 
17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
 
18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
 
19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
 
20 "You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"
 
21 Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all astonished.
 
22 Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath.
 
23 Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?
 
24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
 
25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?
 
26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ?
 
27 But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."
 
28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him,
 
29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me."
 
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
 
31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
 
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
 
33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me.
 
34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."
 
35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
 
36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"
 
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.
 
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
 
39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
 
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."
 
41 Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee?
 
42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
 
43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.
 
44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
 
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
 
46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
 
47 "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted.
 
48 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?
 
49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law-there is a curse on them."
 
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,
 
51 "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"
 
52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
 
53 Then each went to his own home.

Proverbs 4,

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
 
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
 
3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
 
4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
 
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
 
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
 
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
 
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
 
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
 
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
 
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
 
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
 
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
 
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
 
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
 
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
 
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
 
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
 
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
 
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.
 
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
 
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
 
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
 
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
 
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
 
26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
 
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Galatians 3

1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
 
2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
 
3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
 
4 Have you suffered so much for nothing-if it really was for nothing?
 
5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
 
6 Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
 
7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.
 
8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."
 
9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
 
10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
 
11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
 
12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."
 
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
 
14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
 
15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.
 
16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
 
17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
 
18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
 
19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
 
20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
 
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
 
22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
 
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
 
24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
 
25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
 
26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
 
27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
 
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
 
29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise