Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Moses gathered the entire congregation of Israel together. He said, "The Lord has commanded us to take six days for work, but on the seventh day there must be a holy rest, a Sabbath in honor of the Lord. Anyone who does any work on that day will be put to death. You are not allowed to kindle a fire in your homes on the Sabbath."

Moses spoke again to all the Israelites: "The Lord has told us what he wants from you - whoever is willing and generous may bring an offering of gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, sea cow hides. Take your offerings to the Lord, and give with a generous heart, bringing gold, silver, and bronze."

People brought various materials for the tabernacle: blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, badgers' skins, shittim wood, oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and sweet incense. They also brought onyx stones and stones to be set for the ephod and the breastplate.

Every wise-hearted person among them came forward to make everything the Lord had commanded: the tabernacle, its tent and covering, its taches, boards, bars, pillars, and sockets; the ark with its staves and the mercy seat, along with the veil of the covering that was on it; the table with its staves and all its vessels, including the bread of presence.

The craftsmen brought the lampstand with its furnishings and lamps, along with oil for the light. They also brought the incense altar, its staves, anointing oil, sweet incense, and a hanging for the door at the tabernacle's entrance. The craftsmen brought the altar of burnt offering, its bronze grate, staves, all its vessels, laver, and base.

They prepared the hangings of the court, pillars, and sockets, along with a hanging for the court's gate. They also made the pins of the tabernacle and the courtyard, as well as their cords. The cloths for the tabernacle services were prepared, including holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons to wear while performing their sacred duties.

The entire congregation of Israel left Moses' presence. Everyone who felt stirred and willing in spirit came forward with offerings for the tabernacle's construction, its service, and the holy garments. Men and women brought gold jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, rings, and pendants, all offered to the Lord as gifts. Those who had materials such as blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, fine linen, goats' hair, red ram skins, and badger skins brought them for the tabernacle.

Those who donated silver and bronze also contributed to the Lord's offering, along with shittim wood for any work in the service. The women skilled in spinning spun blue, purple, scarlet yarns, and fine linen into materials for the tabernacle. Those whose hearts were stirred to wisdom spun goats' hair.

Leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set for the ephod and breastplate. They provided spices and oil for the lamp, anointing oil, and sweet incense. The Israelites willingly offered their contributions for all kinds of work that the Lord had commanded Moses to create.

Moses said to the Israelites: "The Lord has chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur from the tribe of Judah. He is filled with God's Spirit, gifted in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of every kind of craftsmanship. The Lord has put in his heart to teach him, along with Aholiab, son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan."