Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "On the first day of the first month, you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. The tabernacle must include the ark of the covenant, covered with a veil. Bring in the table and arrange its contents in order. Also, bring in the golden candlestick and light its lamps.

You are to place the altar for burning incense before the ark of the testimony, with a hanging at the entrance to the tabernacle. Set up the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. Place the bronze laver between the tent of assembly and the altar, filling it with water.

Set up the court around the tabernacle, and hang the gate curtain in its proper place. Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything inside it, consecrating them as holy. Anoint the altar for burnt offering and all its utensils, sanctifying them. Anoint the bronze laver and its base, setting them apart.

Moses brought Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, washing them with water before presenting them to the Lord. Moses then put on Aaron the sacred garments, anointed him, and consecrated him to serve as the priestly intermediary between God and the people.

Aaron's sons were clothed in their own tunics and anointed just like their father. Moses performed every task that the Lord had commanded him to do.

In the second year, the first month, on its first day, the tabernacle was set up according to plan. Moses secured its bases, installed its boards, inserted its bars, and erected its pillars. He spread the tent over the tabernacle, covering it with the prescribed fabric as the Lord had instructed.

Moses placed the ark in the tabernacle, setting its carrying poles on it and placing the mercy seat above. He brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung a veil to conceal the ark of the testimony, exactly as the Lord commanded Moses.

The table was positioned on the north side of the tabernacle outside the veil, with bread arranged before the Lord according to His instructions. The golden candlestick was placed in the tent of assembly opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. Its lamps were lit as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Moses set up the altar for burning incense within the Tent of Meeting, behind the veil, just as instructed by the Lord. He burned sweet incense upon it, following God's command.

The hanging at the door of the tabernacle was put in place. The bronze altar for burnt offerings was positioned beside the entrance to the tabernacle where sacrifices could be offered according to Moses' instructions from the Lord.

The laver was set up between the tent and the altar, providing water for purification. Those entering the tent washed their hands and feet there as commanded by the Lord. This included Moses and Aaron's sons.

When approaching the altar within the tent of assembly, they would wash again before proceeding with their tasks. The court around the tabernacle was established, along with a screen at its entrance gate. With this work completed, Moses finished his duties.

A cloud descended upon the tabernacle, enveloping it in God's glory. The Lord's presence within the tabernacle became so overwhelming that Moses couldn't enter; the cloud lingered, filling the space with divine majesty.

As long as the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the Israelites stayed in their encampments, awaiting its departure before resuming their journeys. When the cloud lifted, they continued onward, and when it returned to rest upon the tabernacle by day, they would not budge until the cloud was taken up at night.