Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Exodus 26
Curtains for the Dwelling
“You will make the dwelling with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. With cherubim, the work of a skilled designer, you will make them. The length of each curtain will be twenty-eight cubits and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains will have the same measure. Five curtains will be joined to one another, and the other five curtains will be joined to one another. You will make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the outer curtain in the first set, and likewise on the edge of the outer curtain in the second set. You will make fifty loops on the first curtain and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set, the loops opposite one another. You will make fifty clasps of gold and join the curtains to one another with the clasps, so that the dwelling becomes one.
Curtains of Goats’ Hair
“You will make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the dwelling; eleven curtains you will make. The length of each curtain will be thirty cubits and the width of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains will have the same measure. You will join five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. You will make fifty loops on the edge of the outer curtain in the first set and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set. You will make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and join the tent together so that it becomes one. The overlapping part that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that remains, will hang over the back of the dwelling. The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other side that remain in the length of the tent curtains will hang over the sides of the dwelling, on this side and that side, to cover it. You will make a covering for the tent of ram skins dyed red and a covering of fine leather above that.
Frames for the Dwelling
“You will make upright frames of acacia wood for the dwelling. Ten cubits will be the length of a frame and a cubit and a half the width of each frame. Each frame will have two tenons joined to one another. Thus you will make for all the frames of the dwelling. You will make the frames for the dwelling: twenty frames for the south side. You will make forty silver bases under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. For the second side of the dwelling, on the north side, twenty frames, with their forty silver bases, two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame. For the rear of the dwelling, westward, you will make six frames. You will make two frames for the corners of the dwelling at the rear. They will be doubled below, and together they will be complete at the top to the first ring. Thus it will be for both of them; they will form the two corners. There will be eight frames with their silver bases, sixteen bases: two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame.
Crossbars and the Veil
“You will make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames of one side of the dwelling, five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the dwelling, and five crossbars for the frames at the rear of the dwelling, westward. The middle crossbar will pass through the midst of the frames from end to end. You will overlay the frames with gold and make their rings of gold as holders for the crossbars, and you will overlay the crossbars with gold. You will raise up the dwelling according to its plan that you were shown on the mountain. You will make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen. It will be made with cherubim, the work of a skilled designer. You will hang it on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, standing on four bases of silver. You will hang the veil under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony inside the veil. The veil will separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. You will put the cover upon the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.
The Entrance of the Tent
“You will set the table outside the veil and the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the dwelling, and you will put the table on the north side. You will make a screen for the entrance of the tent of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen, the work of an embroiderer. You will make five pillars of acacia wood for the screen and overlay them with gold. Their hooks will be gold, and you will cast five bronze bases for them.