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The earth was empty and had no form. Darkness covered the ocean, and God’s Spirit was moving over the water.


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God named the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Evening passed, and morning came. This was the first day.


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So God made the air to divide the water in two. Some of the water was above the air, and some of the water was below it.


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Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered together so the dry land will appear.” And it happened.


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God named the dry land “earth.” He named the water that was gathered together “seas.” God saw that this was good.


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Then God said, “Let the earth produce plants. Some plants will make grain for seeds. Others will make fruit with seeds in it. Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.” And it happened.


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The earth produced plants. Some plants had grain for seeds. The trees made fruit with seeds in it. Each seed grew its own kind of plant. God saw that all this was good.


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Then God said, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days and years.


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So God made the two large lights. He made the brighter light to rule the day. He made the smaller light to rule the night. He also made the stars.


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They are to rule over the day and over the night. He put them there to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that all these things were good.


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Then God said, “Let the water be filled with living things. And let birds fly in the air above the earth.”


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So God created the large sea animals. He created every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things. Each one produces more of its own kind. God also made every bird that flies. And each bird produces more of its own kind. God saw that this was good.


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God blessed them and said, “Have many young ones and grow in number. Fill the water of the seas, and let the birds grow in number on the earth.”


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Then God said, “Let the earth be filled with animals. And let each produce more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals. And let each produce more of its kind.” And it happened.


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So God made the wild animals, the tame animals and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good.


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Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky. Let them rule over the tame animals, over all the earth and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.”


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So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.


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God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky. Rule over every living thing that moves on the earth.”


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God said, “Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds. And I have given you all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you.


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I have given all the green plants to all the animals to eat. They will be food for every wild animal, every bird of the air and every small crawling animal.” And it happened.


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God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good. Evening passed, and morning came. This was the sixth day.


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By the seventh day God finished the work he had been doing. So on the seventh day he rested from all his work.


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God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day. He made it holy because on that day he rested. He rested from all the work he had done in creating the world.


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The First People This is the story of the creation of the sky and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the sky,


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there were no plants on the earth. Nothing was growing in the fields. The Lord God had not yet made it rain on the land. And there was no man to care for the ground.


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Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed man from it. The Lord breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose. And the man became a living person.


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Then the Lord God planted a garden in the East, in a place called Eden. He put the man he had formed in that garden.


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The Lord God caused every beautiful tree and every tree that was good for food to grow out of the ground. In the middle of the garden, God put the tree that gives life. And he put there the tree that gives the knowledge of good and evil.


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A river flowed through Eden and watered the garden. From that point the river was divided. It had four streams flowing into it.


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The name of the first stream is Pishon. It flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.


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The name of the third river is Tigris. It flows out of Assyria toward the east. The fourth river is the Euphrates.


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But you must not eat the fruit from the tree which gives the knowledge of good and evil. If you ever eat fruit from that tree, you will die!”


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The First Woman Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him.”


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From the ground God formed every wild animal and every bird in the sky. He brought them to the man so the man could name them. Whatever the man called each living thing, that became its name.


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The man gave names to all the tame animals, to the birds in the sky and to all the wild animals. But Adam did not find a helper that was right for him.


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So the Lord God caused the man to sleep very deeply. While the man was asleep, God took one of the ribs from the man’s body. Then God closed the man’s skin at the place where he took the rib.


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And the man said, “Now, this is someone whose bones came from my bones. Her body came from my body. I will call her ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.”


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So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife. And the two people will become one body.


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The Beginning of Sin Now the snake was the most clever of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day the snake spoke to the woman. He said, “Did God really say that you must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?”


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But God told us, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. You must not even touch it, or you will die.’”


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God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil. Then you will be like God!”


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The woman saw that the tree was beautiful. She saw that its fruit was good to eat and that it would make her wise. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of the fruit to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.


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Then, it was as if the man’s and the woman’s eyes were opened. They realized they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made something to cover themselves.


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Then they heard the Lord God walking in the garden. This was during the cool part of the day. And the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees in the garden.


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God said to the man, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat fruit from that tree? I commanded you not to eat from that tree.”


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Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?” She answered, “The snake tricked me. So I ate the fruit.”


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The Lord God said to the snake, “Because you did this, a curse will be put on you. You will be cursed more than any tame animal or wild animal. You will crawl on your stomach, and you will eat dust all the days of your life.


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I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. Her child will crush your head. And you will bite his heel.”


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Then God said to the woman, “I will cause you to have much trouble when you are pregnant. And when you give birth to children, you will have great pain. You will greatly desire your husband, but he will rule over you.”


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Then God said to the man, “You listened to what your wife said. And you ate fruit from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from. “So I will put a curse on the ground. You will have to work very hard for food. In pain you will eat its food all the days of your life.


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You will sweat and work hard for your food. Later you will return to the ground. This is because you were taken from the ground. You are dust. And when you die, you will return to the dust.”


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Then the Lord God said, “Look, the man has become like one of us. He knows good and evil. And now we must keep him from eating some of the fruit from the tree of life. If he does, he will live forever.”


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So the Lord God forced the man out of the garden of Eden. He had to work the ground he was taken from.


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God forced the man out of the garden. Then God put angels on the east side of the garden. He also put a sword of fire there. It flashed around in every direction. This kept people from getting to the tree of life.


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The First Family Adam had intimate relations with his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. Eve said, “With the Lord’s help, I have given birth to a man.”


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If you do good, I will accept you. But if you do not do good, sin is ready to attack you. Sin wants you. But you must rule over it.”


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Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out into the field.” So Cain and Abel went into the field. Then Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.


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Later, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain answered, “I don’t know. Is it my job to take care of my brother?”


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Then the Lord said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood is on the ground. That blood is like a voice that tells me what happened.


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And now you will be cursed in your work with the ground. It is the same ground where your brother’s blood fell. Your hands killed him.


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You will work the ground. But it will not grow good crops for you anymore. You will wander around on the earth.”


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Look! You have forced me to stop working the ground. And now I must hide from you. I will wander around on the earth. And anyone who meets me can kill me.”


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Then the Lord said to Cain, “No! If anyone kills you, I will punish that person seven times more.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain. It was a warning to anyone who met him not to kill him.


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Cain had intimate relations with his wife. She became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. At that time Cain was building a city. He named it after his son Enoch.


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Enoch had a son named Irad. Irad had a son named Mehujael. Mehujael had a son named Methushael. And Methushael had a son named Lamech.


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Zillah gave birth to Tubal-Cain. He made tools out of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.


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Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice! You wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. I killed a man for wounding me. I killed a young man for hitting me.


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Adam and Eve Have a New Son Adam had intimate relations with his wife Eve again. And she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth. Eve said, “God has given me another child. He will take the place of Abel, who was killed by Cain.”


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Adam’s Family History This is the family history of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them in God’s likeness.


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When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of another son. He was in the likeness and image of Adam. Adam named him Seth.


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After Methuselah was born, Enoch walked with God 300 years more. During that time he had other sons and daughters.


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After Lamech was born, Methuselah lived 782 years. During that time he had other sons and daughters.


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Lamech named his son Noah. Lamech said, “Noah will comfort us from the pain of our work. The pain is because God has cursed the ground.”


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The Human Race Becomes Evil The number of people on earth began to grow. Daughters were born to these people.


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The Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain in human beings forever. This is because they are flesh. They will live only 120 years.”


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The Nephilim were on the earth in those days and also later. That was when the sons of God had physical relations with the daughters of men. These women gave birth to children, who became famous. They were the mighty warriors of long ago.


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The Lord saw that the human beings on the earth were very wicked. He also saw that their thoughts were only about evil all the time.


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So the Lord said, “I will destroy all human beings that I made on the earth. And I will destroy every animal and everything that crawls on the earth. I will also destroy the birds of the air. This is because I am sorry that I have made them.”


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Noah and the Great Flood This is the family history of Noah. Noah was a good man. He was the most innocent man of his time. He walked with God.


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So God said to Noah, “People have made the earth full of violence. So I will destroy all people from the earth.


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Build a boat of cypress wood for yourself. Make rooms in it and cover it inside and outside with tar.


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Make an opening around the top of the boat. Make it 18 inches high from the edge of the roof down. Put a door in the side of the boat. Make an upper, middle and lower deck in it.


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I will bring a flood of water on the earth. I will destroy all living things that live under the sky. This includes everything that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will die.


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But I will make an agreement with you. You, your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives will all go into the boat.


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Also, you must bring into the boat two of every living thing, male and female. Keep them alive with you.


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There will be two of every kind of bird, animal and crawling thing. They will come to you to be kept alive.


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The Flood Begins Then the Lord said to Noah, “I have seen that you are the best man among the people of this time. So you and your family go into the boat.


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Take with you seven pairs, each male with its female, of every kind of clean animal. And take one pair, each male with its female, of every kind of unclean animal.


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Take seven pairs of all the birds of the sky, each male with its female. This will allow all these animals to continue living on the earth after the flood.


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Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth. It will rain 40 days and 40 nights. I will destroy from the earth every living thing that I made.”


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He and his wife and his sons and their wives went into the boat. They went in to escape the waters of the flood.


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came to Noah. They went into the boat in groups of two, male and female. This was just as God had commanded Noah.


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Noah was now 600 years old. The flood started on the seventeenth day of the second month of that year. That day the underground springs split open. And the clouds in the sky poured out rain.


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On that same day Noah and his wife, his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth and their wives went into the boat.


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They had every kind of wild animal and tame animal. There was every kind of animal that crawls on the earth. Every kind of bird was there.


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They all came to Noah in the boat in groups of two. There was every creature that had the breath of life.


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One male and one female of every living thing came. It was just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.


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All living things that moved on the earth died. This included all the birds, tame animals, wild animals and creatures that swarm on the earth. And all human beings died.


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So God destroyed from the earth every living thing that was on the land. This was every man, animal, crawling thing and bird of the sky. All that was left was Noah and what was with him in the boat.


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The Flood Ends But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and tame animals with him in the boat. God made a wind blow over the earth. And the water went down.


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The water that covered the earth began to go down. After 150 days the water had gone down so much that the boat touched land again. It came to rest on one of the mountains of Ararat. This was on the seventeenth day of the seventh month.


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The water continued to go down. By the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains could be seen.


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The dove could not find a place to land because water still covered the earth. So it came back to the boat. Noah reached out his hand and took the bird. And he brought it back into the boat.


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And that evening it came back to him with a fresh olive leaf in its mouth. Then Noah knew that the ground was almost dry.


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Noah was now 601 years old. It was the first day of the first month of that year. The water was dried up from the land. Noah removed the covering of the boat and saw that the land was dry.


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Bring every animal out of the boat with you—the birds, animals and everything that crawls on the earth. Let them have many young ones and let them grow in number.”


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Every animal, everything that crawls on the earth and every bird went out of the boat. They left by families.


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Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. Noah took some of all the clean birds and animals. And he burned them on the altar as offerings to God.


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The Lord was pleased with these sacrifices. He said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of human beings. Their thoughts are evil even when they are young. But I will never again destroy every living thing on the earth as I did this time.


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“As long as the earth continues, there will be planting and harvest. Cold and hot, summer and winter, day and night will not stop.”


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The New Beginning Then God blessed Noah and his sons. He said to them, “Have many children. Grow in number and fill the earth.


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Every animal on earth and every bird in the sky will respect and fear you. So will every animal that crawls on the ground and every fish in the sea respect and fear you. I have given them to you.


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“Everything that moves, everything that is alive, is yours for food. Earlier I gave you the green plants. And now I give you everything for food.


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I will demand your blood for your lives. That is, I will demand the life of any animal that kills a person. And I will demand the life of anyone who takes another person’s life.


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“Whoever kills a human being will be killed by a human being. This is because God made humans in his own image.


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“Noah, I want you and your family to have many children. Grow in number on the earth and become many.”


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And I also make it with every living thing that is with you. It is with the birds, the tame animals and the wild animals. It is with all that came out of the boat with you. I make my agreement with every living thing on earth.


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I make this agreement with you: I will never again destroy all living things by floodwaters. A flood will never again destroy the earth.”


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And God said, “I am making an agreement between me and you and every living creature that is with you. It will continue from now on. This is the sign:


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Then I will remember my agreement. It is between me and you and every living thing. Floodwaters will never again destroy all life on the earth.


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When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it. Then I will remember the agreement that continues forever. It is between me and every living thing on the earth.”


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So God said to Noah, “That rainbow is a sign. It is the sign of the agreement that I made with all living things on earth.”


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Noah and His Sons The sons of Noah came out of the boat with him. They were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.)


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Then Shem and Japheth got a coat and carried it on both their shoulders. They walked backwards into the tent and covered their father. They turned their faces away. In this way they did not see their father without clothes.


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Noah was sleeping because of the wine. Later he woke up. Then he learned what his youngest son, Ham, had done to him.


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May God give more land to Japheth. May Japheth live in Shem’s tents, and may Canaan be their slave.”


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Nations Grow and Spread This is the family history of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth. After the flood these three men had sons.


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Those who lived in the lands around the Mediterranean Sea came from these sons of Japheth. All the families grew and became different nations. Each nation had its own land and its own language.


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The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.


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He was a great hunter before the Lord. That is why people say someone is “like Nimrod, a great hunter before the Lord.”


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The land of the Canaanites reached from Sidon to Gerar as far as Gaza. And it reached to Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.


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All these people were the sons of Ham. All these families had their own languages, their own lands and their own nations.


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Shem’s Sons Shem, Japheth’s older brother, also had sons. One of his descendants was the father of all the sons of Eber.


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Eber was the father of two sons. One son was named Peleg because the earth was divided during his life. Eber’s other son was named Joktan.


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These are the people from the family of Shem. They are arranged by families, languages, countries and nations.


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This is the list of the families from the sons of Noah. They are arranged according to their nations. From these families came all the nations who spread across the earth after the flood.


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The Languages Confused At this time the whole world spoke one language. Everyone used the same words.


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As people moved from the East, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia. They settled there to live.


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They said to each other, “Let’s make bricks and bake them to make them hard.” So they used bricks instead of stones, and tar instead of mortar.


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Then they said to each other, “Let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower. And let’s make the top of the tower reach high into the sky. We will become famous. If we do this, we will not be scattered over all the earth.”


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The Lord said, “Now, these people are united. They all speak the same language. This is only the beginning of what they will do. They will be able to do anything they want.


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Come, let us go down and confuse their language. Then they will not be able to understand each other.”


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That is where the Lord confused the language of the whole world. So the place is called Babel. So the Lord caused them to spread out from there over all the whole world.


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The Story of Shem’s Family This is the family history of Shem. Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born.


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The Story of Terah’s Family This is the family history of Terah. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot.


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Haran died while his father, Terah, was still alive. This happened in Ur in Babylonia, where he was born.


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Abram and Nahor both married. Abram’s wife was named Sarai. Nahor’s wife was named Milcah. She was the daughter of Haran. Haran was the father of Milcah and Iscah.


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Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran’s son) and his daughter-in-law Sarai (Abram’s wife). They moved out of Ur of Babylonia. They had planned to go to the land of Canaan. But when they reached the city of Haran, they settled there.


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God Calls Abram Then the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives and your father’s family. Go to the land I will show you.


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I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you famous. And you will be a blessing to others.


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I will bless those who bless you. I will place a curse on those who harm you. And all the people on earth will be blessed through you.”


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So Abram left Haran as the Lord had told him. And Lot went with him. At this time Abram was 75 years old.


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Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and everything they owned. They took all the servants they had gotten in Haran. They set out from Haran, planning to go to the land of Canaan. In time they arrived there.


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Abram traveled through that land. He went as far as the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. The Canaanites were living in the land at that time.


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The Lord appeared to Abram. The Lord said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” So Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.


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Then Abram traveled from Shechem to the mountain east of Bethel. And he set up his tent there. Bethel was to the west, and Ai was to the east. There Abram built another altar to the Lord and worshiped him.


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Abram Goes to Egypt At this time there was not much food in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live because there was so little food.


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Just before they arrived in Egypt, Abram said to his wife Sarai, “I know you are a very beautiful woman.


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When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This woman is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but let you live.


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Tell them you are my sister. Then things will go well with me. And I may be allowed to live because of you.”


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Some of the Egyptian officers saw her also. They told the king of Egypt how beautiful she was. They took her to the king’s palace.


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The king was kind to Abram because he thought Abram was Sarai’s brother. He gave Abram sheep, cattle and male and female donkeys. Abram also was given male and female servants and camels.


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But the Lord sent terrible diseases on the king and all the people in his house. This was because of Abram’s wife Sarai.


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So the king sent for Abram. The king said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me Sarai was your wife?


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Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I made her my wife. But now here is your wife. Take her and leave!”


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Then the king commanded his men to make Abram leave Egypt. So Abram and his wife left with everything they owned.


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Abram and Lot Separate So Abram, his wife and Lot left Egypt. They took everything they owned and traveled to southern Canaan.


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He left southern Canaan and went back to Bethel. He went where he had camped before, between Bethel and Ai.


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Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders began to argue. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at this time.


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So Abram said to Lot, “There should be no arguing between you and me. Your herders and mine should not argue either. We are brothers.


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We should separate. The whole land is there in front of you. If you go to the left, I will go to the right. If you go to the right, I will go to the left.”


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Lot looked all around and saw the whole Jordan Valley. He saw that there was much water there. It was like the Lord’s garden, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)


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Abram lived in the land of Canaan. But Lot lived among the cities in the Jordan Valley. He moved very near to Sodom.


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After Lot left, the Lord said to Abram, “Look all around you. Look north and south and east and west.


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I will make your descendants as many as the dust of the earth. If anyone could count the dust on the earth, he could count your people.


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So Abram moved his tents. He went to live near the great trees of Mamre. This was at the city of Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.


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Lot Is Captured Now Amraphel was king of Babylonia. Arioch was king of Ellasar. Kedorlaomer was king of Elam. And Tidal was king of Goiim.


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All these kings went to war against several other kings: Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela. (Bela is also called Zoar.)


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These kings who were attacked united their armies in the Valley of Siddim. (The Valley of Siddim is now the Dead Sea.)


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These kings had served Kedorlaomer for 12 years. But in the thirteenth year, they all turned against him.


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Then in the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings with him came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim. They also defeated the Zuzites in Ham and the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim.


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Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh). They defeated all the Amalekites. They also defeated the Amorites who lived in Hazazon Tamar.


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At that time the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela went out to fight in the Valley of Siddim. (Bela is called Zoar.)


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They fought against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Babylonia, and Arioch king of Ellasar. So there were four kings fighting against five.


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There were many tar pits in the Valley of Siddim. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies ran away. Some of the soldiers fell into the tar pits. But the others ran away to the mountains.


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Now Kedorlaomer and his armies took everything the people of Sodom and Gomorrah owned. They also took all their food.


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They took Lot, Abram’s nephew who was living in Sodom. The enemy also took everything he owned. Then they left.


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One of the men who was not captured went to Abram, the Hebrew. He told Abram what had happened. At that time Abram was camped near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite. Mamre was a brother of Eshcol and a brother of Aner. And they had all made an agreement to help Abram.


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Abram Rescues Lot Abram learned that Lot had been captured. So he called out his 318 trained men who had been born in his camp. Abram led the men and chased the enemy all the way to the town of Dan.


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That night he divided his men into groups. And they made a surprise attack against the enemy. They chased them all the way to Hobah, north of Damascus.


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Then Abram brought back everything the enemy had stolen. Abram brought back the women and the other people. And he also brought back Lot and everything Lot owned.


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After defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, Abram went home. As Abram was returning, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh. (That is now called King’s Valley.)


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Melchizedek king of Salem also went to meet Abram. Melchizedek was a priest for God Most High. He brought bread and wine.


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Melchizedek blessed Abram and said, “Abram, may God Most High give you blessings. God made heaven and earth.


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And we praise God Most High. He has helped you to defeat your enemies.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had brought back from the battle.


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Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “You may keep all these things for yourself. Just give me my people who were captured.”


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But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I make a promise to the Lord. He is the God Most High, who made heaven and earth.


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I promise that I will not keep anything that is yours. I will not keep even a thread or a sandal strap. That way you cannot say, ‘I made Abram rich.’


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I will keep nothing but the food my young men have eaten. But give Aner, Eshcol and Mamre their share of what we won. They went with me into battle.”


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God’s Agreement with Abram After these things happened, the Lord spoke his word to Abram in a vision. God said, “Abram, don’t be afraid. I will defend you. And I will give you a great reward.”


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But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you give me? I have no son. So my slave Eliezer from Damascus will get everything I own after I die.”


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Abram said, “Look, you have given me no son. So a slave born in my house will inherit everything I have.”


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Then the Lord spoke his word to Abram. He said, “That slave will not be the one to inherit what you have. You will have a son of your own. And your son will inherit what you have.”


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Then God led Abram outside. God said, “Look at the sky. There are so many stars you cannot count them. And your descendants will be too many to count.”


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Abram believed the Lord. And the Lord accepted Abram’s faith, and that faith made him right with God.


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God said to Abram, “I am the Lord who led you out of Ur of Babylonia. I did that so I could give you this land to own.”


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The Lord said to Abram, “Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old goat and a three-year-old male sheep. Also bring me a dove and a young pigeon.”


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Abram brought them all to God. Then Abram killed the animals and cut each of them into two pieces. He laid each half opposite the other half. But he did not cut the birds in half.


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As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. While he was asleep, a very terrible darkness came.


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Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers and travel in a land they don’t own. The people there will make them slaves. And they will do cruel things to them for 400 years.


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But I will punish the nation where they are slaves. Then your descendants will leave that land, taking great wealth with them.


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After your great-great-grandchildren are born, your people will come to this land again. It will take that long, because the Amorites are not yet evil enough to punish.”


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The sun went down, and it was very dark. Suddenly a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passed between the halves of the dead animals.


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So on that day the Lord made an agreement with Abram. The Lord said, “I will give this land to your descendants. I will give them the land between the river of Egypt and the great river Euphrates.


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Hagar and Ishmael Sarai, Abram’s wife, had no children. She had a slave girl from Egypt named Hagar.


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Sarai said to Abram, “Look, the Lord has not allowed me to have children. So have physical relations with my slave girl. If she has a child, maybe I can have my own family through her.” Abram did what Sarai said.


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This was after Abram lived ten years in Canaan. And Sarai gave Hagar to her husband Abram. (Hagar was her slave girl from Egypt.)


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Abram had physical relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar learned she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress Sarai badly.


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Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is your fault. I gave my slave girl to you. And when she became pregnant, she began to treat me badly. Let the Lord decide who is right—you or me.”


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But Abram said to Sarai, “You are Hagar’s mistress. Do anything you want to her.” Then Sarai was hard on Hagar, and Hagar ran away.


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The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the desert. The spring was by the road to Shur.


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The angel said, “Hagar, you are Sarai’s slave girl. Where have you come from? Where are you going?” Hagar answered, “I am running from my mistress Sarai.”


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The angel also said to her, “You are now pregnant, and you will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your cries.


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Ishmael will be like a wild donkey. He will be against everyone. And everyone will be against him. He will attack all his brothers.”


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The slave girl gave a name to the Lord who spoke to her. She said to him, “You are ‘God who sees me.’” This is because she said to herself, “Have I really seen God who sees me?”


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Proof of the Agreement When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. The Lord said, “I am God All-Powerful. Obey me and do what is right.


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I am changing your name from Abram to Abraham. This is because I am making you a father of many nations.


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And I will make an agreement between me and you and all your descendants from now on: I will be your God and the God of all your descendants.


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You live in the land of Canaan now as a stranger. But I will give you and your descendants all this land forever. And I will be the God of your descendants.”


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This is my agreement with you and all your descendants: Every male among you must be circumcised. You must obey this agreement.


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From now on when a baby boy is eight days old, you will circumcise him. This includes any boy born among your people or any who is your slave. (He would not be one of your descendants.)


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So circumcise every baby boy. Circumcise him whether he is born in your family or bought as a slave. Your bodies will be marked. This will show that you are part of my agreement that lasts forever.


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Isaac—the Promised Son God said to Abraham, “I will change the name of Sarai, your wife. Her new name will be Sarah.


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I will bless her. I will give her a son, and you will be the father. She will be the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will come from her.”


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Abraham bowed facedown on the ground and laughed. He said to himself, “Can a man have a child when he is 100 years old? Can Sarah give birth to a child when she is 90?”


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God said, “No. Sarah your wife will have a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will make my agreement with him. It will be an agreement that continues forever with all his descendants.


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“You asked me about Ishmael, and I heard you. I will bless him. I will give him many descendants. And I will cause their numbers to grow very greatly. He will be the father of 12 great leaders. I will make him into a great nation.


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But I will make my agreement with Isaac. He is the son whom Sarah will have at this same time next year.”


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Then Abraham gathered Ishmael and all the males born in his camp. He also gathered the slaves he had bought. So that day Abraham circumcised every man and boy in his camp. This was what God had told him to do.


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Also on that day all the men in Abraham’s camp were circumcised. This included all those born in his camp and all the slaves he had bought from other nations.


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The Three Visitors Later, the Lord again appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. At that time Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent. It was during the hottest part of the day.


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He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When Abraham saw them, he ran from his tent to meet them. He bowed facedown on the ground before them.


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I will get some bread for you, so you can regain your strength. Then you may continue your journey.” The three men said, “That is fine. Do as you said.”


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Abraham hurried to the tent where Sarah was. He said to her, “Hurry, prepare 20 quarts of fine flour. Make it into loaves of bread.”


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Then Abraham ran to his cattle. He took one of his best calves and gave it to a servant. The servant hurried to kill the calf and to prepare it for food.


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Abraham gave the three men the calf that had been cooked. He also gave them milk curds and milk. While the three men ate, he stood under the tree near them.


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Then the Lord said, “I will certainly return to you about this time a year from now. At that time your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent which was behind him.


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Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘I am too old to have a baby’?


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Is anything too hard for the Lord? No! I will return to you at the right time a year from now. And Sarah will have a son.”


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Then the men got up to leave and started out toward Sodom. Abraham walked along with them a short time to send them on their way.


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Abraham’s children will certainly become a great and powerful nation. And all nations on earth will be blessed through him.


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I have chosen him so he would command his children and his descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to. I did this so they would live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him.”


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Then the Lord said, “I have heard many things against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They are very evil.


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Then Abraham approached the Lord. Abraham asked, “Lord, do you plan to destroy the good persons along with the evil persons?


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What if there are 50 good people in that city? Will you still destroy it? Surely you will save the city for the 50 good people living there.


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Surely you will not destroy the good people along with the evil people. Then the good people and the evil people would be treated the same. You are the judge of all the earth. Won’t you do what is right?”


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Then the Lord said, “If I find 50 good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them.”


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What if there are only 45 good people in the city? Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of 5 good people?” The Lord said, “If I find 45 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”


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Again Abraham said to the Lord, “If you find only 40 good people there, will you destroy the city?” The Lord said, “If I find 40 good people, I will not destroy the city.”


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Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me ask you this. If you find only 30 good people in the city, will you destroy it?” The Lord said, “If I find 30 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”


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Then Abraham said, “I have been brave to speak to the Lord. But what if there are 20 good people in the city?” The Lord answered, “If I find 20 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”


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Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me bother you this one last time. What if you find 10 good people there?” The Lord said, “If I find 10 good people there, I will not destroy it.”


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Lot’s Visitors The two angels came to Sodom in the evening. Lot was sitting near the city gate and saw them. He got up and went to them and bowed facedown on the ground.


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Lot said, “Sirs, please come to my house and spend the night. There you can wash your feet. Then tomorrow you may continue your journey.” The angels answered, “No, we will spend the night in the city’s public square.”


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But Lot begged them to come to his house. So they agreed and went to his house. Then Lot prepared a meal for them. He baked bread without yeast, and they ate it.


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Before bedtime, all the men of the city surrounded Lot’s house. These men were both young and old and came from every part of Sodom.


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They called to Lot, “Where are the two men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us. We want to force them to have physical relations with us.”


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Look! I have two daughters. They have never slept with a man. I will give them to you. You may do anything you want with them. But please don’t do anything to these men. They have come to my house, and I must protect them.”


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The men around the house answered, “Move out of the way!” Then they said to each other, “This man Lot came to our city as a stranger. Now he wants to tell us what to do!” They said to Lot, “We will do worse things to you than to them.” So they started pushing Lot back. They were ready to break down the door.


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But the two men staying with Lot opened the door and pulled him back inside the house. Then they closed the door.


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The two men struck the men outside the door with blindness. So these men, both young and old, could not find the door.


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The two men said to Lot, “Do you have any other relatives in this city? Do you have any sons-in-law, sons, daughters or any other relatives? If you do, tell them to leave now.


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We are about to destroy this city. The Lord has heard of all the evil that is here. So he has sent us to destroy it.”


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So Lot went out and spoke to his future sons-in-law. They were pledged to marry his daughters. Lot said, “Hurry and leave this city! The Lord is about to destroy it!” But they thought Lot was joking.


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At dawn the next morning, the angels begged Lot to hurry. They said, “Go! Take your wife and your two daughters with you. Then you will not be destroyed when the city is punished.”


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But Lot delayed. So the two men took the hands of Lot, his wife and his two daughters. The men led them safely out of the city. So the Lord was merciful to Lot and his family.


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The two men brought Lot and his family out of the city. Then one of the men said, “Run for your lives! Don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Run to the mountains or you will be destroyed.”


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You have been merciful and kind to me. You have saved my life. But I can’t run to the mountains. The disaster will catch me, and I will die.


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Look, that little town over there is not too far away. Let me run there. It’s really just a little town. I’ll be safe there.”


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But run there fast. I cannot destroy Sodom until you are safely in that town.” (That town is named Zoar, because it is little.)


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So the Lord destroyed those cities. He also destroyed the whole Jordan Valley, everyone living in the cities and even all the plants.


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Abraham looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the Jordan Valley. He saw smoke rising from the land. It was like smoke from a furnace.


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God destroyed the cities in the valley. But he remembered what Abraham had asked. So God saved Lot’s life. But he destroyed the city where Lot had lived.


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Lot and His Daughters Lot was afraid to continue living in Zoar. So he and his two daughters went to live in the mountains. They lived in a cave there.


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One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old. Everywhere on the earth women and men marry. But there are no men around here for us to marry.


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Let’s get our father drunk. Then we can have physical relations with him. We can use our father to have children. That way we can continue our family.”


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That night the two girls got their father drunk. Then the older daughter went and had physical relations with him. But Lot did not know when she lay down or when she got up.


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The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I had physical relations with my father. Let’s get him drunk again tonight. Then you can go and have physical relations with him, too. In this way we can use our father to have children to continue our family.”


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So that night they got their father drunk again. Then the younger daughter went and had physical relations with him. Again, Lot did not know when she lay down or when she got up.


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The older daughter gave birth to a son. She named him Moab. Moab is the ancestor of all the Moabite people who are still living today.


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The younger daughter also gave birth to a son. She named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of all the Ammonite people who are still living today.


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Abraham and Abimelech Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan. He stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. Then he moved to Gerar.


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Abraham told people that his wife Sarah was his sister. Abimelech king of Gerar heard this. So he sent some servants to take her.


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But one night God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God said, “You will die. That woman you took is married.”


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Abraham himself told me, ‘This woman is my sister.’ And she also said, ‘He is my brother.’ I am innocent. I did not know I was doing anything wrong.”


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Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did not realize what you were doing. So I did not allow you to sin against me. I did not allow you to sleep with her.


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Give Abraham his wife back. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will not die. But if you do not give Sarah back, you will die. And all your family will surely die.”


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So early the next morning, Abimelech called all his officers. He told them everything that had happened in the dream. They were very much afraid.


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Then Abimelech called Abraham to him. Abimelech said, “What have you done to us? What wrong did I do against you? Why did you bring this trouble to my kingdom? You should not have done these things to me.


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Then Abraham answered, “I thought no one in this place respected God. I thought someone would kill me to get Sarah.


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And it is true that she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father. But she is not the daughter of my mother.


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God told me to leave my father’s house and wander in many different places. When that happened, I told Sarah, ‘You must do a special favor for me. Everywhere we go tell people I am your brother.’”


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Then Abimelech gave Abraham some sheep, cattle and male and female slaves. Abimelech also gave Sarah, his wife, back to him.


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Abimelech said to Sarah, “I gave your brother Abraham 25 pounds of silver. I did this to make up for any wrong that people may think about you. I want everyone to know that you are innocent.”


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Then Abraham prayed to God. And God healed Abimelech, his wife and his servant girls. Now they could have children.


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The Lord had kept all the women in Abimelech’s house from having children. This was God’s punishment on Abimelech for taking Abraham’s wife Sarah.


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Sarah became pregnant. And she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. Everything happened at the time God had said it would.


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No one thought that I would be able to have Abraham’s child. But I have given Abraham a son while he is old.”


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Hagar and Ishmael Isaac grew and became old enough to eat food. At that time Abraham gave a great feast.


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But Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of Isaac. (Ishmael was the son of Abraham by Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave.)


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So Sarah said to Abraham, “Throw out this slave woman and her son. When we die, our son Isaac will inherit everything we have. I don’t want her son to inherit any of our things.”


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But God said to Abraham, “Don’t be troubled about the boy and the slave woman. Do whatever Sarah tells you. The descendants I promised you will be from Isaac.


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I will also make the descendants of Ishmael into a great nation. I will do this because he is your son, too.”


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Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a leather bag full of water. He gave them to Hagar and sent her away. Hagar carried these things and her son. She went and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.


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Then she went away a short distance and sat down. Hagar thought, “My son will die. I cannot watch this happen.” She sat there and began to cry.


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God heard the boy crying. And God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven. He said, “What is wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid! God has heard the boy crying there.


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Then God showed Hagar a well of water. So she went to the well and filled her bag with water. Then she gave the boy a drink.


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God was with the boy as he grew up. Ishmael lived in the desert. He learned to shoot with a bow very well.


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Abraham’s Bargain with Abimelech Then Abimelech came with Phicol, the commander of Abimelech’s army. They said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.


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So make a promise to me here before God. Promise that you will be fair with me and my children and my descendants. Be kind to me and to this land where you have lived as a stranger. Be as kind to me as I have been to you.”


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So Abraham and Abimelech made an agreement at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, went back to the land of the Philistines.


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Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba. There Abraham prayed to the Lord, the God who lives forever.


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God Tests Abraham After these things God tested Abraham’s faith. God said to him, “Abraham!” And he answered, “Here I am.”


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Then God said, “Take your only son, Isaac, the son you love. Go to the land of Moriah. There kill him and offer him as a whole burnt offering. Do this on one of the mountains there. I will tell you which one.”


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Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took Isaac and two servants with him. He cut the wood for the sacrifice. Then they went to the place God had told them to go.


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He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you.”


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Abraham took the wood for the sacrifice and gave it to his son to carry. Abraham took the knife and the fire. So Abraham and his son went on together.


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Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” Abraham answered, “Yes, my son.” Isaac said, “We have the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb we will burn as a sacrifice?”


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Abraham answered, “God will give us the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.” So Abraham and his son went on together.


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They came to the place God had told him about. There, Abraham built an altar. He laid the wood on it. Then he tied up his son Isaac. And he laid Isaac on the wood on the altar.


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But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven. The angel said, “Abraham! Abraham!” Abraham answered, “Yes.”


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The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you respect God. I see that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me.”


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Then Abraham looked up and saw a male sheep. Its horns were caught in a bush. So Abraham went and took the sheep and killed it. He offered it as a whole burnt offering to God. Abraham’s son was saved.


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So Abraham named that place The Lord Gives. Even today people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be given.”


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The angel said, “The Lord says, ‘You did not keep back your son, your only son, from me. Because you did this, I make you this promise by my own name:


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I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. They will be as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. And they will capture the cities of their enemies.


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Through your descendants all the nations on the earth will be blessed. This is because you obeyed me.’”


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Then Abraham returned to his servants. They all traveled back to Beersheba, and Abraham stayed there.


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After these things happened, someone told Abraham: “Your brother Nahor and his wife Milcah have children now.


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Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah was the mother of these eight sons, and Nahor was the father. Nahor was Abraham’s brother.


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Also Nahor had four other sons by his slave woman Reumah. Their names were Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacah.


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She died in Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham was very sad and cried because of her.


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After a while Abraham got up from the side of his wife’s body. And he went to talk to the Hittites. He said,


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“I am only a stranger and a foreigner here. Sell me some of your land so that I can bury my dead wife.”


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“Sir, you are a great leader among us. You may have the best place we have to bury your dead. You may have any of our burying places that you want. None of us will stop you from burying your dead wife.”


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Abraham said to them, “If you truly want to help me bury my dead wife here, speak to Ephron for me. He is the son of Zohar.


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Ask him to sell me the cave of Machpelah. It is at the edge of his field. I will pay him the full price. You can be the witnesses that I am buying it as a burial place.”


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“No, sir. I will give you the land and the cave that is in it. I will give it to you with these people as witnesses. Bury your dead wife.”


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He said to Ephron before all the people, “Please let me pay you the full price for the field. Accept my money, and I will bury my dead there.”


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“Sir, the land is worth ten pounds of silver. But I won’t argue with you over the price. Take the land, and bury your dead wife.”


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Abraham agreed and paid Ephron in front of the Hittite witnesses. Abraham weighed out the full price: ten pounds of silver. They counted the weight as the traders normally did.


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So Ephron’s field in Machpelah, east of Mamre, was sold. Abraham became the owner of the field, the cave in it and all the trees that were in the field. The sale was made at the city gate, with the Hittites as witnesses.


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After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave. It was in that field of Machpelah, near Mamre. (Mamre was later called Hebron in the land of Canaan.)


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Abraham’s oldest servant was in charge of everything Abraham owned. Abraham called that servant to him and said, “Put your hand under my leg.


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Make a promise to me before the Lord, the God of heaven and earth. Don’t get a wife for my son from the Canaanite girls who live around here.


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Instead, go back to my country, to the land of my relatives. Get a wife for my son Isaac from there.”


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The servant said to him, “What if this woman does not want to return with me to this land? Then, should I take your son with me back to your homeland?”


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The Lord is the God of heaven. He brought me from the home of my father and the land of my relatives. But the Lord promised me, ‘I will give this land to your descendants.’ The Lord will send his angel before you. The angel will help you get a wife for my son there.


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But if the girl won’t come back with you, you will be free from this promise. But you must not take my son back there.”


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The servant took ten of Abraham’s camels and left. He carried with him many different kinds of beautiful gifts. He went to Northwest Mesopotamia to Nahor’s city.


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He made the camels kneel down at the well outside the city. It was in the evening when the women come out to get water.


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The servant said, “Lord, you are the God of my master Abraham. Allow me to find a wife for his son today. Please show this kindness to my master Abraham.


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I will say to one of the girls, ‘Please put your jar down so I can drink.’ Then let her say, ‘Drink, and I will also give water to your camels.’ If that happens, I will know she is the right one for your servant Isaac. And I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”


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Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out of the city. She was the daughter of Bethuel. (Bethuel was the son of Milcah and Nahor, Abraham’s brother.) Rebekah was carrying her water jar on her shoulder.


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She was very pretty. She was a virgin; she had never had physical relations with a man. She went down to the spring and filled her jar. Then she came back up.


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So she quickly poured all the water from her jar into the drinking trough for the camels. Then she kept running to the well until she had given all the camels enough to drink.


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After the camels had finished drinking, he gave Rebekah a gold ring weighing one-fifth of an ounce. He also gave her two gold arm bracelets weighing about four ounces each.


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The servant asked, “Who is your father? Is there a place in his house for me and my men to spend the night?”


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Then she said, “And, yes, we have straw for your camels. We have a place for you to spend the night.”


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He said, “Blessed is the Lord, the God of my master Abraham. The Lord has been kind and truthful to him. He has led me to my master’s relatives.”


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Laban had heard what she had said. And he had seen the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms. So he ran out to the well. And there was the man standing by the camels at the spring.


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Laban said, “Sir, you are welcome to come in. You don’t have to stand outside. I have prepared the house for you and also a place for your camels.”


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So Abraham’s servant went into the house. Laban unloaded the camels and gave them straw and food. Then Laban gave water to Abraham’s servant so he and the men with him could wash their feet.


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Then Laban gave the servant food. But the servant said, “I will not eat until I have told you why I came.” So Laban said, “Then tell us.”


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The Lord has greatly blessed my master in everything. My master has become a rich man. The Lord has given him many flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. He has given Abraham silver and gold, male and female servants, camels and horses.


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Sarah, my master’s wife, gave birth to a son when she was old. My master has given everything he owns to that son.


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My master had me make a promise to him. He said, ‘Don’t get a wife for my son from the Canaanite girls who live around here.


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But he said, ‘I serve the Lord. He will send his angel with you and will help you. You will get a wife for my son from my family and my father’s people.


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Then you will be free from the promise. Or if they will not give you a wife for my son, you will be free from this promise.’


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“Today I came to this spring. I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, please make my trip successful.


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Look, I am standing by this spring of water. I will wait for a young woman to come out to get water. Then I will say, “Please give me water from your jar to drink.”


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Then let her say, “Drink this water. I will also get water for your camels.” By this I will know the Lord has chosen her for my master’s son.’


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“Before I finished my silent prayer, Rebekah came out of the city. She had her water jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and got water. I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’


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She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder. She said, ‘Drink this. I will also get water for your camels.’ So I drank, and she gave water to my camels also.


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Then I asked her, ‘Who is your father?’ She answered, ‘My father is Bethuel son of Milcah and Nahor.’ Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms.


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At that time I bowed my head and thanked the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham. I thanked him because he led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.


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Now, tell me, will you be kind and truthful to my master? And if not, tell me so. Then I will know what I should do.”


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Then the servant gave Rebekah gold and silver jewelry and clothes. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and mother.


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The servant and the men with him ate and drank. And they spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, the servant said, “Now let me go back to my master.”


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Rebekah’s mother and her brother said, “Let Rebekah stay with us at least ten days. After that she may go.”


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But the servant said to them, “Do not make me wait. The Lord has made my trip successful. Now let me go back to my master.”


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They blessed Rebekah and said, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of people. And may your descendants capture the cities of their enemies.”


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Then Rebekah and her servant girls got on the camels and followed the servant and his men. So the servant took Rebekah and left.


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She asked the servant, “Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant answered, “That is my master.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.


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Then Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent of Sarah, his mother. And she became his wife. Isaac loved her very much. So he was comforted after his mother’s death.


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Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. Dedan’s descendants were the people of Assyria, Letush and Leum.


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The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.


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But before Abraham died, he did give gifts to the sons of his other wives. Abraham sent them to the East to be away from Isaac.


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His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. This cave is in the field of Ephron east of Mamre. Ephron was the son of Zohar the Hittite.


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This is the same field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites. Abraham was buried there with his wife Sarah.


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This is the family history of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. (Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant, was Ishmael’s mother.)


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These are the names of Ishmael’s sons in the order they were born. The first son was Nebaioth. Then came Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,


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These were Ishmael’s sons. And these are the names of the tribal leaders. They are listed according to their settlements and camps.


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Ishmael’s descendants lived from Havilah to Shur. This is east of Egypt stretching toward Assyria. Ishmael’s descendants often attacked the descendants of his brothers.


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When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. Rebekah was from Northwest Mesopotamia. She was Bethuel’s daughter and the sister of Laban the Aramean.


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Isaac’s wife could not have children. So Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord heard Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant.


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While she was pregnant, the babies struggled inside her. She asked, “Why is this happening to me?” Then she went to get an answer from the Lord.


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The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your body. Two groups of people will be taken from you. One group will be stronger than the other. The older will serve the younger.”


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When the second baby was born, he was holding on to Esau’s heel. So that baby was named Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when they were born.


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When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter. He loved to be out in the fields. But Jacob was a quiet man. He stayed among the tents.


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One day Jacob was boiling a pot of vegetable soup. Esau came in from hunting in the fields. He was weak from hunger.


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So Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red soup. I am weak with hunger.” (That is why people call him Edom.)


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But Jacob said, “First, promise me that you will give it to me.” So Esau made a promise to Jacob. In this way he sold his part of their father’s wealth to Jacob.


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Then Jacob gave Esau bread and vegetable soup. Esau ate and drank and then left. So Esau showed how little he cared about his rights as the firstborn son.


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Isaac Lies to Abimelech Once there was a time of hunger in the land. This was besides the time of hunger that happened during Abraham’s life. So Isaac went to the town of Gerar. He went to see Abimelech king of the Philistines.


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The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Don’t go down to Egypt. Live in the land where I tell you to live.


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Stay in this land, and I will be with you. I will bless you. I will give you and your descendants all these lands. I will keep the agreement I made to Abraham your father.


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I will give you many descendants. They will be as hard to count as the stars in the sky. And I will give them all these lands. Through your descendants all the nations on the earth will be blessed.


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I will do this because your father Abraham obeyed me. He did what I said. He obeyed my commands, my teachings and my rules.”


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Isaac’s wife Rebekah was very beautiful. The men of that place asked Isaac about her. Isaac said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to tell them she was his wife. He thought they might kill him so they could have her.


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Isaac lived there a long time. One day as Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out his window, he saw Isaac. Isaac was holding his wife Rebekah tenderly.


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Abimelech called for Isaac and said, “This woman is your wife. Why did you say she was your sister?” Isaac said to him, “I was afraid you would kill me so you could have her.”


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Abimelech said, “What have you done to us? One of our men might have had physical relations with your wife. Then we would have been guilty of a great sin.”


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So Abimelech warned everyone. He said, “Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death.”


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Isaac Becomes Rich Isaac planted seed in that land. And that year he gathered a great harvest. The Lord blessed him very much.


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So they stopped up all the wells the servants of Isaac’s father Abraham had dug. (They had dug them when Abraham was alive.) The Philistines filled those wells with dirt.


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Long before this time Abraham had dug many wells. After Abraham died, the Philistines filled them with dirt. So Isaac dug those wells again. He gave them the same names his father had given them.


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But the men who herded sheep in Gerar argued with Isaac’s servants. They said, “This water is ours.” So Isaac named that well Argue because they argued with him.


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Then Isaac’s servants dug another well. The people also argued about it. So Isaac named that well Fight.


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Isaac moved from there and dug another well. No one argued about this one. So he named that well Room Enough. Isaac said, “Now the Lord has made room for us. We will be successful in this land.”


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The Lord appeared to Isaac that night. The Lord said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Don’t be afraid because I am with you. I will bless you and give you many descendants. I will do this because of my servant Abraham.”


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So Isaac built an altar and worshiped the Lord there. He made a camp there, and his servants dug a well.


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Abimelech came from Gerar to see Isaac. Abimelech brought with him Ahuzzath, who advised him, and Phicol, the commander of his army.


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Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to see me? You were my enemy. You forced me to leave your country.”


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They answered, “Now we know that the Lord is with you. We will make a promise to you. And we would like you to make one to us. We would like to make an agreement with you.


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We did not hurt you. So promise you will not hurt us. And we were good to you, and we sent you away in peace. Now the Lord has blessed you.”


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Early the next morning the men made a promise to each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left in peace.


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That day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, “We found water in that well.”


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When Esau was 40 years old, he married two Hittite women. One was Judith daughter of Beeri. The other was Basemath daughter of Elon.


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Jacob Tricks Isaac When Isaac was old, his eyes were not good. He could not see clearly. One day he called his older son Esau to him. Isaac said, “Son.” Esau answered, “Here I am.”


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Prepare the tasty food that I love. Bring it to me, and I will eat. Then I will bless you before I die.”


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Your father said, ‘Kill an animal. Prepare some tasty food for me to eat. Then I will bless you before the Lord before I die.’


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Go out to our goats and bring me two young ones. I will prepare them just the way your father likes them.


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If my father touches me, he will know I am not Esau. Then he will not bless me. He will place a curse on me because I tried to trick him.”


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So Rebekah said to him, “If your father puts a curse on you, I will accept the blame. Just do what I said. Go and get the goats for me.”


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So Jacob went out and got two goats and brought them to his mother. Then she cooked them in the special way Isaac enjoyed.


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She took the best clothes of her older son Esau that were in the house. She put them on the younger son Jacob.


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Jacob said to him, “I am Esau, your first son. I have done what you told me. Now sit up and eat some meat of the animal I hunted for you. Then bless me.”


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But Isaac asked his son, “How did you find and kill the animal so quickly?” Jacob answered, “Because the Lord your God led me to find it.”


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Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son. If I can touch you, I will know if you are really my son Esau.”


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So Jacob came near to Isaac his father. Isaac touched him and said, “Your voice sounds like Jacob’s voice. But your hands are hairy like the hands of Esau.”


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Isaac did not know it was Jacob, because his hands were hairy like Esau’s hands. So Isaac blessed Jacob.


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Then Isaac said, “Bring me the food. I will eat it and bless you.” So Jacob gave him the food, and Isaac ate. Jacob gave him wine, and he drank.


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So Jacob went to his father and kissed him. Isaac smelled Esau’s clothes and blessed him. Isaac said, “The smell of my son is like the smell of the field that the Lord has blessed.


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May nations serve you. May peoples bow down to you. May you be master over your brothers. May your mother’s sons bow down to you. May everyone who curses you be cursed. And may everyone who blesses you be blessed.”


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Isaac finished blessing Jacob. Then, just as Jacob left his father Isaac, Esau came in from hunting.


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Esau also prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. He said, “Father, rise and eat the food that your son killed for you. Then bless me.”


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Then Isaac trembled greatly. He said, “Then who was it that hunted the animals and brought me food before you came? I ate it, and I blessed him. And it is too late now to take back my blessing.”


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When Esau heard the words of his father, he let out a loud and bitter cry. He said to his father, “Bless me—me, too, my father!”


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Esau said, “Jacob is the right name for him. He has tricked me these two times. He took away my share of everything you own. And now he has taken away my blessing.” Then Esau asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”


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Isaac answered, “I gave Jacob the power to be master over you. And all his brothers will be his servants. And I kept him strong with grain and wine. There is nothing left to give you, my son.”


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But Esau continued, “Do you have only one blessing, Father? Bless me, too, Father!” Then Esau began to cry out loud.


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You will live by using your sword and be a slave to your brother. But when you struggle, you will break free from him.”


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After that Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing from Isaac. Esau thought to himself, “My father will soon die, and I will be sad for him. After that I will kill Jacob.”


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Rebekah heard about Esau’s plan to kill Jacob. So she sent for Jacob. She said to him, “Listen, your brother Esau is comforting himself by planning to kill you.


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In time, your brother will not be angry. He will forget what you did to him. Then I will send a servant to bring you back. I don’t want to lose both of my sons on the same day.”


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Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am tired of Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of these Hittite women here in this land, I want to die.”


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Jacob Searches for a Wife Isaac called Jacob and blessed him. Then Isaac commanded him, “You must not marry a Canaanite woman.


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Go to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father, in Northwest Mesopotamia. Laban, your mother’s brother, lives there. Marry one of his daughters.


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May God All-Powerful bless you and give you many children. May you become the father of many peoples.


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May the Lord give you and your descendants the blessing of Abraham. Then you may own the land where you are now living as a stranger. This is the land God gave to Abraham.”


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So Isaac sent Jacob to Northwest Mesopotamia. Jacob went to Laban, the brother of Rebekah. Bethuel, the Aramean, was the father of Laban and Rebekah. And Rebekah was the mother of Jacob and Esau.


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Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Northwest Mesopotamia. Jacob went to find a wife there. Esau also learned that Isaac had commanded Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman.


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Now Esau already had wives. But he went to Ishmael son of Abraham. And he married Mahalath, Ishmael’s daughter. Mahalath was the sister of Nebaioth.


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He came to a place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He found a stone there and laid his head on it to go to sleep.


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Jacob dreamed that there was a ladder resting on the earth and reaching up into heaven. And he saw angels of God going up and coming down the ladder.


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And then Jacob saw the Lord standing above the ladder. The Lord said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham, your grandfather. And I am the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are now sleeping.


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Your descendants will be as many as the dust of the earth. They will spread west and east, north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.


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I am with you, and I will protect you everywhere you go. And I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”


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Jacob was afraid. He said, “This place frightens me! It is surely the house of God and the gate of heaven.”


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Jacob rose early in the morning. He took the stone he had slept on and set it up on its end. Then he poured olive oil on the top of it.


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Then Jacob made a promise. He said, “I want God to be with me and protect me on this journey. I want God to give me food to eat and clothes to wear.


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Then I will be able to return in peace to my father’s house. If the Lord does these things, he will be my God.


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This stone which I have set up on its end will be the house of God. And I will give God one-tenth of all he gives me.”


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Jacob Arrives in Northwest Mesopotamia Then Jacob continued his journey. He came to the land of the people of the East.


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He looked and saw a well in the field. Three flocks of sheep were lying nearby, because they drank water from this well. A large stone covered the mouth of the well.


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All the flocks would gather there. The shepherds would roll the stone away from the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place.


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Jacob said to the shepherds there, “My brothers, where are you from?” They answered, “We are from Haran.”


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Then Jacob asked, “How is he?” They answered, “He is well. Look, his daughter Rachel is coming now with his sheep.”


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Jacob said, “But look, it is still the middle part of the day. It is not time for the sheep to be gathered for the night. So give them water and let them go back into the pasture.”


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But they said, “We cannot do that until all the flocks are gathered. Then we will roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep.”


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While Jacob was talking with the shepherds, Rachel came with her father’s sheep. It was her job to take care of the sheep.


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Then Jacob saw Laban’s daughter Rachel and Laban’s sheep. So he went to the well and rolled the stone from its mouth. Then he watered Laban’s sheep. Now Laban was the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s mother.


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He told her that he was from her father’s family. He said that he was the son of Rebekah. So Rachel ran home and told her father.


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When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, Laban ran to meet him. Laban hugged him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban everything that had happened.


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Then Laban said to Jacob, “You are my relative. But it is not right for you to keep on working for me without pay. What would you like me to pay you?”


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Jacob loved Rachel. So he said to Laban, “Let me marry your younger daughter Rachel. If you will, I will work seven years for you.”


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So Jacob worked for Laban seven years so he could marry Rachel. But they seemed to him like just a few days. This was because he loved Rachel very much.


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After seven years Jacob said to Laban, “Give me Rachel so that I may marry her. The time I promised to work for you is over.”


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That evening Laban brought his daughter Leah to Jacob. Jacob and Leah had intimate relations together.


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In the morning Jacob saw that he had had intimate relations with Leah! He said to Laban, “What have you done to me? I worked hard for you so that I could marry Rachel! Why did you trick me?”


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Laban said, “In our country we do not allow the younger daughter to marry before the older daughter.


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But complete the full week of the marriage ceremony with Leah. I will give you Rachel to marry also. But you must serve me another seven years.”


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So Jacob did this and completed the week with Leah. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.


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So Jacob had intimate relations with Rachel also. And Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Jacob worked for Laban for another seven years.


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Jacob’s Family Grows The Lord saw that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. So the Lord made it possible for Leah to have children. But Rachel did not have any children.


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Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, because she said, “The Lord has seen my troubles. Surely now my husband will love me.”


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Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon. She said, “The Lord has heard that I am not loved. So he gave me this son.”


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Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Levi. Leah said, “Now, surely my husband will be close to me. I have given him three sons.”


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Then Leah gave birth to another son. She named him Judah. Leah named him this because she said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Then Leah stopped having children.


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Rachel saw that she was not giving birth to children for Jacob. So she envied her sister Leah. Rachel said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”


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Jacob became angry with her. He said, “Can I do what only God can do? He is the one who has kept you from having children.”


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Then Rachel said, “Here is my slave girl Bilhah. Have physical relations with her so she can give birth to a child for me. Then I can have my own family through her.”


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Rachel said, “God has declared me innocent. He has listened to my prayer and has given me a son.” So Rachel named this son Dan.


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Rachel said, “I have struggled hard with my sister. And I have won.” So she named that son Naphtali.


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Leah saw that she had stopped having children. So she gave her slave girl Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.


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During the wheat harvest Reuben went into the field and found some mandrake plants. He brought them to his mother Leah. But Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”


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Leah answered, “You have already taken away my husband. Now you are trying to take away my son’s mandrakes.” But Rachel answered, “If you will give me your son’s mandrakes, you may sleep with Jacob tonight.”


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When Jacob came in from the field that night, Leah went out to meet him. She said, “You will have intimate relations with me tonight. I have paid for you with my son’s mandrakes.” So Jacob slept with her that night.


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Leah said, “God has given me what I paid for, because I gave my slave girl to my husband.” So Leah named her son Issachar.


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She said, “God has given me a fine gift. Now surely Jacob will honor me, because I have given him six sons.” So Leah named the son Zebulun.


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Jacob Tricks Laban After the birth of Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Now let me go to my own home and country.


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Give me my wives and my children, and let me go. I have earned them by working for you. You know that I served you well.”


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Laban said to him, “If I have pleased you, please stay. I know the Lord has blessed me because of you.


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Jacob answered, “You know that I have worked hard for you. Your flocks have grown while I cared for them.


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When I came, you had little. Now you have much. Every time I did something for you, the Lord blessed you. But when will I be able to do something for my own family?”


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Laban asked, “Then what should I give you?” Jacob answered, “I don’t want you to give me anything. Just do this one thing. Then I will come back and take care of your flocks.


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Today let me go through all your flocks of white sheep and black goats. I will take every spotted or speckled lamb. I will take every black lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. That will be my pay.


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In the future you can easily see if I am honest. You can come to look at my flocks. If I have any goat that isn’t speckled or spotted or any sheep that isn’t black, you will know I stole it.”


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But that day Laban took away all the male goats that had streaks or spots. And he took all the speckled and spotted female goats (all those that had white on them). And he took all the black sheep. He told his sons to watch over them.


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Laban took these animals to a place that was three days’ journey away from Jacob. Jacob took care of all the animals that were left.


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So Jacob cut green branches from poplar, almond and plane trees. He peeled off some of the bark so that the branches had white stripes on them.


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He put the branches in front of the flocks at the watering places. When the animals came to drink, they also mated there.


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So the goats mated in front of the branches. Then the young that were born were streaked, speckled or spotted.


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Jacob separated the young animals from the others. And he made them face the streaked and dark animals in Laban’s flock. Jacob kept his animals separate from Laban’s.


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When the stronger animals in the flock were mating, Jacob put the branches before their eyes. This was so the animals would mate near the branches.


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But when the weaker animals mated, Jacob did not put the branches there. So the animals born from the weaker animals were Laban’s. And the animals born from the stronger animals were Jacob’s.


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In this way Jacob became very rich. He had large flocks, many male and female servants, camels and donkeys.


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Jacob Runs Away One day Jacob heard Laban’s sons talking. They said, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned. Jacob has become rich in this way.”


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He said to them, “I have seen that your father is not as friendly with me as he used to be. But the God of my father has been with me.


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At one time Laban said, ‘You can have all the speckled goats as your pay.’ After that, all the animals gave birth to speckled young ones. But then Laban said, ‘You can have all the streaked goats as your pay.’ After that, all the animals gave birth to streaked babies.


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“I had a dream during the season when the animals were mating. I saw that the only male goats who were mating were streaked, speckled or spotted.


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The angel said, ‘Look! Only the streaked, speckled or spotted goats are mating. I have seen all the wrong things Laban does to you.


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I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel. There you poured olive oil on the stone you set up on end. There you made a promise to me. Now I want you to leave here. Go back to the land where you were born.’”


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He has treated us like strangers. He sold us to you, and then he spent all of the money you paid for us.


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God took all this wealth from our father, and now it belongs to us and our children. So you do whatever God told you to do.”


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Then they began their journey back to Isaac, his father. He lived in the land of Canaan. All the flocks of animals that Jacob owned walked ahead of them. He carried everything with him that he had gotten while he lived in Northwest Mesopotamia.


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Laban was gone to cut the wool from his sheep. While he was gone, Rachel stole the idols of false gods that belonged to him.


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Jacob and his family left quickly. They crossed the Euphrates River and traveled toward the mountains of Gilead.


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So Laban gathered his relatives and began to chase Jacob. After seven days Laban found him in the mountains of Gilead.


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That night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream. The Lord said, “Be careful! Do not say anything to Jacob, good or bad.”


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The Search for the Stolen Idols So Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had made his camp in the mountains. So Laban and his relatives set up their camp in the mountains of Gilead.


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Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? Why did you trick me? You took my daughters as if you had captured them in a war.


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Why did you run away without telling me? Why did you trick me? Why didn’t you tell me? Then I could send you away with joy and singing. There would be the music of tambourines and harps.


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You did not even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-bye. You were very foolish to do this!


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I have the power to harm you. But last night the God of your father spoke to me. He warned me not to say anything to you, good or bad.


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Jacob answered Laban, “I left without telling you, because I was afraid! I thought you would take your daughters away from me.


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If you find anyone here who has taken your idols, he will be killed! Your relatives will be my witnesses. You may look for anything that belongs to you. Take anything that is yours.” (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen Laban’s idols.)


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So Laban looked in Jacob’s tent and in Leah’s tent. He looked in the tent where the two slave women stayed. But he did not find his idols. When he left Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s tent.


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Rachel had hidden the idols inside her camel’s saddle. And she was sitting on them. Laban looked through the whole tent, but he did not find them.


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Rachel said to her father, “Father, don’t be angry with me. I am not able to stand up before you. I am having my monthly period.” So Laban looked through the camp, but he did not find his idols.


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Then Jacob became very angry. He said, “What wrong have I done? What law have I broken to cause you to chase me?


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You have looked through everything I own. But you have found nothing that belongs to you. If you have found anything, show it to everyone. Put it in front of your relatives and my relatives. Then let them decide which one of us is right.


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I have worked for you now for 20 years. During all that time none of the lambs and kids died during birth. And I have not eaten any of the male sheep from your flocks.


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Any time a sheep was killed by wild animals, I did not bring it to you. I made up for the loss myself. You made me pay for any animal that was stolen during the day or night.


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I worked like a slave for you for 20 years. For the first 14 years I worked to get your two daughters. The last 6 years I worked to earn your animals. And during that time you changed my pay ten times.


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But the God of my father was with me. He is the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. If God had not been with me, you would have sent me away with nothing. But he saw the trouble I had and the hard work I did. And last night God corrected you.”


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Jacob and Laban’s Agreement Laban said to Jacob, “These girls are my daughters. Their children belong to me, and these animals are mine. Everything you see here belongs to me. But I can do nothing to keep my daughters and their children.


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He told his relatives to gather rocks. So they took the rocks and piled them up. Then they ate beside the pile of rocks.


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Laban named that place in his language A Pile to Remind Us. And Jacob gave the place the same name in Hebrew.


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Laban said to Jacob, “This pile of rocks will remind us of the agreement between us.” That is why the place was called A Pile to Remind Us.


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It was also called Mizpah. This was because Laban said, “Let the Lord watch over us while we are separated from each other.


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Remember that God is our witness. This is true even if no one else is around us. He will know if you harm my daughters or marry other women.


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This pile of rocks and this rock set on end will remind us of our agreement. I will never go past this pile to hurt you. And you must never come to my side of them to hurt me.


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The God of Abraham is the God of Nahor and the God of their ancestors. Let God punish either of us if we break this agreement.” So Jacob made a promise in the name of God. This was the God of his father Isaac.


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Then Jacob killed an animal and offered it as a sacrifice on the mountain. And he invited his relatives to share in the meal. After they finished eating, they spent the night on the mountain.


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Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters. He blessed them, and then he left to return home.


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Jacob’s brother Esau was living in the area called Seir in the country of Edom. Jacob sent messengers to Esau.


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Jacob told the messengers, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘This is what Jacob, your servant, says: I have lived with Laban and have remained there until now.


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I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants. I send this message to you and ask you to accept us.’”


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The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you. And he has 400 men with him.”


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Then Jacob was very afraid and worried. He divided the people who were with him into two camps. He also divided all the flocks, herds and camels into two camps.


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Jacob thought, “Esau might come and destroy one camp. But the other camp can run away and be saved.”


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Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham! God of my father Isaac! Lord, you told me to return to my country and my family. You said that you would do good to me.


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I am not worthy of the kindness and continual goodness you have shown me. The first time I traveled across the Jordan River, I had only my walking stick. But now I own enough to have two camps.


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Please save me from my brother Esau. I am afraid he will come and kill all of us, even the mothers with the children.


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You said to me, ‘I will do good to you. I will make your children as many as the sand of the seashore. There will be too many to count.’”


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There were 30 female camels and their young, 40 cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 male donkeys.


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Jacob gave each separate flock of animals to one of his servants. Then he said to them, “Go ahead of me and keep some space between each herd.”


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Jacob gave them their orders. To the servant with the first group of animals he said, “My brother Esau will come to you. He will ask you, ‘Whose servant are you? Where are you going? Whose animals are these?’


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Then you will answer, ‘These animals belong to your servant Jacob. He sent them as a gift to you my master, Esau. And Jacob also is coming behind us.’”


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Jacob ordered the second servant, the third servant and all the other servants to do the same thing. He said, “Say the same thing to Esau when you meet him.


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Say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” Jacob thought, “If I send this gift ahead of me, maybe Esau will forgive me. Then when I see him, perhaps he will accept me.”


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Jacob Wrestles with God During the night Jacob rose and crossed the Jabbok River at the crossing. He took his 2 wives, his 2 slave girls and his 11 sons with him.


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Then the man said to Jacob, “Let me go. The sun is coming up.” But Jacob said, “I will let you go if you will bless me.”


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Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. Your name will now be Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men. And you have won.”


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Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But the man said, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.


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So even today the people of Israel do not eat the muscle that is on the hip joint of animals. This is because Jacob was touched there.


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Jacob Shows His Bravery Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming. With him were 400 men. So Jacob divided his children among Leah, Rachel and the two slave girls.


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Jacob put the slave girls with their children first. Then he put Leah and her children behind them. And he put Rachel and Joseph last.


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Jacob himself went out in front of them. He bowed down flat on the ground seven times as he was walking toward his brother.


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But Esau ran to meet Jacob. Esau put his arms around him and hugged him. Then Esau kissed him, and they both cried.


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Esau looked up and saw the women and children. He asked, “Who are these people with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has given me. God has been good to me, your servant.”


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Then the two slave girls and their children came up to Esau. They bowed down flat on the earth before him.


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Then Leah and her children came up to Esau. They also bowed down flat on the earth. Last of all, Joseph and Rachel came up to Esau. And they, too, bowed down flat before him.


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Esau said, “I saw many herds as I was coming here. Why did you bring them?” Jacob answered, “They were to please you, my master.”


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Jacob said, “No! Please! If I have pleased you, then please accept the gift I give you. I am very happy to see your face again. It is like seeing the face of God because you have accepted me.


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So I beg you to accept the gift I give you. God has been very good to me. And I have more than I need.” And because Jacob begged, Esau accepted the gift.


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But Jacob said to him, “My master, you know that the children are weak. And I must be careful with my flocks and their young ones. If I force them to go too far in one day, all the animals will die.


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So, my master, you go on ahead of me, your servant. I will follow you slowly. I will let the animals and the children set the speed at which we travel. I will meet you, my master, in Edom.”


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So Esau said, “Then let me leave some of my men with you.” “No, thank you,” said Jacob. “I only want to please you, my master.”


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But Jacob went to Succoth. There he built a house for himself. And he made shelters for his animals. That is why the place was named Succoth.


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Jacob left Northwest Mesopotamia. And he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan. He camped east of the city.


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He bought a part of the field where he had camped. He bought it from the sons of Hamor father of Shechem for 100 pieces of silver.


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Dinah Is Attacked Dinah was the daughter of Leah and Jacob. At this time Dinah went out to visit the women of that land.


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Jacob learned how Shechem had disgraced his daughter. But Jacob’s sons were out in the field with the cattle. So Jacob said nothing until they came home.


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When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they came in from the field. They were very angry, because Shechem had done such a wicked thing to Israel. It was wrong for him to have raped Jacob’s daughter. A thing like this should not be done.


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But Hamor talked to the brothers of Dinah. He said, “My son Shechem is deeply in love with Dinah. Please let him marry her.


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Shechem also talked to Jacob and to Dinah’s brothers. He said, “Please accept my offer. I will give anything you ask.


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Ask as much as you want for the payment for the bride. I will give it to you. Just let me marry Dinah.”


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The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father with lies. They were angry because Shechem had disgraced their sister Dinah.


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The brothers said to them, “We cannot allow you to marry our sister. You are not circumcised. That would be a disgrace to us.


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But we will allow you to marry her if you do this one thing: Every man in your town must be circumcised like us.


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Then your men can marry our women, and our men can marry your women. Then we will live in your land and become one people.


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So Shechem went quickly to be circumcised because he loved Jacob’s daughter. Now Shechem was the most respected man in his family.


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So Hamor and Shechem went to the gate of their city. They spoke to the men of their city. They said,


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“These people want to be friends with us. So let them live in our land and trade here. There is enough land for all of us. Let us marry their women. And we can let them marry our women.


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But our men must agree to one thing. All our men must agree to be circumcised as they are. Then they will agree to live in our land. And we will be one people.


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If we do this, their cattle and their animals will belong to us. Let us do what they say, and they will stay in our land.”


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All the men who had come to the city gate heard this. And they agreed with Hamor and Shechem. And every man was circumcised.


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Three days later the men who were circumcised were still in pain. Two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi (Dinah’s brothers), took their swords. They made a surprise attack on the city. And they killed all the men there.


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Simeon and Levi killed Hamor and his son Shechem. Then they took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and left.


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Jacob’s sons went among the dead bodies and stole everything that was in the city. This was to pay them back for what Shechem had done to their sister.


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So the brothers took the flocks, herds and donkeys. And they took everything in the city and in the fields.


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They took every valuable thing those people owned. They even took the wives and children and everything that was in the houses.


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Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have caused me a lot of trouble. Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites who live in the land will hate me. There are only a few of us. If they join together to attack us, my people and I will be destroyed.”


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Jacob in Bethel God said to Jacob, “Go to the city of Bethel and live there. Make an altar to the God who appeared to you there. This was when you were running away from your brother Esau.”


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So Jacob said to his family and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods you have. Make yourselves clean, and change your clothes.


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We will leave here and go to Bethel. There I will build an altar to God. He has helped me during my time of trouble. He has been with me everywhere I have gone.”


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So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had. And they gave him the earrings they were wearing. He hid them under the great tree near the town of Shechem.


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Then Jacob and his sons left there. But God caused the people in the nearby cities to be afraid. So they did not follow the sons of Jacob.


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And Jacob and all the people who were with him went to Luz. It is now called Bethel. It is in the land of Canaan.


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There Jacob built an altar. He named the place Bethel, after God, because God had appeared to him there. That was when he was running from his brother.


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Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak tree at Bethel. They named that place Oak of Crying.


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Jacob’s New Name When Jacob came back from Northwest Mesopotamia, God appeared to him again. And God blessed him.


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God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. But you will not be called Jacob any longer. Your new name will be Israel.” So he called him Israel.


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God said to him, “I am God All-Powerful. Have many children and grow in number as a nation. You will be the ancestor of many nations and kings.


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Jacob set up a stone on edge in that place where God had talked to him. And he poured a drink offering and olive oil on it to make it special for God.


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Rachel Dies Giving Birth Jacob and his group left Bethel. Before they came to Ephrath, Rachel began giving birth to her baby.


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But she was having much trouble with this birth. When Rachel’s nurse saw this, she said, “Don’t be afraid, Rachel. You are giving birth to another son.”


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Rachel gave birth to the son, but she died. As she lay dying, she named the boy Son of My Suffering. But Jacob called him Benjamin.


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While Israel was in that land Reuben had physical relations with Israel’s slave woman Bilhah. And Israel heard about it. The Family of Israel Jacob had 12 sons.


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He had 6 sons by his wife Leah. Reuben was his first son. Then Leah had Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun.


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And he had 2 sons by Leah’s slave girl Zilpah: Gad and Asher. These are Jacob’s sons who were born in Northwest Mesopotamia.


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So Isaac breathed his last breath and died when he was very old. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.


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Esau married women from the land of Canaan. He married Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite. And he married Oholibamah daughter of Anah. Anah was the son of Zibeon the Hivite. And he married


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And Oholibamah gave Esau Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were Esau’s sons who were born in the land of Canaan.


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Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters and all the people who lived with him. He took his herds and other animals. And he took all the belongings he had gotten in Canaan. And he went to a land away from his brother Jacob.


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Esau and Jacob’s belongings were becoming too many for them to live in the same land. The land where they had lived could not support both of them. They had too many herds.


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This is the family history of Esau. He is the ancestor of the Edomites, who live in the mountains of Edom.


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Eliphaz also had a slave woman named Timna. Timna and Eliphaz gave birth to Amalek. These were Esau’s grandsons by his wife Adah.


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Reuel had four sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were Esau’s grandsons by his wife Basemath.


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Esau’s third wife was Oholibamah. She was the daughter of Anah. (Anah was the son of Zibeon.) Esau and Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam and Korah.


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These were the leaders that came from Esau. Esau’s first son was Eliphaz. From him came these leaders: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,


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Korah, Gatam and Amalek. These were the leaders that came from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Adah.


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Esau’s son Reuel was the father of these leaders: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the leaders that came from Reuel in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.


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Esau’s wife Oholibamah gave birth to these leaders: Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These are the leaders that came from Esau’s wife Oholibamah. She was the daughter of Anah.


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The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. Anah is the man who found the hot springs in the desert. He found them while he was caring for his father’s donkeys.


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Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These men were the leaders of the Horite families. They lived in the land of Edom.


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When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king. Hadad had defeated Midian in the country of Moab. Hadad was from the city of Avith.


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When Baal-Hanan son of Acbor died, Hadad became king. He was from the city of Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred. Matred was the daughter of Me-Zahab.


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These Edomite leaders came from Esau. They are listed by their families and regions. Their names were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,


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Magdiel and Iram. These were the leaders of Edom. (Esau was the father of the Edomites.) The area where each of these families lived was named after that family.


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This is the family history of Jacob. Joseph was a young man, 17 years old. He and his brothers cared for the flocks. His brothers were the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph gave his father bad reports about his brothers.


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Joseph was born when his father Israel, also called Jacob, was old. So Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons. He made Joseph a special robe with long sleeves.


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Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them. So they hated their brother and could not speak to him politely.


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We were in the field tying bundles of wheat together. My bundle stood up, and your bundles of wheat gathered around mine. Your bundles bowed down to mine.”


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His brothers said, “Do you really think you will be king over us? Do you truly think you will rule over us?” His brothers hated him even more now. They hated him because of his dreams and what he had said.


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Then Joseph had another dream. He told his brothers about it also. He said, “Listen, I had another dream. I saw the sun, moon and 11 stars bowing down to me.”


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Joseph also told his father about this dream. But his father scolded him, saying, “What kind of dream is this? Do you really believe that your mother, your brothers and I will bow down to you?”


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Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. But his father thought about what all these things could mean.


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Jacob said to Joseph, “Go to Shechem. Your brothers are there herding the sheep.” Joseph answered, “I will go.”


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His father said, “Go and see if your brothers and the sheep are all right. Then come back and tell me.” So Joseph’s father sent him from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph came to Shechem,


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The man said, “They have already gone. I heard them say they were going to Dothan.” So Joseph went to look for his brothers and found them in Dothan.


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Joseph Sold into Slavery Joseph’s brothers saw him coming from far away. Before he reached them, they made a plan to kill him.


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Let’s kill him and throw his body into one of the wells. We can tell our father that a wild animal killed him. Then we will see what will become of his dreams.”


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Don’t spill any blood. Throw him into this well here in the desert. But don’t hurt him!” Reuben planned to save Joseph later and send him back to his father.


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While Joseph was in the well, the brothers sat down to eat. When they looked up, they saw a group of Ishmaelites. They were traveling from Gilead to Egypt. Their camels were carrying spices, balm and myrrh.


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Let’s sell him to these Ishmaelites. Then we will not be guilty of killing our own brother. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” And the other brothers agreed.


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So when the Midianite traders came by, the brothers took Joseph out of the well. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for eight ounces of silver. And the Ishmaelites took him to Egypt.


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Reuben was not with his brothers when they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. When Reuben came back to the well, Joseph was not there. Reuben tore his clothes to show he was sad.


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Then they brought the robe to their father. They said, “We found this robe. Look it over carefully. See if it is your son’s robe.”


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Jacob looked it over and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some savage animal has eaten him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces!”


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Then Jacob tore his clothes and put on rough cloth to show that he was sad. He continued to be sad about his son for a long time.


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All of Jacob’s sons and daughters tried to comfort him. But he could not be comforted. Jacob said, “I will be sad about my son until the day I die.” So Jacob cried for his son Joseph.


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Meanwhile the Midianites who had bought Joseph had taken him to Egypt. There they sold him to Potiphar. Potiphar was an officer to the king of Egypt and captain of the palace guard.


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Judah and Tamar About that time, Judah left his brothers. He went to stay with a man named Hirah. Hirah was from the town of Adullam.


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Judah met a Canaanite girl there and married her. Her father was named Shua. And Judah had intimate relations with her.


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Then Judah said to Er’s brother Onan, “Go and have physical relations with your dead brother’s wife. It is your duty to provide children for your brother in this way.”


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But Onan knew that the children would not belong to him. Onan was supposed to have physical relations with Tamar. But he did not complete the physical act. This made it impossible for Tamar to become pregnant. So Er could not have descendants.


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Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Go back to live in your father’s house. And don’t marry until my young son Shelah grows up.” Judah was afraid that Shelah also would die like his brothers. So Tamar returned to her father’s home.


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After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. After Judah had gotten over his sorrow, he went to Timnah. He went to his men who were cutting the wool from his sheep. His friend Hirah from Adullam went with him.


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So she took off the clothes that showed she was a widow. Then she covered her face with a veil to hide who she was. She sat down by the gate of Enaim. It was on the road to Timnah. She did this because Judah’s younger son Shelah had grown up. But Judah had not made plans for her to marry him.


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When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute. This was because she had covered her face with a veil.


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So Judah went to her and said, “Let me have physical relations with you.” He did not know that she was Tamar, his daughter-in-law. She asked, “What will you give me if I let you have physical relations with me?”


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Judah answered, “I will send you a young goat from my flock.” She answered, “First give me something to keep as a deposit until you send the goat.”


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Judah asked, “What do you want me to give you as a deposit?” Tamar answered, “Give me your seal and its cord, and give me your walking stick.” So Judah gave these things to her. Then Judah and Tamar had physical relations, and Tamar became pregnant.


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Tamar went home. She took off the veil that covered her face. And she put on the clothes that showed she was a widow.


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Judah sent his friend Hirah with the young goat. Judah told Hirah to find the woman and get back his seal and the walking stick he had given her. But Hirah could not find her.


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Hirah asked some of the men at the town of Enaim, “Where is the prostitute who was here by the road?” The men answered, “There has never been a prostitute here.”


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So he went back to Judah and said, “I could not find the woman. The men who lived there said, ‘There has never been a prostitute here.’”


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Judah said, “Let her keep the things. I don’t want people to laugh at us. I sent her the goat as I promised. But you could not find her.”


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About three months later someone told Judah, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, is guilty of acting like a prostitute. Now she is pregnant.” Then Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned to death.”


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When the men went to bring Tamar out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. She said, “The man who owns these things has made me pregnant. Look at this seal and its cord and this walking stick. Tell me whose they are.”


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Judah recognized them. He said, “She is more in the right than I. She did this because I did not give her to my son Shelah as I promised.” And Judah did not have physical relations with her again.


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While she was giving birth, one baby put his hand out. The nurse tied a red string on his hand. She said, “This baby came out first.”


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But he pulled his hand back in. So the other baby was born first. The nurse said, “So you are able to break out first.” And they named him Perez.


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Joseph Is Sold to Potiphar Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar was an officer to the king of Egypt. He was the captain of the palace guard. He bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.


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The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. He lived in the house of his master, Potiphar the Egyptian.


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Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph. He saw that the Lord made Joseph successful in everything he did.


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So Potiphar was very happy with Joseph. He allowed Joseph to be his personal servant. He put Joseph in charge of the house. Joseph was trusted with everything Potiphar owned.


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So Joseph was put in charge of the house. He was put in charge of everything Potiphar owned. Then the Lord blessed the people in Potiphar’s house because of Joseph. And the Lord blessed everything that belonged to Potiphar, both in the house and in the field.


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So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned. Potiphar was not concerned about anything, except the food he ate. Joseph Is Put into Prison Now Joseph was well built and handsome.


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After some time the wife of Joseph’s master began to desire Joseph. One day she said to him, “Have physical relations with me.”


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But Joseph refused. He said to her, “My master trusts me with everything in his house. He has put me in charge of everything he owns.


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There is no one in his house greater than I. He has not kept anything from me, except you. And that is because you are his wife. How can I do such an evil thing? It is a sin against God.”


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The woman talked to Joseph every day, but he refused to have physical relations with her or even spend time with her.


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One day Joseph went into the house to do his work as usual. He was the only man in the house at that time.


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His master’s wife grabbed his coat. She said to him, “Come and have physical relations with me.” But Joseph left his coat in her hand and ran out of the house.


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So she called to the servants in her house. She said, “Look! This Hebrew slave was brought here to shame us. He came in and tried to have physical relations with me. But I screamed.


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And she told her husband the same story. She said, “This Hebrew slave you brought here came in to shame me!


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So Potiphar arrested Joseph and put him into prison. This prison was where the king’s prisoners were put. And Joseph stayed there in the prison.


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But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him kindness. The Lord caused the prison warden to like Joseph.


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The prison warden chose Joseph to take care of all the prisoners. He was responsible for whatever was done in the prison.


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The warden paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s care. This was because the Lord was with Joseph. The Lord made Joseph successful in everything he did.


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Joseph Interprets Two Dreams After these things happened, two of the king’s officers displeased the king. These officers were the man who served wine to the king and the king’s baker.


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So he put them in the prison of the captain of the guard. This was the same prison where Joseph was kept.


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The captain of the guard put the two prisoners in Joseph’s care. They stayed in prison for some time.


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One night both the king’s officer who served him wine and the baker had a dream. Each had his own dream with its own meaning.


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The two men answered, “We both had dreams last night. But no one can explain the meaning of them to us.” Joseph said to them, “God is the only One who can explain the meaning of dreams. So tell me your dreams.”


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On the vine there were three branches. I watched the branches bud and blossom, and then the grapes ripened.


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I was holding the king’s cup. So I took the grapes and squeezed the juice into the cup. Then I gave it to the king.”


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Before the end of three days the king will free you. He will allow you to return to your work. You will serve the king his wine just as you did before.


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But when you are free, remember me. Be kind to me. Tell the king about me so that I can get out of this prison.


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I was taken by force from the land of the Hebrews. And I have done nothing here to deserve being put in prison.”


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The baker saw that Joseph’s explanation of the dream was good. So he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. I dreamed there were three bread baskets on my head.


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In the top basket there were all kinds of baked food for the king. But the birds were eating this food out of the basket on my head.”


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Before the end of three days, the king will cut off your head! He will hang your body on a pole. And the birds will eat your flesh.”


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Three days later it was the king’s birthday. So he gave a feast for all his officers. In front of his officers, he let the chief officer who served his wine and the chief baker out of prison.


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The king gave his chief officer who served wine his old position. Once again he put the king’s cup of wine into the king’s hand.


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The King’s Dreams Two years later the king had a dream. He dreamed he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.


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Then seven more cows came up out of the river. But they were thin and ugly. They stood beside the seven beautiful cows on the bank of the Nile.


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The king slept again and dreamed a second time. In his dream he saw seven full and good heads of grain growing on one stalk.


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After that, seven more heads of grain sprang up. But they were thin and burned by the hot east wind.


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The thin heads of grain ate the seven full and good heads. Then the king woke up again. And he realized it was only a dream.


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The next morning the king was troubled about these dreams. So he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. The king told them his dreams. But no one could explain their meaning to him.


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Then the chief officer who served wine to the king said to him, “I remember something I promised to do. But I had forgotten about it.


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There was a time when you were angry with me and the baker. You put us in prison in the house of the captain of the guard.


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A young Hebrew man was in the prison with us. He was a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he explained their meanings to us. He told each man the meaning of his dream.


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Things happened exactly as he said they would: I was given back my old position, and the baker was hanged.”


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So the king called for Joseph. The guards quickly brought him out of the prison. He shaved, put on clean clothes and went before the king.


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The king said to Joseph, “I have had a dream. But no one can explain its meaning to me. I have heard that you can explain a dream when someone tells it to you.”


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Joseph answered the king, “I am not able to explain the meaning of dreams. God will do this for the king.”


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Then I saw seven more cows come out of the river. They were thin and lean and ugly. They were the worst looking cows I have seen in all the land of Egypt.


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But after they had eaten the seven cows, no one could tell they had eaten them. They just looked as thin and ugly as they did in the beginning. Then I woke up.


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Then seven more heads of grain sprang up after them. But these heads were thin and ugly. They were burned by the hot east wind.


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Then the thin heads ate the seven good heads. I told this dream to the magicians. But no one could explain its meaning to me.”


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Joseph Tells the Dreams’ Meaning Then Joseph said to the king, “Both of these dreams mean the same thing. God is telling you what he is about to do.


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The seven good cows stand for seven years. And the seven good heads of grain stand for seven years. Both dreams mean the same thing.


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The seven thin and ugly cows stand for seven years. And the seven thin heads of grain burned by the hot east wind stand for seven years of hunger.


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But after those seven years, there will come seven years of hunger. All the food that grew in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The time of hunger will eat up the land.


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People will forget what it was like to have plenty of food. This is because the hunger that follows will be so great.


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You had two dreams which mean the same thing. This shows that God has firmly decided that this will happen. And he will make it happen soon.


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“So let the king choose a man who is very wise and understanding. Let the king set him over the land of Egypt.


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And let the king also appoint officers over the land. They should take one-fifth of all the food that is grown during the seven good years.


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They should gather all the food that is produced during the good years that are coming. Under the king’s authority they should store the grain in the cities and guard it.


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That food should be saved for later. It will be used during the seven years of hunger that will come on the land of Egypt. Then the people in Egypt will not die during the seven years of hunger.”


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Joseph Is Made Ruler over Egypt This seemed like a very good idea to the king. All his officers agreed.


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And the king asked them, “Can we find a better man than Joseph to take this job? God’s spirit is truly in him!”


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So the king said to Joseph, “God has shown you all this. There is no one as wise and understanding as you are.


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I will put you in charge of my palace. All the people will obey your orders. Only I will be greater than you.”


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Then the king took off from his own finger his ring with the royal seal on it. And he put it on Joseph’s finger. He gave Joseph fine linen clothes to wear. And he put a gold chain around Joseph’s neck.


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The king had Joseph ride in the second royal chariot. Men walked ahead of his chariot calling, “Bow down!” By doing these things, the king put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt.


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The king said to him, “I am the king. And I say that no one in all the land of Egypt may lift a hand or a foot unless you say he may.”


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The king gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah. He also gave Joseph a wife named Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. So Joseph traveled through all the land of Egypt.


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Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving the king of Egypt. And he left the king’s court and traveled through all the land of Egypt.


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And Joseph gathered all the food produced in Egypt during those seven years of good crops. He stored the food in the cities. In every city he stored grain that had been grown in the fields around that city.


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Joseph stored much grain, as much as the sand of the seashore. He stored so much grain that he could not measure it.


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Joseph’s wife was Asenath daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Before the years of hunger came, Joseph and Asenath had two sons.


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Joseph named the first son Manasseh. Joseph said, “God has made me forget all the troubles I have had and all my father’s family.”


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Joseph named the second son Ephraim. Joseph said, “God has given me children in the land of my troubles.”


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Then the seven years of hunger began, just as Joseph had said. In all the lands people had nothing to eat. But in Egypt there was food.


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The time of hunger became terrible in all of Egypt. The people cried to the king for food. He said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. Do whatever he tells you to do.”


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The hunger was everywhere in that part of the world. And Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the people of Egypt. This was because the time of hunger became terrible in Egypt.


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And all the people in that part of the world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain. This was because the hunger was terrible everywhere in that part of the world.


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The Dreams Come True Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt. So he said to his sons, “Why are you just sitting here looking at one another?


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I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us to eat. Then we will live and not die.”


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But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with them. Jacob was afraid that something terrible might happen to Benjamin.


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Along with many other people, the sons of Jacob, also called Israel, went to Egypt to buy grain. This was because the people in the land of Canaan were hungry also.


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Now Joseph was governor over Egypt. He was the one who sold the grain to people who came to buy it. So Joseph’s brothers came to him. They bowed facedown on the ground before him.


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When Joseph saw his brothers, he knew who they were. But he acted as if he didn’t know them. He asked unkindly, “Where do you come from?” They answered, “We have come from the land of Canaan to buy food.”


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And Joseph remembered his dreams about his brothers bowing to him. He said to them, “You are spies! You came to learn where the nation is weak!”


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And they said, “We are 10 of 12 brothers. We are sons of the same father. We live in the land of Canaan. Our youngest brother is there with our father right now. And our other brother is gone.”


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But I will give you a way to prove you are telling the truth. As surely as the king lives, you will not leave this place until your youngest brother comes here.


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One of you must go and get your brother. The rest of you will stay here in prison. We will see if you are telling the truth. If not, as surely as the king lives, you are spies.”


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On the third day Joseph said to them, “I am a God-fearing man. Do this thing, and I will let you live:


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If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison. The rest of you go and carry grain back to feed your hungry families.


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Then bring your youngest brother back here to me. If you do this, I will know you are telling the truth. Then you will not die.” The brothers agreed to this.


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They said to each other, “We are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his trouble. He begged us to save him, but we refused to listen. That is why we are in this trouble now.”


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Then Reuben said to them, “I told you not to harm the boy. But you refused to listen to me. So now we are being punished for what we did to him.”


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When Joseph talked to his brothers, he used an interpreter. So they did not know that Joseph understood what they were saying.


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Then Joseph left them and cried. After a short time he went back and spoke to them. He took Simeon and tied him up while the other brothers watched.


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Joseph told his servants to fill his brothers’ bags with grain. They were to put the money the brothers had paid for the grain back in their bags. They were to give them things they would need for their trip back home. And the servants did this.


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When they stopped for the night, one of the brothers opened his sack. He was going to get food for his donkey. Then he saw his money in the top of the sack.


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He said to the other brothers, “The money I paid for the grain has been put back. Here it is in my sack!” The brothers were very frightened. They said to each other, “What has God done to us?”


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The Brothers Return to Jacob The brothers went to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him everything that had happened.


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We told him that we were 10 of 12 brothers—sons of one father. We said that 1 of our brothers was gone. And we said that our youngest brother was with our father in Canaan.


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“Then the master of the land said to us, ‘Here is a way I can know you are honest men: Leave 1 of your brothers with me. Take back grain to feed your hungry families, and go.


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And bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies but honest men. And I will give you back your brother whom you leave with me. And you can move about freely in our land.’”


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Then the brothers emptied their sacks. And each of them found his money in his sack. When they and their father saw it, they were afraid.


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Their father Jacob said to them, “You are robbing me of all my children. Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want to take Benjamin away, too. Everything is against me.”


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Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put my 2 sons to death if I don’t bring Benjamin back to you. Trust him to my care. I will bring him back to you.”


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But Jacob said, “I will not allow Benjamin to go with you. His brother is dead. He is the only son left from my wife Rachel. I am afraid something terrible might happen to him during the trip to Egypt. Then I would be sad until the day I die.”


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Jacob’s family had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt. So Jacob said to them, “Go to Egypt again. Buy a little more grain for us to eat.”


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But Judah said to Jacob, “The governor of that country strongly warned us. He said, ‘Bring your brother back with you. If you don’t, you will not be allowed to see me.’


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But if you refuse to send Benjamin, we will not go. The governor of that country warned us. He said we would not see him if we didn’t bring Benjamin with us.”


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Jacob, also called Israel, said, “Why did you tell the man you had another brother? You have caused me a lot of trouble.”


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The brothers answered, “He questioned us carefully about ourselves and our family. He asked us, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ We just answered his questions. How could we know he would ask us to bring our other brother to him?”


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Then Judah said to his father Jacob, “Send Benjamin with me. Then we will go at once. Do this so that we, you and our children may live and not die.


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I will guarantee you that he will be safe. I will be personally responsible for him. If I don’t bring him back to you, you can blame me all my life.


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Then their father Jacob said to them, “If it has to be that way, then do this: Take some of the best foods in our land in your packs. Give them to the man as a gift: some balm, some honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.


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Take twice as much money with you this time. Take back the money that was returned to you in your sacks last time. Maybe it was a mistake.


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I pray that God All-Powerful will cause the governor to be merciful to you. I pray that he will allow Simeon and Benjamin to come back with you. If I am robbed of my children, then I am robbed of them!”


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So the brothers took the gifts. They also took twice as much money as they had taken the first time. And they took Benjamin. They hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.


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In Egypt Joseph saw Benjamin with them. Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, “Bring those men into my house. Kill an animal and prepare a meal. Those men will eat with me today at noon.”


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The brothers were afraid when they were brought to Joseph’s house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the money that was put in our sacks on the first trip. He wants to attack us, make us slaves and take our donkeys.”


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So the brothers went to the servant in charge of Joseph’s house. They spoke to him at the door of the house.


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While we were going home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Each of us found all his money in his sack. We brought that money with us to give it back to you.


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And we have brought more money. It is to pay for the food we want to buy this time. We don’t know who put that money in our sacks.”


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But the servant answered, “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have put the money in your sacks. I got the money you paid me for the grain last time.” Then the servant brought Simeon out to them.


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The servant led the men into Joseph’s house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. Then he gave their donkeys food to eat.


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The men prepared their gift to give to Joseph when he arrived at noon. They had heard they were going to eat with him there.


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When Joseph came home, the brothers gave him the gift they had brought into the house. Then they bowed down to the ground to him.


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Joseph asked them how they were doing. He said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still alive?”


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The brothers answered, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” And they bowed low before Joseph to show him respect.


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Then Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, who had the same mother as he. Joseph asked, “Is this your youngest brother you told me about?” Then Joseph said to Benjamin, “God be good to you, my son!”


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Then Joseph hurried off. He had to hold back the tears when he saw his brother Benjamin. So Joseph went into his room and cried there.


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So they served Joseph at one table. They served his brothers at another table. And they served the Egyptians who ate with him at another table. This was because Egyptians did not like Hebrews and never ate with them.


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Joseph’s brothers were seated in front of him. They were in order of their ages, from oldest to youngest. And they looked at each other because they were so amazed.


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Food from Joseph’s table was taken to them. But Benjamin was given five times more food than the others. Joseph’s brothers drank with him until they were very drunk.


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Joseph Sets a Trap Then Joseph gave a command to the servant in charge of his house. Joseph said, “Fill the men’s sacks with as much grain as they can carry. And put each man’s money into his sack with the grain.


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Put my silver cup in the sack of the youngest brother. Also put his money for the grain in that sack.” The servant did what Joseph told him.


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They were not far from the city when Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, “Go after the men. When you catch up with them, say, ‘Why have you paid back evil for good?


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The cup you have stolen is the one my master uses for drinking. And he uses it for explaining dreams. You have done a very wicked thing!’”


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But the brothers said to the servant, “Why do you say these things? We would not do anything like that!


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We brought back to you the money we found in our sacks. We brought it back from the land of Canaan. So surely we would not steal silver or gold from your master’s house.


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If you find that silver cup in the sack of one of us, then let him die. And we will be your slaves.”


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The servant said, “We will do as you say. But only the man who has taken the cup will become my slave. The rest of you may go free.”


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The servant searched the sacks, going from the oldest brother to the youngest. He found the cup in Benjamin’s sack.


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The brothers tore their clothes to show they were sad. Then they put their sacks back on the donkeys. And they returned to the city.


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When Judah and his brothers went back to Joseph’s house, Joseph was still there. The brothers bowed facedown on the ground before him.


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Joseph said to them, “What have you done? Didn’t you know that a man like me can learn things by signs and dreams?”


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Judah said, “Sir, what can we say? And how can we show we are not guilty? God has uncovered our guilt. So all of us will be your slaves, not just Benjamin.”


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But Joseph said, “I will not make you all slaves! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back safely to your father.”


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Then Judah went to Joseph and said, “Sir, please let me speak plainly to you. Please don’t be angry with me. I know that you are as powerful as the king of Egypt himself.


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And we answered you, ‘We have an old father. And we have a younger brother. He was born when our father was old. This youngest son’s brother is dead. So he is the only one of his mother’s children left alive. And our father loves him very much.’


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And we said to you, ‘That young boy cannot leave his father. If he leaves him, his father would die.’


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But you said to us, ‘You must bring your youngest brother. If you don’t, you will not be allowed to see me again.’


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We said to our father, ‘We cannot go without our youngest brother. Without our youngest brother, we will not be allowed to see the governor.’


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One son left me. I thought, “Surely he has been torn apart by a wild animal.” And I haven’t seen him since.


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Now you want to take this son away from me also. But something terrible might happen to him. Then I would be sad until the day I die.’


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Now what will happen if we go home to our father without our youngest brother? He is the most important thing in our father’s life.


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When our father sees that the young boy is not with us, he will die. And it will be our fault. We will cause the great sorrow that kills our father.


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“I gave my father a guarantee that the young boy would be safe. I said to my father, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, you can blame me all my life.’


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So now, please allow me to stay here and be your slave. And let the young boy go back home with his brothers.


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I cannot go back to my father if the boy is not with me. I couldn’t stand to see my father that sad.”


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Joseph Reveals Who He Is Joseph could not control himself in front of his servants any longer. He cried out, “Have everyone leave me.” When only the brothers were left with Joseph, he told them who he was.


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Joseph cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him. And the people in the king’s palace heard about it.


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He said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But the brothers could not answer him, because they were very afraid of him.


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So Joseph said to them, “Come close to me.” So the brothers came close to him. And he said to them, “I am your brother Joseph. You sold me as a slave to go to Egypt.


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Now don’t be worried. Don’t be angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me here ahead of you to save people’s lives.


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No food has grown on the land for two years now. And there will be five more years without planting or harvest.


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So God sent me here ahead of you. This was to make sure you have some descendants left on earth. And it was to keep you alive in an amazing way.


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So it was not you who sent me here, but God. God has made me the highest officer of the king of Egypt. I am in charge of his palace. I am the master of all the land of Egypt.


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“So leave quickly and go to my father. Tell him, ‘Your son Joseph says: God has made me master over all Egypt. Come down to me quickly.


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Live in the land of Goshen. You will be near me. Also your children, your grandchildren, your flocks and herds and all that you have will be near me.


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I will care for you during the next five years of hunger. In this way, you and your family and all that you have will not starve.’


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“Now you can see for yourselves. The one speaking to you is really Joseph. And my brother Benjamin can see this.


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So tell my father about how powerful I have become in Egypt. Tell him about everything you have seen. Now hurry and bring him back to me.”


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Then Joseph kissed all his brothers. He cried as he hugged them. After this, his brothers talked with him.


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The king of Egypt and his officers learned that Joseph’s brothers had come. And they were very happy about this.


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So the king said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers to load their animals and go back to the land of Canaan.


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Tell them to bring their father and their families back here to me. I will give them the best land in Egypt. And they will eat the best food we have here.


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Tell them to take some wagons from Egypt for their children and their wives. And tell them to bring their father back also.


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Tell them not to worry about bringing any of their things with them. We will give them the best of what we have in Egypt.”


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So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as the king had ordered. And he gave them food for their trip.


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He gave each brother a change of clothes. But he gave Benjamin five changes of clothes. And Joseph gave him about seven and one-half pounds of silver.


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Joseph also sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt. And he sent ten female donkeys. They were loaded with grain, bread and other food for his father on his trip back.


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Then Joseph told his brothers to go. As they were leaving, he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way home.”


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They told him, “Joseph is still alive. He is the ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Their father was shocked and did not believe them.


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But the brothers told him everything Joseph had said. Then Jacob saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back to Egypt. Now Jacob felt better.


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Jacob, also called Israel, said, “Now I believe you. My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”


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Jacob Goes to Egypt So Jacob, also called Israel, took all he had and started his trip. He went to Beersheba. There he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.


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During the night God spoke to Israel in a vision. He said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And Jacob answered, “Here I am.”


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Then God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go to Egypt. I will make your descendants a great nation there.


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I will go to Egypt with you. And I will bring you out of Egypt again. Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes when you die.”


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Then Jacob left Beersheba. The sons of Israel loaded their father, their children and their wives. They put them in the wagons the king of Egypt had sent.


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They also took their farm animals and everything they had gotten in Canaan. So Jacob went to Egypt with all his descendants.


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He took his sons and grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters. He took all his family to Egypt with him.


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Jacob’s Family Now these are the names of the children of Israel who went into Egypt. (They are Jacob and his descendants.) Reuben was Jacob’s first son.


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Simeon’s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul. (Shaul was Simeon’s son by a Canaanite woman.)


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Judah’s sons were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah. (But Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan.) Perez’s sons were Hezron and Hamul.


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These are the sons of Leah and Jacob born in Northwest Mesopotamia. His daughter Dinah was also born there. There were 33 persons in this part of Jacob’s family.


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Asher’s sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah. Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malkiel.


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These are Jacob’s sons by Zilpah. She was the slave girl whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah. There were 16 persons in this part of Jacob’s family.


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In Egypt, Joseph became the father of Manasseh and Ephraim by his wife Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.


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These are the sons of Jacob by his wife Rachel. There were 14 persons in this part of Jacob’s family.


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These are Jacob’s sons by Bilhah. She was the slave girl whom Laban gave to his daughter Rachel. There were 7 persons in this part of Jacob’s family.


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So the total number of Jacob’s direct descendants who went to Egypt was 66. (The wives of Jacob’s sons were not counted in this number.)


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Jacob Arrives in Egypt Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to see Joseph in Goshen. Then Jacob and his people came into the land of Goshen.


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Joseph prepared his chariot and went to meet his father Israel in Goshen. As soon as Joseph saw his father, he hugged his neck. And he cried there for a long time.


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Then Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die. I have seen your face. And I know that you are still alive.”


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Joseph said to his brothers and his father’s family, “I will go and tell the king you are here. I will say, ‘My brothers and my father’s family have left the land of Canaan. They have come here to me.


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They are shepherds and take care of farm animals. And they have brought their flocks and their herds and everything they own with them.’


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This is what you should tell him: ‘We, your servants, have taken care of farm animals all our lives. Our ancestors did the same thing.’ Then the king will allow you to settle in the land of Goshen. This is away from the Egyptians. They don’t like to be near shepherds.”


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Jacob Settles in Goshen Joseph went in to the king and said, “My father and my brothers have arrived from Canaan. They have their flocks and herds and everything they own with them. They are now in the land of Goshen.”


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The king said to the brothers, “What work do you do?” And they said to him, “We, your servants, are shepherds. Our ancestors were also shepherds.”


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They said to the king, “We have come to live in this land. There is no grass in the land of Canaan for our animals to eat. The hunger is very terrible there. So please allow us to live in the land of Goshen.”


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You may choose any place in Egypt for them to live. Give your father and your brothers the best land. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if any of them are skilled shepherds, put them in charge of my sheep and cattle.”


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Jacob said to him, “My life has been spent wandering from place to place. It has been short, filled with trouble. I have lived only 130 years. My ancestors lived much longer than I.”


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Joseph obeyed the king. He gave his father and brothers the best land in Egypt. It was near the city of Rameses.


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Joseph Buys Land for the King The hunger became worse, and there was no food anywhere in the land. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan became very poor because of this.


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Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan. People paid him this money for the grain they were buying. He brought that money to the king’s palace.


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After some time, the people in Egypt and Canaan had no money left. So they went to Joseph and said, “Please give us food. Our money is gone. If we don’t eat, we will die here in front of you.”


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Joseph answered, “Since you have no money, give me your farm animals. I will give you food in return.”


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So people brought their farm animals to Joseph. And he gave them food in exchange for their horses, sheep, cattle and donkeys. So he kept them alive by trading food for their farm animals that year.


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The next year the people came to Joseph and said, “You know we have no money left. And all our animals belong to you. We have nothing left except our bodies and our land.


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Surely both we and our land will die here in front of you. Buy us and our land in exchange for food. And we will be slaves to the king, together with our land. Give us seed to plant. Then we will live and not die. And the land will not become a desert.”


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So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian sold Joseph his field, because the hunger was very great. So the land became the king’s.


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The only land he did not buy was the land the priests owned. They did not need to sell their land because the king paid them for their work. So they had money to buy food.


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Joseph said to the people, “Now I have bought you and your land for the king. So I will give you seed. And you can plant your fields.


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At harvest time you must give one-fifth to the king. You may keep four-fifths for yourselves. Use it as seed for the field and as food for yourselves, your families and your children.”


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So Joseph made a law in Egypt, which continues today: One-fifth of everything from the land belongs to the king. The only land the king did not get was the priests’ land.


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“Don’t Bury Me in Egypt” The Israelites continued to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt. There they got possessions. They had many children and grew in number.


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Israel knew he soon would die. So he called his son Joseph to him. He said to Joseph, “If you love me, put your hand under my leg. Promise me you will not bury me in Egypt.


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When I die, carry me out of Egypt. Bury me where my ancestors are buried.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you say.”


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Then Jacob said, “Promise me.” And Joseph promised him that he would do this. Then Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his walking stick.


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Blessings for Manasseh and Ephraim Some time later Joseph learned that his father was very sick. So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim and went to his father.


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When Joseph arrived, someone told Jacob, also called Israel, “Your son Joseph has come to see you.” Jacob was weak. So he used all his strength and sat up on his bed.


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Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God All-Powerful appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan. God blessed me there.


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He said to me, ‘I will give you many children. I will make you the father of many peoples. And I will give your descendants this land forever.’


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Your two sons were born here in Egypt before I came. They will be counted as my own sons. Ephraim and Manasseh will be my sons just as Reuben and Simeon are my sons.


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But if you have other children, they will be your own. But their land will be part of the land given to Ephraim and Manasseh.


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When I came from Northwest Mesopotamia, Rachel died in the land of Canaan. We were traveling toward Ephrath. This made me very sad. I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath.” (Today Ephrath is Bethlehem.)


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Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons. God has given them to me here in Egypt.” Israel said, “Bring your sons to me so I may bless them.”


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At this time Israel’s eyesight was bad because he was old. So Joseph brought the boys close to him. Israel kissed the boys and put his arms around them.


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He said to Joseph, “I thought I would never see you alive again. And now God has let me see you and also your children.”


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He put Ephraim on his right side and Manasseh on his left. (So Ephraim was near Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh was near Israel’s right hand.) Joseph brought the boys close to Israel.


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But Israel crossed his arms. He put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, who was younger. He put his left hand on the head of Manasseh. But he was the firstborn son.


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And Israel blessed Joseph and said, “My ancestors Abraham and Isaac served our God. And like a shepherd God has led me all my life.


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He was the Angel who saved me from all my troubles. Now I pray that he will bless these boys. May my name be known through these boys. And may the names of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac be known through them. May they have many descendants on the earth.”


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Joseph saw that his father put his right hand on Ephraim’s head. Joseph didn’t like it. So he took hold of his father’s hand. He wanted to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.


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Joseph said to his father, “You are doing it wrong, Father. Manasseh is the firstborn son. Put your right hand on his head.”


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But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. Manasseh will be great and have many descendants. But his younger brother will be greater. And his descendants will be enough to make a nation.”


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So Israel blessed them that day. He said, “When a blessing is given in Israel, they will say: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” In this way he made Ephraim greater than Manasseh.


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Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look at me. I am about to die. But God will be with you. He will take you back to the land of your fathers.


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I have given you something that I did not give your brothers. I have given you the land of Shechem that I took from the Amorite people. I took it with my sword and my bow.”


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Jacob Blesses His Sons Then Jacob called his sons to him. He said, “Come here to me. I will tell you what will happen to you in the future.


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“Reuben, my first son, you are my strength. Your birth showed I could be a father. You have the highest position among my sons. You are the most powerful.


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But you are uncontrolled like water. So you will no longer lead your brothers. This is because you got into your father’s bed. You shamed me by having physical relations with my slave girl.


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I will not join their secret talks. I will not meet with them to plan evil. They killed men because they were angry. And they crippled oxen just for fun.


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May their anger be cursed, because it is too violent. May their violence be cursed, because it is too cruel. I will divide them up among the tribes of Jacob. I will scatter them through all the tribes of Israel.


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“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grab your enemies by the neck. Your brothers will bow down to you.


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Judah is like a young lion. You have returned from killing, my son. Like a lion, he stretches out and lies down to rest. No one is brave enough to wake him.


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Men from Judah’s family will be kings. Someone from Judah will always be on the throne. Judah will rule until the real king comes. And the nations will obey him.


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He ties his donkey to a grapevine. He ties his young donkey to the best branch. He can afford to use wine to wash his clothes. He even uses grape juice to wash his robes.


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“Zebulun will live near the sea. His shore will be a safe place for ships. His land will reach as far as Sidon.


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He will see his resting place is good. He will see how pleasant his land is. Then he will put his back to the load. He will become a slave.


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Dan will be like a snake by the side of the road. He will be like a dangerous snake lying near the path. That snake bites a horse’s leg. And the rider is thrown off backward.


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“Joseph is like a grapevine that produces much fruit. He is like a healthy vine watered by a spring. He is like a vine whose branches grow over the wall.


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But he aims his bow well. His arms are made strong. He gets his power from the Mighty God of Jacob. He gets his strength from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.


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Your father’s God helps you. God All-Powerful blesses you. He blesses you with rain from above. He blesses you with water from springs below. He blesses you with many babies born to your wives. He blesses you with many young ones born to your animals.


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The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the oldest mountains. They are greater than the good things of the long-lasting hills. May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph. May they rest on the forehead of the one who was separated from his brothers.


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“Benjamin is like a hungry wolf. In the morning he eats what he has caught. In the evening he divides what he has taken.”


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These are the 12 tribes of Israel. And this is what their father said to them. He gave each son the blessing that was right for him.


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Then Israel gave them a command. He said, “I am about to die. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.


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That cave is in the field of Machpelah east of Mamre. It is in the land of Canaan. Abraham bought that field from Ephron the Hittite for a burying place.


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Abraham and Sarah his wife are buried there. Isaac and Rebekah his wife are buried there. I buried my wife Leah there.


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After Jacob finished talking to his sons, he lay down. He put his feet back on the bed, took his last breath and died.


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He commanded the doctors who served him to prepare his father’s body. So the doctors prepared Jacob’s body to be buried.


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It took the doctors 40 days to prepare his body. This was the usual time it took. And the Egyptians had a time of sorrow for Jacob. It lasted 70 days.


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When this time of sorrow had ended, Joseph spoke to the king’s officers. He said, “If you think well of me, please tell this to the king:


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‘When my father was near death, I made a promise to him. I promised I would bury him in a cave in the land of Canaan. This is a burial place that he cut out for himself. So please let me go and bury my father. Then I will return.’”


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So Joseph went to bury his father. All the king’s officers, the elders of his court and all the elders of Egypt went with Joseph.


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Everyone who lived with Joseph and his brothers went with him. And everyone who lived with his father also went. They left only their children, their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen.


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They went to the threshing floor of Atad, east of the Jordan River. There they cried loudly and bitterly for Jacob, also called Israel. Joseph’s time of sorrow continued for seven days.


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The people that lived in Canaan saw the sadness at the threshing floor of Atad. They said, “Those Egyptians are showing great sorrow!” So now that place is named Sorrow of the Egyptians.


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They carried his body to the land of Canaan. They buried it in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre. Abraham had bought this cave and field from Ephron the Hittite. He bought the cave to use as a burial place.


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After Joseph buried his father, he returned to Egypt. His brothers and everyone who had gone with him to bury his father also returned.


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The Brothers Fear Joseph After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph is still angry with us? We did many wrong things to him. What if he plans to pay us back?”


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He said to us, ‘You have done wrong. You have sinned and done evil to Joseph. Tell Joseph to forgive you, his brothers.’ So now, Joseph, we beg you to forgive our wrong. We are the servants of the God of your father.” When Joseph received the message, he cried.


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You meant to hurt me. But God turned your evil into good. It was to save the lives of many people. And it is being done.


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So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kind words to them.


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During Joseph’s life Ephraim had children and grandchildren. And Joseph’s son Manasseh had a son named Makir. Joseph accepted Makir’s children as his own.


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The Death of Joseph Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will take care of you. He will lead you out of this land. He will lead you to the land he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”


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Then Joseph had the sons of Israel make a promise. He said, “Promise me that you will carry my bones with you out of Egypt.”


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Joseph died when he was 110 years old. Doctors prepared his body for burial. Then they put him in a coffin in Egypt.


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Jacob’s Family in Egypt When Jacob, also called Israel, went to Egypt, he took his sons. And each son took his own family with him. These are the names of the sons of Israel:


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There was a total of 70 people who were descendants of Jacob. Jacob’s son Joseph was already in Egypt.


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By some time later, Joseph and his brothers had died, along with all the people who had lived at that same time.


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But the people of Israel had many children, and their number grew greatly. They became very strong, and the country of Egypt was filled with them.


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Trouble for the People of Israel Then a new king began to rule Egypt. He did not know who Joseph was.


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This king said to his people, “Look! The people of Israel are too many! And they are too strong for us to handle!


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We must make plans against them. If we don’t, the number of their people will grow even more. Then if there is a war, they might join our enemies. Then they could fight us and escape from the country!”


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So the Egyptians made life hard for the people of Israel. They put slave masters over the Israelites. The slave masters forced the Israelites to build the cities Pithom and Rameses for the king. These cities were supply centers in which the Egyptians stored things.


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The Egyptians forced the Israelites to work even harder. But this made the Israelites grow in number and spread more. So the Egyptians became more afraid of them.


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The Egyptians made life hard for the Israelites. They forced the Israelites to work very hard making bricks and mortar. They also forced them to do all kinds of hard work in the fields. The Egyptians were not merciful to them in all their hard work.


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There were two Hebrew nurses named Shiphrah and Puah. These nurses helped the Israelite women give birth to their babies. The king of Egypt said to the nurses,


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“When you are helping the Hebrew women give birth to their babies, watch! If the baby is a girl, let the baby live. But if it is a boy, kill it!”


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But the nurses feared God. So they did not do as the king told them. They let all the boy babies live.


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Then the king of Egypt sent for the nurses. He said, “Why did you do this? Why did you let the boys live?”


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The nurses said to him, “The Hebrew women are much stronger than the Egyptian women. They give birth to their babies before we can get there.”


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God was good to the nurses. And the Hebrew people continued to grow in number. So they became even stronger.


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So the king commanded all his people: “Every time a boy is born to the Hebrews, you must throw him into the Nile River. But let all the girl babies live.”


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Baby Moses There was a man from the family of Levi. He married a woman who was also from the family of Levi.


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She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw how wonderful the baby was, and she hid him for three months.


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But after three months, she was not able to hide the baby any longer. So she got a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar so that it would float. She put the baby in the basket. Then she put the basket among the tall grass at the edge of the Nile River.


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Then the daughter of the king of Egypt came to the river. She was going to take a bath. Her servant girls were walking beside the river. She saw the basket in the tall grass. So she sent her slave girl to get it.


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The king’s daughter opened the basket and saw the baby boy. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. She said, “This is one of the Hebrew babies.”


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Then the baby’s sister asked the king’s daughter, “Would you like me to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby for you?”


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The king’s daughter said to the woman, “Take this baby and nurse him for me. I will pay you.” So the woman took her baby and nursed him.


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After the child had grown older, the woman took him to the king’s daughter. She adopted the baby as her own son. The king’s daughter named him Moses, because she had pulled him out of the water.


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Moses Helps His People Moses grew and became a man. One day he visited his people, the Hebrews. He saw that they were forced to work very hard. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man, one of Moses’ own people.


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Moses looked all around and saw that no one was watching. So he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.


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The next day Moses returned and saw two Hebrew men fighting each other. He saw that one man was in the wrong. Moses said to that man, “Why are you hitting one of your own people?”


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The man answered, “Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid. He thought, “Now everyone knows what I did.”


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When the king heard about what Moses had done, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses ran away from the king and went to live in the land of Midian. There he sat down near a well.


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Moses in Midian There was a priest in Midian who had seven daughters. His daughters went to that well to get water for their father’s sheep. They were trying to fill the water troughs for their father’s sheep.


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But some shepherds came and chased the girls away. Then Moses defended the girls and watered their sheep.


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Then they went back to their father, Reuel, also called Jethro. He asked them, “Why have you come home early today?”


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The girls answered, “The shepherds chased us away. But an Egyptian defended us. He got water for us and watered our sheep.”


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Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom. Moses named him this because Moses was a stranger in a land that was not his own.


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After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The people of Israel groaned because they were forced to work very hard. They cried for help. And God heard them.


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The Burning Bush One day Moses was taking care of Jethro’s sheep. Jethro was the priest of Midian and also Moses’ father-in-law. Moses led the sheep to the west side of the desert. He came to Sinai, the mountain of God.


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There the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire coming out of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up.


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So Moses said, “I will go closer to this strange thing. How can a bush continue burning without burning up?”


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The Lord saw Moses was coming to look at the bush. So God called to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”


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I am the God of your ancestors. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.


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The Lord said, “I have seen the troubles my people have suffered in Egypt. And I have heard their cries when the Egyptian slave masters hurt them. I am concerned about their pain.


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I have come down to save them from the Egyptians. I will bring them out of that land. I will lead them to a good land with lots of room. This is a land where much food grows. This is the land of these people: the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.


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I have heard the cries of the people of Israel. I have seen the way the Egyptians have made life hard for them.


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But Moses said to God, “I am not a great man! Why should I be the one to go to the king and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?”


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God said, “I will be with you. This will be the proof that I am sending you: You will lead the people out of Egypt. Then all of you will worship me on this mountain.”


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Moses said to God, “When I go to the Israelites, I will say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors sent me to you.’ What if the people say, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?”


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Then God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. When you go to the people of Israel, tell them, ‘I AM sent me to you.’”


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God also said to Moses, “This is what you should tell the people: ‘The Lord is the God of your ancestors. He is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And he sent me to you.’ This will always be my name. That is how people from now on will know me.


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“Go and gather the elders and tell them this: ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, has appeared to me. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob spoke to me. He says: I care about you, and I have seen what has happened to you in Egypt.


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I have decided that I will take you away from the troubles you are suffering in Egypt. I will lead you to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. This land grows much food.’


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“The elders will listen to you. And then you and the elders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt. You will tell him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, appeared to us. Let us travel three days into the desert. There we must offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’


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“But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go. Only a great power will force him to let you go.


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So I will use my great power against Egypt. I will make miracles happen in that land. After I do this, he will let you go.


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And I will cause the Egyptian people to think well of the people of Israel. So when you leave, they will give gifts to your people.


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Each Hebrew woman will ask her Egyptian neighbor and any Egyptian woman living in her house for gifts. Ask for silver, gold and clothing. You will put those gifts on your children when you leave Egypt. In this way you will take with you the riches of the Egyptians.”


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Proof for Moses Then Moses answered, “What if the people of Israel do not believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”


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The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” So Moses threw it on the ground. And it became a snake. Moses ran from the snake.


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But the Lord said to him, “Reach out and grab the snake by its tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake. When he did this, it again became a stick in his hand.


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The Lord said, “When this happens, the Israelites will believe that the Lord appeared to you. I am the God of their ancestors. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your coat.” So Moses put his hand inside his coat. When he took his hand out, it was white with a harmful skin disease.


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Then the Lord said, “Now put your hand inside your coat again.” So Moses put his hand inside his coat again. When he took it out, his hand was healthy again. It was like the rest of his skin.


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Then the Lord said, “The people may not believe you or be convinced by the first miracle. They may believe you when you show them this second miracle.


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After these two miracles they still may not believe or listen to you. Then take some water from the Nile River. Pour it on the dry ground. The water will become blood when it touches the ground.”


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But Moses said to the Lord, “But Lord, I am not a skilled speaker. I have never been able to speak well. And now, even after talking to you, I am not a good speaker. I speak slowly and can’t find the best words.”


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Then the Lord said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? And who makes him deaf or not able to speak? Or who gives a man sight or makes him blind? It is I, the Lord.


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The Lord became angry with Moses. He said, “Your brother Aaron, from the family of Levi, is a skilled speaker. He is already coming to meet you. And he will be happy when he sees you.


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I will tell you what to say. Then you will tell Aaron. I will help both of you know what to say and do.


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And Aaron will speak to the people for you. You will tell him what God says. And he will speak for you.


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Moses Returns to Egypt Then Moses went back to Jethro, his father-in-law. Moses said to him, “Let me go back to my people in Egypt. I want to see if they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “You may go. Have a safe trip.”


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While Moses was still in Midian, the Lord said to him, “Go back to Egypt. The men who wanted to kill you are dead now.”


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So Moses took his wife and his sons and put them on a donkey. Then he started back to Egypt. He took with him the walking stick of God.


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The Lord said to Moses, “When you get back to Egypt, do all the miracles. I have given you the power to do them. Show them to the king of Egypt. But I will make the king very stubborn. He will not let the people go.


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And I told you to let my son go. Let him go so he may worship me. But you refused to let Israel go. So I will kill your firstborn son.’”


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As Moses was on his way to Egypt, he stopped at a resting place for the night. The Lord met him there and tried to kill him.


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But Zipporah took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She took the skin and touched Moses’ feet with it. Then she said to him, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me.”


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Meanwhile the Lord said to Aaron, “Go out into the desert to meet Moses.” When Aaron went, he met Moses at Sinai, the mountain of God, and kissed him.


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Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had said to him when he sent him to Egypt. And Moses told him about the miracles which the Lord had commanded him to do.


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Aaron told them everything that the Lord had told Moses. Then Moses did the miracles for all the people to see.


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So the Israelites believed. They heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their troubles. Then they bowed down and worshiped him.


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Moses and Aaron Before the King After Moses and Aaron talked to the people, they went to the king of Egypt. They said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Let my people go so they may hold a feast for me in the desert.’”


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But the king of Egypt said, “Who is the Lord? Why should I obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord. And I will not let Israel go.”


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Then Aaron and Moses said, “The God of the Hebrews has talked with us. Now let us travel three days into the desert. There we will offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. If we don’t do this, he may kill us with a disease or in war.”


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But the king said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Go back to your hard work!


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He said, “Don’t give the people straw to make bricks as you used to do. Let them gather their own straw.


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But they must still make the same number of bricks as they did before. Do not accept fewer. They have become lazy. That is why they are asking me, ‘Let us go to offer sacrifices to our God.’


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Make these people work harder. Keep them busy. Then they will not have time to listen to the lies of Moses.”


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So the slave masters and foremen went to the Israelites and said, “This is what the king says: I will no longer give you straw.


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Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it. But you must make as many bricks as you made before.”


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The slave masters kept forcing the people to work harder. They said, “You must make just as many bricks as you did when you were given straw.”


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The king’s slave masters had chosen the Israelite foremen. They had made them responsible for the work the people did. The Egyptian slave masters beat these men and asked them, “Why aren’t you making as many bricks as you made in the past?”


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Then the Israelite foremen went to the king. They complained and said, “Why are you treating us, your servants, this way?


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You give us no straw. But we are commanded to make bricks. Our slave masters beat us. But it is your own people’s fault.”


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The king answered, “You are lazy! You don’t want to work! That is why you ask to leave here and make sacrifices to the Lord.


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Now, go back to work! We will not give you any straw. But you must make just as many bricks as you did before.”


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The Israelite foremen knew they were in trouble. This was because the king had told them: “You must make just as many bricks each day as you did before.”


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As they were leaving the meeting with the king, they met Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron were waiting for them.


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So they said to Moses and Aaron, “May the Lord punish you. You caused the king and his officers to hate us. You have given them an excuse to kill us.”


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Moses Complains to God Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have you brought this trouble on your people? Is this why you sent me here?


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I went to the king and said what you told me to say. But ever since that time he has made the people suffer. And you have done nothing to save them.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to the king of Egypt. I will use my great power against him, and he will let my people go. Because of my power, he will force them out of his country.”


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I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by the name, God All-Powerful. But they did not know me by my name, the Lord.


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I also made my agreement with them to give them the land of Canaan. They lived in that land, but it was not their own land.


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Now I have heard the cries of the Israelites. The Egyptians are treating them as slaves. And I remember my agreement.


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So tell the people of Israel that I say to them, ‘I am the Lord. I will save you from the hard work the Egyptians force you to do. I will make you free. You will not be slaves to the Egyptians. I will free you by my great power. And I will punish the Egyptians terribly.


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I will make you my own people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God. I am the One who saves you from the hard work the Egyptians force you to do.


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I will lead you to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I will give you that land to own. I am the Lord.’”


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So Moses told this to the people of Israel. But they would not listen to him. They were discouraged, and their slavery was hard.


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But Moses answered, “The Israelites will not listen to me. So surely the king will not listen to me, either. I am not a good speaker.”


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But the Lord told Moses and Aaron to talk to the king. He commanded them to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.


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Families of Israel These are the leaders of the families of Israel: Israel’s first son, Reuben, had four sons. They were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. These are the family groups of Reuben.


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Simeon’s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul. Shaul was the son of a Canaanite woman. These are the family groups of Simeon.


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Levi lived 137 years. These are the names of his sons according to their family history: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.


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The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the family groups of Levi, according to their family history.


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Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed. Jochebed gave birth to Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.


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Aaron married Elisheba. She was the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon. Elisheba gave birth to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.


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Eleazar son of Aaron married a daughter of Putiel. And she gave birth to Phinehas. These are the leaders of the family groups of the Levites.


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This was the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord spoke. He said, “Lead my people out of Israel in their divisions.”


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Aaron and Moses are the ones who talked to the king of Egypt. They told him to let the people of Israel leave Egypt.


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The Lord said to Moses, “I have made you like God to the king of Egypt. And your brother Aaron will be like a prophet for you.


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Tell Aaron your brother everything that I command you. Then let him tell the king of Egypt to let the Israelites leave his country.


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But he will still refuse to listen. So then I will punish Egypt terribly. And I will lead my divisions, my people the Israelites, out of that land.


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I will punish Egypt with my power. And I will bring the Israelites out of that land. Then they will know I am the Lord.”


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“The king will ask you to do a miracle. When he does, Moses, you tell Aaron to throw his walking stick down in front of the king. It will become a snake.”


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So Moses and Aaron went to the king as the Lord had commanded. Aaron threw his walking stick down in front of the king and his officers. And it became a snake.


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So the king called in his wise men and his magicians. With their tricks the Egyptian magicians were able to do the same thing.


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They threw their walking sticks on the ground, and their sticks became snakes. But then Aaron’s stick swallowed theirs.


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The Water Becomes Blood Then the Lord said to Moses, “The king is being stubborn. He refuses to let the people go.


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In the morning the king will go out to the Nile River. Go meet him by the edge of the river. Take with you the walking stick that became a snake.


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Tell him this: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you. He said, ‘Let my people go worship me in the desert.’ Until now you have not listened.


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This is what the Lord says: ‘This is how you will know that I am the Lord. I will strike the water of the Nile River with this stick in my hand. And the water will change into blood.


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Then the fish in the Nile will die, and the river will begin to stink. And the Egyptians will not be able to drink the water from the Nile.’”


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The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron to stretch the walking stick in his hand over the rivers, canals, ponds and pools in Egypt. The water will become blood everywhere in Egypt. There even will be blood in the wooden buckets and stone jars.”


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So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. Aaron raised his walking stick and struck the water in the Nile River. He did this in front of the king and his officers. So all the water in the Nile changed into blood.


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The fish in the Nile died, and the river began to stink. So the Egyptians could not drink water from it. Blood was everywhere in the land of Egypt.


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Using their tricks, their magicians of Egypt did the same thing. So the king was stubborn and refused to listen to Moses and Aaron. This happened just as the Lord had said.


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The Egyptians could not drink the water from the Nile. So all of them dug along the bank of the river. They were looking for water to drink.


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Then the Lord told Moses, “Go to the king of Egypt and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go to worship me.


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The Nile River will be filled with frogs. They will come from the river and enter your palace. They will be in your bedroom and your bed. The frogs will enter the houses of your officers and your people. They will enter your ovens and your baking pans.


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron to hold his walking stick in his hand over the rivers, canals and ponds. Make frogs come up out of the water onto the land of Egypt.”


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So Aaron held his hand over all the waters of Egypt. The frogs came up out of the water and covered the land of Egypt.


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The magicians used their tricks to do the same thing. So even more frogs came up onto the land of Egypt.


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So the king called for Moses and Aaron. He said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people. I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”


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Moses said to the king, “Please set the time that I should pray for you, your people and your officers. Then the frogs will leave you and your houses. They will remain only in the Nile.”


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The king answered, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “What you want will happen. By this you will know that there is no one like the Lord our God.


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The frogs will leave you, your houses, your officers and your people. They will remain only in the Nile.”


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When the king saw that they were free of the frogs, he became stubborn again. He did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.


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The Gnats Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron to raise his walking stick and strike the dust on the ground. Then everywhere in Egypt the dust will change into gnats.”


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They did this. Aaron raised the walking stick that was in his hand and struck the dust on the ground. Then everywhere in Egypt the dust changed into gnats. The gnats got on the people and animals.


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Using their tricks, the magicians tried to do the same thing. But they could not make the dust change into gnats. The gnats remained on the people and animals.


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So the magicians told the king that the power of God had done this. But the king was stubborn and refused to listen to them. This happened just as the Lord had said.


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The Flies The Lord told Moses, “Get up early in the morning. Meet the king of Egypt as he goes out to the river. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go so they can worship me.


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If you don’t let them go, I will send swarms of flies. I will send them into your houses. The flies will be on you, your officers and your people. The houses of Egypt will be full of flies. And they will be all over the ground, too.


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But I will not treat the people of Israel the same as the Egyptian people. There will not be any flies in the land of Goshen, where my people live. By this you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land.


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So the Lord did as he had said. Great swarms of flies came into the king’s palace and his officers’ houses. All over Egypt flies were ruining the land.


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The king called for Moses and Aaron. He told them, “Offer sacrifices to your God here in this country.”


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But Moses said, “It wouldn’t be right to do that. The Egyptians hate the sacrifices we offer to the Lord our God. They will see us offer sacrifices they hate. Then they will throw stones at us and kill us.


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Let us make a three-day journey into the desert. We must offer sacrifices to the Lord our God there. This is what the Lord told us to do.”


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The king said, “I will let you go. Then you may offer sacrifices to the Lord your God in the desert. But you must not go very far away. Now go and pray for me.”


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Moses said, “I will leave and pray to the Lord. He will take the flies away from you, your officers and your people tomorrow. But do not try to trick us again. Do not stop the people from going to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”


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And the Lord did as Moses asked. He removed the flies from the king, his officers and his people. Not one fly was left.


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The Disease on the Farm Animals Then the Lord told Moses, “Go to the king of Egypt. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go to worship me.


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Then the Lord will punish you. He will send a terrible disease on all your farm animals. He will cause all of your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle and sheep to become sick.


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But the Lord will treat Israel’s animals differently from the animals of Egypt. None of the animals that belong to the Israelites will die.


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The next day the Lord did as he promised. All the farm animals in Egypt died. But none of the animals belonging to Israelites died.


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The king sent people to see what had happened to the animals of Israel. They found that not one of them had died. But the king was still stubborn. He did not let the people go.


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The Boils The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Fill your hands with the ashes from a furnace. Moses, throw the ashes into the air in front of the king of Egypt.


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The ashes will spread like dust through all the land of Egypt. The dust will cause boils to break out and become sores on the skin. These sores will be on people and animals everywhere in the land.”


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So Moses and Aaron took ashes from a furnace. Then they went and stood before the king. Moses threw ashes into the air. It caused boils to break out and become sores on people and animals.


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The magicians could not stand before Moses. This was because all the Egyptians had boils, even the magicians.


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But the Lord made the king stubborn. So he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron. This happened just as the Lord had said.


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The Hail Then the Lord said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and go to the king of Egypt. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go to worship me.


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If you do not do this, this time I will punish you with all my power. I will punish you, your officers and your people. Then you will know that there is no one in the whole land like me.


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By now I could have used my power and caused a bad disease. It would have destroyed you and your people from the earth.


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But I have let you live for this reason: to show you my power. In this way my name will be talked about in all the earth.


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So at this time tomorrow, I will send a terrible hailstorm. It will be the worst in Egypt since it became a nation.


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Now send for your animals and whatever you have in the fields. Bring them into a safe place. The hail will fall on every person or animal that is still in the fields. If they have not been brought in, they will die.’”


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Some of the king’s officers respected the word of the Lord. They hurried to bring their slaves and animals inside.


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The Lord told Moses, “Raise your hand toward the sky. Then the hail will start falling over all the land of Egypt. It will fall on people, animals and on everything that grows in the fields of Egypt.”


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So Moses raised his walking stick toward the sky. And the Lord sent thunder and hail. And lightning flashed down to the earth. So he caused hail to fall upon the land of Egypt.


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There was hail, and there was lightning flashing as it hailed. This was the worst hailstorm in Egypt since it had become a nation.


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The hail destroyed everything that was in the fields in all the land of Egypt. The hail destroyed both people and animals. It also destroyed everything that grew in the fields. It broke all the trees in the fields.


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The king sent for Moses and Aaron. He told them, “This time I have sinned. The Lord is in the right. And I and my people are in the wrong.


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Pray to the Lord. We have had enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go. You do not have to stay here any longer.”


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Moses told the king, “When I leave the city, I will raise my hands to the Lord in prayer. And the thunder and hail will stop. Then you will know that the earth belongs to the Lord.


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Moses left the king and went outside the city. He raised his hands to the Lord. And the thunder and hail stopped. The rain also stopped falling to the ground.


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The king saw that the rain, hail and thunder had stopped. Then he sinned again. He and his officers became stubborn again.


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The king became stubborn and refused to let the Israelites go. This happened just as the Lord had said through Moses.


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The Locusts The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the king of Egypt. I have made him and his officers stubborn. I did this so I could show them my powerful miracles.


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I also did this so you could tell your children and your grandchildren. Tell them how I made fools of the Egyptians. Tell them about the miracles I did among them. Then all of you will know that I am the Lord.”


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So Moses and Aaron went to the king. They told him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to be sorry for what you have done? Let my people go to worship me.


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They will cover the land, and no one will be able to see the ground. They will eat anything that was left from the hailstorm. They will eat the leaves from every tree growing in the field.


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They will fill your palaces and all your officers’ houses. They will fill the houses of all the Egyptian people. There will be more locusts than your fathers or ancestors have ever seen. There will be more locusts than there have been since people began living in Egypt.’” Then Moses turned and walked away from the king.


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The king’s officers asked him, “How long will this man make trouble for us? Let the Israelite men go to worship the Lord their God. Don’t you know that Egypt is ruined?”


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So Moses and Aaron were brought back to the king. He said to them, “Go and worship the Lord your God. But tell me, just who is going?”


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Moses answered, “We will go with our young and our old people, our sons and daughters and sheep and cattle. This is because we are going to have a feast to honor the Lord.”


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The king said to them, “The Lord really will have to be with you if ever I let you and all of your children leave Egypt. See, you are planning something evil.


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No! Only the men may go and worship the Lord. That is what you have been asking for.” Then the king forced Moses and Aaron out of his palace.


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The Lord told Moses, “Raise your hand over the land of Egypt, and the locusts will come. They will spread all over the land of Egypt. They will eat all the plants that the hail did not destroy.”


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So Moses raised his walking stick over the land of Egypt. And the Lord caused a strong wind to blow from the east. It blew across the land all that day and night. When morning came, the east wind had brought the locusts.


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Swarms of locusts covered all the land of Egypt and settled everywhere. There were more locusts than ever before or after.


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The locusts covered the whole land so that it was black. They ate everything that was left after the hail. They ate every plant in the field and all the fruit on the trees. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant anywhere in Egypt.


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The king quickly called for Moses and Aaron. He said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you.


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Now forgive my sin this time. Pray to the Lord your God. Ask him to stop this punishment that kills.”


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So the Lord changed the wind. He made a very strong wind to blow from the west. It blew the locusts away into the Red Sea. Not one locust was left anywhere in Egypt.


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The Darkness Then the Lord told Moses, “Raise your hand toward the sky, and darkness will cover the land of Egypt. It will be so dark you will be able to feel it.”


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So Moses raised his hand toward the sky. Then total darkness was everywhere in Egypt for three days.


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No one could see anyone else. And no one could go anywhere for three days. But the Israelites had light where they lived.


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Again the king of Egypt called for Moses. He said, “All of you may go and worship the Lord. You may take your women and children with you. But you must leave your sheep and cattle here.”


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Moses said, “You must let us have animals to use as sacrifices and burnt offerings. We have to offer them to the Lord our God.


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So we must take our animals with us. Not a hoof will be left behind. We have to use some of the animals to worship the Lord our God. We do not yet know exactly what we will need to worship the Lord. We will know when we get there.”


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Then he told Moses, “Get out of here! Don’t come here again! The next time you see me, you will die.”


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The Death of the Firstborn Now the Lord had told Moses, “I have one more way to punish the king and the people of Egypt. After this, the king will send all of you away from Egypt. When he does, he will force you to leave completely.


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The Lord had caused the Egyptians to respect the Israelites. The king’s officers and the Egyptian people already considered Moses to be a great man.


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So Moses said to the king, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight tonight I will go through all Egypt.


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Every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die. The firstborn son of the king, who sits on his throne, will die. Even the firstborn of the slave girl grinding grain will die. Also the firstborn farm animals will die.


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But not even a dog will bark at the Israelites or their animals.’ Then you will know that the Lord treats Israel differently from Egypt.


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Then all your officers will come to me. They will bow facedown to the ground before me. They will say, ‘Leave and take all your people with you.’ After that, I will leave.” Then Moses very angrily left the king.


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The Lord had told Moses, “The king will not listen to you and Aaron. This is so that I may do many miracles in the land of Egypt.”


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Moses and Aaron did all these great miracles in front of the king. But the Lord made him stubborn. And the king would not let the people of Israel leave his country.


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Both of you are to tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth day of this month each man must get one lamb. It is for the people in his house.


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There may not be enough people in his house to eat a whole lamb. Then he must share it with his closest neighbor. There must be enough lamb for everyone to eat.


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The lamb must be a one-year-old male. It must have nothing wrong with it. This animal can be either a young sheep or a young goat.


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Keep the animal with you to take care of it until the fourteenth day of the month. On that day all the people of the community of Israel will kill these animals. They will do this as soon as the sun goes down.


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The people must take some of the blood. They must put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes. These are the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.


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On this night they must roast the lamb over a fire. Then they must eat it with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.


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Do not eat the lamb raw or boiled in water. Roast the whole lamb over a fire—with its head, legs and inner organs.


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You must not leave any of it until morning. But if any of it is left over until morning, you must burn it with fire.


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“This is the way you must eat it: You must be fully dressed as if you were going on a trip. You must have your sandals on, and you must have your walking stick in your hand. You must eat it in a hurry. This is the Lord’s Passover.


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“That night I will go through the land of Egypt. I will kill all the firstborn of animals and people in the land of Egypt. I will punish all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.


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But the blood will be a sign on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Nothing terrible will hurt you when I punish the land of Egypt.


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“You are always to remember this day. Celebrate it with a feast to the Lord. Your descendants are to honor the Lord with this feast from now on.


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For this feast you must eat bread made without yeast for seven days. On the first day of this feast, you are to remove all the yeast from your houses. No one should eat any yeast for the full seven days of the feast. If anyone eats yeast, then that person will be separated from Israel.


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You are to have holy meetings on the first and last days of the feast. You must not do any work on these days. The only work you may do on these days is to prepare your meals.


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You must celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Do this because on this very day I brought your divisions of people out of Egypt. So all of your descendants must celebrate this day. This is a law that will last from now on.


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You are to eat bread made without yeast. Start this on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month of your year. Eat this until the evening of the twenty-first day.


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For seven days there must not be any yeast in your houses. Anybody who eats yeast during this time must be separated from the community of Israel. This includes Israelites and non-Israelites.


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Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together. He told them, “Get the animals for your families. Kill the animals for the Passover.


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Take a branch of the hyssop plant and dip it into the bowl filled with blood. Wipe the blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes. No one may leave his house until morning.


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The Lord will go through Egypt to kill the Egyptians. He will see the blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes. Then the Lord will pass over that house. He will not let the one who brings death come into your houses and kill you.


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you will say, ‘This is the Passover sacrifice to honor the Lord. When we were in Egypt, the Lord passed over the houses of Israel. The Lord killed the Egyptians, but he saved our homes.’” So now the people bowed down and worshiped the Lord.


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At midnight the Lord killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt. The firstborn of the king, who sat on the throne, died. Even the firstborn of the prisoner in jail died. Also all the firstborn farm animals died.


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The king, his officers and all the Egyptians got up during the night. Someone had died in every house. So there was loud crying everywhere in Egypt.


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Israel Leaves Egypt During the night the king called for Moses and Aaron. He said to them, “Get up and leave my people. You and your people may do as you have asked. Go and worship the Lord.


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The Egyptians also asked the Israelites to hurry and leave. They said, “If you don’t leave, we will all die!”


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The people of Israel took their dough before the yeast was added. They wrapped the bowls for making dough in clothing and carried them on their shoulders.


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The people of Israel did what Moses told them to do. They asked their Egyptian neighbors for things made of silver and gold and for clothing.


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The Lord caused the Egyptians to think well of the Israelites. So the Israelites took rich gifts from the Egyptians.


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The Israelites traveled from Rameses to Succoth. There were about 600,000 men walking. This does not include the women and children.


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Many other people who were not Israelites went with them. A large number of sheep, goats and cattle went with them.


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The Israelites used the dough they had brought out of Egypt. They baked loaves of bread without yeast. The dough had no yeast in it because they had been rushed out of Egypt. So they had no time to get food ready for their trip.


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That night the Lord kept watch to bring them out of Egypt. So on this same night the Israelites are to keep watch. They are to do this to honor the Lord from now on.


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The Lord told Moses and Aaron, “Here are the rules for Passover: No foreigner is to eat the Passover.


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“The meal must be eaten inside the house. None of the meat is to be taken outside the house. Don’t break any of the bones.


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A foreigner who lives with you may share in the Lord’s Passover. But first all the males in his house must be circumcised. Then, since he will be like a citizen of Israel, he may share in the meal. But a man who is not circumcised may not eat the Passover meal.


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The same rules apply to an Israelite born in the country. And they apply to a foreigner living there.”


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“Give every firstborn male to me. Every firstborn male among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”


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Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, the day you left Egypt. You were slaves in that land. The Lord with his great power brought you out of it. You must not eat bread made with yeast.


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The Lord made a promise to your ancestors. The Lord promised to give you the land of these people: the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites. The Lord will lead you to this land where much food grows. There you must celebrate this feast during the first month of every year.


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For seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. On the seventh day there will be a feast to honor the Lord.


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So for seven days you must not eat any bread made with yeast. There must be no bread made with yeast anywhere in your land.


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On that day you should tell your son: ‘We are having this feast because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’


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This feast will help you remember. It will be like a mark on your hand. It will be like a reminder on your forehead. This feast will remind you to speak the Lord’s teachings. This is because the Lord used his great power to bring you out of Egypt.


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“The Lord will take you into the land of the Canaanites. He promised to give this land to you and your ancestors.


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Then you must give him every firstborn male. And every firstborn male animal must be given to the Lord.


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Buy back every firstborn donkey by offering a lamb. If you don’t want to buy the donkey back, then break its neck. You must buy back from the Lord every firstborn of your sons.


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“From now on your son will ask you: ‘What does this mean?’ You will answer, ‘With his great power, the Lord brought us out of Egypt. We were slaves in that land.


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In Egypt the king was stubborn. He refused to let us leave. But the Lord killed every firstborn male in Egypt, both human and animal. That is why I sacrifice every firstborn male animal to the Lord. And that is why I buy back each of my firstborn sons from the Lord.’


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This feast is like a mark on your hand. And it is like a reminder on your forehead. It will help you remember that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his great power.”


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The Way Out of Egypt The king sent the people out of Egypt. God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country. That road is the shortest way. But God said, “They might think they will have to fight. Then they might change their minds and go back to Egypt.”


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So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt.


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Moses carried the bones of Joseph with him. Before Joseph died, he had made the sons of Israel promise to do this. He had said, “When God saves you, remember to carry my bones with you out of Egypt.”


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The Lord showed them the way. During the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud. And during the night the Lord was in a pillar of fire to give them light. They could travel during the day or night.


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The pillar of cloud was always with them during the day. And the pillar of fire was always with them at night.


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“Tell the Israelites to turn back to Pi Hahiroth. Tell them to camp for the night between Migdol and the Red Sea. This is near Baal Zephon.


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I will make the king stubborn again so he will chase after them. But I will defeat the king and his army. This will bring honor to me. Then the people of Egypt will know that I am the Lord.” The people of Israel did just as they were told.


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The King Chases the Israelites The king of Egypt was told that the people of Israel had already left. Then he and his officers changed their minds about them. They said, “What have we done? We have let the people of Israel leave. We have lost our slaves!”


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He took 600 of his best chariots. He also took all the other chariots of Egypt. Each chariot had an officer in it.


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The Lord made the king of Egypt stubborn. So he chased the Israelites, who were leaving victoriously.


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The king of Egypt came with his horses, chariot drivers and army. And they chased the Israelites. They caught up with the Israelites while they were camped by the Red Sea. This was near Pi Hahiroth and Baal Zephon.


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The Israelites saw the king and his army coming after them. They were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help.


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They said to Moses, “What have you done to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? There were plenty of graves for us in Egypt.


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We told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone! Let us stay and serve the Egyptians.’ Now we will die in the desert.”


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But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still and see the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again after today.


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Command the people of Israel to start moving.


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Raise your walking stick and hold it over the sea. The sea will split. Then the people can cross the sea on dry land.


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I have made the Egyptians stubborn so they will chase the Israelites. But I will be honored when I defeat the king and all of his chariot drivers and chariots.


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The angel of God usually traveled in front of Israel’s army. Now the angel of God moved behind them. Also, the pillar of cloud moved from in front of the people and stood behind them.


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So the cloud came between the Egyptians and the people of Israel. The cloud made it dark for the Egyptians. But it gave light to the Israelites. So the cloud kept the two armies apart all night.


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Moses held his hand over the sea. All that night the Lord drove back the sea with a strong east wind. And so he made the sea become dry ground. The water was split.


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Between two and six o’clock in the morning, the Lord looked down from the pillar of cloud and fire at the Egyptian army. He made them panic.


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He kept the wheels of the chariots from turning. This made it hard to drive the chariots. The Egyptians shouted, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them and against us Egyptians.”


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Then the Lord told Moses, “Hold your hand over the sea. Then the water will come back over the Egyptians, their chariots and chariot drivers.”


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So Moses raised his hand over the sea. And at dawn the water became deep again. The Egyptians were trying to run from it. But the Lord swept them away into the sea.


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The water became deep again. It covered the chariots and chariot drivers. So all the king’s army that had followed the Israelites into the sea was covered. Not one of them survived.


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But the people of Israel crossed the sea on dry land. There was a wall of water on their right and on their left.


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So that day the Lord saved the Israelites from the Egyptians. And the Israelites saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore.


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When the people of Israel saw the great power that the Lord had used against the Egyptians, they feared the Lord. And they trusted the Lord and his servant Moses.


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The Song of Moses Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord because he is worthy of great honor. He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.


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The Lord gives me strength and makes me sing. He has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I will honor him.


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The chariots and soldiers of the king of Egypt he has thrown into the sea. The king’s best officers are drowned in the Red Sea.


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In your great victory you destroyed those who were against you. Your anger destroyed them, like fire burning straw.


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Just a blast of your breath, and the waters were blown back. The moving water stood up like a wall. And the deep waters became solid in the middle of the sea.


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“The enemy bragged, ‘I’ll chase them and catch them. I’ll take all their riches. I’ll take all I want. I’ll pull out my sword, and my hand will destroy them.’


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But you blew on them with your breath and covered them with the sea. They sank like lead in the powerful water.


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“Are there any gods like you, Lord? No! There are no gods like you. You are wonderfully holy. You are amazingly powerful. You do great miracles.


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You keep your loving promise. You lead the people you have saved. With your strength you will guide them to your holy land.


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The leaders of the tribes of Edom will be very frightened. The powerful men of Moab will shake with fear. The people of Canaan will lose all their courage.


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Those people will be filled with fear. When they see your strength, they will be as still as a rock. They will be still until your people pass by, Lord. They will be still until the people you have bought from slavery pass by.


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You will lead your people and place them on your very own mountain. Lord, that is the place that you made for yourself to live. Lord, that is the temple that your hands have made.


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The horses, chariot drivers and chariots of the king of Egypt went into the sea. And the Lord covered them with water from the sea. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry land.


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Then Aaron’s sister Miriam, who was a prophetess, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing.


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Miriam told them: “Sing to the Lord because he is worthy of great honor. He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea.”


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The Bitter Water Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea. The people went into the Desert of Shur. They traveled for three days in the desert but found no water.


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Then they came to Marah, where there was water. But they could not drink it because it was too bitter. That is why the place was named Marah.


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Moses cried out to the Lord. So the Lord showed him a tree. Moses threw the tree into the water. And the water became good to drink. There the Lord gave the people a rule and a law to live by. There he also tested their loyalty to him.


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He said, “You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you.”


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Then the people traveled to Elim. At Elim there were 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees. So the people camped there near the water.


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The People Demand Food Then the whole Israelite community left Elim. They came to the Desert of Sin. This place was between Elim and Sinai. They came to this place on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt.


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The Israelites said to them, “It would have been better if the Lord had killed us in the land of Egypt. There we had meat to eat. We had all the food we wanted. But you have brought us into this desert. You will starve us to death here.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will cause food to fall like rain from the sky. This food will be for all of you. Every day the people must go out and gather what they need for that day. I will do this to see if the people will do what I teach them.


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On the sixth day of each week, they are to gather twice as much as they gather on other days. Then they are to prepare it.”


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So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites: “This evening you will know that the Lord is the one who brought you out of Egypt.


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Tomorrow morning you will see the greatness of the Lord. He has heard you grumble against him. We are nothing. You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”


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And Moses said, “Each evening the Lord will give you meat to eat. And every morning he will give you all the bread you want. He will do this because he has heard you grumble against him. You are not grumbling against Aaron and me. You are grumbling against the Lord.”


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Then Moses said to Aaron, “Speak to the whole community of the Israelites. Say to them, ‘Meet together in front of the Lord because he has heard your grumblings.’”


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So Aaron spoke to the whole community of the Israelites. While he was speaking, they looked toward the desert. There the greatness of the Lord appeared in a cloud.


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“I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel. So tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat. And every morning you will eat all the bread you want. Then you will know I am the Lord, your God.’”


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When the Israelites saw it, they asked each other, “What is that?” They asked this question because they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “This is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.


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The Lord has commanded, ‘Each one of you must gather what he needs. Gather about two quarts for every person in your family.’”


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Then they measured it. The person who gathered more did not have too much. The person who gathered less did not have too little. Each person gathered just as much as he needed.


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But some of the people did not listen to Moses. They kept part of it to eat the next morning. But it became full of worms and began to stink. So Moses was angry with these people.


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Every morning each person gathered as much food as he needed. But when the sun became hot, it melted away.


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On the sixth day the people gathered twice as much food. They gathered four quarts for every person. So all the leaders of the community came and told this to Moses.


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Moses said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded. Tomorrow is the Sabbath, the Lord’s holy day of rest. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil today. But save the rest of the food until tomorrow morning.”


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So the people saved it until the next morning, as Moses had commanded. And none of it began to stink or have worms in it.


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Moses told the people, “Eat the food you gathered yesterday. Today is a Sabbath, the Lord’s day of rest. So you will not find any out in the field today.


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You should gather the food for six days. But the seventh day is a Sabbath day. On that day there will not be any food on the ground.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will all you people refuse to obey my commands and teachings?


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Look, the Lord has made the Sabbath a day of rest for all of you. So on the sixth day he will give you enough food for two days. But on the Sabbath each of you must stay where you are. Do not leave your house.”


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The people of Israel called the food manna. The manna was like small white seeds. It tasted like wafers made with honey.


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Then Moses said, “The Lord said, ‘Save two quarts of this food for your descendants. Then they can see the food that I gave you to eat. I did this in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’”


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Moses told Aaron, “Take a jar and fill it with two quarts of manna. And save this manna for your descendants.”


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So Aaron did what the Lord had commanded Moses. Aaron put the jar of manna in front of the Ark of the Covenant. He did this so it could be kept.


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The Israelites ate manna for 40 years. They ate it until they came to the land where they settled. They ate manna until they came to the edge of the land of Canaan.


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Water from a Rock The whole Israelite community left the Desert of Sin. They traveled from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim. But there was no water there for the people to drink.


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So they quarreled with Moses. They said, “Give us water to drink.” But Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why are you testing the Lord?”


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But the people were very thirsty for water. So they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Was it to kill us, our children and our farm animals with thirst?”


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So Moses cried to the Lord, “What can I do with these people? They are almost ready to kill me with stones.”


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The Lord said to Moses, “Go ahead of the people of Israel. And take some of the elders of Israel with you. Carry with you the walking stick that you used to strike the Nile River. Now go!


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I will stand in front of you on a rock at Mount Sinai. Hit that rock with the stick, and water will come out of it. Then the people can drink.” Moses did these things as the elders of Israel watched.


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Moses named that place Massah because the Israelites tested the Lord. They asked, “Is the Lord with us or not?” He also named it Meribah because they quarreled.


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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men and go and fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill. I will hold the stick God gave me to carry.”


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Joshua obeyed Moses and went to fight the Amalekites. At the same time Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.


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As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites would win the fight. But when Moses put his hands down, the Amalekites would win.


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Later, Moses’ arms became tired. So the men put a large rock under Moses, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands. Aaron was on one side of Moses, and Hur was on the other side. They held his hands up like this until the sun went down.


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write about this battle in a book so people will remember. And be sure to tell Joshua. Tell him because I will completely destroy the Amalekites from the earth.”


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Moses said, “I lifted my hands toward the Lord’s throne. The Lord will fight against the Amalekites forever.”


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Jethro Visits Moses Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was the priest of Midian. He heard about everything that God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. Jethro heard how the Lord had led the Israelites out of Egypt.


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Moses had also sent his two sons. The first son was named Gershom. When he was born, Moses said, “I am a stranger in a foreign country.”


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The other son was named Eliezer. When he was born, Moses said, “The God of my father is my help. He saved me from the king of Egypt.”


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So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, went to Moses. Moses was camped in the desert near Sinai, the mountain of God. Moses’ wife and his two sons came with Jethro.


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Jethro had sent a message ahead to Moses. He said, “I am Jethro, your father-in-law. I am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”


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So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed down and then kissed him. The two men asked about each other’s health. Then they went into Moses’ tent.


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Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to the king and the Egyptians. The Lord had done these things to help Israel. Moses told about all the problems they had faced along the way. And Moses told him how the Lord had saved them.


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Jethro was very happy when he heard all the good things the Lord had done for Israel. He was happy because the Lord had saved them from the Egyptians.


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Jethro said, “Praise the Lord. He has saved all of you from the Egyptians and their king. He has saved the people from the power of the Egyptians.


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Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave a whole burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to Moses’ father-in-law. They ate the holy meal together before God.


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The next day Moses solved disagreements among the people. So the people stood around Moses from morning until night.


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Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people. He asked, “What is all this you are doing for the people? Why are you the only one to solve disagreements? All the people are standing around you from morning until night!”


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Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me for God’s help in solving their disagreements.


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When people have a disagreement, they come to me. I decide who is right. And I tell them God’s laws and teachings.”


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You and the people who come to you will get too tired. This is too much work for you. You can’t do it by yourself.


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Now listen to me. I will give you some advice. I want God to be with you. You must talk to God for the people. You must tell him about their disagreements.


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You should tell them the laws and teachings. Tell them the right way to live and what they should do.


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But choose some capable men from among the people. Choose men who respect God and who can be trusted. They will not change their decisions for money. Make these men officers over groups of 1,000, 100, 50 and 10 people.


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Let these officers solve the disagreements among the people all the time. They can bring the hard cases to you. But they can decide the simple cases themselves. That will make it easier for you. These men will share the work with you.


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Do this if it is what God commands. Then you will be able to do your job. And all the people will go home with their disagreements solved.”


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He chose capable men from all the Israelites. He made them leaders over the people. They were officers over groups of 1,000, 100, 50 and 10 people.


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These officers solved disagreements among the people all the time. They brought the hard cases to Moses. But they decided the simple cases themselves.


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Israel at Sinai Exactly three months after the Israelites had left Egypt, they reached the Desert of Sinai.


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They had left Rephidim and had come to the Desert of Sinai. The Israelites camped in the desert in front of Mount Sinai.


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Then Moses went up on the mountain to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain. The Lord said, “Say this to the family of Jacob. And tell this to the people of Israel:


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‘Every one of you has seen what I did to the people of Egypt. You saw how I carried you out of Egypt. I did it as an eagle carries her young on her wings. And I brought you here to me.


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So now obey me and keep my agreement. Do this, and you will be my own possession, chosen from all nations. Even though the whole earth is mine,


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you will be my kingdom of priests. You will be a nation that belongs to me alone.’ You must tell the Israelites these words.”


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So Moses went down and called the elders of the people together. He told them all the words the Lord had commanded him to say.


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And all the people answered together, “We will do everything he has said.” Then Moses took their answer back to the Lord.


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And the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud. I will speak to you. The people will hear me talking to you. I will do this so the people will always trust you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.


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The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and have them spend today and tomorrow preparing themselves. They must wash their clothes


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and be ready by the day after tomorrow. On that day I, the Lord, will come down on Mount Sinai. And all the people will see me.


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But you must set a limit around the mountain. The people are not to cross it. Tell the people not to go up on the mountain. Tell them not to touch the foot of it. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.


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He must be put to death with stones or shot with arrows. No one is allowed to touch him. Whether it is a person or an animal, he will not live. But the trumpet will make a long blast. Only then may the people go up on the mountain.”


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So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He made them prepare themselves for service to God. And the people washed their clothes.


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Then Moses said to the people, “Be ready in three days. Do not have physical relations during this time.”


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It was the morning of the third day. There was thunder and lightning with a thick cloud on the mountain. And there was a very loud blast from a trumpet. All the people in the camp were frightened.


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Mount Sinai was covered with smoke. This happened because the Lord came down on it in fire. The smoke rose from the mountain like smoke from a furnace. And the whole mountain shook wildly.


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So the Lord came down on the top of Mount Sinai. Then he called Moses to come up to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.


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The Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people. They must not force their way through to see me. If they do, many of them will die.


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Even the priests, who may come near me, must first prepare themselves. If they don’t, I, the Lord, will punish them.”


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Moses told the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai. You yourself told us to set a limit around the mountain. We made it holy.”


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The Lord said to him, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But don’t allow the priests or the people to force their way through. They must not come up to the Lord. If they do, I will punish them.”


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“You must not make for yourselves any idols. Don’t make something that looks like anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land.


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You must not worship or serve any idol. This is because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. A person may sin against me and hate me. I will punish his children, even his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


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“You must not use the name of the Lord your God thoughtlessly. The Lord will punish anyone who is guilty and misuses his name.


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But the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord your God. On that day no one may do any work: not you, your son or daughter, or your men or women slaves. Neither your animals nor the foreigners living in your cities may work.


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The reason is that in six days the Lord made everything. He made the sky, earth, sea and everything in them. And on the seventh day, he rested. So the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.


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“Honor your father and your mother. Then you will live a long time in the land. The Lord your God is going to give you this land.


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“You must not want to take your neighbor’s house. You must not want his wife or his men or women slaves. You must not want his ox or his donkey. You must not want to take anything that belongs to your neighbor.”


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The people heard the thunder and the trumpet. They saw the lightning on the mountain and smoke rising from the mountain. They shook with fear and stood far away from the mountain.


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Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself. Then we will listen. But don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”


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Then Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. God has come to test you. He wants you to respect him so you will not sin.”


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Then the Lord told Moses to say these things to the Israelites: “You yourselves have seen that I talked with you from heaven.


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You must not use gold or silver to make idols for yourselves. You must not worship these false gods in addition to me.


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“Make an altar of dirt for me. Offer your whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on this altar as a sacrifice to me. Use your sheep and your cattle to do this. Worship me in every place that I choose. Then I will come and bless you.


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You may use stones to make an altar for me. But don’t use stones that you have made smooth with tools. You must not use any tools on the stones. If you do, you make them unsuitable for use in worship.


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And you must not make steps leading up to my altar. If you go up steps, people will be able to see under your clothes.”


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Laws for Living Then God said to Moses, “These are the laws for living that you will give to the Israelites:


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“If you buy a Hebrew slave, he will serve you for six years. In the seventh year you are to set him free. And he will have to pay nothing.


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He might not be married when he becomes your slave. Then he must leave without a wife. The man might be married when he becomes your slave. Then he may take his wife with him.


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The slave’s master might give him a wife, and she might give birth to sons or daughters. Then the woman and her children will belong to the master. When the slave is set free, only he may leave.


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Then the slave’s master will take him to God. The master will take him to a door or doorframe. And he will punch a hole through the slave’s ear using a sharp tool. Then the slave will serve that master all his life.


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“A man might sell his daughter as a slave. There are rules for setting her free. They are different from the rules for setting the men slaves free.


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Maybe the master wanted to marry her but then decided he was not pleased with her. He must let one of her close relatives buy her back. He has no right to sell her to foreigners. This is because he has treated her unfairly.


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The man who bought her might promise to let the woman marry his son. Then he must treat her as a daughter.


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The man who bought her might marry another woman. Then he must not keep his slave woman from having food or clothing or physical relations.


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But if a person kills someone accidentally, God allowed that to happen. So the person must go to a place I will choose.


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A person might plan and murder another person on purpose. Put him to death, even if he has run to my altar for safety.


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“A person might kidnap someone. Then he either sells him as a slave or still has him when he is caught. That person must be put to death.


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“Two men might argue. And one might hit the other with a rock or with his fist. The hurt man might not be killed. But he might have to stay in bed.


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Later he might be able to get up. And he might be able to walk around outside with his walking stick. Then the one who hit him is not to be punished. But he must pay the injured man for the loss of his time. And he must support the injured man until he is completely healed.


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“A man might beat his male or female slave with a stick. And the slave might die on the spot. Then the owner must be punished.


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But the slave might get well after a day or two. Then that owner will not be punished since the slave belongs to him.


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“Two men might be fighting, and they might hit a pregnant woman so that the baby comes out. But there is no further injury. Then the man who caused the injury must pay money. He must pay what the woman’s husband says and the court allows.


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“A man might hit his male or female slave in the eye. And the eye might be blinded. Then the man is to free the slave to pay for the eye.


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A master might knock out a tooth of his male or female slave. Then the man is to free the slave to pay for the tooth.


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“A man’s bull might kill a man or woman. Then you must kill that bull with stones. You should not eat the bull. But the owner of the bull is not guilty.


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But the bull might have hurt people in the past. The owner might have been warned. If he did not keep it in a pen and then it kills a man or woman, the bull must be killed with stones. And the owner must also be put to death.


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But the family of the dead man might accept money. Then the man who owned the bull may buy back his life. But he must pay whatever is demanded.


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But the bull might kill a male or female slave. Then the owner must pay the master the price for a new slave. That is 12 ounces of silver. And the bull must also be killed with stones.


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“A man might take the cover off a pit. Or he might dig one and not cover it. Another man’s ox or donkey might come and fall into it.


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The owner of the pit must pay the owner of the animal for his loss. The dead animal will belong to the one who pays.


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“One man’s bull might kill another man’s bull. Then they must sell the bull that is alive. Both men get half of the money. And both men will also get half of the bull that was killed.


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A man’s bull might have hurt other animals in the past. But the owner might not have kept it in a pen. Then that owner must pay bull for bull. And the dead animal is his.


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Property Laws “A man might steal a bull or a sheep and kill or sell it. Then he must pay back five bulls for the one bull he stole. Or he must pay back four sheep for the one sheep he stole.


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“The robber who is caught must pay back what he stole. He might own nothing. Then he must be sold as a slave to pay for what he stole. The stolen animal might be found alive with the robber. Then he must give the owner two animals for every animal he stole. He must pay, whether he stole a bull, donkey or sheep. “A thief might be killed while breaking into a house at night. Then the one who killed him is not guilty of murder. But if this happens during the day, he is guilty of murder.


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“A person might let his farm animal graze in his field or vineyard. And it might wander into another person’s field or vineyard. Then the owner of the animal must pay back the loss. The payment must come from the best of his crop.


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“A man might start a fire that spreads through the thornbushes to his neighbor’s field. The fire might burn his neighbor’s growing grain or grain that has been stacked. Or it might burn his whole field. Then the person who started the fire must pay for what was burned.


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“A man might give his neighbor money or other things to keep for him. Those things might be stolen from the neighbor’s house. And the thief might be caught. Then he must pay back twice as much as he stole.


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But maybe the thief is never found. Then the owner of the house must make a promise before God. He must promise that he has not stolen his neighbor’s things.


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“Two men might disagree about who owns something. It might be an ox, donkey, sheep or clothing. Or it might be something else that is lost. Each says, ‘This is mine.’ Each man must bring his case to God. God’s judges will decide who is guilty. Then he must pay the other man twice as much as the thing is worth.


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“A man might ask his neighbor to keep his animal for him. This animal might be a donkey, ox, sheep or some other animal. And that animal might die, be hurt or be taken away. And no one saw what happened.


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That neighbor must promise before the Lord that he did not harm or kill the other man’s animal. The owner of the animal must accept his promise made before God. The neighbor does not have to pay the owner for the animal.


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Wild animals might have killed the animal. Then the neighbor must bring the body as proof. He will not have to pay for the animal that was killed.


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“A man might borrow an animal from his neighbor. It might get hurt or die while the owner is not there. Then the one who borrowed it must pay the owner for the animal.


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The owner might be with the animal. Then the one who borrowed it does not have to pay. If the animal was rented, the rental price covers the loss.


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Laws and Relationships “A man might find a woman who is not pledged to be married. She has never had physical relations with a man. He might trick her into having physical relations with him. Then he must give her family the payment to marry her. And she will be his wife.


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But her father might refuse to allow his daughter to marry him. Then the man must still give the payment for a bride. He must pay the usual charge for a woman who is a virgin.


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And I will be very angry and kill you in war. Then your wives will become widows, and your children will become orphans.


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“You might lend money to one of my people who is poor. Then do not treat him as a moneylender would. Charge him nothing for using your money.


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Your neighbor might give you his coat as a promise. He is promising to pay you the money he owes you. But you must give it back to him by sunset.


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That coat is the only cover to keep his body warm. He has nothing else to sleep in. If he cries out to me for help, I will listen because I am merciful.


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“Do not hold back your offering from the first of your harvest. Give me the first grain that you harvest. Give me the first wine that you make. Also, you must give me your firstborn sons.


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You must do the same with your bulls and your sheep. Let the firstborn males stay with their mothers for seven days. On the eighth day you must give them to me.


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“You are to be my holy people. You must not eat the meat of any animal that has been killed by wild animals. Instead, give it to the dogs.


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Laws About Fairness “You must not tell lies. You might be a witness in court. Don’t help a bad person by telling lies.


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“You must not do wrong just because everyone else is doing it. You might be a witness in court. Then you must not ruin a fair trial. You must not tell lies just because everyone else is.


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You might see that your enemy’s donkey has fallen because its load is too heavy. You must not leave it there. You must help your enemy get the donkey back on its feet.


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You must not lie when you accuse someone in court. Never allow an innocent or honest person to be put to death as punishment. This is because I will not treat guilty people as if they were innocent.


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“You must not accept money from a person who wants you to lie in court. Such money will not let you see what is right. Such money makes good people tell lies.


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“You must not mistreat a foreigner. You know how it feels to be a foreigner. You were foreigners in Egypt.


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Then during the seventh year, do not plow or plant your land. If any food grows there, allow the poor people to have it. And let the wild animals eat what is left. You should do the same with your vineyards and your orchards of olive trees.


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“You should work six days a week. But on the seventh day you must rest. This lets your ox and your donkey rest. This also lets the slave born in your house and the foreigner be refreshed.


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“Be sure to do all that I have said to you. You must not even say the names of other gods. The names of those gods must not come out of your mouth.


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You must celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Do this in the way I commanded you. For seven days you must eat bread that is made without yeast. You must do this at the set time during the month of Abib. This is the month when you came out of Egypt. No one is to come to worship me without bringing an offering.


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“You must celebrate the Feast of Harvest. Offer to God the first things you harvest. These are from the crops you planted in your fields. “You must celebrate the Feast of Tents in the fall. Do this when you gather all the crops from your fields.


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“You must not offer animal blood along with anything that has yeast in it. “You must not save any of the fat from the sacrifice for the next day.


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“You must bring the best of the firstfruits of your land. Bring them to the Holy Tent of the Lord your God. “You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.


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Promises “I am sending an angel ahead of you. He will protect you as you travel. He will lead you to the place I have prepared.


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Pay attention to the angel and obey him. Do not turn against him. He will not forgive such turning against him because my power is in him.


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You must listen carefully to all he says. You must do everything that I tell you. If you do this, I will be an enemy to your enemies. I will fight all who fight against you.


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My angel will go ahead of you. He will take you into the land of these people: the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites. And I will destroy them.


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“You must not bow down to their gods or worship those gods. You must not live the way those people live. You must destroy their idols. And you must break into pieces stone pillars they use in worship.


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You must worship the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless your bread and your water. I will take away sickness from you.


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None of your women will have her baby die before it is born. All women will have children. I will allow you to live long lives.


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“I will make your enemies afraid of me. I will confuse any people you fight against. I will make all your enemies run away from you.


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I will send something like hornets ahead of you. They will force the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.


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But I will not force all those people out in only one year. If I did, the land would become a desert. Then the wild animals would become too many for you.


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Instead, I will force those people out of your land very slowly. I will wait until there are enough of you to take over the land.


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“I will give you the land from the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean Sea. And I will give you the land between the desert and the Euphrates River. I will give you power over the people who now live in the land. You will force them out ahead of you.


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You must not let them live in your land. If they live there, they will make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, you will be like someone caught in a trap.”


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God and Israel Make Their Agreement The Lord told Moses, “You, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 of the elders of Israel must come up to me. You must worship me from a distance.


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Then Moses alone must come near me. The other men must not come near. And the rest of the people must not come up the mountain with Moses.”


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So Moses told the people all the Lord’s words and laws for living. Then all of the people answered out loud together. They said, “We will do all the things that the Lord has said.”


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So Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. And he got up early the next morning. He built an altar near the bottom of the mountain. He set up 12 stones, 1 stone for each of the 12 tribes of Israel.


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Then Moses sent young Israelite men to offer whole burnt offerings. They also sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord.


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Moses took the blood of these animals. He put half of it in bowls. And he sprinkled the other half of the blood on the altar.


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Then Moses took the book with the agreement written in it. He read it so the people could hear him. And they said, “We will do everything that the Lord has said. We will obey.”


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Then Moses took the blood from the bowls. He sprinkled it on the people. He said, “This is the blood that begins the agreement. This is the agreement which the Lord has made with you about all these things.”


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They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was a surface. It looked as if it were paved with blue sapphire stones. And it was as clear as the sky!


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These leaders of the Israelites saw God. But God did not destroy them. Then they ate and drank together.


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Moses Gets the Stone Tablets The Lord said to Moses, “Come up the mountain to me. Wait there, and I will give you two stone tablets. On these are the teachings and the commandments. I have written these to teach the people.”


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Moses said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. Anyone who has a disagreement with others can take it to them.”


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The greatness of the Lord came down on Mount Sinai. The cloud covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud.


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The Israelites could see the greatness of the Lord. It looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain.


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Then Moses went into the cloud and went higher up the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.


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and olive oil to burn in the lamps. And receive spices for sweet-smelling incense and the special olive oil poured on a person’s head to make him a priest.


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The Ark of the Covenant “Use acacia wood and build an Ark. It must be 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches high.


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Make four gold rings for the Ark of the Covenant. Attach the gold rings to its four feet, two rings on each side.


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Put the poles through the rings on the sides of the Ark. Use these poles to carry the Ark of the Covenant.


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Then put the two flat stones in the Ark of the Covenant. I will give you these stones on which the commands are written.


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“Then make a lid of pure gold for the Ark of the Covenant. This lid is the mercy seat. Make it 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.


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Put one creature with wings on one end of the lid. And put the other creature with wings on the other end. Attach the creatures with wings to the lid so that they will all be one piece.


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The creatures’ wings should be spread out over the lid. The creatures are to face each other across the lid.


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Put this lid on top of the Ark of the Covenant. Also put in this Ark of the Covenant the agreement which I will make with you.


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I will meet with you there, above the lid between the two creatures with wings. These are on the Ark of the Covenant. There I will give you all my commands for the Israelites.


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The Table “Make a table out of acacia wood. It must be 36 inches long, 18 inches wide and 27 inches high.


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Then make a frame three inches high that stands up all around the edge. Put a gold strip around the frame.


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Put the rings close to the frame around the top of the table. These rings will hold the poles for carrying the table.


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Make the plates and bowls for the table out of pure gold. Make the jars and cups out of pure gold. They will be used for pouring out the drink offerings.


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On this table put the bread that shows you are in my presence. It must always be there in front of me.


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The Lampstand “Hammer pure gold to make a lampstand. Its base, stand, flower-like cups, buds and petals must all be joined together in one piece.


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Each branch must have three cups shaped like almond flowers on it. Each cup must have a bud and a petal.


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And there must be four more cups made like almond flowers on the lampstand itself. These cups must also have buds and petals.


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“Then make seven small oil lamps and put them on the lampstand. They will give light to the area in front of the lampstand.


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The Holy Tent “Make the Holy Tent with ten pieces of cloth. These pieces must be made of fine linen and blue, purple and red thread. Have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on the pieces of cloth.


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Make 50 loops on the end piece of the first set. And make 50 loops on the end piece of the second set. These loops must be opposite each other.


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And make 50 gold hooks. Use these to join the two sets of cloth. This will make the Holy Tent one piece.


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“Then make another tent that will cover the Holy Tent. Make this tent of 11 pieces of cloth made from goat hair.


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Sew five of the pieces together into one set. Then sew the other six pieces together into the second set. Fold the sixth piece double over the front of the Tent.


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Make 50 loops down the edge of the end piece of one set. Do the same for the end piece of the other set.


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Then make 50 bronze hooks. Put these in the loops to join the two sets of cloth. This will make the covering one piece.


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Make two more coverings for the Holy Tent. One should be made from male sheep skins colored red. The outer covering should be from fine leather.


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Each frame must have 2 silver bases to go under it. A peg fits into each silver base. You must make 40 silver bases for the frames.


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The 2 frames at each corner are to be joined together. Hold them together from bottom to top with a metal ring. Both corner frames must be made this way.


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So there will be a total of 8 frames at the rear of the Tent. And there will be 16 silver bases—2 bases under each frame.


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“Make crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the Holy Tent. Make five crossbars to hold the frames together on one side.


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Also make five crossbars to hold the frames together on the other side. And make crossbars to hold the frames together on the west end, at the rear.


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The middle crossbar is to be set halfway up the frames. It is to run along the entire length of each side and rear.


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Make gold rings on the sides of the frames. Pass the crossbars through the rings. Cover the frames and the crossbars with gold.


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“Make a curtain of fine linen and blue, purple and red thread. Have a skilled craftsman sew designs of creatures with wings on the curtain.


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Hang the curtain by gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood. Cover these posts with gold and set them in four silver bases.


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Hang the curtain from the hooks in the roof. Put the Ark of the Covenant containing the two flat stones behind the curtain. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.


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“Outside the curtain, put the table on the north side of the Holy Tent. And put the lampstand on the south side of the Holy Tent. This will be across from the table.


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The Entrance of the Holy Tent “Then make a curtain for the entrance of the Tent. Make it with fine linen and blue, purple and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to sew designs on it.


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Make five posts of acacia wood covered with gold. Make five gold hooks on which to hang the curtain from the posts. And make five bronze bases for the five posts.


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The Altar “Make an altar for burnt offerings out of acacia wood. Make it 4½ feet high. It should be square: 7½ feet long and 7½ feet wide.


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Make each of the four corners of the altar stick out like a horn. The corners with their horns must be all one piece. Then cover the whole altar with bronze.


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“Use bronze to make all the tools and dishes that will be used on the altar. Make pots to remove the ashes. Make shovels, bowls for sprinkling blood, meat forks and pans for carrying the burning wood.


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“Make a large, bronze screen to hold the burning wood. And put a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the screen.


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Make the altar out of boards and leave the inside hollow. Make it as you were shown on the mountain.


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The Courtyard of the Holy Tent “Make a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tent. The south side should have a wall of fine linen curtains 150 feet long.


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The north side must also be 150 feet long. Hang its curtains on silver hooks and bands. Put these on 20 bronze posts on 20 bronze bases.


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“The west end of the courtyard must have a wall of curtains 75 feet long. It must have 10 posts and 10 bases on that wall.


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On one side of the entry, there is to be a wall of curtains. It is to be 22½ feet long. It is to be held up by 3 posts on 3 bases.


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On the other side of the entry, there is to be a wall of curtains. It is to be 22½ feet long. It is to be held up by 3 posts on 3 bases.


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“The entry to the courtyard is to be a curtain 30 feet wide. It is to be made of fine linen with blue, purple and red thread. Someone who can sew well is to sew designs on it. It is to be held up by 4 posts on 4 bases.


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The courtyard must be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. The wall of curtains around it should be 7½ feet high. They must be made of fine linen. The bases in which the posts are set must be bronze.


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All the things used in the Holy Tent must be made of bronze. And all the tent pegs for the Holy Tent and the wall around the courtyard must be made of bronze.


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Oil for the Lamp “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure olive oil. It is to be made from pressed olives. This is to keep the lamps on the lampstand burning.


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Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This will be in the Meeting Tent. It is outside the curtain which is in front of the Ark of the Covenant. The Israelites and their descendants must obey this rule from now on.


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Clothes for the Priests “Tell your brother Aaron to come to you. His sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar must come with him. Separate them from the other Israelites. These men must serve as priests.


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Speak to all the people to whom I have given the ability to make clothes. Tell these skilled craftsmen to make the clothes for Aaron. Use these clothes to make him belong to me. Then he may serve me as a priest.


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These are the clothes they must make: a chest covering, a holy vest, an outer robe, a woven inner robe, a turban and a cloth belt. The craftsmen must make these holy clothes. They are for your brother Aaron and his sons. Then Aaron and his sons may serve me as priests.


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The Holy Vest “Use gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen to make the holy vest. The craftsmen are to make this holy vest.


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At each top corner of this holy vest there will be a pair of shoulder straps. These are to be tied together over each shoulder.


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“The craftsmen will very carefully weave a belt on the holy vest. Make the belt with gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.


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Write 6 names on one stone and 6 names on the other stone. Write the names in order, from the oldest son to the youngest.


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Carve the names of the sons of Israel on these stones. Do this the same way a person carves words and designs on the seals. Put gold around the stones to hold them on the holy vest.


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Put the two stones on the two straps of the holy vest. These stones are reminders of the 12 sons of Israel. Aaron is to wear their names on his shoulders. They are before the Lord as reminders of the sons of Israel.


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Then make two chains of pure gold. Twist them together like a rope. Attach the chains to the two gold pieces that hold the stones.


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The Chest Covering “Make a chest covering to help in making decisions. The craftsmen should make it as they made the holy vest. They must use gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.


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The chest covering must be square. It should be nine inches long and nine inches wide. Fold it double to make a pocket.


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Put four rows of beautiful gems on the chest covering. The first row of jewels must have a ruby, topaz and yellow quartz.


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The fourth row must have a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Put gold around these jewels to attach them to the chest covering.


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There must be 12 jewels on the chest covering. That is 1 jewel for each of the names of the sons of Israel. Carve the name of one of the 12 tribes on each of the stones. Carve them as you would carve a seal.


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Attach the other ends of the two chains to the two gold pieces on the shoulder straps. This will tie the chains to the shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest.


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“Make two more gold rings. Put them at the two lower corners of the chest covering. Put them on the inside edge of the chest covering next to the holy vest.


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Make two more gold rings. Attach them to the bottom of the shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest. Put the gold rings close to the seam above the woven belt of the holy vest.


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Join the rings of the chest covering to the rings of the holy vest with blue ribbon. This will connect it to the woven belt. In this way the chest covering will not swing out from the holy vest.


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“When Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will wear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart. These names are on the chest covering that helps in making decisions. This will be a continual reminder before the Lord.


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And put the Urim and Thummim inside the chest covering. These things will be on Aaron’s heart when he goes before the Lord. They will help in making decisions for the Israelites. So Aaron will always carry them with him when he is before the Lord.


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Make a hole in the center for Aaron’s head. And there must be a woven collar around the hole so it will not tear.


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Make balls like pomegranates of blue, purple and red thread. Hang these pomegranate balls around the bottom of the outer robe. And hang gold bells between them.


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So all around the bottom of the outer robe there should be a gold bell and a pomegranate ball, a gold bell and a pomegranate ball.


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Aaron must wear this robe when he serves as priest. The ringing of the bells will be heard. They will ring when he enters and leaves the Holy Place before the Lord. This way Aaron will not be killed.


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“Make a strip of pure gold. Carve these words on the gold strip as you would carve on a seal: ‘Holy to the Lord.’


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Aaron must wear this on his forehead. In this way, he will be blamed if anything is wrong with the gifts of the Israelites. Aaron must always wear this on his head so the Lord will accept the gifts of the people.


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“Make the woven inner robe of fine linen. Make the turban of fine linen, also. Make the cloth belt with designs sewn on it.


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Also make woven inner robes, cloth belts and headbands for Aaron’s sons. This will give them honor and beauty.


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Put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons. Then pour olive oil on their heads to appoint them as priests. Make them belong to me so they may serve me as priests.


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Aaron and his sons must wear these underclothes when they enter the Meeting Tent. And they must wear these clothes anytime they come near the altar to serve as priests in the Holy Place. If they do not wear these clothes, they will be guilty of wrong. And they will be killed. This will be a law that will last from now on for Aaron and all his descendants.


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Appointing the Priests “This is what you must do to appoint Aaron and his sons. Then they may serve me as priests. Take one young bull and two male sheep that have nothing wrong with them.


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Use fine wheat flour without yeast to make bread and cakes mixed with olive oil. Also use wheat flour without yeast to make wafers brushed with olive oil.


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Take the clothes. Dress Aaron in the inner robe and the outer robe of the holy vest. Then put on him the holy vest and the chest covering. Then tie the holy vest on him with its skillfully woven belt.


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Put the headbands on their heads. Then tie cloth belts around their waists. Aaron and his descendants will be priests in Israel. This is by a rule that will continue from now on. This is how you will appoint Aaron and his sons as priests.


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“Bring the bull to the front of the Meeting Tent. Aaron and his sons must put their hands on the bull’s head.


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Take some of the bull’s blood and go to the altar. Use your finger to put some blood on the corners of the altar. Pour the blood that is left at the bottom of the altar.


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Then take all the fat that covers the inner organs. Take the best part of the liver, and take both kidneys and the fat around them. Burn these on the altar.


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Take the bull’s meat, skin and intestines. Burn these things outside the camp. This is an offering to take away sin.


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Then cut the male sheep into pieces. Wash its inner organs and its legs. Put them with its head and its other pieces.


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Burn the whole male sheep on the altar. It is a burnt offering made by fire to the Lord. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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Kill that male sheep and take some of its blood. Put it on the bottom of the right ears of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands. And put it on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle the rest of the blood against all four sides of the altar.


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Then take some of the blood from the altar. Mix it with the special oil used in appointing priests. Sprinkle this on Aaron and his clothes. And sprinkle this on his sons and their clothes. This will show that Aaron and his sons and their clothes are given to my service.


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“Then take the fat from the male sheep. Take the fat tail and the fat that covers the inner organs. Take the best part of the liver. Take both kidneys and the fat around them and the right thigh. This is the male sheep to be used in appointing priests.


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“Then take the basket of bread that you made without yeast. This is the basket you put before the Lord. From it take a loaf of bread, a cake made with olive oil and a wafer.


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Put these in the hands of Aaron and his sons. Tell them to present these things in their hands before the Lord. This will be an offering presented to the Lord.


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Then take them from their hands. Burn them on the altar with the whole burnt offering. This is an offering made by fire to the Lord. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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Then take the breast of the male sheep used to appoint Aaron as priest. Present the breast of the male sheep before the Lord. It is an offering presented to the Lord. This part of the animal will be your share.


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Then give to the service of the Lord the parts of the male sheep used to appoint them as priests. They belong to Aaron and his sons. They are the breast and the right thigh. These were presented to the Lord.


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This is to be the regular share which the Israelites will always give to Aaron and his sons. This is the gift the Israelites must give to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.


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“The holy clothes made for Aaron will belong to his descendants. They must wear these clothes when they are appointed as priests.


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Aaron’s son will become high priest after Aaron. He will come to the Meeting Tent to serve in the Holy Place. He is to wear these clothes for seven days.


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Then Aaron and his sons must eat the meat of the male sheep. They must do that at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. And they must also eat the bread that is in the basket.


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These offerings were used to remove their sins when they were made priests so they would belong to God. Now they should eat these offerings. But no one else is to eat these things because they are holy.


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If any of the meat from that male sheep or any of the bread is left the next morning, it must be burned. It shall not be eaten because it is holy.


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“Do all these things that I commanded you to do to Aaron and his sons. You are to spend seven days appointing them.


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Each day for seven days you are to offer a bull. This will remove the sins of Aaron and his sons so they will be given for service to the Lord. Make the altar ready for service to the Lord. Pour oil on it to make it holy.


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Spend seven days making the altar ready for service to God and making it holy. Then the altar will become very holy. Anything that touches it must be holy.


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In the morning, when you offer the first lamb, offer also two quarts of fine flour. Mix it with one quart of oil from pressed olives. Pour out a quart of wine as a drink offering.


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Offer the second lamb in the evening. Also offer the same grain offering and drink offering as you did in the morning. This is an offering by fire to the Lord. And its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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“You must burn these things as an offering to the Lord every day. Do this at the entrance of the Meeting Tent before the Lord from now on. When you make the offering, I, the Lord, will meet you there and speak to you.


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“So I will make the Meeting Tent and the altar holy. And I will make Aaron and his sons holy so they may serve me as priests.


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And they will know that I am the Lord their God. They will know that I am the one who led them out of Egypt. I did this so I could live with them. I am the Lord their God.


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Make it square—18 inches long and 18 inches wide. It must be 36 inches high. Make the corners stick out like horns. These must be one piece with the altar.


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Make two gold rings beneath the gold strip on opposite sides of the altar. Slide poles through these gold rings to carry the altar.


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Put the altar of incense in front of the curtain. This curtain is in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Put the altar in front of the lid that covers that Ark of the Covenant. There I will meet with you.


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“Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on the altar every morning. He will do this when he comes to take care of the oil lamps.


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He must burn incense again in the evening when he lights the lamps. So incense will burn before the Lord every day from now on.


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Do not use this altar for offering any other incense or burnt offering. Do not use this altar to offer any kind of grain offering or drink offering.


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Once a year Aaron must make the altar ready for service to God. He will do it by putting blood on its corners. This is blood of the animal offered to remove sins. He is to do this once a year from now on. This altar belongs completely to God’s service.”


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“Count the people of Israel. At that time every person must pay to buy back his life from the Lord. Then no terrible things will happen to the people when you number them.


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Every person who is counted must pay one-fifth of an ounce of silver. This is set by the Holy Place measure, which weighs two-fifths of an ounce. This amount is a gift to the Lord.


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A rich person must not give more than one-fifth of an ounce. And a poor person must not give less than one-fifth of an ounce. You are paying this to the Lord to buy back your lives.


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Gather from the people of Israel this money paid to buy back their lives. Spend it to buy things for the service in the Meeting Tent. This payment will remind the Lord that the Israelites’ lives have been bought back.”


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“Make a bronze bowl for washing. Build it on a bronze stand. Put the bowl and stand between the Meeting Tent and the altar. Put water in the bowl.


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Each time, before they enter the Meeting Tent, they must wash with water. This way they will not die. They approach the altar to serve as priests. They offer a sacrifice to the Lord by fire.


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Each time they do this, they must wash their hands and their feet so they will not die. This is a rule which Aaron and his descendants are to keep from now on.”


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“Take the finest spices: 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, half that amount (that is, 6 pounds) of sweet-smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of sweet-smelling cane


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and 12 pounds of cassia. Weigh all these by the Holy Place measure. Also take 4 quarts of olive oil.


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Mix all these things like a perfume to make a holy olive oil. This special oil must be put on people and things. Do this to make them ready for service to God.


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Put this oil on the table and all its dishes. And put this oil on the lampstand and all its tools. Put the oil on the incense altar.


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Also, put the oil on the altar for burning offerings and all its tools. Put this oil on the bowl and the stand under the bowl. Put oil on all these things to prepare them for service to God.


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You will give these things for service to God. They will be very holy. Anything that touches these things must also be holy.


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“Put the oil on Aaron and his sons to make them priests. Give them for service to me. Then they may serve me as priests.


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Tell the Israelites, ‘This is to be my holy olive oil from now on. It is to be put on people and things to make them ready for service to God.


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Do not pour it on the bodies of ordinary people. Do not make perfume the same way you make this oil. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.


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Someone might make perfume like it. Or he might put it on someone who is not a priest. Then that person must be separated from his people.’”


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Incense Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take these sweet-smelling spices: resin, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense. Be sure that you have equal amounts of each.


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Beat some of the incense into a fine powder. Put some of it in front of the Ark of the Covenant in the Meeting Tent. There I will meet with you. You must use this incense powder only for its very special purpose.


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Do not make incense for yourselves the same way you make this incense. Treat it as holy to the Lord.


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I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God. I have given him the skill, ability and knowledge to do all kinds of work.


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He is able to cut jewels and put them in metal. And he can carve wood. Bezalel can do all kinds of work.


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I have also chosen Oholiab son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan. Oholiab will work with Bezalel. I have given skills to all skilled craftsmen. They will be able to make all these things I have commanded you:


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the Meeting Tent, the Ark of the Covenant, the lid that covers the Ark of the Covenant and everything in the Tent.


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This includes the table and everything on it, the pure gold lampstand and everything with it and the altar of incense.


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It also includes the altar for burnt offerings and everything used with it, the bowl and the stand under it.


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They will make the woven clothes and the holy clothes for Aaron and the clothes for his sons to wear when they serve as priests.


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They will also make the special olive oil used in appointing people and things to the service of the Lord, and the sweet-smelling incense for the Holy Place. “These workers will make all these things just as I have commanded you.”


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“Tell the Israelites, ‘You must keep the rules about my Sabbaths. This is because they will be a sign between you and me from now on. In this way you will know that I, the Lord, am making you holy.


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“‘Make the Sabbath a holy day. If anyone treats the Sabbath like any other day, that person must be put to death. Anyone who works on the Sabbath day must be separated from his people.


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There are six days for working. But the seventh day is a day of rest. It is a day holy for the Lord. Anyone who works during the Sabbath day must be put to death.


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The Israelites must remember the Sabbath day. It is an agreement between them and me that will continue from now on.


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The Sabbath day will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever. This is because in six days I, the Lord, made the sky and the earth. And on the seventh day I did not work. I rested.’”


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So the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai. Then the Lord gave him the two stone tablets with the agreement written on them. The finger of God wrote the commands on the stones.


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The People Make a Gold Calf The people saw that a long time had passed. And Moses had not come down from the mountain. So they gathered around Aaron. They said to him, “Moses led us out of Egypt. But we don’t know what has happened to him. So make us gods who will lead us.”


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Aaron said to the people, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, sons and daughters are wearing. Bring them to me.”


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Aaron took the gold from the people. Then he melted it and made a statue of a calf. He finished it with a tool. Then the people said, “Israel! These are your gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”


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Aaron saw all this, and he built an altar before the calf. Then he made an announcement. He said, “Tomorrow there will be a special feast to honor the Lord.”


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The people got up early the next morning. They offered whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. First the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up and had wild parties.


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And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down from this mountain. Your people, the people you brought out of the land of Egypt, have done a terrible sin.


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They have quickly turned away from the things I commanded them to do. They have made for themselves a calf of melted gold. They have worshiped that calf and offered sacrifices to it. The people have said, ‘Israel, these are your gods who brought you out of Egypt.’”


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So now do not stop me. I am so angry with them that I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants a great nation.”


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But Moses begged the Lord his God. Moses said, “Lord, don’t let your anger destroy your people. You brought these people out of Egypt with your great power and strength.


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Don’t let the people of Egypt say, ‘The Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt. But he planned to kill them in the mountains and destroy them from the earth.’ So stop being angry. Don’t destroy your people.


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Remember the men who served you—Abraham, Isaac and Israel. You promised with an oath to them. You said, ‘I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the sky. I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised them. It will be theirs forever.’”


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Then Moses went down the mountain. In his hands he had the two stone tablets with the agreement on them. The commands were written on both sides of each stone, front and back.


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Then Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting. He said to Moses, “It sounds like war down in the camp.”


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Moses answered: “It is not an army’s shout of victory. It is not an army’s cry of defeat. It is the sound of singing that I hear.”


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When Moses came close to the camp, he saw the gold calf and the dancing. He became very angry. He threw down the stone tablets which he was carrying. He broke them at the bottom of the mountain.


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Then he took the calf that the people had made. He melted it in the fire. And he ground the gold until it became powder. He threw the powder into the water. And he forced the Israelites to drink that water.


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Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you? Why did you cause them to do such a terrible sin?”


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The people said to me, ‘Moses led us out of Egypt. But we don’t know what has happened to him. So make us gods who will lead us.’


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So I told the people, ‘Take off your gold jewelry.’ So they gave me the gold. I threw it into the fire and out came this calf!”


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Moses saw that the people were acting wildly. He saw that Aaron had let them get out of control. Their enemies would laugh at them.


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So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp. He said, “Let anyone who wants to follow the Lord come to me.” And all the people from the family of Levi gathered around Moses.


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Then Moses said to them, “The Lord, the God of Israel, says this: ‘Every man must put on his sword and go through the camp from one end to the other. Each man must kill his brother, his friend and his neighbor.’”


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Then Moses said, “Today you have been given for service to the Lord. You were willing to kill your own sons and brothers. And God has blessed you for this.”


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The next day Moses told the people, “You have done a terrible sin. But now I will go up to the Lord. Maybe I can do something so your sins will be removed. Then you will belong to God again.”


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So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “How terrible it is! These people have sinned horribly. They have made for themselves gods from gold.


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Now, forgive them of this sin. If you will not, then erase my name. Erase it from the book in which you have written the names of your people.”


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So now, go. Lead the people where I have told you. My angel will lead you. When the time comes to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”


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So the Lord caused terrible things to happen to the people. He did this because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “You and the people you brought out of Egypt must leave this place. Go to the land that I promised with an oath to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I said, ‘I will give that land to your descendants.’


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I will send an angel to lead you. And I will force these people out of the land: the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.


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Go up to the land where much food grows. But I will not go with you. This is because I might destroy you on the way. You are such a stubborn people.”


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This was because the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stubborn people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I would destroy you. So take off all your jewelry. Then I will decide what to do with you.’”


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The Meeting Tent Moses used to take a tent and set it up a long way outside the camp. Moses called it the “Meeting Tent.” A person might want to ask the Lord about something. Then he would go to the Meeting Tent outside the camp.


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Anytime Moses went out to the Tent, all the people would rise. They stood at the entrances of their tents and watched Moses until he entered the Meeting Tent.


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When Moses went into the Tent, the pillar of cloud would always come down. It would stay at the entrance of the Tent while the Lord spoke with Moses.


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The people saw the pillar of cloud at the entrance of the Tent. Then they stood and worshiped, each person at the entrance of his own tent.


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The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp. But Moses’ young helper, Joshua son of Nun, did not leave the Tent.


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Moses said to the Lord, “You have told me to lead these people. But you did not say whom you would send with me. You have said to me, ‘I know you very well. I am pleased with you.’


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If I have truly pleased you, show me your plans. Then I may know you and continue to please you. Remember that this nation is your people.”


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If you don’t go with us, no one will know that you are pleased with me and your people. These people and I would be no different from any other people on earth.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will do what you ask. This is because I know you very well, and I am pleased with you.”


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The Lord answered, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you. I will announce my name, the Lord, so you can hear it. I will show kindness to anyone I want to show kindness. I will show mercy to anyone I want to show mercy.


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My greatness will pass that place. I will put you in a large crack in that rock. And I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.


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Moses Gets New Tablets The Lord said to Moses, “Cut two more stone tablets like the first two. I will write the same words on them that were on the first two stones which you broke.


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Be ready tomorrow morning. Then come up on Mount Sinai. Stand before me there on the top of the mountain.


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No one may come with you. No one should even be seen any place on the mountain. Not even the sheep or cattle may eat grass near that mountain.”


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So Moses cut two stone tablets like the first ones. Then early the next morning he went up Mount Sinai. He did this just as the Lord had commanded him. Moses carried the two stone tablets with him.


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Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses. And the Lord called out his name, the Lord.


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The Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows mercy and is kind. The Lord doesn’t become angry quickly. The Lord has great love and faithfulness.


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The Lord is kind to thousands of people. The Lord forgives people for wrong and sin and turning against him. But the Lord does not forget to punish guilty people. The Lord will punish not only the guilty people. He will also punish their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren and their great-great-grandchildren.”


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Moses said, “Lord, if you are pleased with me, please go with us. I know that these are stubborn people. But forgive our evil and our sin. Take us as your own people.”


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Then the Lord said, “I am making this agreement with you. I will do miracles in front of all your people. These things have never before been done for any other nation on earth. The people with you will see my work. I, the Lord, will do wonderful things for you.


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Obey the things I command you today, and I will force your enemies to leave your land. I will force out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites ahead of you.


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Be careful. Don’t make any agreement with the people who live in the land where you are going. It will bring you trouble.


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“Be careful. Don’t make any agreements with the people who live in that land. They will worship their false gods. And they will invite you to join them. Then you will join them, and you will eat their sacrifices.


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You might choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons. Those daughters worship false gods. They might lead your sons to do the same thing.


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“Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days you must eat bread made without yeast as I commanded you. Do this during the month I have chosen, the month of Abib. This is because in that month you came out of Egypt.


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You may buy back a donkey by paying for it with a lamb. But if you don’t want to buy back a donkey, you must break its neck. You must buy back all your firstborn sons. “No one is to come before me without a gift.


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“You must work for six days. But on the seventh day you must rest. You must do this even during the planting season and harvest season.


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“Celebrate the Feast of Weeks when you gather the first grain of the wheat harvest. And celebrate the Feast of Harvest in the fall.


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I will force out nations ahead of you. I will expand the borders of your land. You will go before the Lord your God three times each year. And at that time no one will try to take your land from you.


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“Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me with anything containing yeast. And do not leave any of the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover. It must not be left until the next morning.


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“Bring the best first crops that you harvest from your ground. Bring those things to the Tent of the Lord your God. “You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”


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Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words. This is because with these words I have made an agreement with you and Israel.”


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Moses stayed there with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights. During that time he did not eat food or drink water. And Moses wrote the words of the agreement—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.


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The Face of Moses Shines Then Moses came down from Mount Sinai. In his hands he was carrying the two stone tablets of the agreement. But Moses did not know that his face was shining because he had talked with the Lord.


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Aaron and all the people of Israel saw that Moses’ face was shining. So they were afraid to go near him.


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But Moses called to them. So Aaron and all the leaders of the people returned to Moses. Moses talked with them.


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After that, all the people of Israel came near him. And he gave them all the commands that the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.


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Anytime Moses went before the Lord to speak with him, Moses took off the covering until he came out. Then Moses would come out and tell the people of Israel the things the Lord had commanded.


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The Israelites would see that Moses’ face was shining. So he would cover his face again. He did this until the next time he went in to speak with the Lord.


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Rules About the Sabbath Moses gathered all the Israelite community together. He said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do.


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You are to work for six days. But the seventh day will be a holy day, a Sabbath of rest to honor the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.


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From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Let everyone who is willing bring this offering to the Lord: gold, silver, bronze,


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They may also bring olive oil for the lamps, spices for the special olive oil used for appointing priests and for the sweet-smelling incense.


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And they may bring onyx stones and other jewels to be put on the holy vest and chest covering of the priests.


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the table and its poles, all the things that go with the table and the bread that shows we are in God’s presence;


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the lampstand for the light and all the things that go with it, the lamps and olive oil for the light;


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the altar of incense and its poles, the special oil and the sweet-smelling incense, the curtain for the entrance of the Meeting Tent;


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the altar of burnt offering and its bronze screen, its poles and all its tools, the bronze bowl and its base;


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the curtains around the courtyard, their posts and bases, and the curtain at the entry to the courtyard;


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the special clothes that the priest will wear in the Holy Place. These are the holy clothes for Aaron the priest and his sons to wear when they serve as priests.”


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Everyone who wanted to give came and brought a gift to the Lord. These gifts were used for making the Meeting Tent, all the things in the Tent and the special clothes.


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All the men and women who wanted to give brought gold jewelry of all kinds. They brought pins, earrings, rings and bracelets. They all presented their gold to the Lord.


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Everyone who had blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen came and gave it to the Lord. Anyone who had goat hair or male sheep skins colored red or fine leather brought them to the Lord.


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Everyone who could give silver or bronze brought that as a gift to the Lord. Everyone who had acacia wood to be used in the work brought it.


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Every skilled woman used her hands to make the blue, purple and red thread and fine linen. And they brought what they had made.


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The leaders brought onyx stones and other jewels. These stones and jewels were put on the holy vest and chest covering for the priest.


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They also brought spices and olive oil. These were used for the sweet-smelling incense, the special oil and the oil to burn in the lamps.


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All the men and women of Israel who wanted to help brought gifts to the Lord. They were used for all the work the Lord had commanded Moses and the people to do.


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Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “Look, the Lord has chosen Bezalel. He is the son of Uri the son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.


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The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God. The Lord has given Bezalel the skill, ability and knowledge to do all kinds of work.


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He is able to cut stones and jewels and put them in metal. Bezalel can carve wood and do all kinds of work.


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The Lord has given Bezalel and Oholiab the ability to teach others. Oholiab is the son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan.


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The Lord has given them the skill to do all kinds of work. They are able to cut designs in metal and stone. They can plan and sew designs in the fine linen with the blue, purple and red thread. And they are also able to weave things.


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“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person will do the work the Lord has commanded. The Lord gave these people the wisdom and understanding to do all the skilled work needed to build the Holy Tent.”


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Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab and all the other skilled people to whom the Lord had given skills. And they came because they wanted to help with the work.


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They received from Moses everything the people of Israel had brought as gifts to build the Holy Tent. The people continued to bring gifts each morning because they wanted to.


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So all the skilled workers left the work they were doing on the Holy Tent. And they went to speak to Moses. They said,


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Then Moses sent this command throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as a gift for the Holy Tent.” So the people were kept from giving more.


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The Holy Tent Then the skilled workers made the Holy Tent. They made the ten pieces of blue, purple and red cloth. And they sewed designs of creatures with wings on the pieces.


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Five of the pieces were fastened together to make one set. The other five were fastened together to make another set.


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Then they made loops of blue cloth along the edge of the end piece on the first set of five. They did the same thing with the other set of five.


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There were 50 loops on one piece and 50 loops on the other piece. The loops were opposite each other.


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Then they made 50 gold hooks to join the two pieces together. So the Holy Tent was joined together as one piece.


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Then the workers made another tent of 11 pieces of cloth made of goat hair. This was to put over the Holy Tent.


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They made 50 loops along the edge of the outside piece of one set. And they made 50 loops along the edge of the outside piece of the other set.


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Then they made two more coverings for the outer tent. One covering was made of male sheep skin colored red. The other covering was made of fine leather.


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There were two pegs side by side on each frame. Every frame of the Holy Tent was made this same way.


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Then they made 40 silver bases that went under the 20 frames. There were two bases for every frame—one for each peg of each board.


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These 2 frames were joined together from the bottom to the top with a metal ring. They did this for each of these corners.


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Then they made crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright frames of the Holy Tent. Five crossbars held the frames together on one side of the Tent.


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Five crossbars held the frames together on the other side. And five crossbars held the frames together on the west end, at the rear of the Tent.


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They made the crossbar run along the entire length of each side and rear of the Tent. It was set halfway up the frames.


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They made gold rings on the sides of the frames. They passed the crossbars through the rings. They covered the frames and the crossbars with gold.


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Then they made the curtain with blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. A skilled craftsman sewed designs of creatures with wings on it.


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They made four posts of acacia wood and covered them with gold. Then they made gold hooks for the posts. And they made four silver bases in which to set the posts.


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Then they made a curtain for the entrance to the Tent. They used blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. A person who sewed well sewed designs on it.


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Then they made five posts and hooks for it. They covered the tops of the posts and their bands with gold. And they made five bronze bases for the posts.


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The Ark of the Covenant Bezalel made the Ark of the Covenant of acacia wood. The Ark of the Covenant was 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches high.


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He covered the inside and outside of the Ark of the Covenant with pure gold. Then he put a gold strip around it.


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He made four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet. There were two rings on each side.


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Then Bezalel hammered gold to make two creatures with wings. He attached them to each end of the lid.


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He made one creature with wings on one end of the lid. He made the other creature with wings on the other end. He attached them to the lid so that it would be one piece.


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The Table Then he made the table of acacia wood. The table was 36 inches long, 18 inches wide and 27 inches high.


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Then he made a frame 3 inches high that stood up all around the edge. He put a gold strip around the frame.


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Then he made four gold rings for the table. He attached them to the four corners of the table, where the four legs were.


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The rings were put close to the frame around the top of the table. The rings held the poles that were used to carry the table.


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Then he made of pure gold all the things that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups and jars used for pouring the drink offerings.


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The Lampstand Then he made the lampstand of pure gold. He hammered out its base and stand. Its flower-like cups, buds and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and stand.


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There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself. Each cup had its buds and petals.


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Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand.


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The Altar for Burning Incense Then he made the altar of incense of acacia wood. The altar was square. It was 18 inches long, 18 inches wide and 36 inches high. Each corner stuck out like a horn. Each corner was joined into one piece with the altar.


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He covered the top and all the sides and the corners with pure gold. Then he put gold trim around the altar.


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He made two gold rings and put them below the trim on opposite sides of the altar. These rings held the poles for carrying the altar.


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Then he made the holy olive oil for appointing the priests. He also made the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.


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The Altar Then he built the altar for burning offerings. He made the altar of acacia wood. The altar was square. It was 7½ feet long, 7½ feet wide and 4½ feet high.


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He made each corner stick out like a horn. The horns and the altar were joined together in one piece. Then he covered the altar with bronze.


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He made all the tools of bronze to use on the altar: the pots, shovels, bowls for sprinkling blood, meat forks and pans for carrying the fire.


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He made a large bronze screen to hold the burning wood for the altar. He put the screen inside the altar, under its rim, halfway up from the bottom.


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He made bronze rings for holding the poles for carrying the altar. He put the rings at the four corners of the screen.


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He put the poles through the rings on both sides of the altar. They were used for carrying the altar. He made the altar of boards and left the inside hollow.


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The Bronze Bowl He made the bronze bowl for washing. He built it on a bronze stand. He used the bronze of mirrors. These mirrors belonged to the women who served at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


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The Courtyard of the Holy Tent Then he made a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tent. On the south side the curtains were 150 feet long and were made of fine linen.


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On the north side the wall of curtains was also 150 feet long. It hung on silver hooks and bands on 20 posts with 20 bronze bases.


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On the west side of the courtyard, the wall of curtains was 75 feet long. It was held up by silver hooks and bands on 10 posts and 10 bases.


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On one side of the entry there was a wall of curtains that was 22½ feet long. It was held up by 3 posts and 3 bases.


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On the other side of the entry there was a wall of curtains 22½ feet long. It was held up by 3 posts and 3 bases.


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The bases for the posts were made of bronze. The hooks and the bands on the posts were made of silver. The tops of the posts were covered with silver also. All the posts in the courtyard had silver bands.


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The curtain for the entry of the courtyard was made of blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. It was sewn by a person who could sew well. The curtain was 30 feet long and 7½ feet high. It was the same height as the curtains around the courtyard.


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The curtain was held up by 4 posts and 4 bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts were made of silver. The tops on the posts were covered with silver.


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This is a list of the metals used to make the Holy Tent. This is where the two flat stones with the Ten Commandments are kept. Moses ordered the Levites to make this list. Ithamar son of Aaron was in charge of keeping the list.


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Bezalel son of Uri made everything the Lord commanded Moses. Uri was the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah.


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Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan helped him. Oholiab could cut designs into metal and stone. He was a designer. He was also skilled at sewing the blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.


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The total amount of gold used to build the Holy Tent was presented to the Lord. It weighed over 2,000 pounds, as set by the Holy Place measure.


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The silver was given by the members of the community who were counted. It weighed 7,550 pounds, as set by the Holy Place measure.


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All the men 20 years old or older were counted. There were 603,550 men, and each man had to pay ⅕ ounce of silver. This is the weight as set by the Holy Place measure.


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Of this silver, 7,500 pounds was used to make the 100 bases. These bases were for the Holy Tent and for the curtain. There was 75 pounds of silver in each base.


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The other 50 pounds of silver was used to make the hooks for the posts. It was also used to cover the tops of the posts and to make the bands on the posts.


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They used the bronze to make the bases at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. They also used the bronze to make the altar and the bronze screen. And this bronze was used to make all the tools for the altar.


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This bronze was also used to make bases for the wall of curtains around the courtyard. It was used for the bases for the curtains at the entry to the courtyard. And this bronze was used to make the tent pegs for the Holy Tent and curtains that surrounded the courtyard.


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Clothes for the Priests They used blue, purple and red thread to make woven clothes for the priests. They were to wear these when they served in the Holy Place. They also made the holy clothes for Aaron as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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They hammered the gold into sheets. Then they cut the gold into long, thin strips. They worked the gold into the blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. This was done by a skilled craftsman.


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They made the shoulder straps for the holy vest. These straps were attached to the top corners of the vest. Then the shoulder straps were tied together over each shoulder.


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The skillfully woven belt was made in the same way. It was joined to the holy vest as one piece. It was made of gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. It was made the way the Lord commanded Moses.


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They put gold around the onyx stones. Then they wrote the names of the sons of Israel on these gems. They did that as a person carves words and designs on a seal.


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Then they attached the gems on the shoulder straps of the holy vest. These gems are reminders of the 12 sons of Israel. This was done the way the Lord had commanded Moses.


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The skilled craftsmen made the chest covering. It was made like the holy vest. It was made of gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.


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The chest covering was square, nine inches long and nine inches wide. It was folded double to make a pocket.


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Then they put four rows of beautiful jewels on it. In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a yellow quartz.


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In the fourth row there was a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Gold was put around these jewels to attach them to the chest covering.


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The names of the sons of Israel were carved on these 12 jewels as a person carves a seal. Each jewel had the name of 1 of the 12 tribes of Israel.


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The workers made two gold pieces and two gold rings. They put the two gold rings on the two upper corners of the chest covering.


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They fastened the other two ends of the chains to the two gold pieces. Then they attached these gold pieces to the two shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest.


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They made two more gold rings and put them at the lower corners of the chest covering. They put them on the inside edge next to the holy vest.


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Then they made two more gold rings on the bottom of the shoulder straps in front of the holy vest. These rings were near the seam, just above the woven belt of the holy vest.


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They used a blue ribbon and tied the rings of the chest covering to the rings of the holy vest. This connected it to the woven belt. In this way the chest covering would not swing out from the holy vest. They did all these things the way the Lord commanded.


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They made a hole in the center of the outer robe. A woven collar was sewn around this hole so it would not tear.


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Then they made balls like pomegranates of blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. They hung them around the bottom of the outer robe.


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They also made bells of pure gold. They hung these around the bottom of the outer robe between the balls.


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So around the bottom of the outer robe there was a bell and a pomegranate ball, a bell and a pomegranate ball. The priest wore this outer robe when he served as priest, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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Then they made the cloth belt of fine linen and blue, purple and red thread. Designs were sewn onto the cloth. These things were made as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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They made a strip of pure gold, which is the holy crown. They carved these words in the gold: “Holy to the Lord.” They did it as one might carve on a seal.


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Then they tied this flat piece to the turban with a blue ribbon. This was done as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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So all the work on the Meeting Tent was finished. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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Then they brought the Holy Tent to Moses: the Tent and all its furniture, hooks, frames, crossbars, posts and bases;


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the covering made of male sheep skins colored red, the covering made of fine leather and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place;


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the gold altar, the special olive oil used for appointing priests, the sweet-smelling incense, and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Tent;


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the curtains for the courtyard with their posts and bases, the curtain that covered the entry to the courtyard, the cords, pegs and all the things in the Meeting Tent.


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They brought the clothes for the priests to wear when they served in the Holy Tent: the holy clothes for Aaron the priest and the clothes for his sons. They wore these when they served as priests.


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Moses looked closely at all the work. He saw they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.


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Put the Ark of the Covenant in the Meeting Tent. Hang the curtain in front of the Ark of the Covenant.


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Then bring in the table. Arrange everything on the table that should be there. Then bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps.


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Put the gold altar for burning incense in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then put the curtain at the entrance to the Holy Tent.


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“Use the special olive oil and pour it on the Holy Tent and everything in it. Give the Tent and all that is in it for service to the Lord. They will be holy.


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Pour the special oil on the altar for burning offerings. Pour it on all its tools. Give the altar for service to God. It will be very holy.


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Then pour the special olive oil on the bowl and the base under it. When you do this, they will be given for service to God.


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Then put the holy clothes on Aaron. Pour the special oil on him, and give him for service to God. Then he may serve me as a priest.


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Pour the special oil on them to make them priests. Do this the same way that you appointed their father as priest. Then they may also serve me as priests. Pouring oil on them will make them a family of priests. They and their descendants will be priests from now on.”


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So the Holy Tent was set up. It was the first day of the first month during the second year after they left Egypt.


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When Moses set up the Holy Tent, he put the bases in place. Then he put the frames on the bases. Next he put the crossbars through the rings of the frames and set up the posts.


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After that, Moses spread the cloth over the Holy Tent. Then he put the covering over the Tent. He did these things just as the Lord commanded.


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Moses put the flat stones into the Ark of the Covenant. These had God’s law written on them. Moses put the poles through the rings of the Ark of the Covenant. Then he put the lid on it.


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Next Moses brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tent. He hung the curtain to cover the Ark of the Covenant. Moses did these things just as the Lord commanded him.


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Moses put the table in the Meeting Tent. He put it on the north side of the Holy Tent in front of the curtain.


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Moses put the lampstand in the Meeting Tent. He put it on the south side of the Holy Tent across from the table.


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Moses put the gold altar for burning incense in the Meeting Tent. He put it in front of the curtain.


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He put the altar for burning sacrifices at the entrance to the Holy Tent, the Meeting Tent. Then Moses offered a whole burnt offering and grain offerings on that altar. He did these things just as the Lord commanded him.


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Moses put the bowl between the Meeting Tent and the altar for burning sacrifices. Moses put water in the bowl for washing.


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They washed themselves every time they entered the Meeting Tent. They also washed themselves every time they went near the altar for burning sacrifices. They did these things just as the Lord commanded Moses.


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Then Moses set up the courtyard around the Holy Tent. He put the altar for burning sacrifices in the courtyard. Then he put up the curtain at the entry to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.


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The Cloud over the Holy Tent Then the cloud covered the Meeting Tent. The greatness of the Lord filled the Holy Tent.


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Moses could not enter the Meeting Tent. This was because the cloud had settled on it. And this was because the greatness of the Lord filled the Holy Tent.


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But as long as the cloud stayed on the Holy Tent, the people did not travel. They stayed in that place until the cloud rose.


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So the cloud of the Lord was over the Holy Tent during the day. And there was a fire in the cloud at night. So all the Israelites could see the cloud while they traveled.


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“Tell the people of Israel: ‘When you bring an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering one of the cattle. Or you may bring one of the sheep or goats.


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“‘If anyone offers a whole burnt offering from the cattle, it must be a male. It must have nothing wrong with it. The person must take the animal to the entrance of the Meeting Tent. Then the Lord will accept the offering.


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The person must put his hand on the animal’s head. Then the Lord will accept that burnt offering. It will remove the person’s sin so he will belong to God.


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The person must kill the young bull before the Lord. Then the priests must bring its blood to the altar. They must sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. This is the altar at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


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They must lay the head, the fat and other pieces on the wood. That wood is on the fire on the altar.


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The priest must wash the animal’s inner organs and legs with water. Then the priest must burn all the animal’s parts on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire. And its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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“‘The burnt offering may be a sheep or goat. It must be a male animal that has nothing wrong with it.


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The person must kill the animal on the north side of the altar. This is to be before the Lord. Then the priests must sprinkle its blood on the altar. They must sprinkle it on all sides.


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The person must cut the animal into pieces. Then the priest must lay the pieces with the head and fat on the wood. The wood is on the fire on the altar.


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The person must wash the animal’s inner organs and legs with water. Then the priest must burn all its parts on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire. And its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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The priest will bring the offering to the altar. He will pull off the bird’s head. Then he will burn it on the altar. The bird’s blood must be drained out on the side of the altar.


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The priest must remove the bird’s crop and its contents. He must throw them on the east side of the altar. This is where they put the ashes from the altar.


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Then the priest must tear the bird open by its wings. But he must not divide the bird into two parts. Then the priest must burn the bird on the altar. He must place it on the wood which is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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The Grain Offering “‘When anyone offers a grain offering to the Lord, it must be made from fine flour. The person must pour oil on it and put incense on it.


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Then he must take it to Aaron’s sons and the priests. The priest must take a handful of the fine flour, with the oil and all the incense. He must burn it on the altar as a memorial portion. It is an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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The rest of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and the priests. This offering is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord.


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“‘If you bring a grain offering that was baked in the oven, it must be made from fine flour. It may be loaves made without yeast and mixed with oil. Or it may be wafers made without yeast. They are to have oil poured over them.


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If your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made without yeast. It must be made of fine flour mixed with oil.


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Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord. Give it to the priest. He will take it to the altar.


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He will take out the memorial portion from the grain offering. He will burn it on the altar. This is an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and the priests. It is a most holy part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire.


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“‘Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast. You must not burn yeast or honey in an offering made by fire to the Lord.


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You may bring yeast and honey to the Lord as an offering from the first harvest. But yeast and honey must not be burned on the altar as a pleasing smell.


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You must also put salt on all your grain offerings. Salt stands for your agreement with God that will last forever. Do not leave it out of your grain offering. You must add salt to all your offerings.


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“‘If you bring a grain offering from the first harvest to the Lord, bring crushed heads of new grain. They must be roasted in the fire.


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The priest will burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and oil. It will have incense on it. It is an offering by fire to the Lord.


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The Fellowship Offering “‘A person’s fellowship offering to the Lord may be from the cattle. It may be a male or female animal. But it must have nothing wrong with it.


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The person must put his hand on the animal’s head. He must kill it at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then the priests must sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar.


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This person must make a sacrifice from the fellowship offering. The sacrifice must be made by fire to the Lord. He must offer the fat of the animal’s inner organs. This is both the fat that is in them and that covers them.


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He must also offer both kidneys and the fat on them. They are near the lower back muscle. He must also offer the best part of the liver. He will remove it with the kidneys.


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Then the priests will burn these parts on the altar. They will put them on the burnt offering that is on the wood on the fire. It is an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord.


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“‘A person’s fellowship offering to the Lord may be a lamb or a goat. He may offer a male or female animal. But it must have nothing wrong with it.


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He must put his hand on its head. Then he must kill the animal in front of the Meeting Tent. The priests will sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.


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Then the person must make a sacrifice from the fellowship offering. The sacrifice must be made by fire to the Lord. The person must bring the fat and the whole fat tail. The tail must be cut off close to the backbone. He must also offer the fat of the inner organs. This is both the fat that is in them and that covers them.


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He must offer both kidneys and the fat on them. They are near the lower back muscle. And he must offer the best part of the liver. He will remove it with the kidneys.


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Then the priest will burn these parts on the altar as food. It will be an offering made by fire to the Lord.


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He must put his hand on the goat’s head. And he must kill it in front of the Meeting Tent. Then the priests must sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.


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From this fellowship offering the person must make a sacrifice. It will be an offering by fire to the Lord. The person must offer all the fat of the goat’s inner organs. This is both the fat that is in them and that covers them.


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The priest will burn these parts on the altar as food. It is an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord. All the fat belongs to the Lord.


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“‘This law will continue for people from now on, wherever you live: you must not eat fat or blood.’”


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“Tell the people of Israel this: ‘A person might sin by accident. He might do some things the Lord has commanded not to be done. If so, that person must do these things:


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“‘It may be the appointed priest who has sinned. If so, he has brought guilt on the people. So he must offer a young bull to the Lord. It must have nothing wrong with it. This will be a sin offering for the sin he has done.


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He will bring the bull to the entrance of the Meeting Tent. He must bring it in front of the Lord. Then he will put his hand on the bull’s head. And he will kill the bull before the Lord.


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The priest is to dip his finger into the blood. He must sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the curtain. This curtain is in front of the Most Holy Place.


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The priest must also put some of the blood on the corners of the altar of incense. It stands before the Lord in the Meeting Tent. Then the priest must pour out the rest of the bull’s blood. It must be poured at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering. That altar is at the door of the Meeting Tent.


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He must remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering. He must remove the fat on and around the inner organs.


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He must remove both kidneys and the fat on them. They are near the lower back muscle. He must remove the best part of the liver with the kidneys.


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He must do this in the same way the fat is removed from the bull of the fellowship offering. Then the priest must burn the animal parts on the altar of burnt offering.


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But the priest must carry out the skin of the bull and all its meat. He must take these with the rest of the bull—its head, legs, intestines and other inner organs. He must take it outside the camp to the special clean place where the ashes are poured out. He must burn it on a wood fire on the pile of ashes.


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“‘The whole nation of Israel might sin without knowing it. They might do something the Lord has commanded not to be done. If this happens, they are guilty.


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When they learn about the sin they have done, a young bull must be offered. It is a sin offering for the whole nation. They must bring it and give it before the Meeting Tent.


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The elders of the group of people must put their hands on the bull’s head. It must be done before the Lord. And the bull must be killed before the Lord.


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The priest will dip his finger in the blood. He must sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the curtain.


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Then he must put some of the blood on the corners of the altar. The altar is before the Lord in the Meeting Tent. The priest must pour out the rest of the blood. He must pour it at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering. That altar is at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


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He will do the same thing with this bull that he did with the first bull of the sin offering. In this way the priest removes the sins of the people so they will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive them.


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Then the priest must carry the bull outside the camp and burn it. He must do this just as he did with the first bull. This is the sin offering for the whole community.


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“‘A ruler might sin by accident. He might do something the Lord his God has commanded must not be done. If he does, he is guilty.


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When he learns about his sin, he must bring a male goat. It must have nothing wrong with it. That will be his sin offering.


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The ruler must put his hand on the goat’s head and kill it. This must be done where they kill the whole burnt offering before the Lord. The goat is a sin offering.


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The priest must take some of the blood of the sin offering on his finger. He must put it on the corners of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of the blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.


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He must burn all the goat’s fat on the altar. He must burn it in the same way he burns the fat of the fellowship offerings. In this way the priest removes the ruler’s sin so he belongs to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him.


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“‘A person in the community might sin by accident. He might do something which the Lord has commanded must not be done. He is guilty of sin.


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When the person learns about his sin, he must bring a female goat. It must have nothing wrong with it. That will be his sin offering.


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He must put his hand on the animal’s head. He must kill it at the place of the whole burnt offering.


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Then the priest must take some of the goat’s blood on his finger. He must put it on the corners of the altar of burnt offering. He must pour out the rest of the goat’s blood at the bottom of the altar.


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Then the priest must remove all the goat’s fat. He must do it in the same way the fat is removed from the fellowship offerings. He must burn it on the altar. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord. In this way the priest will remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him.


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“‘This person may bring a lamb as his sin offering. If he does, he must bring a female. It must have nothing wrong with it.


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The person must put his hand on the animal’s head. He must kill it as a sin offering. He must kill it where they kill the whole burnt offering.


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The priest must take some of the blood from the sin offering on his finger. He must put it on the corners of the altar of burnt offering. Then he must pour out the rest of the lamb’s blood at the bottom of the altar.


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The priest must remove all the lamb’s fat. He must do it in the same way that the lamb’s fat is removed from the fellowship offerings. He must burn the pieces on the altar. They go on top of the offerings made by fire for the Lord. In this way the priest will remove that person’s sins so he will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him.


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Special Types of Accidental Sins “‘These are things for which a sin offering must be made: “‘A person might be ordered to tell in court what he has seen or what he knows. If he does not tell the court, he is guilty of sin.


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“‘Or someone might touch something unclean. It might be the dead body of an unclean wild animal or an unclean farm animal or an unclean crawling animal. He might not know that he touched it. But he will still be unclean and guilty of sin.


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“‘Many things come from a person which are not clean. Someone might touch one of these unclean things from a person and not know it. But when he learns about it, he will be guilty.


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“‘Or someone might make a promise before the Lord without thinking. He might promise to do something bad or good. The promise might be about anything. He might even make a promise before the Lord and forget about it. But when he remembers, he will be guilty.


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He must bring an offering to the Lord. It is a penalty for his sin. It must be a female lamb or goat from the flock. The priest will perform the acts to remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord.


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“‘But perhaps the person cannot afford a lamb. Then he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord. These will be the penalty for his sin. One bird must be for a sin offering. The other must be for a burnt offering.


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He must bring them to the priest. First the priest will offer the one for the sin offering. He will pull the bird’s head from its neck. But he will not pull it completely off.


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He must sprinkle the blood from the sin offering on the side of the altar. Then he must pour the rest of the blood at the bottom of the altar. It is a sin offering.


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Then the priest must offer the second bird as a burnt offering. This is what the law says. In this way the priest will remove the person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him.


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“‘The person might not be able to afford two doves or two pigeons. If not, he must bring about two quarts of fine flour. This will be an offering for his sin. He must not put oil on the flour. And he must not put incense on it, because it is a sin offering.


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He must bring the flour to the priest. The priest will take a handful of the flour as a memorial offering. He will burn it on the altar. It goes on top of the offerings made by fire to the Lord. It is a sin offering.


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In this way the priest will remove the person’s sins so he will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him. What is left of the sin offering belongs to the priest. This is like the grain offering.’”


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“A person might accidentally sin and do something against the holy things of the Lord. That person must bring a male sheep from the flock. It must have nothing wrong with it. This will be his penalty offering to the Lord. The value in silver of the male sheep must be correct. Use the proper value for silver as set by the Holy Place measure.


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That person must pay for the sin he did against the holy thing. He must add one-fifth to its value. Then he must give it all to the priest. In this way the priest will remove the person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord. The priest does it by means of the male sheep of the penalty offering. And the Lord will forgive the person.


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“A person might sin and do something the Lord has commanded not to be done. It does not matter if that person knew or not. He is guilty. He is responsible for his sin.


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He must bring the priest a male sheep from the flock. It must have nothing wrong with it. It must be worth the correct amount. The male sheep will be a penalty offering. The person sinned without knowing it. But with this offering the priest will remove the sin so the person will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him.


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The person is guilty of doing wrong against the Lord. So he must give the penalty offering to the Lord.”


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“A person might sin against the Lord by doing one of these sins: He might lie about what happened to something he was taking care of for someone else. Or he might lie about a promise he made. Or he might steal something or cheat someone.


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He might find something that had been lost and then lie about it. He might make a promise before the Lord about something and not mean it. Or he might do some other sin.


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If he does any of these things, he is guilty of sin. He must bring back whatever he stole. Or he must bring back what he took by cheating. Or he must bring back the thing he took care of for someone else. Or he must bring back what he found and lied about.


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Or he must bring back what he made a false promise about. He must pay the full price. Then he must pay an extra one-fifth of the value of what he took. He must give the money to the true owner. This must be done on the day he brings his penalty offering.


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He must pay a penalty to the priest. It must be a male sheep from the flock. It must not have anything wrong with it. And it must be worth the correct amount. It will be a penalty offering to the Lord.


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Then the priest will perform the acts to remove that person’s sin so he will belong to the Lord. And the Lord will forgive him for the sins that made him guilty.”


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“Give this command to Aaron and the priests: ‘These are the teachings about the whole burnt offering. The burnt offering must stay on the altar all night until morning. The altar’s fire must be kept burning.


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The priest must put on his linen robe. He must put on linen underclothes next to his body. Then he will remove the ashes from the burnt offering on the altar. He will put these ashes beside the altar.


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Then he must take off those clothes and put on others. He must carry the ashes outside the camp to a special clean place.


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But the fire must be kept burning on the altar. It must not be allowed to go out. The priest must put more firewood on the altar every morning. He must place the whole burnt offering on the fire. He must burn the fat of the fellowship offerings.


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The Grain Offering “‘These are the teachings about the grain offering: The priests must bring it to the Lord in front of the altar.


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The priest must take a handful of fine flour. The oil and incense must be on it. The priest must burn the grain offering on the altar. It will be a memorial offering to the Lord. Its smell is pleasing to him.


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Aaron and the priests may eat what is left. It must be eaten without yeast in a holy place. The priests must eat it in the courtyard of the Meeting Tent.


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It must not be cooked with yeast. I have given it as their share of the offerings made to me by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the penalty offering.


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Any male descendant of Aaron may eat it. It is his share of the offerings made to the Lord by fire. This will continue from now on. Whatever touches these offerings must be holy.’”


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“This is the offering Aaron and the priests must bring to the Lord. They must do this on the day they appoint Aaron as high priest. They must bring two quarts of fine flour for a grain offering. They must bring half of it in the morning and half in the evening.


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The fine flour must be mixed with oil and cooked on a griddle. Bring it when it is well mixed. You must break it into pieces. It will be a smell that is pleasing to the Lord.


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One of the priests will be appointed to take Aaron’s place as high priest. He must make the grain offering to the Lord. It is a rule forever. The grain offering must be completely burned to the Lord.


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“Tell Aaron and the priests: ‘These are the teachings about the sin offering. The sin offering must be killed in front of the Lord. It must be killed in the same place the whole burnt offering is killed. It is most holy.


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The priest who offers the sin offering must eat it. He must eat it in a holy place. It must be in the courtyard of the Meeting Tent.


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Whatever touches the meat of the sin offering must be holy. If the blood is sprinkled on any clothes, you must wash them in a holy place.


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The clay pot the meat is cooked in must be broken. If a bronze pot is used, it must be scrubbed and rinsed with water.


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The blood of the sin offering may be taken into the Meeting Tent. It may be used to remove sin in the Holy Place. That sin offering must be burned with fire. It must not be eaten.


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The penalty offering must be killed where the whole burnt offering is killed. Then the priest must sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.


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He must offer all the fat from the penalty offering. He must offer the fat tail and the fat that covers the inner organs.


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He must offer both kidneys and the fat on them. They are near the lower back muscle. And he must offer the best part of the liver. This is to be removed with the kidneys.


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The priest must burn all these things on the altar. They will be an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a penalty offering.


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“‘The penalty offering is like the sin offering. The teachings are the same for both. The priest who offers the sacrifice to remove sins will get the meat for food.


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Every grain offering belongs to the priest who offers it. This includes those baked in an oven, cooked on a griddle or baked in a dish.


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The grain offerings belong to the priests. They may be dry or mixed with oil. All priests will share alike.


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Fellowship Offerings “‘These are the teachings about the fellowship offering a person may offer to the Lord:


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He may bring the fellowship offering to show his thanks. If he does, he should also bring loaves of bread. They must be made without yeast, mixed with oil. And he should bring wafers made without yeast. They must have oil poured over them. He should also bring loaves of fine flour mixed with oil.


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He must also offer loaves of bread made with yeast. These should be brought with his fellowship offering, which he gives to show thanks.


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One of each kind of offering will be for the Lord. It will be given to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the fellowship offering.


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The fellowship offering is to thank the Lord. The meat from it must be eaten the same day it is offered. None of it must be left until morning.


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“‘A person might bring a fellowship offering just to give a gift to God. Or it may be done because of a special promise to God. Then, the sacrifice should be eaten the same day he offers it. If there is any left, it may be eaten the next day.


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Any meat of the fellowship offering eaten on the third day will not be accepted. The Lord will not count the sacrifice for the person who offered it. It will become unclean. Anyone who eats the meat will be guilty of sin.


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“‘People must not eat meat that touches anything unclean. They must burn this meat with fire. But anyone who is clean may eat other meat.


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But a person who is unclean might eat the meat from the fellowship offering that belongs to the Lord. If he does, he must be separated from his people.


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“‘Someone might touch something unclean that comes from people. Or the unclean thing might be an animal or some hated thing. Touching it will make him unclean. If he then eats meat from the fellowship offering that belongs to the Lord, he must be separated from his people.’”


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If an animal is found dead or torn by wild animals, you may use its fat for other things. But you must not eat it.


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Someone might eat fat from an animal offering made by fire to the Lord. That person must be separated from his people.


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“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Someone may bring a fellowship offering to the Lord. He must give part of it as his sacrifice to the Lord.


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He must carry that part of the gift in his own hands. It will be an offering made by fire to the Lord. He must carry the fat and the breast of the animal to the priest. The breast must be presented to the Lord as the priests’ share.


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Then the priest must burn the fat on the altar. But the breast of the animal will belong to Aaron and the priests.


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I have taken the breast and the thigh of the fellowship offering. And I have given these parts to Aaron and the priests as their share from the Israelites.’”


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This is the portion that belongs to Aaron and his sons. It is from the offerings made by fire to the Lord. Aaron and his sons were given this share on the day they were presented to the Lord as priests.


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On the day the Lord appointed the priests, he commanded Israel to give this share to them. It is to be given to the priests as their share from now on.


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These are the teachings about the whole burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering and the penalty offering. They are the teachings about the appointment of priests. And they are the teachings about the fellowship offerings.


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The Lord gave these teachings to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to him in the Sinai Desert.


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“Bring Aaron and his sons and their clothes. Bring the special olive oil used in appointing people and things to the service of the Lord. Also bring the bull of the sin offering and the two male sheep. And bring the basket of bread made without yeast.


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He put the inner robe on Aaron. And he tied the cloth belt around Aaron. Then he put the outer robe on him. Next he put the holy vest on Aaron. Then he tied the skillfully woven belt around him. So the holy vest was tied to Aaron.


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Then Moses put the chest covering on him. And he put the Urim and the Thummim in the chest covering.


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He also put the turban on Aaron’s head. He put the strip of gold on the front of the turban. This strip of gold is the holy crown. Moses did this as the Lord commanded him to do.


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Then Moses put the special oil on the Holy Tent and everything in it. In this way Moses made them holy for the Lord.


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He sprinkled some oil on the altar seven times. He sprinkled the altar and all its tools. He also sprinkled special oil on the large bowl and its base. In this way he made them holy for the Lord.


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Then he poured some of the special oil on Aaron’s head. In this way he made Aaron holy for the Lord.


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Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons forward. And he put the inner robes on them. He tied cloth belts around them. Then he put headbands on them. He did these things as the Lord had commanded him.


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Then Moses brought the bull for the sin offering. And Aaron and his sons put their hands on its head.


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Moses killed the bull and took some of the blood. With his finger he put some of the blood on all the corners of the altar. In this way he made the altar pure. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the bottom of the altar. So he made it holy and ready for service to God.


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Moses took all the fat from the inner organs of the bull. He took the best part of the liver. And he took both kidneys and the fat on them. Then he burned them on the altar.


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But he took the bull’s skin, its meat and its intestines outside the camp. He burned them in a fire outside the camp. Moses did all these things as the Lord had commanded him.


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Next Moses brought the male sheep of the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons put their hands on its head.


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He washed the inner organs and legs with water. Then he burned the whole sheep on the altar. It was a burnt offering made by fire to the Lord. Its smell was pleasing to the Lord. Moses did these things as the Lord had commanded him.


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Then Moses brought the other male sheep. It was used in appointing Aaron and his sons as priests. They put their hands on its head.


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Then Moses killed the sheep. He put some of its blood on the bottom of Aaron’s right ear. He put some on the thumb of Aaron’s right hand. And he put some on the big toe of his right foot.


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Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons close to the altar. He put some of the blood on the bottom of their right ears. He put it on the thumbs of their right hands. And he put it on the big toes of their right feet. Then he sprinkled blood on all sides of the altar.


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He took the fat and the fat tail from the sheep. He took all the fat on the inner organs. He took the best part of the liver. He also took both kidneys, their fat and the right thigh.


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A basket of bread made without yeast is put before the Lord each day. From the basket Moses took a loaf of bread. And he took a loaf made with oil and a wafer. He put these pieces of bread on the fat and right thigh of the male sheep.


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He put all these things in the hands of Aaron and his sons. He presented the pieces as an offering before the Lord.


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Then Moses took them from their hands. And he burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering. So this was the offering for appointing Aaron and his sons as priests. It was an offering made by fire to the Lord. Its smell was pleasing to the Lord.


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Moses took the breast and presented it as an offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ share of the male sheep used in appointing the priests. This was as the Lord had commanded Moses.


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Moses took some of the special oil and some of the blood which was on the altar. He sprinkled some of the oil on Aaron and Aaron’s clothes. He also sprinkled some on Aaron’s sons and their clothes. In this way Moses made Aaron, his clothes, his sons and their clothes holy for the Lord.


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Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “I gave you a command. I said, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat these things.’ So take the meat and basket of bread from the offering for appointing priests. Boil the meat at the door of the Meeting Tent. Eat it there with the bread.


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The time of appointing will last seven days. You must not go outside the entrance of the Meeting Tent until that time is up. Stay there until the time of your appointing is finished.


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The Lord commanded the things that were done today. He commanded these things to remove your sins so you will belong to him.


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You must stay at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. Stay there day and night for seven days. If you don’t obey the Lord’s commands, you will die! The Lord has given me these commands.”


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Aaron and His Sons Offer Sacrifices On the eighth day after the time of appointing, Moses called for Aaron and his sons. He also called for the elders of Israel.


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He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf and a male sheep. There must be nothing wrong with these animals. The calf will be a sin offering. And the male sheep will be a whole burnt offering. Offer these animals to the Lord.


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Tell the people of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering. And take a calf and a lamb for a whole burnt offering. The calf and the lamb must each be one year old. There must be nothing wrong with these animals.


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Take a bull and a male sheep for fellowship offerings. Take with these animals a grain offering mixed with oil. Offer these things to the Lord. This is because the Lord will appear to you today.’”


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So all the people came to the front of the Meeting Tent. They brought the things Moses had commanded them to bring. And they stood before the Lord.


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Then Moses told Aaron, “Go to the altar. There offer sin offerings and whole burnt offerings. Do this to remove your sins and the people’s sins so you will belong to God. Offer the sacrifices for the people. And perform the acts to remove their sins for them so they will belong to the Lord. Do this as the Lord has commanded.”


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Then his sons brought the blood to him. Aaron dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the corners of the altar. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the bottom of the altar.


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Aaron took the fat, the kidneys and the best part of the liver from the sin offering. He burned these things on the altar. He did this the way the Lord had commanded Moses.


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Then Aaron killed the animal for the whole burnt offering. Aaron’s sons brought the blood to him. And he sprinkled it on all sides of the altar.


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Aaron’s sons gave the pieces and head of the burnt offering to Aaron. And he burned them on the altar.


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Aaron also washed the inner organs and the legs of the burnt offering. And he burned them on the altar.


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Then Aaron brought the offering that was for the people. He took the goat of the people’s sin offering. He killed and offered the goat of the sin offering. He did this just as he had done the first sin offering.


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He also brought the grain offering to the altar. He took a handful of the grain and burned it on the altar. This was in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.


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Aaron also killed the bull and the male sheep. These were the fellowship offerings for the people. Aaron’s sons brought the blood from these animals to Aaron. He sprinkled it on all sides of the altar.


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Aaron’s sons also brought to Aaron the fat of the bull and the male sheep. They brought the fat tail and the fat covering the inner organs. They also brought the kidneys and the best part of the liver.


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Aaron’s sons put these fat parts on the breasts of the bull and sheep. Then Aaron burned these fat parts on the altar.


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He presented the breasts and the right thigh before the Lord as the priests’ share of the offering. He did this as Moses had commanded.


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Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. Aaron had finished offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering. Then he stepped down from the altar.


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Moses and Aaron went into the Meeting Tent. Then they came out and blessed the people. Then the Lord’s glory came to all the people.


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Fire came out from the Lord. It burned up the burnt offering and fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy. They bowed facedown on the ground.


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God Destroys Nadab and Abihu Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their pans for burning incense. They put fire in them and added incense. But they did not use the special fire Moses had commanded them to use.


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Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord was speaking about when he said, ‘I must be respected as holy by those who come near me. Before all the people I must be given honor.’” So Aaron did not say anything about the death of his sons.


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Aaron’s uncle Uzziel had two sons named Mishael and Elzaphan. Moses said to them, “Come here. Pick up your cousins’ bodies. Carry them outside the camp away from the front of the Holy Place.”


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So Mishael and Elzaphan obeyed Moses. They carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu outside the camp. Nadab and Abihu were still wearing the special priest’s inner robes.


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Then Moses spoke to Aaron and his other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. Moses told them, “Don’t show any sadness. Don’t tear your clothes or leave your hair uncombed. If you do those things, you will die, and the Lord will be angry with all the people. All the people of Israel are your relatives. They may cry loudly about the Lord burning Nadab and Abihu.


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But you must not even leave the Meeting Tent. If you go out of the entrance, you will die! This is because the Lord has appointed you to his service.” So Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar obeyed Moses.


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“You and your sons must not drink wine or beer when you go into the Meeting Tent. If you do, you will die! This law will continue from now on.


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You must keep what is holy separate from what is not holy. You must keep what is clean separate from what is unclean.


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The Lord gave his laws to Moses. And Moses gave them to the people. You must teach the people all the laws.”


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Moses talked to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. Moses said, “Some of the grain offering is left from the sacrifices offered by fire to the Lord. Eat that part of the grain offering. But do not add yeast to it. Eat it near the altar because it is most holy.


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The Law I gave you says this part belongs to you and your sons. But you must eat it in a holy place. It is part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord. I have been commanded to tell you this.


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“Also, you, your sons and daughters may eat the breast and thigh of the fellowship offering. They were presented to the Lord. You must eat them in a clean place. They are your share of the fellowship offerings given by the Israelites.


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The people must bring the fat from their animals. It is part of the offering made by fire. They must also bring the thigh and the breast of the fellowship offering. These will be presented to the Lord. They will be the regular share of the offerings for you and your children. The Lord has commanded it.”


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Moses looked for the goat of the sin offering. But it had already been burned up. So he became very angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s remaining sons. He said,


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“You were supposed to eat that goat in a holy place before the Lord! It is most holy! He gave it to you to take away the guilt of the people. The goat was for removing the sins of the people so they will belong to the Lord.


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You didn’t bring the goat’s blood inside the Holy Place. So you were supposed to eat the goat in a holy place, as I commanded!”


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But Aaron said to Moses, “Today they brought their sin offering and burnt offering before the Lord. But these terrible things have still happened to me today! Do you think the Lord would be any happier if I ate the sin offering today?”


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“‘Some animals only chew the cud or only have split hooves. Don’t eat these animals. The camel chews the cud but does not have a split hoof. It is unclean for you.


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Now the pig has a split hoof that is completely divided. But it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you.


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You must not eat the meat from these animals. Don’t even touch their dead bodies. They are unclean for you.


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But some animals live in the sea or in a river and do not have fins and scales. This includes the things that fill the water. And it includes all other things that live in the water. You should hate them.


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You must not eat any meat from them. Don’t even touch their dead bodies. This is because you should hate them.


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“‘Also, some birds should not be eaten. They should be hated. You must not eat any of these birds: eagles, vultures, black vultures,


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“‘But you may eat certain insects that have wings and walk on four feet. You may eat those that have legs with joints above their feet so they can jump.


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Those insects will make you unclean. Anyone who touches the dead body of one of these insects will become unclean until evening.


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If someone picks up one of these dead insects, he must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening.


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“‘Some animals have split hooves. But the hooves are not completely divided. And some animals do not chew the cud. They are unclean for you. Anyone who touches the dead body of one of these animals will become unclean.


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Other animals do not have hooves at all. They walk on their paws. These animals are unclean for you. Anyone who touches the dead body of one of these animals will become unclean. He will be unclean until evening.


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Anyone who picks up their dead bodies must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening. These animals are unclean for you.


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These crawling animals are unclean for you. Anyone who touches their dead bodies will be unclean until evening.


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“‘If an unclean animal dies and falls on something, that thing will also become unclean. The animal might fall on a thing made from wood, cloth, leather or rough cloth. It does not matter what the thing was used for. Whatever the animal falls on must be washed with water. It will be unclean until evening. Then it will become clean again.


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The dead, unclean animal might fall into a clay bowl. If it does, anything in the bowl will become unclean. And you must break the bowl.


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If any dead, unclean animal falls on something, that thing becomes unclean. The animal may fall on a clay oven or a clay baking pan. If so, it must be broken into pieces. These things will be unclean. They are unclean for you.


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“‘A spring or well that collects water will stay clean. But anyone who touches the dead body of any unclean animal will become unclean.


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But you might put water on some seeds. If a dead, unclean animal falls on those seeds, they are unclean for you.


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“‘Also, an animal which you use for food may die. If it does, anyone who touches its body will be unclean until evening.


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Anyone who eats meat from this animal’s dead body must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening. Anyone who picks up the animal’s dead body must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening.


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“‘Every animal that crawls on the ground is one of the hated animals. It must not be eaten. Anyone who picks up the animal’s dead body must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until evening.


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You must not eat any of the animals that crawl on the ground. This includes animals that crawl on their stomachs. And it includes animals that walk on all four feet or on many feet. Those are hated animals to you.


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I am the Lord your God. Keep yourselves holy for me because I am holy. Don’t make yourselves unclean with these hated, crawling animals.


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I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt. I did it so I could be your God. You must be holy because I am holy.


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“‘These are the teachings about all of the cattle, birds and other animals on earth. These are the teachings about the animals in the sea. And these are the teachings about the animals that crawl on the ground.


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These teachings help people know the difference between unclean animals and clean animals. They help people know which animals may be eaten and which ones must not be eaten.’”


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“Tell the people of Israel this: ‘If a woman gives birth to a son, she will become unclean for 7 days. This will be like her being unclean during her monthly period.


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Then it will be 33 days before she becomes clean from her loss of blood. She must not touch anything that is holy. She must not enter the holy place until her time of cleansing is finished.


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But a woman may give birth to a daughter. Then the mother will be unclean for 2 weeks. This is like her being unclean during her monthly period. It will be 66 days before she becomes clean from her loss of blood.


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“‘After she has a son or daughter, she must have a time of cleansing. When it is over, the new mother must bring certain sacrifices to the Meeting Tent. She must give the priest at the entrance a year-old lamb for a burnt offering. And she must bring a dove or young pigeon for a sin offering.


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He will offer them before the Lord to make her clean so she will belong to the Lord again. Then she will be clean from her loss of blood. These are the teachings for a woman who gives birth to a boy or girl.


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“‘If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons. One bird will be for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make her clean so she will belong to the Lord again. And she will be clean.’”


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“Someone might have a swelling on his skin. Or he might have a scab or a bright spot on his skin. If the sore looks like a harmful skin disease, the person must be brought to Aaron the priest. Or he must be brought to one of Aaron’s sons, the priests.


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The priest must look at the sore on the person’s skin. The hair in the sore may have become white. And the sore may seem deeper than the person’s skin. If so, it is a harmful skin disease. When he has finished looking at the person, the priest must announce that the person is unclean.


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“Sometimes there is a white spot on a person’s skin, but the spot does not seem deeper than the skin. If that is true, and if the hair from the spot has not turned white, the priest must separate that person from other people for seven days.


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On the seventh day the priest must look at the person again. He may see that the sore has not changed. It might not have spread on the skin. Then the priest must keep the person separated for seven more days.


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On the seventh day the priest must look at the person again. The sore may have faded. And it may not have spread on the skin. If that is true, the priest must announce that the person is clean. The sore is only a rash. The person must wash his clothes. Then he will become clean again.


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“But the sore may have spread again after the priest has announced him clean. Then the person must come again to the priest.


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The priest must look at him. If the rash has spread on the skin, the priest must announce that person is unclean. It is a harmful skin disease.


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The priest must look at him. There might be a white swelling in the skin. And the hair may have become white. And the skin may look raw in the swelling.


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If these things are true, it is a harmful skin disease. It is one that he has had for a long time. The priest must announce that the person is unclean. He will not need to separate that person from other people. This is because everyone already knows that the person is unclean.


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“Sometimes skin disease spreads all over a person’s body. The disease covers that person’s skin from his head to his feet, as far as the priest can see. Then the priest must look at the person’s whole body.


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The priest might see that the disease covers the whole body. It might have turned all of the person’s skin white. Then the priest must announce that the person is clean.


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When the priest sees the open sore, he must announce that the person is unclean. The open sore is not clean. It is a harmful skin disease.


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The priest must look at him. If the sores have become white, the priest must announce that the person with the sores is clean. Then he will be clean.


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In the place where the boil was, there might be a white swelling. Or there might be a bright red spot. This place on the skin must be shown to the priest.


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And the priest must look at it. The spot might seem deeper than the skin. And the hair on it might have become white. If these things are true, the priest must announce that the person is unclean. The spot is a harmful skin disease. It has broken out from inside the boil.


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But the priest must look at the spot. There might be no white hairs in it. The spot may not be deeper than the skin. And it may have faded. Then the priest must separate the person from other people for seven days.


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If the spot spreads on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is unclean. It is a disease that will spread.


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But the bright spot might not spread or change. Then it is only the scar from the old boil. Then the priest must announce that the person is clean.


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the priest must look at it. The white spot might seem deeper than the skin. And the hair at that spot might have become white. If these things are true, it is a harmful skin disease. The disease has broken out in the burn. Then the priest must announce that the person is unclean. It is a harmful skin disease.


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But the priest must look at the spot. There might be no white hair in the bright spot. And the spot may be no deeper than the skin. It may have faded. Then the priest must separate the person from other people for seven days.


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On the seventh day the priest must look at him again. If the spot has spread on the skin, the priest must announce that the person is unclean. It is a harmful skin disease.


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But the bright spot may not have spread on the skin. It may have faded. Then it is the swelling from the burn. And the priest must announce that the person is clean. The spot is only a scar from the burn.


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A priest must look at the sore. It may seem to be deeper than the skin. And the hair around it may be thin and yellow. If these things are true, the priest must announce that the person is unclean. It is an itch, a harmful skin disease of the head or chin.


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But when the priest looks at it, the sore might not seem deeper than the skin. There might not be any black hair in it. If that is true, the priest must separate the person from other people for seven days.


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On the seventh day the priest must look at the sore. It may not have spread. There may be no yellow hairs growing in it. And the sore may not seem deeper than the skin.


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If these things are true, the person must shave himself. But he must not shave the sore place. The priest must separate that person from other people for seven more days.


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On the seventh day the priest must look at the sore. The sore may not have spread on the skin. And it may not seem deeper than the skin. If that is true, the priest must announce that the person is clean. So the person must wash his clothes and become clean.


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Then the priest must look at him again. If the sore has spread on the skin, the priest doesn’t need to look for the yellowish hair. The person is unclean.


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But the priest might think the sore has stopped spreading. And black hair may be growing in it. Then the sore has healed. The person is clean. And the priest must announce that he is clean.


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a priest must look at them. If the spots on his skin are dull white, the disease is only a harmless rash. That person is clean.


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A priest must look at that person. The swelling of the sore might be red-white. It might look like a skin disease that spreads.


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Then that person has a skin disease. He is unclean. And the priest must announce that the person is unclean because of the sore on his head.


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“If a person has a skin disease that spreads, he must warn other people. He must shout, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ His clothes must be torn at the seams. He must let his hair stay uncombed. And he must cover his mouth.


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That person will be unclean the whole time he has the disease. He is unclean. He must live alone outside the camp.


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It might be woven or knitted. The mildew might be on a piece of leather or on something made from leather.


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The mildew might be in the clothing, leather or woven or knitted material. If the mildew is green or red, it is a spreading mildew. Then it must be shown to the priest.


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On the seventh day he must look at the mildew. It doesn’t matter if the mildew is on leather or cloth. It doesn’t matter if the cloth is woven or knitted. It doesn’t matter what it was used for. If the mildew has spread, it is a mildew that destroys.


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The priest must burn it. It does not matter if it is woven or knitted, wool or linen or a leather article. The mildew is spreading. The thing must be burned.


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“If the priest sees that the mildew has not spread, the cloth or leather must be washed. It does not matter if it is leather or cloth, knitted or woven. It must be washed.


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The priest must order the people to wash that piece of leather or cloth. Then he must separate the clothing for seven more days.


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After that time the priest must look at it again. If the mildew still looks the same, that thing is unclean. It does not matter if the mildew has not spread. You must burn that cloth or piece of leather.


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“But when the priest looks at that piece of leather or cloth, the mildew might have faded. Then the priest must tear the mildew out of the piece of leather or cloth. It does not matter if the cloth is woven or knitted.


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But the mildew might come back to that piece of leather or cloth. If that happens, the mildew is spreading. And that piece of leather or cloth must be burned.


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The cloth, the woven or knitted material, or the leather may be washed. The mildew may then be gone. It must be washed again. Then it will be clean.


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“These are the teachings about mildew on pieces of leather or cloth. It doesn’t matter if the cloth is woven or knitted.”


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“These are the teachings for people who had a harmful skin disease and have become well. These teachings are for making that person clean.


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“A priest must look at the person who had the skin disease. He must go to that person outside the camp. He must see if the skin disease is healed.


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If the person is healthy, the priest will tell him to do these things: He must get two living, clean birds. He must also get a piece of cedar wood, a piece of red cloth and a hyssop plant. These things are for cleansing the person with the skin disease.


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Then he will take the other bird that is still alive. He will take the piece of cedar wood, the red cloth and the hyssop. He will dip the living bird and other things into the blood. (This is the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.)


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The priest will sprinkle the blood seven times on the person who had the skin disease. He must announce that the person is clean. Then the priest must go to an open field. He must let the living bird go free.


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“Next, that person must wash his clothes. He must shave off all his hair. And he must wash with water. Then he will be clean and may go into the camp. But at first he must stay outside his tent for seven days.


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On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair. He must shave off his hair, his beard and his eyebrows. He must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water. Then he will be clean.


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“On the eighth day the person who had the skin disease must take two male lambs. They must have nothing wrong with them. He must also take a year-old female lamb. It must have nothing wrong with it. The person must take six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil. This is for a grain offering. He must also take two-thirds of a pint of olive oil.


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A priest must announce that the person is clean. Then he must bring that person and his sacrifices before the Lord. This is at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.


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The priest will take one of the male lambs. He will offer it and the olive oil as a guilt offering. And he will present them before the Lord as an offering.


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Then he will kill the male lamb in the holy place. He will kill it where they kill the sin offering and the whole burnt offering. The penalty offering is like the sin offering. It belongs to the priest. It is most holy.


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“The priest will take some of the blood of the penalty offering. He will put some of it on the bottom of the right ear of the person to be made clean. He will put some of it on the thumb of the person’s right hand. And he will put some on the big toe of the person’s right foot.


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Then he will dip a finger of his right hand into the oil that is in his left hand. He will use his finger to sprinkle some of the oil seven times before the Lord.


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The priest will put some oil from his hand on the bottom of the right ear of the person to be made clean. He will put some of it on the thumb of the person’s right hand. And he will put some of it on the big toe of the person’s right foot. The oil will go on these places on top of the blood for the penalty offering.


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He will put the rest of the oil that is in his left hand on the head of the person to be made clean. In this way the priest will make that person clean so he can belong to the Lord again.


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“Next the priest will offer the sin offering. It will make that person clean so he can belong to the Lord again. After this the priest will kill the animal for the whole burnt offering.


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Then he will offer the burnt offering and grain offering on the altar. In this way he will make that person clean so he can belong to the Lord again.


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“But the person may be poor and unable to afford these offerings. Then he must take one male lamb for a penalty offering. It will be presented to the Lord so the priest can make that person clean. Then he can belong to the Lord again. The person must take two quarts of fine flour mixed with oil. It will be used for a grain offering. He must also take two-thirds of a pint of olive oil.


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He must take two doves or two young pigeons, which he can afford. One bird will be a sin offering. The other will be a whole burnt offering.


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On the eighth day the person will bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. The gifts will be offered before the Lord. This is so the person can become clean.


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The priest will take the lamb for the penalty offering and the oil. He will present them as an offering before the Lord.


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Then he will kill the lamb of the penalty offering. He will take some of the blood of the penalty offering. He will put it on the bottom of the right ear of the person to be made clean. The priest will put some of this blood on the thumb of the person’s right hand. And he will put some on the big toe of the person’s right foot.


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Then with a finger of his right hand, he will sprinkle some of the oil from his left hand. He will sprinkle it seven times before the Lord.


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Then the priest will take some of the oil from his hand. He will put it on the bottom of the right ear of the person to be made clean. He will also put some of it on the thumb of the person’s right hand. And he will put some on the big toe of the person’s right foot. The oil will go on these places on top of the blood from the penalty offering.


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The priest must put the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the head of the person to be made clean. In this way the priest will make the person clean so he can belong to the Lord again.


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Then the priest will offer one of the doves or young pigeons. He must offer what the person can afford.


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He must offer one of the birds as a sin offering. And he must offer the other bird as a whole burnt offering. He must offer them with the grain offering. In this way the priest will make the person clean so he can belong to the Lord again. The person will become clean.


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“These are the teachings for making a person clean. This is done after he has become well from a skin disease. These teachings are for people who cannot afford the regular sacrifices for becoming clean.”


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“I am giving the land of Canaan to your people. When they enter that land, I might cause mildew to grow in someone’s house.


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The owner of that house must come and tell the priest. He should say, ‘I have seen something like mildew in my house.’


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Then the priest must order the people to empty the house. They must do this before he goes in to look at the mildew. This is so he will not have to say that everything in the house is unclean. After the people have emptied the house, the priest will go in to look at it.


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He will look at the mildew. The mildew on the walls of the house might be green or red. It might go into the wall’s surface.


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On the seventh day the priest must come back and check the house. The mildew may have spread on the walls of the house.


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If it has, the priest must order the people to tear out the stones with the mildew on them. They should throw the stones away. They must put the stones at a certain unclean place outside the city.


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Then the priest must have all the inside of the house scraped. The people must throw away the plaster they scraped off the walls. They must put the plaster at a certain unclean place outside the city.


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“A person may have taken away the old stones and plaster. He may have put in new stones and plaster. But mildew may again appear in his house.


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If it does, the priest must come back and check the house again. If the mildew has spread in the house, it is a mildew that destroys things. So the house is unclean.


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Then the owner must tear down the house. He must remove all its stones, plaster and wood. He must take them to the unclean place outside the city.


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“After new stones and plaster have been put in a house, the priest must check it again. The mildew may not have spread in the house. Then the priest will announce that the house is clean. This is because the mildew is gone.


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“Then, to make the house clean, the priest must take two birds. He must also take a piece of cedar wood, a piece of red cloth and a hyssop plant.


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Then he will take the other bird that is still alive. He will also take the cedar wood, the hyssop and the red cloth. He will dip the living bird and other things into the blood. (This is the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.) Then the priest will sprinkle the blood on the house seven times.


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He will use the bird’s blood, the fresh water and the live bird. And he will use the cedar wood, the hyssop and the red cloth. With these things he will make the house clean.


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The priest will go to an open field outside the city. And he will let the living bird go free. This is how the priest makes the house clean and ready for service to the Lord.”


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They teach when things are unclean and when they are clean. These are the teachings about all these kinds of diseases.


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“‘The man who discharges the body fluid may lie on a bed. If he does, that bed becomes unclean. Everything he sits on becomes unclean.


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Also anyone who touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe in water. This person will be unclean until evening.


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Someone might sit on something that the man who discharges the fluid sat on. If he does, he must wash his clothes and bathe in water. He will be unclean until evening.


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Anyone who touches the man who discharges the body fluid must wash his clothes and bathe in water. The person will be unclean until evening.


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“‘The man who discharges the body fluid might spit on a clean person. If so, the person who was clean must wash his clothes. He must bathe in water. The person will be unclean until evening.


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Someone might touch something that was under the man who discharges a body fluid. If he does, he will be unclean until evening. Someone might carry these things that were under the man who discharges a body fluid. This person must wash his clothes and bathe in water. He will be unclean until evening.


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“‘The man who discharges a body fluid may not have washed his hands in water. If he touches another person, that person must wash his clothes. That person must bathe in water. He will be unclean until evening.


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“‘A man who discharges a body fluid may touch a clay bowl. That bowl must be broken. If he touches a wooden bowl, that bowl must be washed in water.


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“‘A man who discharges a body fluid may be made clean. He must count seven days for himself for his cleansing. He must wash his clothes and bathe his body in fresh water. Then he will be clean.


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On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons. He must come before the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. He will give the two birds to the priest.


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The priest will offer the birds. One bird is for a sin offering. The other is for a burnt offering. So the priest will make that man clean so he can belong to the Lord again.


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If the fluid gets on any clothing or leather, it must be washed with water. It will be unclean until evening.


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“‘If a man has physical relations with a woman and semen comes out, both people must bathe in water. They will be unclean until evening.


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Rules About a Woman’s Body “‘When a woman has her monthly period, she is unclean for seven days. Anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening.


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Anything she lies on during this time will be unclean. Everything she sits on during that time will be unclean.


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Anyone who touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe in water. That person will be unclean until evening.


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Anyone who touches something she has sat on must wash his clothes and bathe in water. That person will be unclean until evening.


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It does not matter if the person touched the woman’s bed or something she sat on. That person will be unclean until evening.


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“‘A man might have physical relations with a woman during her monthly period. If he does, he will be unclean for seven days. Every bed he lies on will also be unclean.


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“‘A woman might have a loss of blood for many days. It may not be during her regular monthly period. Or she may continue to have a loss of blood after her regular period. If she does, she will be unclean, as she is during her monthly period. She will be unclean for as long as she continues to bleed.


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Any bed she lies on during all the time of her bleeding will be like her bed during her regular monthly period. Everything she sits on will be unclean. It will be like during her regular monthly period.


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“‘If anyone touches those things, that person will be unclean. He must wash his clothes and bathe in water. He will be unclean until evening.


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When the woman becomes clean from her bleeding, she must wait seven days. After this she will be clean.


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Then on the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons. She must bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.


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Then the priest must offer one bird for a sin offering. He must offer the other bird for a whole burnt offering. So the priest will make her clean so she can belong to the Lord again.


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“‘So you must warn the people of Israel to stay separated from things that make them unclean. If you don’t warn the people, they might make my Holy Tent unclean. And then they would have to die!’”


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These are the teachings for the man who discharges a body fluid. These are the teachings for men who become unclean from semen coming out of their bodies.


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These are the teachings for women who become unclean from their monthly period. These are the teachings for anyone who becomes unclean by having physical relations with another person who is unclean.


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The Day of Cleansing Now two of Aaron’s sons had died while offering incense to the Lord. At that time the Lord spoke to Moses.


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He said, “Talk to your brother Aaron. Tell him there are times when he cannot go behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant is. If he goes in when I appear in a cloud over the lid on the Ark of the Covenant, he will die.


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“Aaron may enter the Most Holy Place only on the Day of Cleansing. Before he enters, he must offer a bull for a sin offering. And he must offer a male sheep for a whole burnt offering.


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He must put on these clothes. He will put on the holy linen inner robe. The linen underclothes will be next to his body. His belt will be the cloth belt. And he will wear the linen turban. These are holy clothes. So he must wash his whole body with water before he puts them on.


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“Aaron must take from the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering. And he must take one male sheep for a burnt offering.


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Then he will offer the bull for the sin offering. This sin offering is for himself. Then he will perform the acts to remove sins from him and his family so they will belong to the Lord.


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“Next Aaron will take the two goats. He will bring them before the Lord at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


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Aaron will throw lots for the two goats. One lot will be for the Lord. The other lot will be for the goat that removes sin.


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Then Aaron will take the goat that was chosen for the Lord by throwing the lot. He must offer this goat as a sin offering.


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The other goat was chosen by lot to remove the sin. It must be brought alive before the Lord. The priest will use it to perform the acts to remove Israel’s sin so they will belong to the Lord. Then this goat will be sent out into the desert.


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“Then Aaron will offer the bull as a sin offering for himself. This will remove the sins of him and his family so they will belong to the Lord. He will kill the bull for the sin offering for himself.


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Then he must take a pan full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord. Aaron must take two handfuls of sweet incense that has been ground into powder. He must bring it into the room behind the curtain.


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He must put the incense on the fire before the Lord. Then the cloud of incense will cover the lid on the Ark of the Covenant. Then when Aaron comes in, he will not die.


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Also, Aaron must take some of the blood from the bull. He must sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the lid. Then, with his finger he will sprinkle the blood seven times in front of the lid.


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“Then Aaron must kill the goat of the sin offering for the people. He must bring this goat’s blood into the room behind the curtain. He must do with the goat’s blood as he did with the bull’s blood. He must sprinkle the goat’s blood on the lid and in front of it.


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The people in Israel have been unclean. So Aaron will perform the acts to make the Most Holy Place ready for service to the Lord. Then it will be clean from the sins and crimes of the people of Israel. He must do this because the Meeting Tent stays in the middle of unclean people.


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When Aaron makes the Most Holy Place ready for service to the Lord, no one is allowed in the Meeting Tent. No one must go in until Aaron comes out. So Aaron will perform the acts to remove sins from himself and his family so they will belong to the Lord. Then he will remove the sins of all the people of Israel so they will belong to the Lord.


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Afterward he will go out to the altar that is before the Lord. And he will make the altar ready for service to the Lord. Aaron will take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood. He will put it on the corners of the altar on all sides.


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Then he will sprinkle some of the blood with his finger. He will sprinkle it on the altar seven times. In this way Aaron will make the altar holy for the Lord. And it will be clean from all the sins of the people of Israel.


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“Aaron will make the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent and the altar clean. Then he will bring the goat alive to the Lord.


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He will put both his hands on the head of the living goat. Then he will confess all the sins and crimes of Israel over the goat. In this way Aaron will put the people’s sins on the goat’s head. Then he will send the goat away into the desert. A man who has been appointed will lead the goat away.


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So the goat will carry all the people’s sins on itself. It will go to a lonely place in the desert. The man who leads the goat will let it loose there.


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“Then Aaron will enter the Meeting Tent. He will take off the linen clothes. (He had put them on before he went into the Most Holy Place.) He must leave these clothes there.


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He will wash his whole body with water in a holy place. Then he will put on his regular clothes. He will come out and offer the whole burnt offering for himself. And he will offer the whole burnt offering for the people. He will remove sins from himself and the people so they will belong to the Lord.


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“The person who led the goat into the desert must wash his clothes. Then he must wash his whole body with water. After that, he may come back into the camp.


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“The bull and goat for the sin offerings must be taken outside the camp. The blood from these animals was brought into the Most Holy Place. It was to make the Holy Place ready for service to the Lord. The priests will burn the animals’ skins, bodies and intestines in the fire.


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Then the one who burns them must wash his clothes. And he must wash his whole body with water. After that, he may come back into the camp.


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“This law will always continue for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must not eat. You must not do any work. The travelers or foreigners living with you must not work either.


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On this day the priests make you clean so you will belong to the Lord again. All your sins will be removed.


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“So the appointed priest will perform the acts for making things ready for service to the Lord. He is the priest on whom oil was poured. He is appointed to take his father’s place. That priest must put on the holy linen clothes.


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He must make the Most Holy Place ready for service to the Lord. He must make the Meeting Tent and the altar ready for service to the Lord. He must remove the sins of himself and all the people of Israel so they will belong to the Lord.


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That law for removing the sins of the Israelites so they will belong to the Lord will continue forever. You will do these things once a year.” So they did the things the Lord had commanded Moses.


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“Speak to Aaron, his sons and all the people of Israel. Tell them: ‘This is what the Lord has commanded:


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An Israelite might sacrifice an ox, a lamb or a goat. He might kill it inside the camp or outside it.


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But he should have brought the animal to the entrance to the Meeting Tent. He should have given the animal as a gift to the Lord. If he didn’t, he is guilty of killing. He must be separated from his people.


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This rule is so people will bring their sacrifices to the Lord. They have been sacrificing in the open fields. But they must bring those animals to the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. They must bring them to the priest and offer them as fellowship offerings.


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Then the priest will sprinkle the blood from those animals on the Lord’s altar. It is near the entrance to the Meeting Tent. And the priest will burn the fat from those animals on the altar. This smell will be pleasing to the Lord.


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They must not offer any more sacrifices to their goat idols. They have chased after those other gods. In that way they have acted like prostitutes. These rules will continue for people from now on.’


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“Tell the people this: ‘Someone might offer a burnt offering or sacrifice. He might be a citizen of Israel. Or he might be a traveler or foreigner living with you.


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That person must take his sacrifice to the entrance to the Meeting Tent. There he may offer it to the Lord. If he does not do this, he must be separated from his people.


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“‘I will be against anyone who eats blood. It does not matter if it is a citizen of Israel or a foreigner living with you. I will separate that person from his people.


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This is because the life of the body is in the blood. And I have given you rules for pouring that blood on the altar. You must do this to remove your sins so you will belong to the Lord. It is the blood that removes the sins from your life so you will belong to the Lord.


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So I tell the people of Israel this: “None of you may eat blood. And no foreigner living among you may eat blood.”


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“‘Someone may catch a wild animal or bird that can be eaten. The person may be a citizen of Israel or a foreigner living among you. He must pour the blood on the ground and cover it with dirt.


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This is because if blood is still in the meat, the animal’s life is still in it. So I give this command to the people of Israel: “Don’t eat meat that still has blood in it. Anyone who eats blood must be separated from his people.”


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“‘Someone may eat an animal that died by itself. Or he may eat an animal that was killed by another animal. The person may be a citizen of Israel or a foreigner living among you. If he eats the animal, he will be unclean until evening. He must wash his clothes and whole body with water.


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In the past you lived in Egypt. You must not do what was done in that country. And you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you. Do not follow their customs.


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Obey my laws and rules. A person who obeys my laws and rules will live because of them. I am the Lord.


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“‘You must not shame your father by having physical relations with your mother. She is your mother. Do not have physical relations with her.


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“‘You must not have physical relations with your sister. She may be the daughter of your father or your mother. It doesn’t matter if she was born in your house or somewhere else.


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“‘You must not have physical relations with your granddaughter. She may be your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter. That would bring shame on you.


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“‘If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not have physical relations with her.


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“‘You must not have physical relations with your father’s sister. She is your father’s close relative.


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You must not have physical relations with your mother’s sister. She is your mother’s close relative.


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You must not have physical relations with the wife of your father’s brother. This would shame him. His wife is your aunt.


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“‘You must not have physical relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. Do not have physical relations with her.


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“‘You must not have physical relations with both a woman and her daughter. And do not have physical relations with this woman’s granddaughter. It may be the daughter of her son or her daughter. They are her close relatives. It is evil to do this.


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“‘While your wife is still living, you must not take her sister as another wife. Do not have physical relations with her.


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“‘You must not go near a woman to have physical relations with her during her monthly period. She is unclean during this time.


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“‘You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech. This will show that you do not respect your God. I am the Lord.


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“‘You must not have unnatural physical relations with an animal and make yourself unclean with it. Also a woman must not have unnatural physical relations with an animal. It is not natural.


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“‘Don’t make yourself unclean by any of these wrong things. I am forcing nations out of their countries because they did these sins. And I am giving their land to you.


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The land has become unclean. So I punished it for its sins. And the land is throwing out those people who live there.


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“‘You must obey my laws and rules. You must not do any of these hated sins. These rules are for the citizens of Israel. They are also for the people who live with you.


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If you do these things, you will also make the land unclean. And it will throw you out as it threw out the nations before you.


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The people who lived in the land before you have done these hated sins. But you must not do them. You must obey my laws. Don’t make yourself unclean by these hated sins. I am the Lord your God.’”


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“‘Each person among you must respect his mother and father. And you must keep my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.


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“‘You may sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord. If you do, you must offer it so you will be accepted.


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You may eat it the same day you offer it. And you may also eat it on the next day. But if any is left on the third day, you must burn it up.


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Anyone who eats it then will be guilty of sin. This is because he did not respect the holy things that belong to the Lord. He must be separated from his people.


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“‘You harvest your crops on your land. But do not harvest all the way to the corners of your fields. If grain falls onto the ground, don’t gather it up.


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Don’t pick all the grapes in your vineyards. And don’t pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. You must leave those things for poor people. You must also leave them for people traveling through your country. I am the Lord your God.


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You must not make a false promise by my name. If you do that, you will show that you don’t respect your God. I am the Lord.


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“‘You must not cheat your neighbor. You must not rob him. You must not keep a hired worker’s salary all night until morning.


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You must not curse a deaf man. And you must not put something in front of a blind person to make him fall. But you must respect your God. I am the Lord.


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“‘Be fair in your judging. You must not show special favor to poor people or great people. You must be fair when you judge your neighbor.


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You must not spread false stories against other people. You must not do anything that would put your neighbor’s life in danger. I am the Lord.


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“‘You must not hate your brother in your heart. If your neighbor does something wrong, tell him about it. If you do not, you will be partly to blame.


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Forget about the wrong things people do to you. You must not try to get even. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.


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“‘Obey my laws. You must not mate two different kinds of cattle. You must not sow your field with two different kinds of seed. You must not wear clothing made from two different kinds of material mixed together.


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“‘A man might have physical relations with a slave girl of another man. But this slave girl has not been bought or given her freedom. If this happens, there must be punishment. But they are not to be put to death. This is because the woman was not free.


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The man must bring a male sheep as his penalty offering. He must bring it to the Lord at the entrance to the Meeting Tent.


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The priest will offer the male sheep as a penalty offering before the Lord. It will be for the man’s sin. The priest will perform the acts to remove the sins of the man so he will belong to the Lord. Then the man will be forgiven for his sin.


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“‘In the future you will enter your country. You will plant many kinds of trees for food. After planting a tree, wait three years before using its fruit.


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In the fourth year the fruit from the tree will be the Lord’s. It will be a holy offering of praise to him.


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Then in the fifth year, you may eat the fruit from the tree. The tree will then produce more fruit for you. I am the Lord your God.


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“‘You must not eat anything with the blood in it. “‘You must not try to tell the future by signs or black magic.


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“‘You must not cut the hair on the sides of your heads. And you must not cut the edges of your beard.


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You must not cut your body to show sadness for someone who died. Do not put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.


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“‘You must not make your daughter become a prostitute. That only shows you do not respect her. If you do this, the country will be filled with all kinds of sin.


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“‘Do not go to mediums or fortune-tellers for advice. If you do, you will become unclean. I am the Lord your God.


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“‘Show respect to old people. Stand up when they come into the room. Show respect also to your God. I am the Lord.


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Treat them just as you treat your own citizens. Love foreigners as you love yourselves, because you were foreigners one time. That was in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.


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Your weighing baskets should be the right size. And your jars should hold the right amount of liquid. Your weights and balances should weigh correctly. I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of the land of Egypt.


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“You must also tell the people of Israel these things: ‘A person in your country might give one of his children to Molech. That person must be killed. It doesn’t matter if he is a citizen or a foreigner living in Israel. You must throw stones at him and kill him.


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I will be against him. I will separate him from his people. This is because he gave his children to Molech. He showed that he did not respect my holy name. And he made my Holy Place unclean.


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The people of the community might ignore that person. They might not kill the one who gave his children to Molech.


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But I will be against him and his family. I will separate him from his people. I will do this to anyone who is unfaithful to me and who worships Molech.


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“‘I will be against anyone who goes to mediums and fortune-tellers for advice. He is being unfaithful to me. So I will separate him from his people.


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“‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother. So he must be punished.


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Punishments for Sexual Sins “‘A man might have physical relations with his neighbor’s wife. If he does, both the man and the woman are guilty of adultery. So they must be put to death.


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A man might have physical relations with his father’s wife. If he does, both the man and his father’s wife must be put to death. They have brought it on themselves. That man has shamed his father.


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“‘A man might have physical relations with his daughter-in-law. If he does, both of them must be put to death. What they have done is not natural. It must be punished.


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“‘A man might have physical relations with another man as a man does with a woman. If he does, these two men have done a hated sin. They must be put to death. They have brought it on themselves.


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“‘A man might have physical relations with both a woman and her mother. This is evil. The people must burn that man and the two women in fire. Do this so that your people will not be evil.


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“‘A man might have unnatural physical relations with an animal. If he does, he must be put to death. And you must also kill the animal.


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A woman might have unnatural physical relations with an animal. If she does, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death. They have brought it on themselves.


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“‘It is shameful for a brother to marry his sister and to have physical relations with her. In front of everyone they must both be separated from their people. The man has shamed his sister. And he is guilty of sin.


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“‘If a man has physical relations with a woman during her monthly period, both the woman and the man must be separated from their people. They sinned because they showed the source of her blood.


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“‘Do not have physical relations with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister. That would shame a close relative. Both of you are guilty of this sin.


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“‘A man must not have physical relations with his uncle’s wife. That would shame his uncle. That man and his uncle’s wife would die without children. They are guilty of sin.


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“‘It is unclean for a man to marry his brother’s wife. That man has shamed his brother. They would have no children.


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“‘Remember all my laws and rules, and obey them. I am leading you to your own land. If you obey my laws and rules, that land will not throw you out.


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I am forcing the people who live there out of that country ahead of you. Because they did all these sins I have hated them. Do not live the way those people lived.


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“‘I have told you that you will get their land. I will give it to you as your very own. It is a land where much food grows. I am the Lord your God. I have set you apart from other people and made you my own.


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So you must treat clean animals and birds differently from unclean animals. Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these unclean birds or animals or things that crawl on the ground. I have made them unclean for you.


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I have set you apart from other people. So you must be holy to me. This is because I am the Lord, and I am holy.


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“‘A man or woman who is a medium or a fortune-teller must be put to death. You must kill them with stones. They have brought it on themselves.’”


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How Priests Must Behave The Lord said to Moses, “Tell these things to Aaron’s sons, the priests: ‘A priest must not make himself unclean by touching a dead person.


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But if the dead person was one of his close relatives, he may touch him. The priest may make himself unclean if the dead person is his mother or father, son or daughter, brother or


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unmarried sister. This sister is close to him because she has no husband. So the priest may make himself unclean for her if she dies.


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“‘Priests must not shave their heads. They must not shave off the edges of their beards. They must not cut their bodies.


