Exodus 28

• 1. "Your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, will be set apart from the common people. They will be my priests and will minister to me.
• 2. Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God--beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work.
• 3. Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as a priest.
• 4. They are to make a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered tunic, a turban, and a sash. They will also make special garments for Aaron's sons to wear when they serve as priests before me.
• 5. These items must be made of fine linen cloth and embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
• 6. "The ephod must be made of fine linen cloth and skillfully embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
• 7. It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.
• 8. And the sash will be made of the same materials: fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
• 9. Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel.
• 10. Six names will be on each stone, naming all the tribes in the order of their ancestors' births.
• 11. Engrave these names in the same way a gemcutter engraves a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings.
• 12. Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names before the LORD as a constant reminder.
• 13. The settings are to be made of gold filigree,
• 14. and two cords made of pure gold will be attached to the settings on the shoulders of the ephod.
• 15. "Then, with the most careful workmanship, make a chestpiece that will be used to determine God's will. Use the same materials as you did for the ephod: fine linen cloth embroidered with gold thread and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn.
• 16. This chestpiece will be made of two folds of cloth, forming a pouch nine inches square.
• 17. Four rows of gemstones will be attached to it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a chrysolite, and an emerald.
• 18. The second row will contain a turquoise, a sapphire, and a white moonstone.
• 19. The third row will contain a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst.
• 20. The fourth row will contain a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. All these stones will be set in gold.
• 21. Each stone will represent one of the tribes of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it as though it were a seal.
• 22. "To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold.
• 23. Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece.
• 24. The two gold cords will go through the rings on the chestpiece,
• 25. and the ends of the cords will be tied to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.
• 26. Then make two more gold rings, and attach them to the two lower inside corners of the chestpiece next to the ephod.
• 27. And make two more gold rings and attach them to the ephod near the sash.
• 28. Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod above the beautiful sash.
• 29. In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the presence of the LORD in the Holy Place. Thus, the LORD will be reminded of his people continually.
• 30. Insert into the pocket of the chestpiece the Urim and Thummim, to be carried over Aaron's heart when he goes into the LORD's presence. Thus, Aaron will always carry the objects used to determine the LORD's will for his people whenever he goes in before the LORD.
• 31. "Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,
• 32. with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. The opening will be reinforced by a woven collar so it will not tear.
• 33. Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.
• 34. The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all the way around the hem.
• 35. Aaron will wear this robe whenever he enters the Holy Place to minister to the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD's presence. If he wears it, he will not die.
• 36. "Next make a medallion of pure gold. Using the techniques of an engraver, inscribe it with these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD.
• 37. This medallion will be attached to the front of Aaron's turban by means of a blue cord.
• 38. Aaron will wear it on his forehead, thus bearing the guilt connected with any errors regarding the sacred offerings of the people of Israel. He must always wear it so the LORD will accept the people.
• 39. "Weave Aaron's patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban out of this linen as well. Also make him an embroidered sash.
• 40. "Then for Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and headdresses to give them dignity and respect.
• 41. Clothe Aaron and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Set them apart as holy so they can serve as my priests.
• 42. Also make linen underclothes for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from waist to thigh.
• 43. These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their duties. Thus they will not incur guilt and die. This law is permanent for Aaron and his descendants.

John 8

• 1. Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives,
• 2. but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them.
• 3. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman they had caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
• 4. "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of adultery.
• 5. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?"
• 6. They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
• 7. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!"
• 8. Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
• 9. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.
• 10. Then Jesus stood up again and said to her, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?"
• 11. "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more."
• 12. Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
• 13. The Pharisees replied, "You are making false claims about yourself!"
• 14. Jesus told them, "These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know this about me.
• 15. You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone.
• 16. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone--I have with me the Father who sent me.
• 17. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.
• 18. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other."
• 19. "Where is your father?" they asked. Jesus answered, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who my Father is. If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too."
• 20. Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
• 21. Later Jesus said to them again, "I am going away. You will search for me and die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going."
• 22. The Jewish leaders asked, "Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, 'You cannot come where I am going'?"
• 23. Then he said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not.
• 24. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins."
• 25. "Tell us who you are," they demanded. Jesus replied, "I am the one I have always claimed to be.
• 26. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won't. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is true."
• 27. But they still didn't understand that he was talking to them about his Father.
• 28. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will realize that I am he and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me.
• 29. And the one who sent me is with me--he has not deserted me. For I always do those things that are pleasing to him."
• 30. Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
• 31. Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.
• 32. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
• 33. "But we are descendants of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone on earth. What do you mean, 'set free'?"
• 34. Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
• 35. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.
• 36. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.
• 37. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because my message does not find a place in your hearts.
• 38. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."
• 39. "Our father is Abraham," they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were children of Abraham, you would follow his good example.
• 40. I told you the truth I heard from God, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham wouldn't do a thing like that.
• 41. No, you are obeying your real father when you act that way." They replied, "We were not born out of wedlock! Our true Father is God himself."
• 42. Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.
• 43. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so!
• 44. For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
• 45. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!
• 46. Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?
• 47. Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don't, it proves you aren't God's children."
• 48. The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?"
• 49. "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father--and you dishonor me.
• 50. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God wants to glorify me. Let him be the judge.
• 51. I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!"
• 52. The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say that those who obey your teaching will never die!
• 53. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Are you greater than the prophets, who died? Who do you think you are?"
• 54. Jesus answered, "If I am merely boasting about myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me. You say, 'He is our God,'
• 55. but you do not even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true--I know him and obey him.
• 56. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad."
• 57. The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham? "
• 58. Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!"
• 59. At that point they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus hid himself from them and left the Temple.

Proverbs 5

• 1. My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
• 2. Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge.
• 3. The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.
• 4. But the result is as bitter as poison, sharp as a double-edged sword.
• 5. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
• 6. For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn't even realize where it leads.
• 7. So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say:
• 8. Run from her! Don't go near the door of her house!
• 9. If you do, you will lose your honor and hand over to merciless people everything you have achieved in life.
• 10. Strangers will obtain your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
• 11. Afterward you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body,
• 12. and you will say, "How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way!
• 13. Oh, why didn't I listen to my teachers? Why didn't I pay attention to those who gave me instruction?
• 14. I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace."
• 15. Drink water from your own well--share your love only with your wife.
• 16. Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone?
• 17. You should reserve it for yourselves. Don't share it with strangers.
• 18. Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
• 19. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.
• 20. Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman?
• 21. For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
• 22. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.
• 23. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.

New Living Translation: 77 of 365 days.