« | Exodus 37 | » |
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high.
2 The inside and outside were plated with gold, and a molding of gold was put around it.
3 Four gold rings were cast and put on its four supports, two rings for one side and two for the opposite side.
4 Poles of acacia wood were made and plated with gold;
5 these were put through the rings on the sides of the ark, for carrying it.
6 The propitiatory was made of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.
7 Two cherubim of beaten gold were made for the two ends of the propitiatory,
8 one cherub fastened at one end, the other at the other end, springing directly from the propitiatory at its two ends.
9 The cherubim had their wings spread out above, covering the propitiatory with them. They were turned toward each other, but with their faces looking toward the propitiatory.
10 The table was made of acacia wood, two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high.
11 It was plated with pure gold, and a molding of gold was put around it.
12 A frame a handbreadth high was also put around it, with a molding of gold around the frame.
13 Four rings of gold were cast for it and fastened, one at each of the four corners.
14 The rings were alongside the frame as holders for the poles to carry the table.
15 These poles were made of acacia wood and plated with gold.
16 The vessels that were set on the table, its plates and cups, as well as its pitchers and bowls for pouring libations, were of pure gold.
17 The lampstand was made of pure beaten gold-- its shaft and branches as well as its cups and knobs and petals springing directly from it.
18 Six branches extended from its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other.
19 On one branch there were three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, each with its knob and petals; on the opposite branch there were three cups, shaped like almond blossoms, each with its knob and petals; and so for the six branches that extended from the lampstand.
20 On the shaft there were four cups, shaped like almond blossoms, with their knobs and petals,
21 including a knob below each of the three pairs of branches that extended from the lampstand.
22 The knobs and branches sprang so directly from it that the whole formed but a single piece of pure beaten gold.
23 Its seven lamps, as well as its trimming shears and trays, were made of pure gold.
24 A talent of pure gold was used for the lampstand and its various appurtenances.
25 The altar of incense was made of acacia wood, on a square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high, having horns that sprang directly from it.
26 Its grate on top, its walls on all four sides, and its horns were plated with pure gold; and a molding of gold was put around it.
27 Underneath the molding gold rings were placed, two on one side and two on the opposite side, as holders for the poles to carry it.
28 The poles, too, were made of acacia wood and plated with gold.
29 The sacred anointing oil and the fragrant incense were prepared in their pure form by a perfumer.
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU)
The New American Standard Updated Version (NASU) is a highly respected English translation of the Bible known for its rigorous adherence to the original languages of Scripture. First published in 1995 by the Lockman Foundation, the NASU is an update of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which was originally completed in 1971. The NASU seeks to improve upon the NASB by enhancing readability and modernizing the language while maintaining the translation’s reputation for being one of the most literal translations available. This makes the NASU a preferred choice for serious Bible study, preaching, and teaching.
A key feature of the NASU is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation philosophy. The translators aimed to produce a text that is as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. This approach ensures that the NASU captures the precise meaning and structure of the original texts, providing readers with a highly accurate and reliable representation of the Scriptures. The use of formal equivalence makes the NASU particularly valuable for those who desire a deep and detailed understanding of the Bible, including scholars, theologians, and students of the Word.
In updating the NASB, the NASU made several important changes to improve clarity and readability. While maintaining the accuracy and literalness of the translation, the NASU incorporates modern English expressions and smoother sentence structures. This makes the text more accessible to contemporary readers without compromising the precision that the NASB is known for. The NASU also includes updated cross-references and footnotes, which provide additional context and insights, further aiding in the study and understanding of the biblical text.
Despite its many strengths, the NASU has faced some criticism. Some readers and scholars argue that the translation’s emphasis on literalness can sometimes result in a text that feels stiff or less fluid than more dynamic translations. Additionally, while the NASU’s updated language makes it more accessible, some feel that it could go further in adapting to contemporary usage without losing its accuracy. Nevertheless, the New American Standard Updated Version remains a highly esteemed translation, valued for its fidelity to the original texts and its usefulness for in-depth study and precise interpretation of the Bible.