Exodus 30:1–10

The Altar for Burning Incense

30“Make an altar out of acacia wood, for burning incense. ²It is to be square, 45 centimetres long and 45 centimetres wide, and it is to be 90 centimetres high. Its projections at the four corners are to form one piece with it. ³Cover its top, all four sides, and its projections with pure gold, and put a gold border round it. ⁴Make two gold carrying rings for it and attach them below the border on two sides to hold the poles with which it is to be carried. ⁵Make these poles of acacia wood and cover them with gold. ⁶Put this altar outside the curtain which hangs in front of the Covenant Box. That is the place where I will meet you. ⁷Every morning when Aaron comes to get the lamps ready, he is to burn sweet-smelling incense on it. ⁸He must do the same when he lights the lamps in the evening. This offering of incense is to continue without interruption for all time to come. ⁹Do not offer on this altar any forbidden incense, any animal-offering, or any grain offering, and do not pour out any wine offering on it. ¹⁰Once a year Aaron is to perform the ritual for purifying the altar by putting on its four projections the blood of the animal sacrificed for sin. This is to be done every year for all time to come. This altar is to be completely holy, dedicated to me, the Lord.”