Exodus 40:1–16

Setting Up the Tabernacle

40Then the Lord said to Moses: ²“Set up^l the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,^m on the first day of the first month.^{n 3}Place the ark^o of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. ⁴Bring in the table^p and set out what belongs on it.^q Then bring in the lampstand^r and set up its lamps. ⁵Place the gold altar^s of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

⁶“Place the altar^t of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; ⁷place the basin^u between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. ⁸Set up the courtyard^v around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

⁹“Take the anointing oil and anoint^w the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,^x and it will be holy. ¹⁰Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate^y the altar, and it will be most holy. ¹¹Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.

¹²“Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting^z and wash them with water.^{a 13}Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,^b anoint him and consecrate^c him so he may serve me as priest. ¹⁴Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.^{d 15}Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.^e” ¹⁶Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded^f him.