Exodus 28:17-43

17Then fix four rows of jewels on it. These are the names of the jewels: a ruby, a topaz and a beryl in the first row;

18a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald in the second row;

19a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst in the third row;

20a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper in the fourth row. Fix each jewel into beautiful gold around its edges.

21There will be 12 jewels, one jewel for each of Israel's sons. You must carefully write one tribe's name on each jewel with a sharp tool.

22Use pure gold to make two thin chains like strings. These will fix the breastpiece to the ephod.

23Make two gold rings and fix them to the two top corners of the breastpiece.

24Fix the two gold chains to the two rings on the corners of the breastpiece.

25Fix the other ends of the two chains to the shoulder pieces of the ephod, in the front. Join them to the gold pieces that hold the onyx stones.

26Make two gold rings and fix them to the two bottom corners of the breastpiece. Put them on its inside edge, so that they are next to the ephod.

27Make two more gold rings. Fix them to the bottom edge of the shoulder pieces, on the front of the ephod. Put them just above the ephod's belt.

28Use a string of blue material to tie the rings on the breastpiece to the rings on the ephod. Fix them together above the ephod's belt. Then the breastpiece and the belt will not become separate.

29When Aaron goes into the Holy Place, he will wear the breastpiece. So he will carry the names of Israel's sons over his heart. And the Lord will always remember to bless the Israelites.

30Put the Urim and Thummim in the pocket of the breastpiece. They will also be over Aaron's heart when he goes in there to serve the Lord. The Urim and Thummim will always be there to show Aaron what the Lord is saying about the Israelites. He will carry this help over his heart all the time.

31Use only blue cloth to make the robe for the ephod.

32Make a hole in the top of the robe, in the middle. Make an edge around this hole, for the priest's head to go through. Make the edge so that it will not tear.

33Use blue, purple and red material to make pictures of pomegranates. Also make gold bells. The pomegranates and the bells will go all around the bottom edge of the robe.

34There will be a bell then a pomegranate, another bell then a pomegranate, all around the edge of the robe.

35Aaron must wear the robe when he is serving the Lord. The bells will make a noise when he goes into the Holy Place to serve the Lord. They will also make a sound when he comes out. Then he will not die.

36Use pure gold to make a thin plate and write on it carefully with a sharp tool. Write this sign on it: “Holy to the Lord”.

37Fix a blue string to the plate and tie it to the front of the linen hat.

38Aaron will always wear this sign on the front of his head. When the Israelites bring gifts to God, they may be guilty of sins. When Aaron has this sign on his head, he himself will be guilty instead of them. Then the Lord will accept the gifts that his people offer to him.

39Use good linen to make the long shirt and the hat for the priest. A worker with special skills must make the long belt, so that it looks beautiful.

40Make shirts, belts and hats for Aaron's sons. These clothes must be beautiful to give them honour.

41Dress your brother Aaron and his sons with these clothes. Then pour oil on their heads to show that they have my authority. Make them separate from the other Israelites as my holy servants. They will serve me as my priests.

42Use good linen to make trousers that will cover the lower parts of their bodies.

43Aaron and his sons must wear them when they go into the Tent of Meeting. They must also wear them when they go near to the altar to serve me in the Holy Place. Then they will not be guilty. I will not punish them with death. This will always be a rule for Aaron and his descendants.