Bible in a Year.

On the fifty-fifth day, Numbers 4 details the Levites' responsibilities in transporting the Tabernacle, demonstrating reverence for the sacred. In Deuteronomy 4, Moses exhorts the people to obedience and remembrance of the covenant, emphasizing that there is no other God but the Lord. Psalm 89 reinforces this message, praising God's eternal faithfulness, even when His people fail. The readings emphasize reverence, remembrance, and trust in God's promise.

1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, and Aaron, saying:

2. Take the sum of the sons of Caath from the midst of the Levites, by their houses and families.

3. From thirty years old and upward, to fifty years old, of all that go in to stand and to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.

4. This is the service of the sons of Caath:

5. When the camp is to set forward, Aaron and his sons shall go into the tabernacle of the covenant, and the holy of holies, and shall take down the veil that hangeth before the door, and shall wrap up the ark of the testimony in it,

6. And shall cover it again with a cover of violet skins, and shall spread over it a cloth all of violet, and shall put in the bars.

7. They shall wrap up also the table of proposition in a cloth of violet, and shall put with it the censers and little mortars, the cups and bowls to pour out the libations: the leaves shall be always on it:

8. And they shall spread over it a cloth of scarlet, which again they shall cover with a covering of violet skins, and shall put in the bars.

9. They shall take also a cloth of violet wherewith they shall cover the candlestick with the lamps and tongs thereof and the snuffers and all the oil vessels, which are necessary for the dressing of the lamps :

10. And over all they shall put a cover of violet skins and put in the bars.

11. And they shall wrap up the golden altar also in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars.

12. All the vessels wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, they shall wrap up in a cloth of violet, and shall spread over it a cover of violet skins, and put in the bars.

13. They shall cleanse the altar also from the ashes, and shall wrap it up in a purple cloth,

14. And shall put it with all the vessels that they use in the ministry thereof, that is to say, firepans, fleshhooks and forks, pothooks and shovels. They shall cover all the vessels of the altar together with a covering of violet skins, and shall put in the bars.

15. And when Aaron and his sons have wrapped up the sanctuary and the vessels thereof at the removing of the camp, then shall the sons of Caath enter in to carry the things wrapped up: and they shall not touch the vessels of the sanctuary, lest they die. These are the burdens of the sons of Caath: in the tabernacle of the covenant:

16. And over them shall be Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, to whose charge pertaineth the oil to dress the lamps, and the sweet incense, and the sacrifice, that is always offered, and the oil of unction, and whatsoever pertaineth to the service of the tabernacle, and of all the vessels that are in the sanctuary.

17. And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:

18. Destroy not the people of Caath from the midst of the Levites:

19. But do this to them, that they may live, and not die, by touching the holies of holies. Aaron and his sons shall go in, and they shall appoint every man his work, and shall divide the burdens that every man is to carry.

20. Let not others by any curiosity see the things that are in the sanctuary before they be wrapped up, otherwise they shall die.

21. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

22. Take the sum of the soils of Gerson also by their houses and families and kindreds.

23. From thirty Sears old and upward, unto fifty years old. Number them all that go in and minister in the tabernacle of the covenant.

24. This is the office of the family of the Gersonites :

25. To carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the roof of the covenant, the other covering, and the violet covering over all, and the hanging that hangeth in the entry of the tabernacle of the covenant,

26. The curtains of the court, and the veil in the entry that is before the tabernacle. All things that pertain to the altar, the cords and the vessels of the ministry,

27. The sons of Gerson shall carry, by the commandment of Aaron and his sons: and each man shall know to what burden he must be assigned.

28. This is the service of the family of the Gersonites in the tabernacle of the covenant, and they shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

29. Thou shalt reckon up the sons of Merari also by the families and houses of their fathers,

30. From thirty years old and upward, unto fifty years old, all that go in to the office of their ministry, and to the service of the covenant of the testimony.

31. These are their burdens: They shall carry the boards of the tabernacle and the bars thereof, the pillars and their sockets,

32. The pillars also of the court round about, with their sockets and pins and cords. They shall receive by account all the vessels and furniture, and so shall carry them.

33. This is the office of the family of the Merarites, and their ministry in the tabernacle of the covenant: and they shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.

34. So Moses and Aaron and the princes of the synagogue reckoned up the sons of Caath, by their kindreds and the houses of their fathers,

35. From thirty years old and upward, unto fifty years old, all that go in to the ministry of the tabernacle of the covenant:

36. And they were found two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

37. This is the number of the people of Caath that go in to the tabernacle of the covenant: these did Moses and Aaron number according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

38. The sons of Gerson also were numbered by the kindreds and houses of their fathers,

39. From thirty years old and upward, unto fifty years old, all that go in to minister in the tabernacle of the covenant:

40. And they were found two thousand six hundred and thirty.

41. This is the people of the Gersonites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the Lord.

42. The sons of Merari also were numbered by the kindreds and houses of their fathers,

43. From thirty years old and upward, unto fifty years old, all that go in to fulfil the rites of the tabernacle of the covenant:

44. And they were found three thousand two hundred.

45. This is the number of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron reckoned up according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

46. All that were reckoned up of the Levites, and whom Moses and Aaron and the princes of Israel took by name, by the kindreds and houses of their fathers,

47. From thirty years old and upward, until fifty years old, that go into the ministry of the tabernacle, and to carry the burdens,

48. Were in all eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

49. Moses reckoned them up according to the word of the Lord, every one according to their office and burdens, as the Lord had commanded him.

1. And now, O Israel, hear the commandments and judgments which I teach thee: that doing them, thou mayst live, and entering in mayst possess the land which the Lord the God of your fathers will give you.

2. You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it: keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

3. Your eyes have seen all that the Lord hath done against Beelphegor, how he hath destroyed all his worshippers from among you.

4. But you that adhere to the Lord your Cad, are all alive until this present day.

5. You know that I have taught you statutes and justices, as the Lord my God hath commanded me: so shall you do them in the land which you shall possess:

6. And you shall observe, and fulfil them in practice. For this is your wisdom, and understanding in the sight of nations, that hearing all these precepts, they may say: Behold a wise and understanding people, a great nation.

7. Neither is there any other nation so great, that hath gods so nigh them, as our God is present to all our petitions.

8. For what other nation is there so renowned that hath ceremonies, and just judgments, and all the law, which I will set forth this day before your eyes?

9. Keep thyself therefore, and thy soul carefully. Forget not the words that thy eyes have seen, and let them not go out of thy heart all the days of thy life. Thou shalt teach them to thy sons and to thy grandsons,

10. From the day in which thou didst stand before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord spoke to me, saying: Call together the people unto me, that they may hear my words, and may learn to fear me all the time that they live on the earth, and may teach their children.

11. And you came to the foot of the mount, which burned even unto heaven: and there was darkness, and a cloud and obscurity in it.

12. And the Lord spoke to you from the midst of the fire. You heard the voice of his words, but you saw not any form at all.

13. And he shewed you his covenant, which he commanded you to do, and the ten words that he wrote in two tables of stone.

14. And he commanded me at that time that I should teach you the ceremonies and judgments which you shall do in the land, that you shall possess.

15. Keep therefore your souls carefully. You saw not any similitude in the day that the Lord God spoke to you in Horeb from the midst of the fire:

16. Lest perhaps being deceived you might make you a graven similitude, or image of male or female,

17. The similitude of any beasts, that are upon the earth, or of birds, that fly under heaven,

18. Or of creeping things, that move on the earth, or of fishes, that abide in the waters under the earth:

19. Lest perhaps lifting up thy eyes to heaven, thou see the sun and the moon, and all the stars of heaven, and being deceived by error thou adore and serve them, which the Lord thy God created for the service of all the nations, that are under heaven.

20. But the Lord hath taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace of Egypt, to make you his people of inheritance, as it is this present day.

21. And the Lord was angry with me for your words, and he swore that I should not pass over the Jordan, nor enter into the excellent land, which he will give you.

22. Behold I die in this land, I shall not pass over the Jordan: you shall pass, and possess the goodly land.

23. Beware lest thou ever forget the covenant of the Lord thy God, which he hath made with thee: and make to thyself a graven likeness of those things which the Lord hath forbid to be made:

24. Because the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

25. If you shall beget sons and grandsons, and abide in the land, and being deceived, make to yourselves any similitude, committing evil before the Lord your God, to provoke him to wrath:

26. I call this day heaven and earth to witness, that you shall quickly perish out of the land, which, when you have passed over the Jordan, you shall possess. You shall not dwell therein long, but the Lord will destroy you,

27. And scatter you among all nations, and you shall remain a few among the nations, to which the Lord shall lead you.

28. And there you shah serve gods, that were framed with men's hands: wood and stone, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

29. And when thou shalt seek there the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him: yet so, if thou seek him with all thy heart, and all the affliction of thy soul.

30. After all the things aforesaid shall and thee, in the latter time thou shalt return to the Lord thy God, and shalt hear his voice.

31. Because the Lord thy God is a merciful God: he will not leave thee, nor altogether destroy thee, nor forget the covenant, by which he swore to thy fathers.

32. Ask of the days of old, that have been before thy time from the day that God created man upon the earth, from one end of heaven to the other end thereof, if ever there was done the like thing, or it hath been known at any time,

33. That a people should hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of fire, as thou hast heard, and lived:

34. If God ever did so as to go, and take to himself a nation out of the midst of nations by temptations, signs, and wonders, by fight, and a strong hand, and stretched out arm, and horrible visions according to all the things that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, before thy eyes.

35. That thou mightest know that the Lord he is God, and there is no other besides him.

36. From heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might teach thee. And upon earth he shewed thee his exceeding great fire, and thou didst hear his words out of the midst of the fire,

37. Because he loved thy fathers, and chose their seed after them. And he brought thee out of Egypt, going before thee with his great power,

38. To destroy at thy coming very great nations, and stronger than thou art, and to bring thee in, and give thee their land for a possession, as thou seest at this present day.

39. Know therefore this day, and think in thy heart that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath, and there is no other.

40. Keep his precepts and commandments, which I command thee: that it may be well with thee, and thy children after thee, and thou mayst remain a long time upon the land, which the Lord thy God will give thee.

41. Then Moses set aside three cities beyond the Jordan at the east side,

42. That any one might flee to them who should kill his neighbour unwillingly, and was not his enemy a day or two before, and that he might escape to some one of these cities:

43. Bosor in the wilderness, which is situate in the plains of the tribe of Ruben: and Ramoth in Galaad, which is in the tribe of Gad: and Golan in Basan, which is in the tribe of Manasses.

44. This is the law, that Moses set before the children of Israel,

45. And these are the testimonies and ceremonies and judgments, which he spoke to the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt,

46. Beyond the Jordan in the valley over against the temple of Phogor, in the land of Sehon king of the Amorrhites, that dwelt in Hesebon, whom Moses slew. And the children of Israel coming out of Egypt,

47. Possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Basan, of the two kings of the Amorrhites, who were beyond the Jordan towards the rising of the sun:

48. From Aroer, which is situate upon the bank of the torrent Amen, unto mount Sion, which is also called Hermon,

49. All the plain beyond the Jordan at the east side, unto the see of the wilderness, and unto the foot of mount Phasga.

1. Of understanding, for Ethan the Ezrahite.

2. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.

3. For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them.

4. I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:

5. Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.

6. The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints.

7. For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?

8. God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: great and terrible above all them that are about him.

9. O Lord God of hosts, who is like to thee? thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.

10. Thou rulest the power of the sea: and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.

11. Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thy enemies.

12. Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth: the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded:

13. the north and the sea thou hast created. Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name:

14. thy arm is with might. Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted:

15. justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face:

16. blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance:

17. and in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, and in thy justice they shall be exalted.

18. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.

19. For our protection is of the Lord, and of our king the holy one of Israel.

20. Then thou spokest in a vision to thy saints, and saidst: I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.

21. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him.

22. For my hand shall help him: and my arm shall strengthen him.

23. The enemy shall have no advantage over him: nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.

24. And I will cut down his enemies before his face; and them that hate him I will put to flight.

25. And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

26. And I will set his hand in the sea; and his right hand in the rivers.

27. He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation.

28. And I will make him my firstborn, high above the kings of the earth.

29. I will keep my mercy for him for ever: and my covenant faithful to him.

30. And I will make his seed to endure for evermore: and his throne as the days of heaven.

31. And if his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments:

32. If they profane my justices: and keep not my commandments:

33. I will visit their iniquities with a rod: and their sins with stripes.

34. But my mercy I will not take away from him: nor will I suffer my truth to fail.

35. Neither will I profane my covenant: and the words that proceed from my mouth I will not make void.

36. Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:

37. his seed shall endure for ever.

38. And his throne as the sun before me: and as the moon perfect for ever, and a faithful witness in heaven.

39. But thou hast rejected and despised: thou hast been angry with thy anointed.

40. Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the earth.

41. Thou hast broken down all his hedges: thou hast made his strength fear.

42. All that pass by the way have robbed him: he is become a reproach to his neighbours.

43. Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him: thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

44. Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; and hast not assisted him in battle.

45. Thou hast made his purification to cease: and thou hast cast his throne down to the ground.

46. Thou hast shortened the days of his time: thou hast covered him with confusion.

47. How long, O Lord, turnest thou away unto the end? shall thy anger burn like fire?

48. Remember what my substance is for hast thou made all the children of men in vain?

49. Who is the man that shall live, and not see death: that shall deliver his soul from the hand of hell?

50. Lord, where are thy ancient mercies, according to what thou didst swear to David in thy truth?

51. Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants (which I have held in my bosom) of many nations:

52. Wherewith thy enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the change of thy anointed.

53. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. So be it. So be it.