Knox Bible

1

Well loved by God, well loved among men, on the name of Moses a benediction rests.

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The Lord gave him such honour as he gives to his holy ones; gave him renown by striking terror into his enemies, and then, at his word, abated the prodigies that had befallen them.

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He made him great in the eyes of kings, entrusted commandments to him in full view of the chosen people, made a revelation to him of the divine glory.

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The Lord set him apart, chosen out from the rest of mankind, so loyal he was and so gentle;

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answered his prayer by taking him up into a cloud,

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and there, face to face, imparting commandments to him, the law that gives life and wisdom; here, Jacob, was thy covenant, here Israel, the rule thou wast to live by.

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Of Levite blood, too, sprang another renowned as Moses himself, his brother Aaron. To Aaron the Lord gave high office,

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making an eternal covenant with him, investing him with the priesthood of the chosen race, enriching him with his own glory.

9

Bright was the cincture that girded him, bright the robe that clothed him; no ornament he wore but spoke of majesty.

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The long tunic, the breeches, the sacred mantle, and golden bells a many compassing him about,

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that tinkled still as he walked, echoing through the temple to keep Israel’s name unforgotten!

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The hallowed robe, all gold and blue and purple, work of a master weaver, that lacked neither skill nor faithfulness!✻

13

What craftsmanship of twisted thread dyed scarlet, of rare stones in a gold setting, engraved with all the gem-cutter’s art, twelve of them to commemorate the twelve tribes of Israel!

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The gold finishing, too, of his mitre, engraved with the legend, Holiness; so proud an adornment, so noble a work of art, such a lure for men’s eyes in its ordered beauty!

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Never vesture till then was seen so fair; and, from time immemorial,

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no other might put it on, only the sons of Aaron’s line, in undying succession.

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Day in, day out the fire should consume his sacrifice;

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when Moses consecrated him with the holy oil’s anointing,

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this was a right granted in perpetuity, long as the heavens should last. His to perform the priest’s office, to echo God’s praise, to bless the people in his name.

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Alone of living men, he was chosen out to offer sacrifice, and the sweet-smelling incense that is a people’s plea for remembrance, a people’s atonement.

21

Power was his to administer the divine decrees, a justiciary by right, handing on to Jacob its tradition, giving Israel the law’s light to guide it.

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Once, out in the desert, that right was challenged; with envious cries, men of another clan surrounded him, Dathan and Abiron for their leaders, espousing Core’s quarrel.

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Ill-content was the Lord God at the sight of it; his vengeance swept them away;

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by no common doom, a raging flame devoured them.

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Fresh privileges for Aaron were kept in store; he must share in the conquest by receiving all the land’s first-fruits;

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his clan first of all must have bread enough and to spare, his children should inherit the eating of the Lord’s own sacrifice.

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But he must have no lands in the conquered territory, no share like the rest of his race; the Lord should be his wealth, the Lord his portion.

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Next to these two, Phinees the son of Eleazar won high renown; like Aaron, with the fear of God to guide him,

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he stood firm while the people shrank away; a loyal and a willing heart that made amends for Israel.

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For his reward, he received assurance of the divine favour; command he should have of sanctuary and of people both, and the high priesthood that was his should descend to his heirs for ever.

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David the son of Jesse, of Juda’s tribe, should bequeath to his children a legacy of kingship …

… with wise hearts endowing us, to preserve justice among his people, and keep safe the blessings he has given to it; and this pre-eminence over his people he has settled on them in perpetuity.✻