Instructions for the sacred pouch

15 “Tell the skilled workman to make a sacred pouch for Aaron to wear over his chest. He will use the things he puts into the pouch to determine my answers to the questions he asks. It must be made of the same materials as the sacred apron, and embroidered in the same way. 16 It is to be square, and the material must be folded double, so that it is ◄9 in./22 cm.► on each side. 17 The skilled workman must fasten four rows of valuable stones onto the pouch. In the first row he must put a red ruby, a yellow topaz, and a red garnet. 18 In the second row he must put a green emerald, a blue sapphire, and a clear/white diamond. 19 In the third row he must put a red jacinth, a white agate, and a purple amethyst. 20 In the fourth row he must put a yellow beryl, a red carnelian, and a green jasper. 21 A gem-cutter should engrave on each of these twelve stones the name of one of the sons of Jacob. These names will represent the twelve Israeli tribes. 22 The two chains that are made from pure gold and braided like cords are for attaching the sacred pouch to the sacred apron. 23 The workman must make two gold rings, and attach them to the upper corners of the sacred pouch. 24 He must make two gold cords, and fasten one end of each cord to one of the rings. 25 He must fasten the other end of each cord to the two settings that enclose the stones. In that way, the sacred pouch will be attached to the shoulder straps of the sacred apron. 26 Then he must make two more gold rings, and attach them to the lower corners of the sacred pouch, on the inside edges, next to the sacred apron. 27 He must make two more gold rings, and attach them to the lower part of the front of the shoulder straps, near to where the shoulder straps are joined to the sacred apron, just above the carefully-woven sash/waistband. 28 The skilled workman must tie the rings on the sacred pouch to the rings on the sacred apron with a blue cord, so that the sacred pouch is above the sash/waistband and does not come loose from the sacred apron. 29 In that way, Aaron will have the names of the twelve Israeli tribes in the sacred pouch close to his chest when he enters the Holy Place. This will remind him that I, Yahweh, will never forget my people (OR, that he represents my people when he talks to me, Yahweh). 30 Put into the sacred pouch the two things that the priest will use to determine my answers to the questions he asks. In that way, they will be close to his chest when he enters the Holy Place to talk to me. He will use them to find out what is my will for the Israeli people.”