Exodus 30:1-10

1 "Make an altar out of acacia wood, for burning incense.
2 It is to be square, 18 inches long and 18 inches wide, and it is to be 36 inches high. Its projections at the four corners are to form one piece with it.
3 Cover its top, all four sides, and its projections with pure gold, and put a gold border around it.
4 Make two gold carrying rings for it and attach them below the border on two sides to hold the poles with which it is to be carried.
5 Make these poles of acacia wood and cover them with gold.
6 Put this altar outside the curtain which hangs in front of the Covenant Box. That is the place where I will meet you.
7 Every morning when Aaron comes to take care of the lamps, he is to burn sweet-smelling incense on it.
8 He must do the same when he lights the lamps in the evening. This offering of incense is to continue without interruption for all time to come.
9 Do not offer on this altar any forbidden incense, any animal offering, or any grain offering, and do not pour out any wine offering on it.
10 Once a year Aaron is to perform the ritual for purifying the altar by putting on its four projections the blood of the animal sacrificed for sin. This is to be done every year for all time to come. This altar is to be completely holy, dedicated to me, the Lord."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.