And make two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings. The braided chains that connect the shoulder stones to the breastpiece are pure gold — the highest purity available. The rope-like braiding creates strength through interlacing: a single gold wire is easily broken, but braided gold chains are substantially stronger. The connection between the shoulder stones (twelve names on the priest's back) and the breastpiece (twelve stones on the priest's chest) is made through pure gold chains. The structural connection between where the priest carries the people and where he presents them before God is the strongest possible material.

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