And you shall make settings of gold filigree probably refers to two additional settings to which the two chains of pure gold were to be fastened. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version make this clear—“two gold settings”—even though “two” is not in the text. The words are identical with verse 11. (Filigree is discussed there.) Two chains of pure gold were probably not to be link chains, since they were to be twisted like cords. This is literally “cords you [singular] shall make them [of] twisted work.” The word for twisted may also mean “braided” (New International Version). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “Braid these like corded work.”

And you shall attach the corded chains to the settings is literally “and you [singular] shall put the twisted cords upon the settings.” The word for attach usually means to give, or to put or place, but the context suggests the meaning of “fasten” or “fix.” The settings, of course, would have to be fastened to the shoulder straps, as verse 25 seems to make clear. (See the comment there.) The Hebrew text does not make this explicit, but the Septuagint does. Translators may also wish to make this clear.

An alternative translation model for verses 13 and 14 is:

• Have them make two more gold settings and attach them to the shoulder straps, one to each strap.
Then have them make two gold cords that they have braided [or, twisted] like rope, and fasten the cords to the gold settings.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .