M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Three Men Meet Abraham
18 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he was sitting by the door to his tent during the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up, and he saw three men standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and he bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, “My lord,[a] if I have now found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. 4 Now let me get a little water so that all of you can wash your feet and rest under the tree. 5 Let me get some bread so that you can refresh yourselves. After that you may go your way. That is why you have come to your servant.”
They said, “Yes, do as you have said.”
6 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly prepare twenty quarts[b] of fine flour, knead it, and make some loaves of bread.” 7 Abraham ran to the herd, brought a good, tender calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to prepare it. 8 He took cheese curds, milk, and the calf that he had prepared and set it before them. He stood beside them under the tree while they ate.
9 They asked him, “Where is Sarah, your wife?”
He said, “She is over there in the tent.”
10 One of the men said, “I will certainly return to you when this season comes around next year. Then Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Sarah was listening to this from the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well into old age. Sarah was past the age for childbearing.[c] 12 Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, will I have pleasure, since my lord is also old?”
13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really give birth to a child though I am old?’ 14 Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the set time next year I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Then Sarah denied it and said, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid.
The Lord said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
16 The men got up from there and looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17 The Lord said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him,[d] so that he may command his children and his household who follow after him to keep the way of the Lord by carrying out righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may deliver to Abraham what he has promised him.”
20 So the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very flagrant, 21 I will go down now and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has come to me. If not, I will know.”
22 The two men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. 23 Abraham approached him and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous along with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep them away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 You would never do such a thing, killing the righteous along with the wicked, treating the righteous the same as the wicked. You would never do such a thing. The Judge of all the earth should do right, shouldn’t he?”
26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people within the city of Sodom, then I will spare the entire place for their sake.”
27 Abraham answered, “See now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it on myself to speak to my Lord. 28 What if there are five fewer than fifty righteous? Will you destroy the entire city if the number is five short?”
He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 He spoke to him yet again and said, “What if only forty are found there?”
He said, “I will not do it for the sake of the forty.”
30 He said, “Please, do not be angry, my Lord, but I will speak again. What if thirty are found there?”
He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 He said, “See now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to my Lord. What if there are twenty found there?”
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
32 He said, “Please, do not be angry, my Lord, but I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?”
He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
33 As soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham, the Lord went on his way, and Abraham returned to his place.
The Transfiguration
17 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James; and he led them up onto a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured in front of them. His face was shining like the sun. His clothing became as white as the light. 3 Just then, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Just then, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were terrified. 7 Jesus approached and as he touched them, he said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they opened their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 His disciples asked him, “Then why do the experts in the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus answered them, “Yes, Elijah is coming and will restore all things,[a] 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. Instead they did to him whatever they desired. In the same way the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Jesus Heals a Boy With a Demon
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt in front of him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son because he has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they were not able to cure him.”
17 Jesus answered, “O unbelieving and perverse generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of the boy, and he was cured from that hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why were we unable to drive it out?”
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith.[b] Amen I tell you: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 21 But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”[c]
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection Again
22 While they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, but on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.
A Coin in a Fish’s Mouth
24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax[d] came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.”
When he came into the house, Jesus spoke first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tolls or a tax? From their own sons or from others?”
26 Peter said to him, “From others.”
Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. 27 But, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that you pull up. When you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin.[e] Take that coin and give it to them for me and for you.”
Gatekeepers Are Appointed for the City
7 When the wall had been built and I had installed the doors, and when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I placed my brother Hanani along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, in charge of Jerusalem, because he was a trustworthy man and feared God more than many. 3 I[a] said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem should not be left open until the heat of the day, but while the guards are still on duty, they are to shut the doors and secure them. Appoint guards from the residents of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their houses.”
Repopulating the City
4 Now the city was wide open and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses were being built. 5 So my God placed into my heart a plan to gather the nobles, the officials, and the people so they could be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical record of those who were the first to come up from Babylon. I found this written in it:
6 These are the people[b] of the province who went up from the captivity of the exiles, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had exiled. They returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, each man to his city. 7 These were the people who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Ra’amiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Ba’anah.[c]
This was the number of men from the people of Israel:[d]
| 8 the male descendants[e] of Parosh: | 2,172 |
| 9 the male descendants of Shephatiah: | 372 |
| 10 the male descendants of Arah: | 652 |
| 11 the male descendants of Pahath Moab through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab: | 2,818 |
| 12 the male descendants of Elam: | 1,254 |
| 13 the male descendants of Zattu: | 845 |
| 14 the male descendants of Zakkai: | 760 |
| 15 the male descendants of Binnui: | 648 |
| 16 the male descendants of Bebai: | 628 |
| 17 the male descendants of Azgad: | 2,322 |
| 18 the male descendants of Adonikam: | 667 |
| 19 the male descendants of Bigvai: | 2,067 |
| 20 the male descendants of Adin: | 655 |
| 21 the male descendants of Ater through Hezekiah: | 98 |
| 22 the male descendants of Hashum: | 328 |
| 23 the male descendants of Bezai: | 324 |
| 24 the male descendants of Hariph: | 112 |
| 25 the citizens[f] of Gibeon: | 95 |
| 26 the men of Bethlehem and Netophah: | 188 |
| 27 the men of Anathoth: | 128 |
| 28 the men of Beth Azmaveth: | 42 |
| 29 the men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Be’eroth: | 743 |
| 30 the men of Ramah and Geba: | 621 |
| 31 the men of Mikmash: | 122 |
| 32 the men of Bethel and Ai: | 123 |
| 33 the men of the other Nebo: | 52 |
| 34 the citizens of the other Elam: | 1,254 |
| 35 the citizens of Harim: | 320 |
| 36 the citizens of Jericho: | 345 |
| 37 the citizens of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: | 721 |
| 38 the citizens of Sena’ah: | 3,930 |
| 39 The priests: | |
| the descendants of Jedaiah through the house of Jeshua: | 973 |
| 40 the descendants of Immer: | 1,052 |
| 41 the descendants of Pashhur: | 1,247 |
| 42 the descendants of Harim: | 1,017 |
43 The Levites:
the descendants of Jeshua through Kadmiel through the descendants of Hodaviah: 74
44 the singers from the descendants of Asaph: 148
45 the gatekeepers from the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai: 138.
46 The temple servants:
the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha,
the descendants of Tabbaoth, 47 the descendants of Keros,
the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon,
48 the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah,[g]
the descendants of Shalmai,[h] 49 the descendants of Hanan,
the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar,
50 the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin,
the descendants of Nekoda, 51 the descendants of Gazzam,
the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah,
52 the descendants of Besai,[i] the descendants of Meunim,
the descendants of Nephisim,[j] 53 the descendants of Bakbuk,
the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur,
54 the descendants of Bazlith, the descendants of Mehida,
the descendants of Harsha, 55 the descendants of Barkos,
the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,
56 the descendants of Neziah, and the descendants of Hatipha.
57 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth,
the descendants of Perida, 58 the descendents of Ja’alah,
the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel,
59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil,
the descendants of Pokereth Hazzebaim, the descendants of Amon.
60 The total of the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants was 392.
61 The following are the people who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer. They were not to prove their ancestry or descent—whether they were from Israel:
62 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, the descendants of Nekoda: 642,
63 and from the priests: the descendants of Habaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, the descendants of Barzillai, that is, from a man who married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and so was called by their name.
64 These people searched for their genealogical records, but they could not find them, so they were disqualified from the priesthood. 65 The governor told them that they should not eat from the most holy sacrifices until a priest would arise who could serve with Urim and Thummim.
66 The entire assembly together totaled 42,360, 67 not counting their male slaves and their female slaves, who numbered 7,337. They also had 245[k] male and female singers. 68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules,[l] 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
70 Some of the heads of the families gave support for the work.
The governor gave to the treasury:
gold darics: 1,000[m]
bowls: 50
garments for the priests: 530.
71 Some of the heads of the families gave this to the treasury for the work:
gold darics: 20,000
silver minas: 2,200.[n]
72 What the rest of the people gave was this:
gold darics: 20,000
silver minas: 2,000
and garments for the priests: 67.
73 The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, and the temple servants, that is, all Israel, settled in their cities.
In Thessalonica
17 When Paul and Silas had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went to the Jews, and on three Sabbath days he led them in a discussion from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. He also said, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great number of God-fearing Greeks and more than a few of the prominent women.
5 But the Jews[a] became jealous and gathered from the marketplace some wicked men, who formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house and searched for Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the mob. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men, who have stirred up trouble all over the world, have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The crowd and the city officials were stirred up when they heard these things. 9 They took a security bond from Jason and the others and then let them go.
In Berea
10 That same night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians. They received the word very eagerly and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them believed, along with more than a few prominent Greek women and men.
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that the word of God was being proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they also went there to agitate and stir up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to the seacoast, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him all the way to Athens. When they left, they received instructions for Silas and Timothy to join Paul as soon as possible.
In Athens
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was very distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he led a discussion in the synagogue with the Jews and those who feared God, as well as with those who happened to be in the marketplace every day.
18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this seed picker[b] trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be someone who is proclaiming foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
19 They took him and brought him to the council of the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are talking about? 20 You seem to be bringing in some ideas that are strange to our ears, so we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there enjoyed doing nothing more than telling or listening to something new.)
22 Then Paul stood up in front of the council of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. 23 For as I was walking around and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an unknown god.’ Now what you worship as unknown—this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made with hands. 25 Neither is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives all people life and breath and everything they have. 26 From one man,[c] he made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth. He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live. 27 He did this so they would seek God[d] and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[e] As some of your own poets have said, ‘Indeed, we are also his offspring.’[f]
29 “Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and planning. 30 Although God overlooked the times of ignorance, he is now commanding all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he appointed. He provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some of them started to scoff. But others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 So Paul left the council. 34 However, some men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them were Dionysius (a member of the council of the Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris, as well as others with them.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.