M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Grain Offering
2 “‘When anyone offers a ·grain [L gift; tribute; C this offering of grain, called a gift offering, was not considered an atonement for sin] offering to the Lord, that ·offering [gift] must be made from ·fine [choice] flour. The person must pour oil on it, put ·incense [frankincense] on it, 2 and then take it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. The priest must take a handful of the ·fine [choice] flour and oil and all the incense, and ·burn it [L turn it into smoke] on the altar as a memorial portion. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord. 3 The rest of the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering will belong to Aaron and the priests; it is a most ·holy [sacred] part of the offerings made by fire to the Lord.
4 “‘If you bring a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering that was baked in the oven, it must be made from ·fine [choice] flour. It may be ·loaves made without yeast [unleavened cakes] and mixed with oil, or it may be ·wafers made without yeast [unleavened wafers] that have oil ·poured [spread] over them. 5 If your grain offering is cooked on a griddle, it must be made, ·without yeast [unleavened], of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. 6 ·Crumble it [Break it in pieces] and pour oil over it; it is a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering. 7 If your ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering is cooked in a pan, it must be made from ·fine [choice] flour and oil. 8 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering made ·of these things [or in any of these ways] to the Lord. Give it to the priest, and he will take it to the altar. 9 He will take out the memorial portion [2:2] from the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering and ·burn it [L turn it into smoke] on the altar, as an offering made by fire. Its smell is pleasing to the Lord. 10 The rest of the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering belongs to Aaron and the priests. It is a most ·holy [sacred] part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire.
11 “‘Every ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering you bring to the Lord must be made without ·yeast [L leaven], because you must not ·burn [L turn into smoke] any ·yeast [leaven] or honey [C both of them ferment in fire, a form of decay] in an offering made by fire to the Lord. 12 You may bring yeast and honey to the Lord as ·an offering [gift] from the first harvest, but they must not be ·burned [L raised up] on the altar as a pleasing smell. 13 You must also put salt on all your ·grain [L gift; tribute] offerings. Salt stands for your ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with God that will last forever; do not leave salt out of your ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering. You must add salt to all your offerings [C salt would endure the fire, thereby representing the eternal covenant].
14 “‘If you bring a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering from the first harvest to the Lord, bring crushed heads of new grain ·roasted [parched] in the fire. 15 Put oil and ·incense [frankincense] on it; it is a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering. 16 The priest will ·burn [L turn into smoke] the memorial portion of the crushed grain and oil, with the ·incense [frankincense] on it. It is an offering by fire to the Lord.
The Fellowship Offering
3 “‘If a person’s ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [C demonstrated fellowship because the meat was to be eaten by the worshipers] to the Lord is from the herd, it may be a male or female, but it must ·have nothing wrong with it [be unblemished]. 2 The person must ·put [lay] his hand on the animal’s head [1:4] and ·kill [slaughter] it at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, must ·sprinkle [dash] the blood on all sides of the altar. 3 From the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering he must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer the fat of the animal’s inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them), 4 both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. 5 Then the priests will ·burn these parts [L turn these into smoke] on the altar, on the whole burnt offering that is on the wood of the fire. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord.
6 “‘If a person’s ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering to the Lord is ·a lamb or a goat [L from the flock], it may be a male or female, but it must ·have nothing wrong with it [be unblemished]. 7 If he offers a lamb, he must bring it before the Lord 8 and ·put [lay] his hand on its head [1:4]. Then he must ·kill [slaughter] the animal in front of the Meeting Tent, and the ·priests [L sons of Aaron] must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar. 9 From the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering the person must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must bring the fat, the whole fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat of the inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them), 10 both kidneys with the fat that is on them, near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. 11 Then the priest will ·burn these parts [L turn them into smoke] on the altar as food; it will be an offering made by fire to the Lord.
12 “‘If a person’s ·offering [gift] is a goat, he must offer it before the Lord 13 and ·put [lay] his hand on its head [1:4]. Then he must ·kill [slaughter] it in front of the Meeting Tent, and the priests must ·sprinkle [dash] its blood on all sides of the altar. 14 From this ·offering [gift] the person must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer all the fat of the goat’s inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them), 15 both kidneys with the fat that is on them near the ·lower back muscle [loins], and the ·best part [appendage] of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. 16 The priest will ·burn these parts [L turn them into smoke] on the altar as food. It is an offering made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord. All the fat belongs to the Lord [see v. 17].
17 “‘This ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] will continue for people ·from now on [forever], ·wherever you live [L in all your habitations/settlements]: You must not eat any fat [C perhaps considered the location of an animal’s strength; 7:22–25] or ·blood [C the source of life; 7:26–27; 17:10; 19:26; Gen. 9:4; Deut. 12:16, 23; 15:23].’”
Jesus Appears to Seven Followers
21 ·Later [L After these things], Jesus ·showed [revealed] himself to his ·followers [disciples] again—this time at ·Lake Galilee [L the Sea of Tiberias; C an alternate name of Lake/the Sea of Galilee]. This is how he ·showed [revealed] himself: 2 Some of the ·followers [disciples] were together: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus [C meaning “the Twin”]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the two sons of Zebedee [C James and John], and two other ·followers [disciples]. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going out to fish.”
The others said [L to him], “We will go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.
4 ·Early the next morning [Just at daybreak] Jesus stood on the shore, but the ·followers [disciples] did not ·know [realize] it was Jesus. 5 Then he said to them, “·Friends [L Children; C a term of endearment], did you catch any fish?”
They answered, “No.”
6 He said to them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they did, and they caught so many fish they could not pull the net back into the boat.
7 The ·follower [disciple] whom Jesus loved [C John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” [L So] When Peter heard him say this, he wrapped his ·coat [outer garment] around himself. (·Peter had taken his clothes off [L for he was naked].) Then he jumped into the ·water [L sea; lake]. 8 The other ·followers [disciples] went to shore in the boat, ·dragging [towing] the net full of fish. They were not very far from shore, only about a hundred yards [L two hundred cubits]. 9 When the ·followers [disciples] ·stepped out of the boat and onto the shore [landed; disembarked], they saw a fire of hot coals. There were fish on the fire, and there was bread.
10 Then Jesus said [L to them], “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went into the boat and ·pulled [hauled] the net to the shore. It was full of big fish, one hundred fifty-three in all, but even though there were so many, the net did not tear. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and ·eat [or have breakfast].” None of the followers dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, along with the fish.
14 This was now the third time [C see 20:19–23; 20:26–29] Jesus ·showed [revealed; manifested] himself to his ·followers [disciples] after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus Talks to Peter
15 When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” [C “These” probably refers to the other disciples (rather than the fishing gear), and could mean “Do you love me more than you love your friends?” or “Do you love me more than they love me?” The latter is more likely. This whole scene is the restoration of Peter after he had boasted of his loyalty to Jesus and then denied him.]
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “·Take care of [Tend; Shepherd] my sheep.”
17 A third time he said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter ·was hurt [grieved] because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!”
He said to him, “Feed my sheep. [C In verses 15 and 16 Jesus uses a different word for “love” (agapaō) than Peter uses (phileō); but then in v. 17 Jesus uses Peter’s word (phileō). The two terms can be synonymous, and the difference is probably stylistic. The passage is not contrasting two kinds of love; rather, Peter’s three affirmations counterbalance his three denials; see 18:15–18, 25–27] 18 ·I tell you the truth [L Truly, truly I say to you], when you were younger, you ·tied your own belt [dressed yourself] and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and someone else will ·tie [dress] you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 (Jesus said this to ·show [indicate; signify] how Peter would die to ·give glory to [glorify] God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the ·follower [disciple] Jesus loved [C John] was ·walking behind them [following]. (This was the ·follower [disciple] who had leaned against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who will ·turn against [betray] you?” [see 13:24–25]) 21 When Peter saw him behind them, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered [L him], “If I want him to live until I come back, ·that is not your business [L what is that to you?]. You follow me.”
23 So a ·story [rumor; report; saying; L word] spread among the ·followers [disciples; L brothers] that this one would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die. He only said, “If I want him to live until I come back, ·that is not your business [what is that to you?].”
24 That ·follower [disciple] is the one who ·is telling [witnesses/testifies to] these things and who has now written them down. We know that ·what he says [his testimony/witness] is true.
25 There are many other things Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.
18 ·Unfriendly [Antisocial; Lonely] people ·are selfish [L seek their own longings/desires]
and ·hate [L break out against] all good sense.
2 Fools do not ·want to understand anything [L delight in understanding].
They only want to ·tell others what they think [L reveal/disclose their heart].
3 Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will ·make fun of [insult] you.
4 ·Spoken words [L The words of a person’s mouth] can be like deep water,
·but [or and] the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to ·honor [or show favor to] the wicked
or to be unfair to the innocent.
6 The ·words [L lips] of fools ·start quarrels [or make accusations].
·They make people want to beat them [L Their mouth invites a beating].
7 The ·words [L mouth] of fools will ruin them;
their own ·words [L lips] will trap them.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
·People like to gobble them up [L They go down to one’s inmost parts].
9 A person who doesn’t work hard
is ·just like someone who destroys things [L a brother to a destroyer].
10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;
·those who do right [the righteous] can run to him for ·safety [refuge].
11 Rich people trust their wealth like a strong city.
They think it is like the high walls.
12 Proud people will be ruined,
but ·the humble will be honored [humility comes before glory].
13 Anyone who answers without listening
is foolish and ·confused [or a disgrace].
14 The ·will to live [L human spirit] can get you through sickness,
but ·no one can live with [L who can bear…?] a broken spirit.
15 The ·mind [heart] of a person with understanding gets knowledge;
the ·wise person listens to learn more [L ear of the wise seeks knowledge].
16 Taking gifts to important people
will help get you in to see them.
17 The person who ·tells one side of [first tells] a story seems right,
until ·someone else [his friend/neighbor] comes and asks questions.
18 Throwing lots can settle arguments
and ·keep the two sides from fighting [is decisive against powerful people].
19 A brother who has been ·insulted [offended] is harder to win back than a walled city,
and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20 ·People will be rewarded for what they say [L From the fruit of the mouth of a person is their stomach satisfied];
·they will be rewarded by how they speak [L the yield/gain of their lips satisfies].
21 ·What you say can mean [L In the power of the tongue are] life or death.
Those who ·speak with care [love it] will ·be rewarded [L eat its fruit].
22 When a man finds a wife, he finds something good.
It shows that the Lord ·is pleased with [favors] him.
23 The poor beg for mercy,
but the rich give ·rude [harsh] answers.
24 Some friends may ruin you,
but a real friend will ·be more loyal [cling closer] than a brother.
1 From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus. ·I am an apostle because that is what God wanted [L …by the will of God]. Also from Timothy [Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; Phil. 2:19–24; 1 and 2 Timothy], our brother.
2 To the ·holy [T saints] and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ that live in Colossae [a city located in the Lycus Valley in the Roman province of Phrygia, present-day central Turkey]:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[a]
3 In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 ·because we have [or ever since we; L having] heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all ·of God’s people [T the saints]. 5 You have this faith and love because of your hope, and what you hope for is ·kept safe [stored up; reserved] for you in heaven. You learned about this hope when you heard the ·message about the truth [or true message; L word of truth], the ·Good News [Gospel] 6 that ·was told [L has come] to you. [L …just as] Everywhere in the world that ·Good News [Gospel] is ·bringing blessings [L bearing fruit] and is growing. This has happened with you, too, ·since [L from the day] you heard and ·understood the truth about [or truly understood] the grace of God. 7 You learned about ·God’s grace [L it] from Epaphras, our ·dear [beloved; much loved] fellow ·servant [slave; bondservant], who is a faithful ·servant [minister] of Christ ·for us[b] [on our behalf]. [C Epaphras apparently established the church at Colossae during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus; Acts 19:10.] 8 He also told us about the love you have ·from [or in] the Holy Spirit.
9 Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we have ·continued [not ceased] praying for you, asking God ·that you will know fully what he wants [L to fill you with the knowledge of his will], ·and that you will have great [L in all] ·spiritual wisdom and understanding [or wisdom and understanding from the Spirit] 10 so that you will live the kind of life that ·honors [is worthy of] and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. 11 ·God will strengthen you [L …being strengthened] with ·his own great power [L all power according to his glorious might] so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will ·be patient. 12 And you will joyfully give thanks [or …have patience with joy, 12 giving thanks] to the Father who has made you[c] able to have a share in ·all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light [L the inheritance of the saints/holy ones in the light]. 13 ·God [L …who] has ·freed [rescued; delivered] us from the ·power [authority; dominion] of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his ·dear [dearly loved; beloved] Son, 14 ·who purchased our freedom[d] [L in whom we have redemption] ·and forgave our sins [or which is the forgiveness of sins].
The Importance of Christ
15 The Son [L …who] is ·the image of [exactly like; the visible representation of] the invisible God [John 1:18; Heb. 1:3]. He ·ranks higher than [L is the firstborn of/over] ·everything that has been made [all creation; Prov. 8:22–30]. 16 ·Through his power [L In him; or By him] all things were created [John 1:3; Heb. 1:2]—things in heaven and on earth, things seen and unseen, all ·powers [or heavenly authorities; L thrones], ·authorities [dominions; kingdoms], ·lords [rulers], and ·rulers [authorities; C these four may refer to angelic hierarchies, or to earthly and heavenly rulers]. All things were created through Christ and for Christ. 17 He ·was there before anything was made [L is before all things], and all things ·continue [endure; or hold together; unite] ·because of [or in] him. 18 He is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning [C meaning (1) the source of the church; (2) the creator of all things; or (3) the beginning/initiator of the end-time resurrection]. He is the ·first one who was raised [L firstborn] from the dead. So in all things Jesus has ·first place [supremacy]. 19 God was pleased for all ·of himself [that he is; L of his fullness] to live in ·Christ [or the Son; L him]. 20 And through ·Christ [L him], God has ·brought all things back to himself again [L reconciled all things to himself]—things on earth and things in heaven. ·God made [L …by making] peace through the blood of ·Christ’s death on the cross [L his cross].
21 At one time you were ·separated [alienated; estranged] from God. You were his enemies in your minds, ·and the evil things you did were against God [or because of your evil deeds]. 22 But now God has ·made you his friends again [reconciled you] through Christ’s death in ·the body [his physical body; L the body of his flesh], so that he might bring you into God’s presence as people who are holy, ·with no wrong [without blemish; C as were sacrificial animals], and ·with nothing of which God can judge you guilty [blameless; innocent; free of accusation]. 23 This will happen if you continue ·strong [grounded; established] and ·sure [firm; steadfast] in your faith. You must not ·be moved [shift; drift] away from the hope ·brought to you by [or found in; L of] the ·Good News [the Gospel] that you heard. That same ·Good News [Gospel] has been ·told [preached; proclaimed] to ·everyone [L every creature; or in all creation] ·in the world [L under heaven], and I, Paul, ·help in preaching [L am a servant/minister of] it.
Paul’s Work for the Church
24 [L Now] I ·am happy [rejoice] in my sufferings for you. And I ·accept [fill up; complete] in my ·body [flesh] what ·Christ must still suffer [or is lacking in the suffering of Christ] ·through [or on behalf of] his body, the church. [C By suffering while spreading the Gospel, Paul both participates in Christ’s death and helps complete God’s plan.] 25 I became a ·servant [minister] of the church because God gave me a ·special work to do [stewardship; commission] ·that helps you [L for you], and that work is to ·tell fully [or complete; or preach everywhere; L fulfill] the ·message [word] of God. 26 This message is the ·secret [mystery; C something God had not previously disclosed; Eph. 1:9] that was hidden from ·everyone since the beginning of time [L ages and generations], but now it is made known to ·God’s holy people [T the saints]. 27 God ·decided [chose; willed] to let his people know this rich and glorious ·secret [mystery; 1:26] which he has for ·all people [the nations/Gentiles]. This ·secret [mystery] is ·that Christ lives in you. He is our only hope for glory [L Christ in you, the hope of glory]. 28 So we continue to ·preach [proclaim; announce] Christ to each person, using all wisdom to ·warn [instruct; admonish] and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ. 29 To do this, I ·work [toil; labor] and struggle, using ·Christ’s [L his] great strength that works so powerfully in me.
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