M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Ahab Battles Against Aram
22 So [a]they lived for three years without war between Aram and Israel. 2 (A)Now it happened in the third year, that (B)Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 Then the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that (C)Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, but we are sitting still so as not to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?” 4 So he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “(D)I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
Ahab Hates Micaiah
5 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire [b]first for the word of Yahweh.” 6 Then (E)the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 7 But (F)Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of Yahweh here that we may inquire of him?” 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hasten to bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, clothed in their royal garments, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and (G)all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made (H)horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘(I)With these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” 12 All the prophets were also prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.”
Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
13 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets, as if from one mouth, are good towards the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.” 14 But Micaiah said, “(J)As Yahweh lives, what (K)Yahweh says to me, that I shall speak.”
15 Then he came to the king, and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he said to him, “(L)Go up and succeed, and Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear that you will speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?” 17 So he said,
“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
(M)Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And Yahweh said,
‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”
18 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(N)Did I not say to you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
19 Then [c]Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of Yahweh. (O)I saw Yahweh sitting on His throne, and (P)all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 20 And Yahweh said, ‘Who will entice Ahab so that he will go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And Yahweh said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and (Q)be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 So now, behold, (R)Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; but Yahweh has spoken calamity against you.”
24 Then (S)Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “(T)How did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you will see on that day when you (U)enter an inner room to hide.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the commander of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “(V)Put this man in prison and feed him [d]sparingly with bread and water until I come back safely.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “(W)If you indeed return safely, Yahweh has not spoken by me.” And he said, “(X)Listen, all you people.”
The Death of Ahab
29 So (Y)the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(Z)I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your garments.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 31 Now (AA)the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two commanders of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.” 32 Now it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely it is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him, and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 So it happened that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
34 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel [e]in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn [f]around and take me out of the [g]fight, (AB)for I am severely wounded.” 35 Now the battle [h]raged that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot. 36 (AC)Then a shout of lament passed throughout the camp close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city and every man to his land.”
37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), (AD)according to the word of Yahweh which He spoke. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and (AE)the ivory house which he built and all the cities which he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place.
Jehoshaphat Reigns over Judah
41 (AF)Now Jehoshaphat the son of Asa became king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 (AG)And he walked in all the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it, doing what is right in the sight of Yahweh. (AH)However, the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places. 44 (AI)Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might which he showed and how he warred, are they not written (AJ)in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 46 And the remnant of (AK)the male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa, he purged from the land.
47 Now (AL)there was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made (AM)ships of Tarshish to go to (AN)Ophir for gold, but (AO)they did not go for the ships were broken at (AP)Ezion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 (AQ)And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.
Ahaziah Reigns over Israel
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab (AR)became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. 52 And he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and (AS)walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53 (AT)So he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger, according to all that his father had done.
The Day of the Lord
5 Now concerning the (A)times and the seasons, brothers, you (B)have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that (C)the day of the Lord [a]will come (D)just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “(E)Peace and safety!” then [b](F)destruction [c]will come upon them suddenly like (G)labor pains upon a woman who is pregnant, and they will never escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in (H)darkness, that the day would overtake you [d](I)like a thief, 5 for you are all (J)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (K)darkness; 6 so then let us not (L)sleep as [e](M)others do, but let us be awake and [f](N)sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get (O)drunk at night. 8 But since (P)we are of the day, let us (Q)be [g]sober, having put on the (R)breastplate of (S)faith and love, and as a (T)helmet, the (U)hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us for (V)wrath, but for (W)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (X)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [h]comfort one another and (Y)build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Admonishment and Instruction
12 But we ask of you, brothers, that you (Z)know those (AA)who labor among you, and (AB)lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. (AC)Live in peace with one another. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish (AD)the [i]unruly, encourage (AE)the fainthearted, help (AF)the weak, be (AG)patient with everyone. 15 See that (AH)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (AI)seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 (AJ)Rejoice always; 17 (AK)pray without ceasing; 18 in everything (AL)give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise (AN)prophecies, 21 but (AO)examine all things; (AP)hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every [j]form of evil.
23 Now (AQ)may the God of peace (AR)Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your (AS)spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, (AT)without blame at (AU)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (AV)Faithful is He who (AW)calls you, who also will do it.
25 Brothers, (AX)pray for us[k].
26 (AY)Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I implore you by the Lord to (AZ)have this letter read to all the (BA)brothers.
28 (BB)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Nebuchadnezzar Declares the Most High God
4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue that inhabit all the earth: “May your [b](A)peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the (B)Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are His (C)signs,
And how strong are His wonders!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His [c]dominion is from generation to generation.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of a Great Tree
4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream, and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions in my head kept alarming me. 6 So I gave a decree to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the [e](I)magicians, the conjurers, the [f]Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I said the dream [g]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But at last Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [h](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I said the dream [i]to him: 9 ‘O Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the magicians, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you, and (O)no mystery is difficult for you, (P)say to me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions in my head as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the midst of the [j]earth, and its height was great.
11 The tree grew large and became strong,
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)beasts of the field found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky inhabited its branches,
And all flesh fed itself from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions in my head as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)a [k]watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 He called out loudly and said thus:
“(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 Yet (AC)leave the stump [l]with its roots in the earth,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [m]him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
And let the heart of a beast be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [n]periods of time pass over him.
17 This edict is by the resolution of the watchers,
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind
And (AF)gives it to whom He wishes
And sets up over it the (AG)lowliest of men.”
18 This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, say to me its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Dream
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts were alarming him. The king answered and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field inhabited, and in whose branches the birds of the sky dwelt— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your greatness has become even greater and reached to the sky and your [o](AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 But in that the king saw a watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [p]with its roots in the earth, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [q]him share with the beasts of the field until (AR)seven [r]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the resolution of the Most High, which has (AS)reached my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your place of habitation be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [s]periods of time will pass over you, until you know that the (AU)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and (AV)gives it to whomever He wishes. 26 And in that they said to (AW)leave the stump [t]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will endure for you after you know that it is (AX)Heaven that rules with power. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice seem good to you: [u](AZ)break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Dream Is Accomplished
28 “All this (BC)reached Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king answered and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal house by the strength of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice [v]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is said: the kingdom has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your place of habitation will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [w]periods of time will pass over you until you know that the (BH)Most High is the powerful ruler over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was accomplished; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes toward heaven, and my knowledge returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;
For His [x]dominion is an (BL)everlasting [y]dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 (BM)And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But (BN)He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can strike against His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’
36 At that time my (BQ)knowledge returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my high officials and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my kingdom, and extraordinary (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [z]true and His ways [aa]just, and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”
He Will Tread Down Our Adversaries
A Song. A Psalm of David.
108 (A)My heart is set, O God;
I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my glory.
2 Awake, harp and lyre;
I will awaken the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to You, O Yahweh, among the peoples,
And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your (B)lovingkindness is great (C)above the heavens,
And Your truth reaches to the skies.
5 (D)Be exalted above the heavens, O God,
And Your glory above all the earth.
6 (E)That Your beloved may be rescued,
Save with Your right hand, and answer me!
7 God has spoken in His [a]holiness:
“I will exult, I will portion out Shechem
And measure out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the [b]helmet of My head;
(F)Judah is My [c]scepter.
9 Moab is My washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe;
Over Philistia I will make a loud shout.”
10 (G)Who will bring me into the well-defended city?
Who [d]will lead me to Edom?
11 Have You, O God, not (H)rejected us?
And will You, O God, not go forth with our armies?
12 Oh give us help against the adversary,
For (I)salvation [e]by man is worthless.
13 [f]Through God we shall do valiantly,
And (J)it is He who will tread down our adversaries.
O God, Do Not Be Silent
For the choir director. Of David. A Psalm.
109 O (K)God of my praise,
(L)Do not be silent!
2 For they have opened a wicked mouth and a (M)deceitful mouth against me;
They have spoken to me with a (N)lying tongue.
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me (O)without cause.
4 In return (P)for my love they accuse me;
But (Q)I am in prayer.
5 Thus they have (R)set upon me evil for good
And (S)hatred for my love.
6 Appoint a wicked man over him,
And let an [g](T)accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him (U)come forth a wicked man,
And let his (V)prayer become sin.
8 Let (W)his days be few;
Let (X)another take his office.
9 Let his (Y)sons be orphans
And his (Z)wife a widow.
10 Let his (AA)sons wander aimlessly and beg;
And let them (AB)search for food [h]from their ruined homes.
11 Let (AC)the creditor [i]seize all that he has,
And let (AD)strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.
12 Let there be none to [j](AE)extend lovingkindness to him,
And (AF)let there be none to be gracious to his orphans.
13 Let those who (AG)follow him be [k]cut off;
In a following generation let their (AH)name be blotted out.
14 Let (AI)the iniquity of his fathers be remembered [l]before Yahweh,
And let not the sin of his mother be (AJ)blotted out.
15 Let (AK)them be before Yahweh continually,
That He may (AL)cut off their memory from the earth;
16 Because he did not remember to show lovingkindness,
But persecuted the (AM)afflicted, the needy man,
And the (AN)disheartened to (AO)put them to death.
17 He also loved cursing, so (AP)it came to him;
And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.
18 But he (AQ)clothed himself with cursing as his garment,
And it (AR)came into his inward parts like water
And like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be to him as (AS)a garment with which he wraps himself,
And for a belt with which he constantly (AT)girds himself.
20 This is the (AU)reward of my accusers from Yahweh,
And of those who (AV)speak evil against my soul.
21 But as for You, O Yahweh, O Lord, deal with me (AW)for Your name’s sake;
Because (AX)Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;
22 For (AY)I am afflicted and needy,
And [m]my heart is (AZ)pierced within me.
23 I am passing (BA)like a shadow when it is stretched out;
I am shaken off (BB)like the locust.
24 My (BC)knees are feeble from (BD)fasting,
And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.
25 As for me, I have become a (BE)reproach to them;
They see me, they (BF)wag their head.
26 (BG)Help me, O Yahweh my God;
Save me according to Your lovingkindness.
27 [n]And let them (BH)know that this is Your hand;
You, O Yahweh, have done it.
28 (BI)Let them curse, but You bless;
They arise and will be put to shame,
But Your (BJ)slave shall be glad.
29 [o]Let (BK)my accusers be clothed with dishonor,
And [p]let them (BL)wrap themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.