M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Ark(A)
37 Bezalel made the ark out of acacia wood 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 2 He covered it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on each side. 4 Then he made poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold. 5 He put them through the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.
6 He made the throne of mercy out of pure gold 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. 7 Then he made two angels [a] out of hammered gold for the two ends of the throne of mercy, 8 one on each end. He formed the angels and the throne of mercy out of one piece ⌞of gold⌟. 9 The angels had their wings spread above the throne of mercy, overshadowing it. They faced each other, looking at the throne of mercy.
The Table(B)
10 He made the table out of acacia wood 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold molding around it. 12 He made a rim 3 inches wide around it and put a gold molding around the rim. 13 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened the rings to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles for carrying the table. 15 These poles were made out of acacia wood and were covered with gold. 16 For the table he made plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers to be used for pouring wine offerings. All of them were made out of pure gold.
The Lamp Stand(C)
17 He made the lamp stand out of pure gold. The lamp stand, its base, and its shaft, as well as the flower cups, buds, and petals were hammered out of one piece ⌞of gold⌟. 18 Six branches came out of its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other. 19 Each of the six branches coming out of the lamp stand had three flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals. 20 The lamp stand itself had four flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and petals. 21 There was a bud under each of the three pairs of branches coming out of the lamp stand. 22 The buds and branches were hammered out of the same piece of pure gold as the lamp stand.
23 He made the seven lamps, the tongs, and the incense burners out of pure gold. 24 The lamp stand and all the utensils were made out of 75 pounds of pure gold.
The Altar for Incense(D)
25 He made an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar were made out of one piece ⌞of wood⌟. 26 He covered all of it with pure gold—the top, the sides, and the horns—and he put a gold molding around it. 27 He made two gold rings and put them below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles for carrying it. 28 He made the poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
29 He also had a perfumer make the holy oil to be used for anointing and for the pure, sweet-smelling incense.
Sadness Will Turn to Joy
16 ⌞Jesus continued,⌟ “I have said these things to you so that you won’t lose your faith. 2 You will be thrown out of synagogues. Certainly, the time is coming when people who murder you will think that they are serving God. 3 They will do these things to you because they haven’t known the Father or me. 4 But I’ve told you this so that when it happens you’ll remember what I’ve told you. I didn’t tell you this at first, because I was with you.
5 “Now I’m going to the one who sent me. Yet, none of you asks me where I’m going. 6 But because I’ve told you this, you’re filled with sadness. 7 However, I am telling you the truth: It’s good for you that I’m going away. If I don’t go away, the helper won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God’s approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. 9 He will convict the world of sin, because people don’t believe in me. 10 He will show the world what has God’s approval, because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. 11 He will convince the world that God judges it, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 “I have a lot more to tell you, but that would be too much for you now. 13 When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won’t speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come. 14 He will give me glory, because he will tell you what I say. 15 Everything the Father says is also what I say. That is why I said, ‘He will take what I say and tell it to you.’
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. Then in a little while you will see me again.”
17 Some of his disciples said to each other, “What does he mean? He tells us that in a little while we won’t see him. Then he tells us that in a little while we will see him again and that he’s going to the Father.” 18 So they were asking each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while’? We don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
19 Jesus knew they wanted to ask him something. So he said to them, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, and in a little while you will see me again’? 20 I can guarantee this truth: You will cry because you are sad, but the world will be happy. You will feel pain, but your pain will turn to happiness. 21 A woman has pain when her time to give birth comes. But after the child is born, she doesn’t remember the pain anymore because she’s happy that a child has been brought into the world.
22 “Now you’re in a painful situation. But I will see you again. Then you will be happy, and no one will take that happiness away from you. 23 When that day comes, you won’t ask me any more questions. I can guarantee this truth: If you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you. 24 So far you haven’t asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you can be completely happy.
25 “I have used examples to illustrate these things. The time is coming when I won’t use examples to speak to you. Rather, I will speak to you about the Father in plain words. 26 When that day comes, you will ask for what you want in my name. I’m telling you that I won’t have to ask the Father for you. 27 The Father loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I left the Father and came into the world. Again, ⌞as I’ve said,⌟ I’m going to leave the world and go back to the Father.”
29 His disciples said, “Now you’re talking in plain words and not using examples. 30 Now we know that you know everything. You don’t need to wait for questions to be asked. Because of this, we believe that you have come from God.”
31 Jesus replied to them, “Now you believe. 32 The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go your own way and leave me all alone. Yet, I’m not all alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
A Wise Son Lives Righteously
13 A wise son listens to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.
2 A person eats well as a result of his speaking ability,
but the appetite of treacherous people ⌞craves⌟ violence.
3 Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life.
Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.
4 A lazy person craves food and there is none,
but the appetite of hard-working people is satisfied.
5 A righteous person hates lying,
but a wicked person behaves with shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness protects the honest way of life,
but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin.
7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.
Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.
8 A person’s riches are the ransom for his life,
but the poor person does not pay attention to threats.
9 The light of righteous people beams brightly,
but the lamp of wicked people will be snuffed out.
10 Arrogance produces only quarreling,
but those who take advice gain wisdom.
11 Wealth ⌞gained⌟ through injustice dwindles away,
but whoever gathers little by little has plenty.
12 Delayed hope makes one sick at heart,
but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises ⌞God’s⌟ words will pay the penalty,
but the one who fears ⌞God’s⌟ commands will be rewarded.
14 The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life
to turn ⌞one⌟ away from the grasp of death.
15 Good sense brings favor,
but the way of treacherous people is always the same.[a]
16 Any sensible person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays stupidity.
17 An undependable messenger gets into trouble,
but a dependable envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame come to a person who ignores discipline,
but whoever pays attention to constructive criticism will be honored.
19 A fulfilled desire is sweet to the soul,
but turning from evil is disgusting to fools.
20 Whoever walks with wise people will be wise,
but whoever associates with fools will suffer.
21 Disaster hunts down sinners,
but righteous people are rewarded with good.
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the wealth of sinners is stored away for a righteous person.
23 When poor people are able to plow, there is much food,
but a person is swept away where there is no justice.
24 Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him,
but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on.
25 A righteous person eats to satisfy his appetite,
but the bellies of wicked people are always empty.
Advice to Children and Parents
6 Children, obey your parents because you are Christians.[a] This is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother 3 that everything may go well for you, and you may have a long life on earth.” This is an important commandment with a promise.[b]
4 Fathers, don’t make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in Christian discipline and instruction.
Advice to Slaves and Masters
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with proper respect. Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ. 6 Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. But obey like slaves who belong to Christ, who have a deep desire to do what God wants them to do. 7 Serve eagerly as if you were serving your heavenly master and not merely serving human masters. 8 You know that your heavenly master will reward all of us for whatever good we do, whether we’re slaves or free people.
9 Masters, treat your slaves with respect. Don’t threaten a slave. You know that there is one master in heaven who has authority over both of you, and he doesn’t play favorites.
Put On All the Armor That God Supplies
10 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. 11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 13 For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days.[c] Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground.
14 So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. 15 Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. 16 In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Also take salvation as your helmet and God’s word as the sword that the Spirit supplies.
18 Pray in the Spirit [d] in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people. 19 Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. 20 Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to.
Greetings from Paul
21 I’m sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother and a faithful deacon in the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me so that you will know how I’m getting along. 22 That’s why I’m sending him to you so that you may know how we’re doing and that he may encourage you.
23 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give our brothers and sisters peace and love along with faith. 24 His favor [e] is with everyone who has an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
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