M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Elisha Recovers a Lost Axe Head
6 Then the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please look; the place where we are living before you is too cramped for us. 2 Let us please go to the Jordan and each bring from there one log that we might make a place there for us to live.” Then he said, “Do so.” 3 Then a certain one said, “Please be prepared and go with your servants,” and he said, “I will go.” 4 He went with them, and they went to the Jordan, and they cut down the trees. 5 It happened as the one was felling the log, that the iron ax fell into the water. He called out and said, “Oh, no! My master, it was borrowed!” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” So he showed him the place, and then he cut off a stick and threw it there and made the iron ax float. 7 Then he said, “Pick it up for yourself,” so he stretched out his hand and took it.
Arameans Plot to Take Elisha
8 The king of Aram was fighting with Israel, so he consulted with his officers, saying, “My camp is at such and such a place.”[a] 9 Then the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Take care while crossing over to this place, because the Arameans are descending there.” 10 So the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God said to him and warned him, so he was on guard there continually.[b]
11 Then the heart of the king of Aram was stormy because of this matter, so he called his servants and said to them, “Can you not tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?”[c] 12 Then one of his servants said, “No, my lord the king, but Elisha the prophet who is in Israel tells the king of Israel things which you speak in your own bedchamber.”[d] 13 Then he said, “Go and see where he is so that I can send and capture him.” Then he was told to him, “Look, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent horses, chariots, and an oppressing army there. They arrived at night and surrounded the town. 15 The attendant of the man of God arose early and went out, and look, the army was surrounding the city with horses and chariots. His servant said to him, “Oh no, my master! What shall we do?” 16 And he said, “Don’t be afraid, for more are with us than are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Yahweh, please open his eyes that he may see,” and Yahweh opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw, and look, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 They came down to him, and Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, “Please strike this people with blindness,” so he struck them with blindness as Elisha had spoken.[e] 19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way and this is not the city. Come after me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” Then he brought them to Samaria.
20 It happened at the moment they came to Samaria, Elisha said, “O Yahweh, open the eyes of these that they may see,” so Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw, and look, the middle of Samaria! 21 Then the king of Israel said to Elisha when he saw them, “Shall I kill them? Shall I kill, my father?” 22 And he said, “You shall not kill. Would you kill those whom you took captive with the sword or with the bow? Put food and water before them that they may eat and drink and then go to their master.” 23 So he made a great feast for them, and they ate and drank; then he sent them, and they went to their master. And the bands of the Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.
Besieged Samaria Resorts to Cannibalism
24 It happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Aram assembled all of his army and marched up and laid siege against Samaria. 25 There was a great famine in Samaria, and behold, a siege was against it, until the head of a donkey went for eighty shekels of silver, and one fourth of the measure of the dung of doves went for five shekels of silver. 26 It happened that the king of Israel was crossing over on the wall, and a woman called out to him, saying, “Help, my lord the king!” 27 He said, “No, let Yahweh help you. How[f] can I save you? From the threshing floor or from the wine press?” 28 The king said to her, “What is the problem?”[g] Then the woman said, “This woman said to me, ‘Give me your son, and let us eat him today, then tomorrow we will eat my son.’ 29 So we cooked my son and ate him, and I said to her the next day, ‘Give your son that we may eat him.’ But she had hidden her son.” 30 It happened that when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes. Now he had been walking on the wall, and the people saw, and behold, sackcloth was over his flesh underneath. 31 Then he said, “May God do to me and thus may he add, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today!” 32 Now Elisha was sitting in his house and the elders were sitting with him, and the king dispatched a man from before him, but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Did you see that this son of a murderer has sent to remove my head? Look, when the messenger comes, close the door; and you must hold the door closed against him.[h] Is not the sound of the feet of his master behind him?” 33 While he was still speaking with them, suddenly the messenger was coming down to him, and he said, “Look this trouble is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”
Qualifications for Overseers
3 The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. 2 Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, 3 not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, 4 managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity 5 (but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, 10 and these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they[a] are above reproach. 11 The wives[b] likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness Described
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. 15 But if I am delayed, I am writing[c] in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay[d] of the truth. 16 And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Daniel’s Vision of a Dazzling Heavenly Messenger
10 In the third year of Cyrus the king of the Persians, a word[a] was revealed to Daniel, who was called by his name Belteshazzar, and the word[b] was reliable and it concerned a great tribulation,[c] and he understood the word[d] and he received understanding.[e]
2 In those days, I, Daniel, I myself[f] was in mourning for three whole weeks.[g] 3 I had not eaten any choice food, and meat and wine did not enter my mouth, and I did not use any ointment[h] until the end of three whole weeks.[i] 4 And then on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I myself[j] was on the bank of the great river; that is, the Tigris. 5 And I lifted up my eyes and I saw,[k] and there was a man, and he was dressed in linen, and his waist was girded with the gold of Uphaz. 6 Now his body was like turquoise,[l] and his face was like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes were like torches of fire, and his arms and his legs were like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I saw, I, Daniel alone,[m] the vision; and the people who were with me did not see[n] the vision; nevertheless, a great trembling fell upon them and they fled in order to hide themselves. 8 And I myself, Daniel, alone saw this great vision, and as a result no strength was left in me[o] and my complexion grew deathly pale,[p] and I did not retain any strength. 9 And I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard[q] the sound of his words I myself began falling into a trance on my face, with my face to the ground.[r]
10 And look, a hand touched me and it roused me to my knees[s] and the palms[t] of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “Daniel, a man beloved, pay attention to the words that I am speaking to you and stand upright where you are,[u] for I have now been sent to you.” And while he was speaking[v] with me this word,[w] I stood up trembling. 12 And he said to me, “You must not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before[x] your God, your words were heard, and I myself[y] have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood before me[z] for twenty-one days. And look,[aa] Michael, one of the chief princes, came to assist me, and I left him there beside the king of the Persians. 14 And I have come[ab] to instruct you about what[ac] will happen to your people in the future,[ad] for there is a further vision here for the future.[ae]
15 And while he was speaking with me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and I was speechless. 16 Then look, there was one in the form of a human;[af] he touched my lips and I opened my mouth and I spoke and I said to the one standing before me,[ag] “My lord, because of the vision my anxieties fell upon me and I have not retained my strength. 17 So how am I, a servant of my lord[ah] to speak with you, my lord,[ai] and I just now[aj] have no strength in me?”[ak]
18 And he again touched[al] me, the one in the form of a human,[am] and he strengthened me. 19 And he said, “You must not fear, O beloved man. Peace be to you;[an] be strong and be courageous!” And when he spoke[ao] with me, I was strengthened and I said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he asked, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I return to fight against the prince of Persia and I myself[ap] am going, and look,[aq] the prince of Javan[ar] will come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed[as] in the book of truth, and there is not one who contends with me against these beings except[at] Michael, your prince.”
Aleph[a]
119 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies;
they seek him with a whole heart.
3 They also do no wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded[b] your precepts,
that we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast,
to keep your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed
when I look to all your commands.
7 I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will heed your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By taking heed according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought you;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 In my heart I have hidden your word,[c]
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Yahweh.
Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I have rejoiced
as I would over all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and look at[d] your ways.
16 I will take delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live
and heed your word.
18 Uncover my eyes, that I may look at[e]
wonderful things from your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;[f]
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is crushed with longing
for your ordinances at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, the accursed,
who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from[g] me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit and speak against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight,
my counselors.[h]
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