M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Joseph Tells about Two Dreams
40 Some time later, the man who carried the king’s cup and the man who made the king’s bread did wrong against the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with these two important men, the head cup-carrier and the head bread-maker. 3 So he put them in prison under the care of the head of the soldiers, the same place where Joseph was in prison. 4 The head of the soldiers had Joseph watch over them. He took care of them, and they were in prison for a long time. 5 One night both the cup-carrier and the bread-maker of the king of Egypt had a dream while they were in prison. Each man had his own dream, and each dream had its own meaning. 6 When Joseph came in and looked at them in the morning, he saw that they were sad. 7 So he asked these men who had worked for Pharaoh and who were with him in prison in his boss’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had a dream and there is no one to tell us what it means.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not the meanings of dreams belong to God? Tell them to me.”
9 So the head cup-carrier told his dream to Joseph. He said, “In my dream, there was a vine in front of me. 10 And there were three branches on the vine. Then its flowers grew out. From the many flowers came grapes ready to eat. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand. So I took the grapes and made wine from them and poured it into Pharaoh’s cup. And I put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is the meaning of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Before three days are over, Pharaoh will give you honor and return you to your place of work. You will put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand just like you did before when you were his cup-carrier. 14 But remember me when it is well with you, and show me kindness. Say a good word about me to Pharaoh. Get me out of this prison. 15 For I was stolen from the land of the Hebrews. And here also I have done nothing for which they should put me in prison.”
16 The head bread-maker saw that the meaning of the dream was good. He said to Joseph, “I had a dream also. There were three baskets of white bread on my head. 17 All kinds of food for Pharaoh were in the top basket. But the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”
18 Then Joseph answered, “This is the meaning of it: The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and put your body up on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.”
20 On the third day, Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a special supper for his servants. He gave honor to the head cup-carrier and the head bread-maker among his servants. 21 He returned the head cup-carrier to his place of work and he put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he killed the head bread-maker on a tree, just like Joseph had told them it would happen. 23 Yet the head cup-carrier did not remember Joseph. He forgot him.
Jesus Teaches about Divorce (A)
10 Jesus went away from the city of Capernaum. He came to the country of Judea and to the other side of the Jordan River. Again the people gathered around Him. He began to teach them as He had been doing.
2 The proud religious law-keepers came to Him. They tried to trap Him and asked, “Does the Law say a man can divorce his wife?” 3 He said to them, “What did the Law of Moses say?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to divorce his wife, if he put it in writing and gave it to her.” 5 Jesus said to them, “Because of your hard hearts, Moses gave you this Law. 6 From the beginning of the world, God made them man and woman. 7 Because of this, a man is to leave his father and mother and is to live with his wife. 8 The two will become one. So they are no longer two, but one. 9 Let no man divide what God has put together.”
10 In the house the followers asked Jesus about this again. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another is not faithful to her and is guilty of a sex sin. 12 If a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she is not faithful to her husband and is guilty of a sex sin.”
Jesus Gives Thanks for Little Children (B)
13 They brought little children to Jesus that He might put His hand on them. The followers spoke sharp words to those who brought them. 14 Jesus saw this and was angry with the followers. He said, “Let the little children come to Me. Do not stop them. The holy nation of God is made up of ones like these. 15 For sure, I tell you, whoever does not receive the holy nation of God as a little child does not go into it.” 16 He took the children in His arms. He put His hands on them and prayed that good would come to them.
Jesus Teaches about Keeping the Law (C)
17 Jesus was going on His way. A man ran to Him and got down on his knees. He said, “Good Teacher, what must I do to have life that lasts forever?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? There is only One Who is good. That is God. 19 You know the Laws, ‘Do not be guilty of sex sins in marriage. Do not kill another person. Do not take things from people in wrong ways. Do not steal. Do not lie. Respect your father and mother.’” 20 The man said to Jesus, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these Laws since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him with love and said, “There is one thing for you to do yet. Go and sell everything you have and give the money to poor people. You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow Me.” 22 When the man heard these words, he was sad. He walked away with sorrow because he had many riches here on earth.
The Danger of Riches
23 Jesus looked around Him. He said to His followers, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the holy nation of God!” 24 The followers were surprised and wondered about His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children! How hard it is for those who put their trust in riches to get into the holy nation of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven.”
26 They were very surprised and wondered, saying to themselves, “Then who can be saved from the punishment of sin?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “This cannot be done by men but God can do anything.”
28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “We have given up everything we had and have followed You.” 29 Jesus said, “For sure, I tell you, there are those who have given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands because of Me, and the Good News. 30 They will get back one hundred times as much now at this time in houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands. Along with this, they will have very much trouble. And they will have life that lasts forever in the world to come. 31 Many who are first will be last. Many who are last will be first.”
Jesus Tells of His Death the Third Time (D)
32 They were on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus walked in front of them. Those who followed were surprised and afraid. Then Jesus took the twelve followers by themselves. He told them what would happen to Him. 33 He said, “Listen, we are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the religious leaders of the Jews and to the teachers of the Law. They will say that He must be put to death. They will hand Him over to the people who are not Jews. 34 They will make fun of Him and will beat Him. They will spit on Him and will kill Him. But three days later He will be raised from the dead.”
James and John Ask Jesus Something Hard (E)
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we would like to have You do for us whatever we ask You.” 36 He said to them, “What would you like to have Me do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Let one of us sit by Your right side and the other by Your left side when You receive Your great honor in heaven.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Can you take the suffering I am about to take? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They said to Him, “Yes, we can.” Jesus said to them, “You will, for sure, suffer the way I will suffer. You will be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. 40 But to sit on My right side or on My left side is not for Me to give. It will be given to those for whom it has been made ready.” 41 The other ten followers heard it. They were angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that those who are made leaders over the nations show their power to the people. Important leaders use their power over the people. 43 It must not be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great among you, let him care for you. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you, must be the one who is owned and cares for all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be cared for. He came to care for others. He came to give His life so that many could be bought by His blood and be made free from sin.”
Healing of the Blind Man (F)
46 Then they came to the city of Jericho. When He was leaving the city with His followers and many people, a blind man was sitting by the road. He was asking people for food or money as they passed by. His name was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. 47 He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He began to speak with a loud voice, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!” 48 Many people spoke sharp words to the blind man telling him not to call out like that. But he spoke all the more. He said, “Son of David, take pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and told them to call the blind man. They called to him and said, “Take hope! Stand up, He is calling for you!” 50 As he jumped up, he threw off his coat and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Lord, I want to see!” 52 Jesus said, “Go! Your faith has healed you.” At once he could see and he followed Jesus down the road.
Job Speaks
6 Then Job answered, 2 “If only my trials and troubles were weighed! 3 They would weigh more than the sand of the seas. My words have been spoken fast and without thought. 4 For the arrows of the All-powerful are in me. My spirit drinks their poison. The hard things from God are like an army against me. 5 Does the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food? 6 Can something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 My soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.
8 “If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire! 9 If only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me! 10 But this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One. 11 What strength have I, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should not give up? 12 Do I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass? 13 I have no power to help myself, and a way out is far from me.
14 “Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful. 15 My brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed. 16 They are dark because of ice and snow turning into water. 17 When they have no water, there is no noise. When it is hot, they are not there. 18 The people on their camels turn away from them. They go into the waste places and die. 19 The people and camels of Tema looked. The travelers of Sheba hoped for them. 20 They were troubled for they had trusted. They came there and their hope goes. 21 Yes, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid. 22 Have I said, ‘Give me something,’ or, ‘Pay something from your riches to help me’? 23 Have I said, ‘Take me out from under the power of the one who hates me,’ or, ‘Save me from those who make it hard for me’?
24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong. 25 Honest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove? 26 Do you think you can speak against my words, and act as if the words of a man without hope are wind? 27 You would even draw names over those who have no father, and make trades over your friend. 28 Now be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face. 29 I ask that you change your minds and let no wrong be done. Stop now, for I am still right and good. 30 Is there wrong-doing on my tongue? Can I not taste trouble?
10 Christian brothers, the desire of my heart and my prayer to God is that the Jews might be saved from the punishment of sin. 2 I know about them. They have a strong desire for God, but they do not know what they should about Him. 3 They have not known how God makes men right with Himself. Instead, they have tried to make their own way. They have not become right with God because they have not done what God said to do. 4 For Christ has put an end to the Law, so everyone who has put his trust in Christ is made right with God.
5 Moses writes that the man who obeys the Law has to live by it. 6 But when a man puts his trust in Christ, he is made right with God. You do not need to ask yourself, “Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?” 7 And you do not need to ask, “Who will go below and bring Christ up from the dead?” 8 This is what it says, “The Good News is near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart.” (A) This Good News tells about putting your trust in Christ. This is what we preach to you. 9 If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved from the punishment of sin. 10 When we believe in our hearts, we are made right with God. We tell with our mouth how we were saved from the punishment of sin. 11 The Holy Writings say, “No one who puts his trust in Christ will ever be put to shame.” (B) 12 There is no difference between the Jews and the people who are not Jews. They are all the same to the Lord. And He is Lord over all of them. He gives of His greatness to all who call on Him for help. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.
14 But how can they call on Him if they have not put their trust in Him? And how can they put their trust in Him if they have not heard of Him? And how can they hear of Him unless someone tells them? 15 And how can someone tell them if he is not sent? The Holy Writings say, “The feet of those who bring the Good News are beautiful.” (C)
16 But they have not all listened to the Good News. Isaiah says, “Lord, who believed what we told them?” (D) 17 So then, faith comes to us by hearing the Good News. And the Good News comes by someone preaching it. 18 And so I ask, “Did they not hear?” For sure they did. The Holy Writings say, “Their voice was heard over all the earth. The Good News was told to the ends of the earth.” (E) 19 Again I ask, “Did the Jews not understand?” First of all, Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation. I will make you angry with a foolish nation of people who do not understand.” (F) 20 Isaiah says even stronger words, “I have been found by men who did not look for Me. I have shown Myself to those who were not asking for Me.” (G) 21 This is what God says about the Jews, “All day long I held out my hand to a people who would not obey Me and who worked against Me.” (H)
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