M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

Moses Meets God on Mount Sinai

19 In the third month after the people of Israel left Egypt, they came to the Sinai Desert on the same day. ² They had left Rephidim and had come to the Sinai Desert. There Israel set up their tents in front of the mountain. ³ And Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Say this to the house of Jacob and tell the people of Israel: ⁴ ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. ⁵ Now then, if you will obey My voice and keep My agreement, you will belong to Me from among all nations. For all the earth is Mine. ⁶ You will be to Me a nation of religious leaders, a holy nation.’ These are the words you will speak to the people of Israel.”

⁷ So Moses came and called the leaders of the people. He told them all these words which the Lord had told him. ⁸ And all the people answered together and said, “We will do all that the Lord has said!” Then Moses went to tell the Lord what the people had said. ⁹ The Lord said to Moses, “See, I will come to you in a thick cloud. So the people may hear when I speak with you, and may believe you forever.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said. ¹⁰ The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart to be holy. Have them wash their clothes. ¹¹ And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day people will see the Lord come down on Mount Sinai. ¹² Let the people know the places all around that they must not pass. Tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up on the mountain or touch any place around it. Whoever touches the mountain will be put to death. ¹³ No hand will touch him. But he will be killed with stones or arrows. If he be animal or man, he will not live.’ When a long sound from a horn is heard, they may come up to the mountain.”

¹⁴ So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set the people apart to be holy, and they washed their clothes. ¹⁵ He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day. Do not go near a woman.”

¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A cloud covered the mountain, and a very loud horn sounded. All the people among the tents shook with fear. ¹⁷ Then Moses brought the people from among the tents to meet God. They stood at the base of the mountain. ¹⁸ Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord came down upon it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a stove. And the whole mountain shook. ¹⁹ The sound of the horn became louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder. ²⁰ Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and tell the people not to break through to look at the Lord. For then many of them would be destroyed. ²² Have the religious leaders who come near to the Lord set themselves apart to be holy. Or the Lord will go against them.” ²³ Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. For You told us, ‘Set places around the mountain that must not be passed, and set it apart as holy.’” ²⁴ Then the Lord said to him, “Go down, and then come up with Aaron. But do not let the religious leaders and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will go against them.” ²⁵ So Moses went down to the people and told them.

They Look for a Way to Put Jesus to Death ^(A)

22 The time for the supper of bread without yeast was near. It was the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. ² The religious leaders and the teachers of the Law looked for a way to kill Jesus. But they were afraid of the people.

³ Then Satan came into the heart of Judas who was called Iscariot. He was one of the twelve followers. ⁴ Judas went away and talked with the religious leaders and the leaders of the people. He talked about how he might hand Jesus over to them. ⁵ They were glad and promised to pay him money. ⁶ Judas promised to do this and then looked for a way to hand Jesus over when there were no people around.

Getting Ready for the Special Supper ^(B)

⁷ The day of bread without yeast came. It was the day when the lamb had to be killed and given on the altar in worship in the house of God. It was the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. ⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John and said, “Go and get this special supper ready for us that we may eat.” ⁹ They said to Him, “Where do You want us to get it ready?” ¹⁰ He answered, “See, when you go into the city, you will meet a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house where he goes. ¹¹ Say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the room you keep for friends where I may eat this special supper with My followers?”’ ¹² He will take you to a large room on the second floor with everything in it. Make it ready for us.”

¹³ They went and found everything as Jesus had said. They got ready for the special supper.

The First Lord’s Supper ^(C)

¹⁴ When the time came, Jesus sat down with the twelve followers. ¹⁵ He said to them, “I have wanted very much to eat this special supper with you to remember how the Jews left Egypt. I have wanted to eat this with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ I say to you, I will not eat this special supper again until its true meaning is completed in the holy nation of God.”

¹⁷ Then Jesus took the cup and gave thanks. He said, “Take this and pass it to each one. ¹⁸ I say to you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the holy nation of God comes.”

¹⁹ Then Jesus took bread and gave thanks and broke it in pieces. He gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.” ²⁰ In the same way, after they had finished the bread, He took the cup. He said, “This cup is My blood of the New Way of Worship which is given for you.

Jesus Tells of the One Who Will Hand Him Over

²¹ “See, the hand of the one who will give Me over to the leaders of the country is on the table with Me. ²² The Son of Man will be taken this way because it has been in God’s plan. But it is bad for that man who hands Him over!” ²³ They began to ask each other which of them would do this.

Arguing about Who Is the Greatest

²⁴ They started to argue among themselves about who was thought to be the greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the nations show their power to the people. Those who have power over the people are given names of honor. ²⁶ But you will not be like that. Let the greatest among you be as the least. Let the leader be as the one who cares for others. ²⁷ Who is greater, the one who is eating at the table, or the one who is caring for him? Is it not the one who is eating at the table? But I am here with you as One Who cares for you.

The Followers Will Be Honored

²⁸ “You have stayed with Me through all the hard things that have come to Me. ²⁹ As My Father has given Me a holy nation, I will give you the right ³⁰ to eat and drink at My table in My holy nation. You will sit on thrones and judge the twelve family groups of the Jewish nation.”

Jesus Tells How Peter Will Lie about Him ^(D)

³¹ The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has wanted to have you. He will divide you as wheat is divided from that which is no good. ³² But I have prayed for you. I have prayed that your faith will be strong and that you will not give up. When you return, you must help to make your brothers strong.” ³³ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison and to die with You!” ³⁴ Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, a rooster will not crow today before you will say three times that you do not know Me.”

The Followers Are Told of Trouble to Come

³⁵ Jesus said to them, “I sent you without money or bag or shoes. Did you need anything?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ Then He said to them, “But now whoever has a money-bag and a bag for food should take it. Whoever does not have a sword should sell his coat and buy one. ³⁷ I tell you, that what has been written about Me must happen. It says, ‘They thought of Him as One Who broke the Law.’ ^(E) What is told about Me must happen.”

³⁸ They said, “Lord, look, we have two swords.” He answered, “That is enough.”

Jesus Prays in the Garden ^(F)

³⁹ Jesus came out of the room. Then He went to the Mount of Olives as He had been doing. The followers went with Him. ⁴⁰ When He got there, He said to them, “Pray that you will not be tempted.” ⁴¹ He walked away from them about as far as a stone can be thrown. There He got down with His face on the ground and prayed. ⁴² He said, “Father, if it can be done, take away what must happen to Me. Even so, not what I want, but what You want.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven came and gave Him strength. ⁴⁴ His heart was much troubled and He prayed all the more. Water ran from His face like blood and fell to the ground.

⁴⁵ When Jesus got up after praying, He went back to the followers. He found them sleeping because of so much sorrow. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not be tempted.”

Jesus Is Handed Over to Sinners ^(G)

⁴⁷ While Jesus was speaking, Judas came walking ahead of many people. He was one of the twelve followers. He came near to Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸ But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹ Those around Jesus saw what was going to happen and asked, “Lord, should we fight with our swords?” ⁵⁰ One of them hit a servant who was owned by the head religious leader and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹ Jesus said, “Stop! This is enough.” And He put His hand on his ear and healed him.

Jesus Stands in Front of the Religious Leaders ^(H)

⁵² Jesus said to the religious leaders and the leaders of the house of God and the other leaders who came to Him, “Have you come with swords and sticks to take Me, as if I were a robber? ⁵³ While I was with you everyday in the house of God, you never took hold of Me. But now is the time you are to come and you have come in the dark.”

⁵⁴ Then they led Jesus away to the house of the head religious leader. Peter followed a long way behind Him.

Peter Said He Did Not Know Jesus ^(I)

⁵⁵ They built a fire in the yard and sat down. Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ One of the servant-girls saw Peter as he sat by the fire and looked right at him. She said, “This man was with Jesus also.” ⁵⁷ Peter lied and said, “Woman, I do not know Him.” ⁵⁸ After awhile another person saw him and said, “You are one of them also.” Peter said, “No, sir, I am not.” ⁵⁹ About an hour later another person said the same thing, “For sure, this man was with Jesus also because he is from Galilee.” ⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Sir, I do not know what you are saying.” And at once, while he was talking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. He remembered the Lord had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know Me.” ⁶² Peter went outside and cried with a troubled heart.

⁶³ Those who watched Jesus so He could not get away made fun of Him and beat Him. ⁶⁴ They covered His eyes with a cloth and asked Him, “Tell us who hit You!” ⁶⁵ They said many other bad things against Jesus.

⁶⁶ When it was morning the leaders of the people and the religious leaders and the teachers of the Law got together. They took Jesus to the court of the religious leader. They said, ⁶⁷ “Tell us if you are the Christ.” He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe Me. ⁶⁸ If I ask you something, you will not tell Me. ⁶⁹ From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the All-powerful God.” ⁷⁰ They all said, “Then are You the Son of God?” He said, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹ Then they said, “What other word do we need against Him? We have heard Him say this with His own mouth.”

Elihu Keeps On Talking

37 “At this my heart shakes with fear and jumps from its place. ² Listen to the thunder of His voice and the noise that comes from His mouth. ³ He lets it loose under the whole heaven. He lets His lightning go to the ends of the earth. ⁴ His voice sounds after it. He thunders with His great and powerful voice. And He does not hold back the lightning when His voice is heard. ⁵ God thunders with His great voice. He does great things which we cannot understand. ⁶ For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain, ‘Be strong.’ ⁷ He stops the work of every man, that all men may know His work. ⁸ Then the wild animals go to their holes, and stay where they live. ⁹ The storm comes from the south, and the cold from the north. ¹⁰ Water becomes ice by the breath of God. The wide waters become ice. ¹¹ He loads the heavy clouds with water and they send out His lightning. ¹² It changes its path and turns around by His leading, doing whatever He tells it to do on the earth where people live. ¹³ He causes it to happen for punishment, or for His world, or because of His love.

¹⁴ “Hear this, O Job. Stop and think about the great works of God. ¹⁵ Do you know how God does them, and makes the lightning shine from His cloud? ¹⁶ Do you know how the clouds are set in heaven, the great works of Him Who is perfect in understanding? ¹⁷ Do you know why you are hot in your clothes when the land becomes quiet because of the south wind? ¹⁸ Can you help Him spread out the sky, making it as hard as a mirror made from heated brass? ¹⁹ Teach us what we should say to Him. We cannot put words together to help us because of darkness. ²⁰ Should He be told that I want to speak? Did a man ever wish to be swallowed up?

²¹ “Now men cannot look on the light when it is bright in the sky, when the wind has passed and made it clear. ²² A bright gold light is seen in the north. Around God is great power. ²³ We cannot come near the All-powerful. He is lifted high with power. And He is right and fair and good and will not make it hard for us. ²⁴ So men honor Him with fear. He has respect for any who are wise in heart.”

7 Since we have these great promises, dear friends, let us turn away from every sin of the body or of the spirit. Let us honor God with love and fear by giving ourselves to Him in every way.

His Love for the Corinthians

² Receive us into your hearts. We have done no wrong to anyone. We have not led anyone in the wrong way. We have not used anyone for our good. ³ I do not say this to tell you that you are wrong. As I have said before, you have a place in our hearts and always will. If we live or die, we will be together. ⁴ I trust you and am proud of you. You give me much comfort and joy even when I suffer.

⁵ When we arrived in the country of Macedonia, we had no rest. We had all kinds of trouble. There was fighting all around us. Our hearts were afraid. ⁶ But God gives comfort to those whose hearts are heavy. He gave us comfort when Titus came. ⁷ Not only did his coming comfort us, but the comfort you had given him made me happy also. He told us how much you wanted to see us. He said that you were sad because of my trouble and that you wanted to help me. This made me happy.

⁸ I am not sorry now if my letter made you sad. I know it made you sad, but it was only for awhile. ⁹ I am happy now. It is not because you were hurt by my letter, but because it turned you from sin to God. God used it and you were not hurt by what we did. ¹⁰ The sorrow that God uses makes people sorry for their sin and leads them to turn from sin so they can be saved from the punishment of sin. We should be happy for that kind of sorrow, but the sorrow of this world brings death. ¹¹ See how this sorrow God allowed you to have has worked in you. You had a desire to be free of that sin I wrote about. You were angry about it. You were afraid. You wanted to do something about it. In every way you did what you could to make it right. ¹² I sent this. It was not written only because of the man who did the wrong or because of the one who suffered. ¹³ All this has given us comfort. More than this, we are happy for the joy Titus has. His spirit has been made stronger by all of you. ¹⁴ I told him how proud I was of you. You did not make me ashamed. What we said to Titus proved to be true. ¹⁵ He loves you all the more. He remembers how all of you were ready to obey and how you respected him. ¹⁶ I am happy that I can have complete trust in you.