M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Altar
27 “Make the altar of acacia wood. It will be as long and as wide as three steps, and as tall as a man’s chest. 2 Make horns for it on its four corners. They will be of one piece and covered with brass. 3 Make its pails for taking away its ashes, its tools for picking up the ashes, its pots, meat-hooks and fire-holders. Make all of these out of brass. 4 Make a net for it out of brass, with four rings of brass at its four corners. 5 Put it under the altar so that the net comes up to the center of the altar. 6 Make long, straight pieces of acacia wood for the altar. And cover them with brass. 7 Put the long pieces of wood through the rings on each side of the altar when it is carried. 8 Make the altar with pieces of wood so it is empty inside. Make it as it was shown to you on the mountain.
The Open Spaces
9 “Make the open space of the meeting tent. On the south side there will be curtains for the open space. Make them of fine linen, as long as fifty long steps. 10 They will hang from twenty pillars which are put on twenty bases of brass. The hooks of the pillars and their rings will be made of silver. 11 Do the same for the north side. There will be curtains as long as fifty long steps, and twenty pillars with twenty bases of brass. The hooks of the pillars and their rings will be made of silver. 12 On the west side of the open space there will be curtains as long as twenty-five long steps. They will have ten pillars with ten bases. 13 And the east side of the open space will be as wide as twenty-five long steps.
14 “The curtains for one side of the gate will be as long as seven steps. They will have three pillars with three bases. 15 On the other side there will be curtains as long as seven steps, with three pillars and three bases. 16 Have an able workman make a curtain out of fine linen for the gate of the open space. It will be blue, purple and red, and as long as ten long steps. It will have four pillars with four bases. 17 All the pillars around the open space will have silver hooks, silver rings, and their bases of brass. 18 The open space will be as long as fifty long steps, as wide as twenty-five long steps, and as high as a man raises his hand. It will have curtains of fine linen and the bases will be brass. 19 All the tools used in the meeting tent, all its nails, and all the nails for the open space will be made of brass.
Care of the Lamp-Stand
20 “Tell the people of Israel to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, so a lamp may burn all the time. 21 In the meeting tent, outside the curtain which is in front of the Law, Aaron and his sons will take care of it from evening until morning before the Lord. It will be a law forever for the people of Israel.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (A)
6 After this Jesus went over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It is sometimes called Tiberias. 2 Many people followed Him. They saw the powerful works He did on those who were sick. 3 Jesus went up on a mountain and sat down with His followers. 4 The special religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt was soon.
5 Jesus looked up and saw many people coming to Him. He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” 6 He said this to see what Philip would say. Jesus knew what He would do. 7 Philip said to Him, “The money we have is not enough to buy bread to give each one a little.”
8 One of His followers was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He said to Jesus, 9 “There is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two small fish. What is that for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was much grass in that place. About five thousand men sat down.
11 Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks. Then He gave the bread to those who were sitting down. The fish were given out the same way. The people had as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, Jesus said to His followers, “Gather up the pieces that are left. None will be wasted.” 13 The followers gathered the pieces together. Twelve baskets were filled with pieces of barley bread. These were left after all the people had eaten.
14 The people saw the powerful work Jesus had done. They said, “It is true! This is the One Who speaks for God Who is to come into the world.”
Jesus Walks on the Water (B)
15 Jesus knew they were about to come and take Him to make Him king, so He went to the mountain by Himself. 16 When evening had come, His followers went down to the lake. 17 They got into a boat and started to cross the lake to go to the city of Capernaum. By this time it was dark. Jesus had not come back to them yet. 18 A strong wind was making high waves on the lake. 19 They were about half way across the lake when they saw Jesus walking on the water. As He got near the boat, they were afraid. 20 But Jesus called to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” 21 They were glad to take Him into the boat. At once they got to the other side where they wanted to go.
Jesus Teaches Many People
22 The next day the people on the other side of the lake saw no other boat there but the one His followers had been in. The people knew Jesus had not gone with His followers in the boat because they had gone alone. 23 There were other boats from Tiberias that had come near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 The people saw that Jesus and His followers were not there. They got into boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 The people found Him on the other side of the lake. They said to Him, “Teacher, when did You come here?” 26 Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, you are not looking for Me because of the powerful works. You are looking for Me because you ate bread and were filled. 27 Do not work for food that does not last. Work for food that lasts forever. The Son of Man will give you that kind of food. God the Father has shown He will do this.”
Jesus Teaches about Doing the Work of God
28 Then the people said to Him, “What are the works God wants us to do?” 29 Jesus said to them, “This is the work of God, that you put your trust in the One He has sent.” 30 They said to Him, “Can You show us some powerful work? Then we can see it and believe You. What will You do? 31 Our early fathers ate bread that came from heaven in the desert. This happened as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (C)
Jesus Is the Bread of Life
32 Then Jesus said to the people, “For sure, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true Bread from heaven. 33 The Bread of God is He Who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to Him, “Sir, give us this Bread all the time.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. 36 I said to you that you have seen Me and yet you do not put your trust in Me. 37 All whom My Father has given to Me will come to Me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me. 38 I came down from heaven. I did not come to do what I wanted to do. I came to do what My Father wanted Me to do. He is the One Who sent Me.
39 “The Father sent Me. He did not want Me to lose any of all those He gave Me. He wants Me to raise them to life on the last day. 40 He wants everyone who sees the Son to put his trust in Him and have life that lasts forever. I will raise that one up on the last day.”
41 The Jews talked among themselves against Him. They did not like it because He said, “I am the Bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They asked each other, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know His father and mother. How can He say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
43 Jesus said to them, “Do not talk among yourselves against Me. 44 The Father sent Me. No man can come to Me unless the Father gives him the desire to come to Me. Then I will raise him to life on the last day. 45 The early preachers wrote, ‘They will all be taught of God.’ (D) Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me. 46 No one has seen the Father. I am the only One Who has seen Him. 47 For sure, I tell you, he who puts his trust in Me has life that lasts forever. 48 I am the Bread of Life. 49 Your early fathers ate bread that came from heaven in the desert. They died. 50 But this is the Bread that comes down from heaven. The one who eats it never dies. 51 I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this Bread, he will live forever. The Bread which I will give is My flesh. I will give this for the life of the world.” 52 The Jews argued among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has life that lasts forever. I will raise him up on the last day. 55 My flesh is true food and My blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me and I live in him. 57 The living Father sent Me and I live because of Him. In the same way, the one who eats Me will live because of Me. 58 I am this Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the bread that your early fathers ate and they died. Whoever eats this Bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the Jewish place of worship while He was teaching in the city of Capernaum.
The Troubled Followers Leave Jesus
60 After hearing this, many of His followers said, “This teaching is too hard! Who can listen to it?” 61 Jesus knew His followers talked against what He had said. He said to them, “Does this trouble you? 62 Then what would you say if you saw the Son of Man going up where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit that gives life. The flesh is of no help. The words I speak to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning who would not put their trust in Him. He knew who would hand Him over to the leaders of the country. 65 He said, “That is why I told you no one can come to Me unless the Father allows it.” 66 From that time on, many of His followers turned back to their old ways of living. They would not go along with Him after that.
Peter Knows Who Jesus Is
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve followers, “Will you leave Me also?” 68 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, who else can we go to? You have words that give life that lasts forever. 69 We believe and know You are the Christ. You are the Son of the Living God.” 70 Jesus said to them, “I chose you twelve as My followers. And one of you is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who was one of the twelve followers. He was ready to hand Jesus over to the leaders of the country.
The Reward That Comes from Following Wisdom
3 My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words. 2 For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. 8 It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your riches, and with the first of all you grow. 10 Then your store-houses will be filled with many good things and your barrels will flow over with new wine. 11 My son, listen when the Lord punishes you. Do not give up when He tells you what you must do. 12 The Lord punishes everyone He loves. He whips every son He receives.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding. 14 For it is better than getting silver and fine gold. 15 She is worth more than stones of great worth. Nothing you can wish for compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand. 17 Her ways are pleasing, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near. 19 The Lord built the earth by wisdom. He built the heavens by understanding. 20 By what He knows, the seas were broken up and water falls from the sky.
21 My son, do not allow them to leave your eyes. Keep perfect wisdom and careful thinking. 22 And they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck. 23 Then you will be safe as you walk on your way, and your foot will not trip. 24 You will not be afraid when you lie down. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of fear that comes all at once. And do not be afraid of the storm of the sinful when it comes. 26 For the Lord will be your trust. He will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not keep good from those who should have it, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and return tomorrow, and I will give it,” when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan for your neighbor to be hurt, while he trusts you enough to live beside you. 30 Do not fight with a man for no reason, when he has done you no wrong. 31 Do not be jealous of a man who hurts others, and do not choose any of his ways. 32 For the bad man is hated by the Lord, but He is near to those who are right with Him. 33 The punishment of the Lord is on the house of the sinful, but He makes good come to the house of those who are right with Him. 34 God makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride. 35 Honor will be given to the wise, but shame will be given to fools.
The Church Leaders in Jerusalem Say Paul Is a True Missionary
2 Fourteen years later I went again to Jerusalem. This time I took Barnabas. Titus went with us also. 2 God showed me in a special way I should go. I spoke to them about the Good News that I preach among the people who are not Jews. First of all, I talked alone to the important church leaders. I wanted them to know what I was preaching. I did not want that which I was doing or would be doing to be wasted.
3 Titus was with me. Even being a Greek, he did not have to go through the religious act of becoming a Jew. 4 Some men who called themselves Christians asked about this. They got in our meeting without being asked. They came there to find out how free we are who belong to Christ. They tried to get us to be chained to the Law. 5 But we did not listen to them or do what they wanted us to do so the truth of the Good News might be yours.
6 Those who seemed to be important church leaders did not help me. They did not teach me anything new. What they were, I do not care. God looks on us all as being the same. 7 Anyway, they saw how I had been given the work of preaching the Good News to the people who are not Jews, as Peter had been given the work of preaching the Good News to the Jews. 8 For God helped Peter work with the Jews. He also helped me work with those who are not Jews. 9 James and Peter and John were thought of as being the head church leaders. They could see that God’s loving-favor had been given to me. Barnabas and I were joined together with them by shaking hands. Then we were sent off to work with the people who are not Jews. They were to work with the Jews. 10 They asked us to do only one thing. We were to remember to help poor people. I think this is important also.
11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to stand up against him because he was guilty. 12 Peter had been eating with the people who are not Jews. But after some men came who had been with James, he kept away from them. He was afraid of those who believe in the religious act of becoming a Jew. 13 Then the rest of the Jews followed him because they were afraid to do what they knew they should do. Even Barnabas was fooled by those who pretended to be someone they were not. 14 When I saw they were not honest about the truth of the Good News, I spoke to Peter in front of them all. I said, “If you are a Jew, but live like the people who are not Jews, why do you make the people who are not Jews live like the Jews?” 15 You and I were born Jews. We were not sinners from among the people who are not Jews. 16 Even so, we know we cannot become right with God by obeying the Law. A man is made right with God by putting his trust in Jesus Christ. For that reason, we have put our trust in Jesus Christ also. We have been made right with God because of our faith in Christ and not by obeying the Law. No man can be made right with God by obeying the Law. 17 As we try to become right with God by what Christ has done for us, what if we find we are sinners also? Does that mean Christ makes us sinners? No! Never! 18 But if I work toward being made right with God by keeping the Law, then I make myself a sinner. 19 The Law has no power over me. I am dead to the Law. Now I can live for God. 20 I have been put up on the cross to die with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I now live in this body, I live by putting my trust in the Son of God. He was the One Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I say that we are not to put aside the loving-favor of God. If we could be made right with God by keeping the Law, then Christ died for nothing.
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