M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Putting Up the Meeting Tent and Setting It Apart
40 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Set up the holy tent, the meeting tent, on the first day of the first month. 3 Put the special box of the Law there. And hang the curtain in front of it. 4 Bring in the table and set its objects on it. Bring in the lamp-stand and light its lamps. 5 Set the gold altar of special perfume in front of the box of the Law. Hang the curtain for the door of the meeting tent. 6 Set the altar of burnt gifts in front of the door of the holy tent, the meeting tent. 7 Set the washing pot between the meeting tent and the altar and put water in it. 8 Hang the curtains all around the open space and hang the curtain at the gate of the open space. 9 Then take the oil and pour it upon the meeting tent and all that is in it. Set it apart with all its objects, and it will be holy. 10 Pour the oil upon the altar of burnt gifts and all its objects. Set the altar apart, and it will be most holy. 11 Pour the oil upon the washing pot and its stand, to set it apart.
12 “Then bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the meeting tent. And wash them with water. 13 Put the holy clothing on Aaron. Then pour oil upon him and set him apart to work for Me as a religious leader. 14 Bring his sons and put long coats on them. 15 Then pour oil upon them as you have done to their father, so they may serve Me as religious leaders. Pouring oil upon them will make them ready to be religious leaders, they and all their children-to-come.”
16 Moses did all that the Lord told him to do. 17 On the first day of the first month of the second year, the meeting tent was set up. 18 Moses set up the meeting tent, laid the bases, set up its pieces of wood, put in its cross-pieces and set up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the meeting tent. And he put the top covering over it, just as the Lord had told Moses. 20 Then he took the Law and put it into the special box. He put the long pieces of wood on the special box of the agreement. And he put the mercy-seat on top of the special box. 21 He brought the special box into the meeting tent and hung the curtain. He put the curtain in front of the special box of the agreement, just as the Lord had told Moses. 22 Then he put the table in the meeting tent, on the north side of the tent, outside the curtain. 23 He set the bread in its place on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord had told Moses. 24 Then he put the lamp-stand in the meeting tent, away from the table, on the south side of the tent. 25 He set up the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had told Moses. 26 He put the gold altar in the tent of meeting, in front of the curtain. 27 And he burned sweet-smelling perfume on it, just as the Lord had told Moses. 28 Then he hung the curtain at the door of the meeting tent. 29 He set the altar of burnt gifts in front of the door of the meeting tent. And he gave the burnt gift and the grain gift on it, just as the Lord had told Moses. 30 He put the washing pot between the tent of meeting and the altar, with water in it for washing. 31 Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet there. 32 They washed when they came into the tent of meeting and when they came near the altar, just as the Lord had told Moses. 33 He made the open space all around the meeting tent and the altar. And he hung the curtain for the gate of the open space. So Moses finished the work.
The Cloud over the Meeting Tent
34 Then the cloud covered the meeting tent. The shining-greatness of the Lord filled the holy tent.
35 Moses was not able to go into the meeting tent because the cloud had rested upon it and the shining-greatness of the Lord filled the holy tent. 36 When the cloud was lifted from the meeting tent, the people of Israel would go on their way through all their traveling days. 37 But when the cloud was not lifted, they did not move on until the day when it was lifted. 38 For the cloud of the Lord rested on the meeting tent during the day. And fire was in the cloud during the night. It was seen by all the people of Israel as they traveled.
The Crown of Thorns (A)
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him beaten. 2 The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head. They put a purple coat on Him. 3 Then they said, “Hello, King of the Jews!” and hit Him with their hands.
4 Pilate went out again and said to the people, “See, I bring Him out to you so you will know I do not find Him guilty.” 5 Jesus came out. He had on the crown of thorns and a purple coat. Pilate said to the people, “See! This is the Man!”
Pilate Tries to Let Jesus Go Free
6 The religious leaders and the soldiers saw Him. They spoke with loud voices, “Nail Him to a cross! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said, “Take Him yourselves and nail Him to a cross. As for me, I do not find Him guilty.” 7 The Jews said to Pilate, “We have a Law that says He should die because He has said He is the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard them say this, he was more afraid. 9 He went into the court room again. He said to Jesus, “Where do You come from?” Jesus did not say a word. 10 Pilate said, “Will You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have the right and the power to nail You to a cross? I have the right and the power to let You go free also.” 11 Jesus said, “You would not have any right or power over Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the worse sin.”
12 When Pilate heard this, he wanted to let Jesus go free. But the Jews kept saying, “If you let this Man go free, you are not a friend of Caesar! Whoever makes himself as a king is working against Caesar.” 13 When Pilate heard this, he had Jesus brought in front of him. Pilate sat down at the place where men stand in front of him if they are thought to be guilty. The place is called the Stone Floor.
14 It was the day to get ready for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. It was about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “See, your King!” 15 They spoke with a loud voice, “Take Him away! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said to them, “Do you want me to nail your King to a cross?” The head religious leaders said, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then Pilate handed Him over to be nailed to a cross. They took Jesus and led Him away.
Jesus on the Cross (B)
17 Jesus carried His own cross to a hill called the Place of the Skull. 18 There they nailed Him to the cross. With Him were two others. There was one on each side of Jesus. 19 Then Pilate put a writing on the cross which said, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This was read by many of the Jews. The place where Jesus was nailed to the cross was near the city. The writing was written in the Hebrew and the Latin and the Greek languages. 21 Then the head religious leaders of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’! Write, ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate said, “What I have written is to stay just as it is!”
They Divided His Clothes (C)
23 The soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross took His clothes and divided them in four parts, each soldier getting one part. But His coat which was not sewed was made in one piece. 24 They said to each other, “Let us not cut it up. Let us draw names to see whose it should be.” This happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen, “They divided My clothes among them and they drew names for My coat.” (D) 25 This is what the soldiers did.
The Women at the Cross (E)
The mother of Jesus and her sister Mary, the wife of Cleophas, were standing near the cross. Mary Magdalene was there also. 26 Jesus saw His mother and the follower whom He loved standing near. He said to His mother, “Woman, look at your son.” 27 Then Jesus said to the follower, “Look at your mother.” From that time the follower took her to his own house.
The Death of Jesus (F)
28 Jesus knew that everything was now finished. Everything happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen. He said, “I am thirsty.” (G) 29 There was a jar full of sour wine near. They filled a sponge and put it on a stick and put it to His mouth. 30 Jesus took the sour wine and said, “It is finished.” He put His head down and gave up His spirit and died.
His Bones Were Not Broken
31 This was the day before the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. The next day was the Day of Rest and the great day of the religious gathering. The Jews went to Pilate and asked to have the legs of the men broken. They wanted their bodies taken away so they would not be hanging on the crosses on the Day of Rest. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been nailed to crosses beside Jesus. 33 They came to Jesus. They saw He was already dead so they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pushed a spear into His side. Blood and water ran out.
35 The one who saw it is writing this and what he says is true. He knows he is telling the truth so you may believe. 36 These things happened as the Holy Writings said they would happen, “Not one of His bones will be broken.” (H) 37 And in another place the Holy Writings say, “They will look at Him Whose side they cut.” (I)
The Grave of Jesus (J)
38 Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus but was afraid of the Jews. So he worshiped without anyone knowing it. He asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Pilate said he could. Then Joseph came and took it away. 39 Nicodemus came also. The first time he had come to Jesus had been at night. He brought with him a large box of spices. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus with the spices and put it in linen cloths. This was the way the Jews made a body ready for the grave.
41 There was a garden near the place where He had been nailed to the cross. In the garden there was a new grave in the side of the hill. No one had ever been laid there. 42 This place was near by. Because it was the day the Jews got ready for the special religious gathering, they laid Jesus in it.
16 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart.
3 Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.
4 The Lord has made all things for His own plans, even the sinful for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is a shame to the Lord. For sure, that one will be punished.
6 Sin has been paid for by loving-kindness and truth. The fear of the Lord keeps one away from sin.
7 When the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even those who hate him to be at peace with him.
8 A little earned in a right way is better than much earned in a wrong way.
9 The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.
10 The lips of the king should decide as God would. His mouth should not sin in deciding what is right or wrong.
11 What is fair in telling the weight of something belongs to the Lord. He cares about all the weights of the bag.
12 It is a hated thing for kings to do what is wrong. For a throne is built on what is right.
13 Lips that speak what is right and good are the joy of kings, and he who speaks the truth is loved.
14 The anger of a king carries death, but a wise man will quiet it.
15 Life is in the light of a king’s face, and his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
16 To get wisdom is much better than getting gold. To get understanding should be chosen instead of silver.
17 The road of the faithful turns away from sin. He who watches his way keeps his life.
18 Pride comes before being destroyed and a proud spirit comes before a fall.
19 It is better to be poor in spirit among poor people, than to divide the riches that were taken with the proud.
20 He who listens to the Word will find good, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right.
22 Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use.
23 The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that looks right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A workman’s hunger works for him. The need of his mouth pushes him on.
27 A man of no worth looks for wrong-doing. His words are like burning fire.
28 A bad man spreads trouble. One who hurts people with bad talk separates good friends.
29 A man who hurts people tempts his neighbor to do the same, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes plans to do bad things. He who closes his lips allows sinful things to happen.
31 Hair that is turning white is like a crown of honor. It is found in the way of being right with God.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the powerful. And he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.
33 Man decides by throwing an object into the lap, but it is the Lord only who decides.
It Is Christ Only—Not the Things You Do
3 So now, my Christian brothers, be happy because you belong to Christ. It is not hard for me to write the same things to you. It is good for you. 2 Watch out for false teachers. Watch out for sinful men. They want you to depend on the religious act of becoming a Jew for your hope. 3 The act of becoming a Jew has nothing to do with us becoming Christians. We worship God through His Spirit and are proud of Jesus Christ. We have no faith in what we ourselves can do. 4 I could have reason to trust in the flesh. If anyone could feel that the flesh could do something for him, I could. 5 I went through the religious act of becoming a Jew when I was eight days old. I was born a Jew and came from the family group of Benjamin. I was a Jewish son of Jewish parents. I belonged to the group of the proud religious law-keepers. 6 I followed my religion with all my heart and did everything I could to make it hard for the church. No one could say anything against the way I obeyed the Law.
Christ Must Be Lord of Our Lives
7 But I gave up those things that were so important to me for Christ. 8 Even more than that, I think of everything as worth nothing. It is so much better to know Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for Him. And I think of these things as worth nothing so that I can have Christ. 9 I want to be as one with Him. I could not be right with God by what the Law said I must do. I was made right with God by faith in Christ. 10 I want to know Him. I want to have the same power in my life that raised Jesus from the dead. I want to understand and have a share in His sufferings and be like Christ in His death. 11 Then I may be raised up from among the dead.
12 I do not say that I have received this or have already become perfect. But I keep going on to make that life my own as Christ Jesus made me His own. 13 No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me. 14 My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are full-grown Christians should think this way. If you do not think this way, God will show it to you. 16 So let us keep on obeying the same truth we have already been following.
17 Christian brothers, live your lives as I have lived mine. Watch those who live as I have taught you to live. 18 There are many whose lives show they hate the cross of Christ. I have told you this before. Now I tell you again with tears in my eyes. 19 Their god is their stomach. They take pride in things they should be ashamed of. All they think about are the things of this world. In the end they will be destroyed. 20 But we are citizens of heaven. Christ, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin, will be coming down from heaven again. We are waiting for Him to return. 21 He will change these bodies of ours of the earth and make them new. He will make them like His body of shining-greatness. He has the power to do this because He can make all things obey Him.
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