M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Laws of Public Testimony
5 “If someone sins because he has failed to testify after receiving notice[a] to testify as a witness regarding what he has observed or learned, he is to be held responsible.”[b]
Offerings for Uncleanness
2 “When a person has touched a ceremonially unclean thing inadvertently,[c] such as the carcass of an unclean animal, or some unclean creeping thing, he will be unclean and guilty nevertheless. 3 When he inadvertently touches the uncleanness of a human being, whatever his uncleanness that made him unclean may be, when he himself comes to know about it, he will be guilty. 4 When a person has sworn inadvertently by what he has said, whether for evil or good, whatever it was that the person spoke, when he comes to understand what he said, he will incur guilt by one of these things. 5 When a person is guilty of one of these things, then he is to confess[d] whatever sin it was 6 and bring compensation to the Lord for the guilt that he committed: a female from the flock—whether a lamb or goat—for a sin offering. Then the priest is to make atonement for him.”
Inexpensive Offering Alternatives
7 “If he can’t afford a goat, then he is to bring to the Lord for his sin offering two turtledoves or two young doves:[e] one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He is to bring them to the priest, who will offer a sin offering first. He is to wring off its head without separating it. 9 Then he is to sprinkle some of the blood from the sin offering on the sidewall of the altar. Now as to the remainder of the blood, he is to pour it out at the base of the altar for a sin offering. 10 With respect to the second offering, he is to prepare it as a burnt offering, according to the approved procedure.[f] The priest is to make atonement for him on account of his sin that he had committed. Then it will be forgiven him.
11 “If he can’t afford[g] two turtledoves or two young doves, then he is to bring as his offering a tenth of an ephah[h] of fine flour as a sin offering for what he has committed. He is to put no olive oil or frankincense on it, since it’s a sin offering. 12 He is to bring it to the priest. The priest is to take a handful as a memorial and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire to the Lord. It’s a sin offering. 13 The priest will make atonement for him, on account of the sin that he had committed in any of these things and it will be forgiven him. As far as the priest is concerned, it will be a meal offering.”
Offerings for Inadvertent Sins
14 The Lord told Moses, 15 “When a person commits a truly treacherous act and sins inadvertently concerning the sacred things of the Lord, then he is to bring a trespass offering to the Lord from the flock as compensation for his guilt. It is to be a ram without defect, estimated as to its value in silver shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. 16 He is to compensate for whatever sin he had committed concerning the sacred things of the Lord, add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest. The priest is to make atonement for him with the ram as a sin offering and he’ll be forgiven.
17 “If a person sins and does what the Lord commanded is not to be done, and if he didn’t know that he had sinned, then he will be guilty nevertheless.[i] 18 He is to bring from the flock to the priest a ram without defect, estimated as to its value in silver shekels, as a guilt offering. Then the priest is to make atonement for him concerning his inadvertent act that he committed through ignorance, and it will be forgiven him. 19 It’s a sin offering for his guilt in the Lord’s presence.”
A Davidic Psalm, when he fled from his son Absalom.
God Delivers His Servants
3 Lord, I have so many persecutors!
Many are rising up against me!
2 Many are saying about me,
“God will never deliver him!”
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud[a] to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep,
I wake up, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear multitudes of[b] people,
who set themselves against me on every side.
7 Arise, Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
For you strike the jaw of all my enemies,
and you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Deliverance comes from the Lord!
May your blessing be on your people.
To the Director: With stringed instruments. A Davidic Psalm
Trust God under Adversity
4 When I call, answer me,
my righteous God![c]
When I was in distress, you set me free.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
2 You people,
how long will you malign my reputation?
How long will you love what is vain[d]
and what is false?
3 But understand this:[e]
the Lord has set apart the godly for himself!
The Lord will hear me when I cry out to him!
Advice on How to Live
20 Wine causes mocking, and beer causes fights;
everyone led astray by them lacks wisdom.
2 A king’s anger is like a lion’s roar;
anyone who angers him forfeits his life.
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
4 A lazy person doesn’t plow in the proper[a] season;
he looks for a harvest, but there is nothing.
5 The intentions of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but a discerning person reveals them.
6 Many claim “I’m a loyal person!”[b]
but who can find someone who truly is?
7 The righteous person lives a life of integrity;
happy are his children who follow him!
8 A king sits on a throne of justice,
sifting out all sorts of evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, “My intentions are pure;
I am clean from any sin?”
10 False[c] weights and measures—
the Lord surely detests both of them.
11 Even a child is known by his actions,
whether his deeds are pure and right.
12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees—
the Lord surely made them both.
13 Do not love sleep or you’ll become poor,
keep your eyes open and you’ll have plenty of food.
14 “This is bad, bad,” says whoever is buying—
but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.[d]
15 There is an abundance of gold and precious stones,
but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of anyone who puts up collateral for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if he does it for an unfamiliar woman.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
but later his mouth will be full of gravel.
18 Make plans by seeking advice;
make war by obtaining guidance.
19 Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences;
so don’t get involved with someone who talks too much.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother,
his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.
21 An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Don’t say “I’ll avenge that wrong!”
Wait on the Lord and he will deliver you.
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales are not good.
24 A man’s steps are directed by the Lord;
how then can anyone understand his own way?
25 It is a trap for a person to declare quickly, “This is sacred,”
and only later to have second thoughts about the vows.
26 A wise king sifts the wicked,
crushing them with the threshing wheel.
27 A person’s spirit is the lamp of the Lord;
it searches throughout one’s innermost being.
28 Gracious love and truth preserve a king;
through love his throne is made secure.
29 The glory of young men is their strength;
and the splendor of elders is their gray hair.
30 Blows that wound clean away evil;
such beatings cleanse[e] the innermost being.
Keep Focusing on the Messiah
3 Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah,[a] keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah[b] is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah[c] in God. 4 When the Messiah,[d] who is[e] your[f] life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.
5 So put to death your worldly impulses:[g] sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6 It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.[h] 7 You used to behave like them as you lived among them. 8 But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins. 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it. 11 In him[i] there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,[j] slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah[k] is all and in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,[l] and patience. 13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord[m] has forgiven you, you also should forgive.[n] 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with[o] love, which ties everything together in unity. 15 Let the peace of the Messiah[p] also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of the Messiah[q] inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Family Duties
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with[r] them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they’ll become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it[s] for the Lord and not merely for people. 24 You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah[t] whom you are serving! 25 For the person who does what is wrong will be paid back for what he has done without favoritism.
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