M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Ritual Animal Slaughter
17 The Lord told Moses, 2 “Speak to Aaron, his sons, and all the Israelis and tell them that this is what the Lord has commanded: 3 When a person from the house of Israel slaughters an ox, a lamb, or a goat (whether in the camp or outside the camp), 4 but fails to bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting as an offering in the presence of the tent of the Lord, that person will incur bloodguilt. Because he has shed blood, that person is to be eliminated from contact with[a] his people.”
Centralized Sacrificial Slaughter
5 “This statute is required so that[b] the Israelis may bring their sacrifices that they have been sacrificing to the Lord in the open field to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, where they are to slaughter their peace offering to the Lord. 6 The priest is to sprinkle the blood on the Lord’s altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and incinerate the fat, making a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 7 They are no longer to slaughter their sacrifices to the goat demons, with whom they have been committing prostitution. This will be a perpetual statute for you throughout your generations. 8 Tell them that if a person from the house of Israel or a resident alien who lives among you brings a whole burnt offering or a sacrifice 9 to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, but fails to bring it to offer[c] it to the Lord, that person[d] is to be eliminated from contact with[e] his people.”
Prohibitions against Eating Blood
10 “If anyone from the house of Israel or a resident alien who lives among you eats any form of blood, I’ll oppose[f] that person who ate the blood and eliminate him from his people, 11 because the life of the flesh is in the blood itself, and I myself have given it to you all so that atonement may be made for your souls on the altar, since the blood itself makes atonement through the life that is in it. 12 This is why I’ve told the Israelis that no person[g] among you is to eat blood. Even the resident alien who lives among you is not to eat blood.
13 “If a person from the house of Israel or a resident alien who lives among you has hunted live game or a bird that may be eaten, he is to extract its blood and cover it with soil, 14 because the life of any flesh is the blood itself. Therefore, I’m saying to the Israelis that the blood of any flesh is not to be eaten, because the life of any flesh is in its blood. Anyone who eats of it is to be eliminated from contact with his people.[h]
15 “Any person who eats a carcass or an animal that was torn by beasts (whether that person is native born or is a resident alien), is to wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will remain unclean until evening, and then he’ll become clean. 16 But if he doesn’t wash or bathe his body, then he is to bear the punishment of his iniquity.”
To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
A Prayer for Victory
20 May the Lord answer you in the day of distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob[a] protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and may he sustain you from Zion.
3 May he remember all your gifts,
and may he accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you what your heart desires,
and may he fulfill all your plans.
5 May we shout for joy at your deliverance
and unfurl our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord has delivered his anointed;
he has answered him from his sanctuary
with the strength of his right hand of deliverance.
7 Some boast[b] in chariots,
others in horses;
but we will boast in[c] the name of the Lord our God.
8 While they bowed down and fell,
we arose and stood upright.
9 Deliver us, Lord!
Answer us, our King,[d] on the day we cry out!
To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.
Praise for the Lord’s Deliverance
21 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How greatly he rejoices in your deliverance.
2 You have granted him the desire of his heart,
and have not withheld what his lips requested.
3 You go before him with wonderful blessings,
and put a crown of fine gold on his head.
4 He asked life from you, and you gave it to him—
a long life for ever and ever.
5 His glory is great because of your deliverance,
you have given him honor and majesty.
6 Indeed, you have given him eternal blessings;
you will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 The king trusts in the Lord;
because of the gracious love of the Most High,
he will stand firm.[e]
8 Your hand will find all your enemies,
your right hand will find those who hate you.
9 When you appear,
you will set them ablaze like a fire furnace.
In his wrath, the Lord will consume them,
and the fire will devour them.
10 You will destroy their descendants[f] from the earth,
even their offspring from the ranks[g] of mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you and devise schemes,
they will not succeed.
12 Indeed, you will make them retreat,[h]
when you aim your bow[i] at their faces.
13 Rise up, Lord, because you are strong;
we will sing and praise your power.
Counsel from King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of King Lemuel—
a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.
2 No,[a] my son!
No,[b] my son whom I conceived![c]
No,[d] my son to whom I gave birth![e]
3 Never devote all your energy to sex,[f]
or dedicate your life[g] to destroying kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
Not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire liquor.
5 Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained,
perverting justice for all the oppressed.
6 Give liquor to someone who is perishing,
and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.[h]
7 Let him drink, forget his poverty,
and remember his troubles no more.
8 Speak for those who cannot speak;
seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.[i]
9 Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
The Honorable Woman
10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her;
as a result, he lacks nothing of value.
12 She will bring good to him—never evil—
every day of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax,
working with eager hands.
14 She is like a seagoing ship
that brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night,
preparing meals for her family
and providing for her women servants.
16 She evaluates a field and purchases it;
from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.
17 She clothes herself with fortitude,
and fortifies her arms with strength.
18 She is confident that her profits are sufficient.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She works with her own hands on her clothes[j]—
her hands work the sewing spindle.
20 She reaches out to the poor,
opening her hands to those in need.
21 She is unafraid of winter’s effect on[k] her household,
because all of them are warmly clothed.[l]
22 She creates her own bedding,
using fine linen and violet cloth.
23 Her husband is well known;[m]
he sits among the leaders of the land.
24 She designs and sells linen garments,
supplying accessories[n] to clothiers.
25 Strength and dignity are her garments;
she smiles about the future.
26 She speaks wisely,
teaching with gracious love.
27 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household,
and she is never lazy.[o]
28 Her children stand up and encourage her,
as does her husband, who praises her:
29 “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says,[p]
“but you surpass all of them!”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Reward her for her work—
let her actions result in public praise.[q]
Prayer and Submission to Authority
2 First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God[a] petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people, 2 for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity.[b] 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth fully. 5 There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and human beings—a human, the Messiah[c] Jesus. 6 He gave himself as a ransom for everyone, the testimony at the proper time. 7 For this reason I was appointed to be an announcer, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the gentiles. (I am telling you the truth.[d] I am not lying.)
Instructions to Men and Women
8 Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without being angry or argumentative. 9 Women, for their part, should display their beauty by dressing modestly and decently in appropriate clothes, not with elaborate hairstyles or by wearing gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but through good actions. This is proper for women who claim to revere God.
11 Let a woman learn with a quiet spirit, and submissively. 12 Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 14 and it was not Adam who was deceived. It was the woman who was deceived and became disobedient, 15 even though she will be saved through the birth of the Child,[e] if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, along with good judgment.[f]
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