M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Tola, Israel’s Sixth Judge
10 A man from the tribe of Issachar, Puah’s son Tola, grandson of Dodo, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the mountainous region[a] of Ephraim. 2 He governed Israel for 23 years and then died. He was buried in Shamir.
Jair, Israel’s Seventh Judge
3 After him, Jair the Gileadite arose and governed Israel for 22 years. 4 His 30 sons rode on 30 donkeys, controlling 30 cities in the territory of Gilead named Havvoth-jair[b] to this day. 5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
Israel Descends into Apostasy
6 Later on, the Israelis again practiced what the Lord considered to be evil by serving the Baals, the stars, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the descendants of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. In doing so, they ignored[c] the Lord and wouldn’t serve him. 7 In his burning anger against Israel, he sold them into domination by the Philistines and the Ammonites, 8 who trampled and troubled the Israelis during that year—eighteen years for the Israelis who lived east of the Jordan River in Gilead, the land occupied by[d] the Amorites. 9 The Ammonites crossed the Jordan River to fight against the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim. As a result, Israel was deeply distressed. 10 Then the Israelis cried out to the Lord and told him,[e] “We have sinned against you because we have abandoned our God to serve the Baals.”
11 The Lord replied to the Israelis, “Aren’t you away from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, and the Philistines? 12 And when the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites harassed you, you cried out to me, and I delivered you from under their domination. 13 But you have abandoned me and served other gods. Therefore I will no longer be delivering you. 14 Go and cry out to the gods that you have chosen for yourselves. Let them deliver you in your time of trouble.”
15 The Israelis replied to the Lord, “We have sinned, so do to us anything that’s right to do in your opinion, just please deliver us right now.” 16 When they put away their foreign gods and served the Lord, he brought Israel’s misery to an end. 17 The Ammonites were summoned and they encamped in Gilead. The Israelis assembled together and encamped in Mizpah. 18 The people and Gilead’s officials inquired among themselves, “Who will begin our attack against the Ammonites? He’ll become head over everyone who lives in Gilead.”
Jephthah, Israel’s Eighth Judge
11 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a valiant soldier, but he was also the son of a prostitute and Jephthah’s father Gilead. 2 Gilead’s wife bore two sons through him, but when his wife’s sons grew up, they expelled Jephthah and declared to him, “You won’t have an inheritance in this[f] house, since you’re the son of a different woman.” 3 So Jephthah escaped from his brothers and lived in the territory of Tob, where worthless men gathered themselves around him and went out on raiding parties with him.
4 Later on, the Ammonites attacked Israel. 5 When this happened,[g] the elders of Gilead went to the territory of Tob to find Jephthah. 6 They told him, “Come and be our commander so we can fight the Ammonites!”
7 But Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, “Weren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me out of my father’s house? And you come to me now that you’re in trouble?”
8 So the elders of Gilead told Jephthah, “Well, we’re coming back to you now so you can accompany us, fight the Ammonites, and become the head of all the inhabitants of Gilead.”
9 Then Jephthah asked the elders of Gilead, “If you all send me to fight against the Ammonites and the Lord hands them over right in front of me, will I really become your head?”
10 The elders of Gilead responded to Jephthah, “May the Lord serve[h] as a witness that we’re making this agreement between ourselves to do as we’ve said.” 11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people appointed him head and military commander over them. Jephthah uttered everything he had to say with the solemnity of an oath[i] in the Lord’s presence at Mizpah.
Paul and Barnabas in Iconium
14 In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas[a] went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 They stayed there a considerable time and continued to speak boldly for the Lord, who kept affirming his word of grace and granting signs and wonders to be done by them. 4 But the people of the city were divided. Some were with the Jews, while others were with the apostles.
5 Now when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, along with their authorities, to mistreat and stone them, 6 Paul and Barnabas[b] found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding territory. 7 There they kept talking about the good news.
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra
8 Now in Lystra there was a man sitting down who couldn’t use his feet. He had been crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul[c] watched him closely, and when he saw that he had faith to be healed, 10 he said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” Then the man[d] jumped up and began to walk.
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” 12 They began to call Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the main speaker. 13 The priest of the temple of Zeus, which was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates. He and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings with natures like yours. We are telling you the good news so you’ll turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.[e] 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways, 17 yet he has not abandoned his witness: he continues to do good, to give you rain from heaven, to give you[f] fruitful seasons, and to fill you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even by saying this, it was all Paul and Barnabas[g] could do to keep the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria
19 But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds by persuasion. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking he was dead. 20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back to town. The next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 As they were proclaiming the good news in that city, they discipled a large number of people. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships,” they said, “to get into the kingdom of God.” 23 Paul and Barnabas[h] appointed elders for them in each church, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 They spoke the word[i] in Perga and went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had completed. 27 When they arrived, they called the church together and told them everything that God had done with them and how he had opened a door so that gentiles would believe. 28 Then they spent a long time with the disciples.
A Righteous King for God’s People
23 “How terrible for the shepherds[a] who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Israel says about the shepherds who are shepherding my people, “You have scattered my flock and driven them away. You haven’t taken care of them, and now I’m about to take care of you[b] because of your evil deeds,” declares the Lord. 3 “I’ll gather the remnant of my flock from all the countries where I’ve driven them, and bring them back to their pasture where they’ll be fruitful and increase in numbers. 4 I’ll raise up shepherds over them, and they’ll shepherd them. My flock[c] will no longer be afraid or terrified, and none will be missing,” declares the Lord.
5 “The time is coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I’ll raise up a righteous branch for David.
He will be a king who rules wisely,
and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his time[d] Judah will be delivered
and Israel will dwell in safety.
This is the name by which he will be known:
‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’
7 “Therefore, the time is coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives who brought up the Israelis from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but they’ll say,[e] ‘As surely as the Lord lives who brought the descendants of the Israelis from the land of the north and from all the lands where I had driven them and brought them into the land.’[f] Then they’ll live in their own land.”
An Oracle about False Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me,
and all my bones shake.
I’m like a drunk man,
like a person overcome with wine,
because of the Lord,
and because of his holy words.
10 Indeed, the land is full of adulterers.
Indeed, the land mourns because of the curse;
the pastures of the wilderness have dried up.
The adulterers’[g] lifestyles are evil,
and they use[h] their strength for what[i] is not right.
11 Indeed, both priest and prophet are ungodly.
Even in my house I find evil,” declares the Lord.
12 Therefore their way will be slippery.
They’ll be driven out into the darkness,
where they’ll fall.
For I’ll bring disaster on them,
the year of their judgment,”
declares the Lord.
13 “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw a disgusting thing,
for they prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
14 Among the prophets of Jerusalem I saw a horrible thing,
for they commit adultery and live a lie.
They strengthen the hands of those who do evil,
so that no one repents of his evil.
All of them are like Sodom to me,
and her[j] residents like Gomorrah.”
15 Therefore, this is what the Lord God of the Heavenly Armies says about the prophets,
“I’m about to make them eat wormwood[k]
and drink poisoned water,
because godlessness has spread from the
prophets of Jerusalem throughout the land.”
16 This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies says:
“Don’t listen to the words of the prophets
who are prophesying to you;
they’re giving you false hopes.
They declare visions from their own minds—
they don’t come from the Lord![l]
17 They keep on saying to those who despise me,
‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace.”’
To all who stubbornly follow their own desires[m] they say,
‘Disaster won’t come upon you.’
18 But who has stood in the Lord’s council
to see and hear his message?
Who has paid attention to his message and obeyed it?[n]
19 Look, the storm of the Lord’s wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest,
and it will swirl down
around the head of the wicked.
20 The Lord’s anger won’t turn back
until he has accomplished
what he intended to do.
In the future
you will clearly understand it.
21 I didn’t send these prophets,[o]
but they ran anyway.
I didn’t speak to them,
but they prophesied.
22 If they had stood in my council
and had delivered my words to my people,
then they would have turned them back
from their evil way,
from their evil deeds.”
23 “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord,
“rather than a God who is far away?
24 If a person hides himself in secret places,
will I not see him?”
declares the Lord.
“I fill the heavens and the earth, do I not?”
declares the Lord.
25 “I’ve heard what the prophets who prophesy lies in my name have said: ‘I had a dream; I had a dream.’ 26 How long will this go on?[p] Is there anything[q] in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy from the deceit that is in their hearts? 27 With their dreams that they relate to one another,[r] they plan to make my people forget my name just as their ancestors forgot my name by embracing[s] Baal. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but let whoever receives my message[t] speak my message truthfully. What does straw have in common with wheat?” declares the Lord. 29 “My message is like fire or like a hammer that shatters rock, is it not?” declares the Lord.
30 “Therefore, look, I’m against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who steal my words from each other. 31 Look, I’m against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues to issue a declaration.[u] 32 Look, I’m against those who prophesy based on false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and relate them and lead my people astray with their lies and their recklessness. I didn’t send them; I didn’t command them, and they provide no benefit at all to these people,” declares the Lord.
The Oracle-Burden[v] of the Lord
33 “Jeremiah,[w] when these people, the prophet, or a priest ask you,[x] ‘What is the oracle[y] of the Lord?’ say to them, ‘You are the burden,[z] and I’ll cast you out,’” declares the Lord. 34 “As for the prophet, the priest, or the people who say, ‘I have[aa] an oracle of the Lord,’ I’ll judge that person and his household. 35 This is what you should say to one another and among yourselves,[ab] ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord said?’ 36 But you are to no longer mention[ac] the oracle of the Lord, because the oracle is only for the person to whom the Lord gives his message,[ad] and you have overturned the words of the living God, the Lord of the Heavenly Armies, our God. 37 This is what you should say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord said?’ 38 Since you’re saying, ‘We have an oracle of the Lord,’[ae] therefore this is what the Lord says: He will answer your message with this message, ‘Burden[af] of the Lord,’ and I’ll send you away with these words: ‘Don’t say, “Oracle of the Lord.”’ 39 Therefore I’ll surely forget you and cast you and the city I gave you and your ancestors out of my presence. 40 I’ll bring on you everlasting reproach and everlasting humiliation that won’t ever[ag] be forgotten.”
9 Then he told them, “I tell all of you[a] with certainty, some people standing here will not experience[b] death until they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.”
Jesus’ Appearance is Changed(A)
2 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain to be alone with him. His appearance was changed in front of them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone[c] on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them, accompanied by Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter told Jesus, “Rabbi,[d] it’s good that we’re here! Let’s set up three shelters[e]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 (Peter[f] didn’t know how to respond, because they were terrified.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud and said,[g] “This is my Son, whom I love. Keep on listening to him!” 8 Suddenly, as they looked around, they saw no one with them but Jesus alone.
9 On their way down the mountain, Jesus[h] ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves but argued about what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 So they asked him, “Don’t the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 He told them, “Elijah is indeed coming first and will restore all things. Why, then, is it written that the Son of Man must suffer a great deal and be treated shamefully? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, yet people[i] treated him just as they pleased, as it is written about him.”
Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon(B)
14 As they approached the other[j] disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. 15 The whole crowd was very surprised to see Jesus[k] and ran to welcome him.
16 He asked the scribes,[l] “What are you arguing about with them?”
17 A man in the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 Whenever it brings on a seizure, it throws him to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes stiff. So I asked your disciples to drive the spirit[m] out, but they didn’t have the power.”
19 Jesus[n] told them, “You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!”
20 So they brought the boy[o] to him. When the spirit saw Jesus,[p] it immediately threw the boy[q] into convulsions. He fell on the ground and kept rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 Then Jesus[r] asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He said, “Since he was a child. 22 The spirit[s] has often thrown him into fire and into water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us!”
23 Jesus told him, “‘If you are able?’ Everything is possible for the person who believes!”
24 With tears flowing,[t] the child’s father at once cried out, “I do believe! Help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that won’t let him talk or hear—I command you to come out of him and never enter him again!” 26 The spirit[u] screamed, shook the child[v] violently, and came out. The boy was like a corpse, and many said that he was dead. 27 But Jesus took his hand and helped him up, and he stood up.
28 When Jesus[w] came home, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive the spirit[x] out?”
29 He told them, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.”[y]
Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection(C)
30 Then they left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus[z] didn’t want anyone to find out about it, 31 because he was teaching his disciples, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into human hands. They will kill him, but after being dead for three days he will be raised.” 32 They didn’t understand what this statement meant, and they were afraid to ask him.
True Greatness(D)
33 Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus[aa] was at home, he asked the disciples,[ab] “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, because they had argued on the road with one another about who was the greatest.
35 So he sat down, called the Twelve, and told them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and had him stand among them. He took him in his arms and told them, 37 “Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
The True Follower of Jesus(E)
38 John told Jesus,[ac] “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name. We tried to stop him, because he wasn’t a follower like us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in my name can slander me soon afterwards. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 I tell all of you[ad] with certainty, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to the Messiah[ae] will never lose his reward.”
Causing Others to Sin(F)
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 So if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better for you to enter life injured than to have two hands and go to hell,[af] to the fire that cannot be put out. 44 In that place, worms never die, and the fire is never put out.[ag]
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[ah] 46 In that place, worms never die, and the fire is never put out.[ai]
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It’s better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.[aj] 48 In that place, worms never die, and the fire is never put out.
49 Because everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.[ak] 50 Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how can you restore its flavor? Keep on having salt among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”
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