M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Josiah Restores the Temple
34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned 31 years in Jerusalem. 2 He did right in the eyes of Adonai, and walked in the ways of his father David. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek after the God of his father David. In the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, and the carved and molten images. 4 They tore down the altars of the Baal in his presence and chopped down the sun-images that were above them. Also the Asherah poles and the carved and molten images he smashed into pieces, ground into dust, and scattered upon the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5 Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars—so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. 6 In the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and as far as Naphtali, with their surrounding ruins, 7 he broke down the altars, the Asherah poles, crushed the carved images into powder, and chopped down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, after purging the land and the House, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the House of Adonai his God. 9 They came to Hilkiah the kohen gadol and handed over the silver money that was brought into the House of God, which the Levites, the gatekeepers, had collected from Manasseh, Ephraim and all the remnant of Israel, as well as from all Judah and Benjamin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 10 Then they put it in the hands of the workmen who were in charge of the House of Adonai. The workmen who were working in the House of Adonai spent it on repairing and restoring the House. 11 They in turn gave it to the carpenters and the builders to buy quarried stone as well as timber—for joining and making beams—for the buildings that the kings of Judah had let fall into ruin. 12 The men did the work faithfully. Over them were appointed Jahath and Obadiah, Levites from the sons of Merari, along with Zechariah and Meshullam from the sons of Kohath, to supervise, while other Levites—all skilled musicians— 13 were over the burden-bearers and supervised all who worked from task to task. Some of the Levites were also scribes, overseers and gatekeepers.
Torah Scroll Found in the Temple
14 While they were bringing out the silver that had been brought into the House of Adonai, Hilkiah the kohen found a Torah scroll of Adonai given by Moses. 15 Hilkiah responded by telling Shaphan the scribe, “I have found a scroll of the Torah in the House of Adonai.” Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan.
16 Then Shaphan brought the scroll to the king and moreover returned a report to the king, saying, “Your servants are doing everything that was committed to them. 17 They have melted down the silver that was found in the House of Adonai and handed it over to the overseers and into the hand of the workmen.” 18 Shaphan the scribe also said to the king, “Hilkiah the kohen has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
19 When the king heard the words of the Torah, he tore his clothes. 20 The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 21 “Go! Inquire of Adonai for me and for the remnant in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of Adonai that will be poured out upon us—because our fathers did not observe the word of Adonai to do according to all that is written in this scroll.”
Huldah the Prophetess
22 So Hilkiah, and those whom the king commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokahath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe—now she was living in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter—and spoke to her about this.
23 She said to them, “Thus says Adonai, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 “Thus says Adonai, ‘Behold, I am bringing disaster on this place and on its inhabitants—all the curses that are written in the book that they have read before the king of Judah. 25 For they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods in order to provoke Me with all the works of their hands. Therefore, My wrath will be poured out upon this place and it will not be quenched.’” 26 But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of Adonai, thus you will say to him, “Thus says Adonai the God of Israel, ‘Regarding the words which you have heard, 27 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against the inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes, and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ says Adonai. 28 ‘Behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be buried in your grave in shalom. Your eyes will not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and upon the inhabitants.’”
So they brought her word back to the king.
29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 The king went up to the House of Adonai with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the kohanim, the Levites, and all the people from the oldest to the youngest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that was found in the House of Adonai.
31 Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before Adonai—to follow Adonai and to observe His mitzvot, His regulations and His decrees with all his heart and with all his soul and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. 32 Moreover, he made all that were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin stand with him. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 Josiah removed all the abominations from the whole territory of Bnei-Yisrael and made all who were found in Israel to worship Adonai their God. All his days they did not turn away from following Adonai, the God of their fathers.
The First Resurrection
20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan—and bound him for a thousand years. [a] 3 He also threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things, he must be released for a short while.
4 Then I saw thrones, and people sat upon them—those to whom authority to judge was given.[b] And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Yeshua and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image, nor had they received his mark on their forehead or on their hand. And they came to life[c] and reigned with the Messiah for a thousand years.
5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 How fortunate and holy is the one who has a share in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no authority, but they shall be kohanim of God and the Messiah, and they shall reign with Him for a thousand years.
Judgment After 1000 Years
7 When the thousand years has ended, satan shall be released from his prison, 8 and he shall come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for the battle.[d] Their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the kedoshim and the beloved city—but fire fell from heaven and consumed them.[e]
10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are too, and they shall be tortured day and night forever and ever.
11 Then I saw a great white throne, and the One seated on it. The earth and heaven fled from His presence, but no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead—the great and the small—standing before the throne. The books were opened, and another book was opened—the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what was written in the books, according to their deeds. [f] 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Sheol gave up the dead in them. Then they were each judged, each one of them, according to their deeds.
14 Then death and Sheol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Warning to the Kohanim and Levites
2 “So now, kohanim, this commandment is for you.
2 If you will not listen,
and if you will not take to heart to give glory to My Name”
—says Adonai-Tzva’ot—
“then I will send the curse on you,
and I will curse your blessings.
Yes, indeed I have cursed them,
because you did not take it to heart.
3 Behold, I am rebuking the seed on account of you,
and will spread dung on your faces
—the dung of your festivals—
and take you away together with it.
4 Then you will know that I have sent this command to you,
to be My covenant with Levi,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
5 “My covenant was with him for life and shalom,
and I gave them to him for reverence.
So he revered Me, and he was awestruck by My Name.
6 Instruction of truth was in his mouth.
Injustice was not found on his lips.
In shalom and uprightness he walked with Me,
and he turned many from iniquity.
7 For a kohen’s lips should guard knowledge,
and instruction must be sought from his mouth.
For he is a messenger of Adonai-Tzva’ot.
8 But you have turned from the way.
You caused many to stumble in Torah by the instruction,
You corrupted the covenant of the Levites,”
—says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
9 “So I also have made you despised and lowly to all the people,
because you are not keeping My ways but show favoritism in Torah.”
10 Do we not all have one Father?
Has not one God created us?
Why do we deal treacherously
—a man against his brother—
defiling the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah has dealt treacherously,
an abomination done in Israel, even in Jerusalem!
For Judah has defiled Adonai’s Sanctuary,
which He loves,
and married the daughter of a foreign god.
12 Adonai will cut off the man who does this,
until he is cast from the tents of Jacob,
and from offering a gift to Adonai-Tzva’ot.
Covenant With Your Wife
13 Secondly, you do this:
Tears cover the altar of Adonai—
you are weeping and groaning
because He no longer accepts the offering
or receives it favorably from your hand.
14 Yet you say, “Why?”
Because Adonai bears witness
between you and the wife of your youth,
whom you have treated deceitfully.
Yet she had been your companion
and your wife by covenant.
15 Did the One not make her with a remnant of Ruach?
Then what is the One seeking?
Offspring of God!
So protect your spirit—
do not betray the wife of your youth.
16 “For I hate[a] divorce,”
—says Adonai the God of Israel—
“and the one who covers his garment with injustice,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
So protect your spirit—do not act treacherously.
17 You wearied Adonai with your words.
Yet you say: “How did we weary Him?”
When you say: “Everyone doing evil is good in the sight of Adonai, and He delights in them.” Or, “Where is the God of justice?”
Bound and Sentenced
19 Then Pilate took Yeshua and had Him scourged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. 3 They kept coming up to Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him over and over.
4 Pilate came out again. He said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him out to you, to let you know that I find no case against Him.” 5 So Yeshua came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. “Behold, the Man!” Pilate said to them.
6 When the ruling kohanim and officers saw Him, they yelled out, “Execute Him! Execute Him!”[a]
Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and execute Him! For I don’t find a case against Him.”
7 The Judean leaders answered him, “We have a law,[b] and according to the Torah He must die, because He claimed to be Ben-Elohim!”
8 When Pilate heard this word, he became even more fearful. 9 He went into the Praetorium again and said to Yeshua, “Where are You from?” But Yeshua gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, “You aren’t speaking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You, and I have the authority to crucify You?”
11 Yeshua answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it hadn’t been given to you from above. For this reason, the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
12 Pilate tried to let Him go after this; but the Judean leaders cried out, saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”
13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Yeshua out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic,[c] Gabbatha). 14 It was the Day of Preparation for Passover, about the sixth hour.[d] And Pilate said to the Judean leaders, “Behold, your king!”
15 They shouted back, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Execute Him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I execute your king?”
The ruling kohanim answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
16 Finally, Pilate handed Yeshua over to be crucified.
A Sacrificial Death
17 Then they took Yeshua. He went out, carrying His own crossbar, to the Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic[e] is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side and Yeshua in between.
19 Pilate also wrote a sign and put it on the execution stake. It was written, “YESHUA HA-NATZRATI, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20 Many Judeans read this sign, because the place where Yeshua was executed was near the city; it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
21 The ruling kohanim of the Judeans were saying to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’”
22 “What I have written, I have written,” Pilate answered.
23 So the soldiers, when they executed Yeshua, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part for each soldier. They took His tunic also, but it was seamless, woven top to bottom in one piece. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be.” This was so the Scripture would be fulfilled,
“They divided My garments among them,
and for My clothing they cast lots.”[f]
So the soldiers did these things.
25 Standing near the execution stake of Yeshua were His mother, His mother’s sister, Miriam the wife of Clopas, and Miriam from Magdala. 26 Yeshua saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby. He tells His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He tells the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that very hour, the disciple took her into his own home.
28 After this, when Yeshua knew that all things were now completed, to fulfill the Scripture He said, “I am thirsty.” [g] 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there, so they put a sponge soaked with the sour wine on a hyssop branch and brought it to His mouth. 30 When Yeshua tasted the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
31 It was the Day of Preparation, and the next day was a festival Shabbat. So that the bodies should not remain on the execution stake during Shabbat, the Judean leaders asked Pilate to have the legs broken and to have the bodies taken away.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then the other who had been executed with Yeshua. 33 Now when they came to Yeshua and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who has seen it has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, “Not a bone of His shall be broken.” [h] 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they have pierced.”[i]
Buried in a Rich Man’s Tomb
38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take Yeshua’s body away. Joseph was a disciple of Yeshua, but secretly for fear of the Judean leaders. Pilate gave permission, so Joseph came and took the body away. 39 Nicodemus, who had first visited Yeshua at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. [j] 40 Then they took the body of Yeshua and wrapped it in linen with the spices, as is the Jewish burial custom.
41 Now in the place where He was executed, there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb[k] where no one had yet been buried. 42 Because it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Yeshua there.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.