M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon(A)
10 When the queen of Sheba heard ·about [the reports about; or the fame of] Solomon ·because of [L for; to] the ·reputation [name] of the Lord, she came to test him with ·hard questions [riddles]. 2 She traveled to Jerusalem with a ·large group of servants [caravan; retinue] and camels carrying spices, ·jewels [precious stones], and ·much [immense quantities of] gold. When she came to Solomon, she talked with him about all she had in ·mind [L her heart], 3 and Solomon answered all her questions. Nothing was ·too hard for [hidden from; too obscure for] him to explain to her. 4 The queen of Sheba ·learned [perceived; observed; realized] that Solomon was very wise. She saw the ·palace [L house] he had built, 5 the food on his table, the ·accommodations [seating; organization] of his many ·officers [officials; servants], the ·palace [attending of his] servants, and their ·good clothes [robes]. She saw ·the servants who served him at feasts [his cupbearers] and the whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] he made in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. All these things ·amazed [overwhelmed; L took the spirit from] her.
6 So she said to King Solomon, “What I heard in my own country about your ·achievements [or words] and wisdom is true. 7 I could not believe it then, but now I have come and seen it with my own eyes. I was not told even half of it! Your wisdom and wealth are much greater than I had heard. 8 Your ·men and officers [or wives and servants] are very ·lucky [blessed; happy], because in always ·serving [standing before] you, they ·are able to hear [listen to] your wisdom. 9 ·Praise [Blessed be] the Lord your God, who ·was pleased to make you king [delighted in you and set you on the throne] of Israel. The Lord has ·constant [eternal; everlasting] love for Israel, so he made you king to ·keep [maintain; execute; administer] justice and ·to rule fairly [righteousness].”
10 Then she gave the king ·about nine thousand pounds [L one hundred and twenty talents] of gold and many spices and ·jewels [precious stones]. No one since that time has brought more spices than the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
11 (Moreover, Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir, as well as much ·juniper wood [almug; red sandalwood] and ·jewels [precious stones]. 12 Solomon used the ·juniper wood [almug; red sandalwood] to build supports for the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord and the ·palace [L king’s house], and to make harps and lyres for the ·musicians [singers]. Such fine ·juniper wood [almug; red sandalwood] has not been brought in or been seen since that time.)
13 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she wanted and asked for, in addition to what he had already given her ·of his wealth [according to his royal bounty; or out of his royal treasury]. Then she and her ·servants [attendants; retinue] returned to her own country.
Solomon’s Wealth(B)
14 ·Every [or In one] year King Solomon received ·about fifty thousand pounds [L 666 talents] of gold. 15 Besides that, he also received gold from the traders and merchants, as well as from the kings of Arabia and governors of the ·land [territories; provinces].
16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of ·hammered [beaten] gold, each of which contained ·about seven and one-half pounds [L six hundred shekels] of gold. 17 He also made three hundred smaller shields of ·hammered [beaten] gold, each of which contained ·about four pounds [L three minas] of gold. The king put them in the ·Palace [L House] of the Forest of Lebanon.
18 The king built a large throne ·of [decorated with] ivory and covered it with fine gold. 19 The throne had six steps on it, and its back was round at the top. There were armrests on both sides of the chair, and each armrest had a lion beside it. 20 Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any other kingdom. 21 All of Solomon’s drinking ·cups [goblets; vessels], as well as the ·dishes [utensils; vessels] in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, were made of pure gold. Nothing was made from silver, because silver was ·not valuable [considered worthless/nothing] in Solomon’s time.
22 King Solomon also had ·many trading ships [L a fleet of ships of Tarshish] at sea, along with Hiram’s ships. Every three years the ·ships [L fleet of Tarshish] returned, bringing back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and ·baboons [or peacocks].
23 So Solomon had more riches and wisdom than all the other kings on earth. 24 ·People everywhere wanted [The whole earth sought] to see King Solomon and listen to the wisdom God had ·given him [L put into his heart/mind]. 25 Every ·year [or one of] those who came brought gifts of silver and gold, ·clothes [robes; garments], weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
26 Solomon had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand ·horses [or horsemen; charioteers]. He ·kept [stationed] some in special cities for the chariots, and others he kept with him in Jerusalem. 27 In Jerusalem Solomon made silver as common as stones and cedar trees as ·common [plentiful] as the ·fig [sycamore] trees on the ·western hills [or lowlands]. 28 He imported horses from Egypt and ·Kue [Cilicia]. His traders bought them in Kue. 29 A chariot from Egypt cost ·about fifteen pounds [L six hundred shekels] of silver, and a horse cost ·nearly four pounds [L 150 pieces] of silver. Solomon’s traders also ·sold [exported] horses and chariots to all the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans.
1 From Paul and Timothy [2:19–24; Acts 16:1–5; 1 Cor. 16:10–11; 1 and 2 Timothy], ·servants [slaves; bondservants] of Christ Jesus.
To all of ·God’s holy people [T the saints] in Christ Jesus who live in Philippi [C a city located in Macedonia, present-day northern Greece; Acts 16], including your ·overseers [T bishops; C perhaps the same as elders] and ·deacons [servants; ministers]:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you. 5 I thank God for ·the help you gave me [L your partnership/participation] in ·spreading the Good News [L the Good News/Gospel] from the first day you believed until now. 6 God began doing a good work in you, and I am ·sure [confident; persuaded] he will continue it until it is ·finished [completed; perfected] ·when Jesus Christ comes again [L on the day of Christ Jesus; C the final day of judgment and reward].
7 And I know that I am right to think like this about all of you, because ·I have you in my [or you have me in your] heart. All of you ·share [are partners/co-sharers] in God’s grace with me while I am in ·prison [chains; C Paul is probably writing from house arrest in Rome, about ad 60; see Acts 28:30–31] and while I am defending and ·proving the truth of [confirming] the ·Good News [Gospel]. 8 [L For] God ·knows [L is my witness] that I ·want [long] to see you very much, because I love all of you with the ·love [affection] of Christ Jesus.
9 This is my prayer for you: that your love will ·grow [increase; abound] more and more; that you will have knowledge and ·understanding [insight; discernment] with your love; 10 that you will ·see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good [L discern/test and prove what is best]; that you will be pure and ·without wrong [blameless] ·for the coming [in the day; v. 6] of Christ; 11 that you will be filled with the ·good things produced in your life by Christ [L fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ] to bring glory and praise to God.
Paul’s Troubles Help the Work
12 I want you brothers and sisters to know that what has happened to me has helped to ·spread [advance] the ·Good News [Gospel]. 13 All the ·palace guards [imperial guard; L praetorium; C Caesar’s elite troops] and everyone else knows that I am in ·prison [chains] ·because I am a believer in [or for the cause of] Christ. 14 Because I am in prison, most of the ·believers [L brothers (and sisters)] have become more ·bold [confident] in the Lord and ·are not afraid [L dare without fear] to speak the word of God.
15 It is true that some preach about Christ because of ·jealousy [envy] and ·ambition [rivalry], but others preach about Christ because ·they want to help [of good will/intentions]. 16 They preach because they have love, and they know that ·God gave me the work of [I have been appointed for; or I have been put here (in prison) for] defending the ·Good News [Gospel]. 17 But the others preach about Christ for ·selfish [selfish ambition; or rivalry] and ·wrong reasons [not sincerely], wanting to make trouble for me in ·prison [my chains].
18 ·But it doesn’t matter [What difference does it make? or What is the result? L For what?]. The important thing is that in every way, whether ·for right or wrong reasons [from false motives or true], they are preaching about Christ. So ·I am happy [L in this I rejoice], ·and [indeed] I will continue to ·be happy [rejoice]. 19 Because I know ·this trouble [L this] will ·bring my [result in] ·freedom [deliverance; or salvation], through your prayers and the ·help of [support from] the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 I expect and hope that I will not ·fail Christ in [L be ashamed about] anything but that I will have the ·courage [boldness] now, as always, ·to show the greatness of Christ [or so that Christ will be exalted] in my ·life here on earth [L body], whether I live or die. 21 [L For] To me ·the only important thing about living [L to live] is Christ, and ·dying would be profit for me [L to die is gain/profit]. 22 If I continue living in my ·body [flesh], ·I will be able to work for the Lord [L this is productive/fruitful work for me]. I do not know what to choose—living or dying. 23 ·It is hard to choose [I am torn/hard pressed] between the two. I ·want [desire; long] to leave this life and be with Christ, which is much better, 24 but ·you need me here [or it is better for you that I remain] in ·my body [the flesh]. 25 Since I am sure of this, I know I will stay with you ·to help you grow and have [L for your progress/success and] joy in your faith. 26 [L …so that] ·You will be very happy [or Because of me, your confidence/pride will increase; L Your boasting in me will abound] in Christ Jesus when I am with you again.
27 ·Only one thing concerns me [or Whatever happens; L Only]: Be sure that you ·live [conduct yourselves; live as citizens] in a way that ·brings honor to [is worthy of] the ·Good News [Gospel] of Christ. ·Then [L …so that] whether I come and ·visit [see] you or am away from you, I will hear that you are standing strong ·with one purpose [with one spirit; or in the one Spirit], that you work together ·as one [with one mind/soul] for the faith ·of [or that is; or in] the ·Good News [Gospel], 28 and that you are not ·frightened [intimidated] in any way by ·those who are against you [your opponents]. All of this is ·proof [evidence; a sign] that ·your enemies [they] will be destroyed but that you will be saved. And ·this salvation [or this proof/evidence/sign; L this] is from God. 29 ·God gave you the honor [L For it has been granted/given to you] not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for him. 30 You yourselves are having the same kind of struggles that you saw ·I had when I was with you [L in me], and ·you hear that I am still having now [L now hear in me].
The New Temple
40 It was the twenty-fifth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month [C April 19, 573 bc]. It was in the fourteenth year after ·Jerusalem was captured [L the city was struck down]. On that same day ·I felt the power of the Lord [L the hand of the Lord was upon me], and he brought me to Jerusalem. 2 In the visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel and put me down on a very high mountain. On the south of the mountain there were some buildings that looked like a city. 3 He took me closer to the buildings, and ·I saw [L look; T behold] a man ·who looked as if he were made of [whose appearance was like] bronze, standing in the gateway. He had a cord made of linen and a stick in his hand, both for measuring. 4 The man said to me, “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], look with your eyes and hear with your ears. ·Pay attention to [L Set your heart upon] all that I will show you, because that’s why you have been brought here. Tell the ·people [L house] of Israel all that you see.”
The East Gateway
5 ·I saw [L And look/T behold] a wall that surrounded the ·Temple area [L house]. The measuring ·stick [rod] in the man’s hand was ·ten and one-half feet long [L six long cubits, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; C a regular cubit was eighteen inches long; this long cubit was about twenty-one inches long]. So the man measured the wall, which was ·ten and one-half feet [L six long cubits] thick and ·ten and one-half feet [L one rod/stick] high.
6 Then the man went to the east gateway. He went up its steps and measured the opening of the gateway. It was ·ten and one-half feet [L one rod/stick; v. 5] deep. 7 The ·rooms for the guards [alcoves] were ·ten and one-half feet [L one rod/stick] long and ·ten and one-half feet [L one rod/stick] wide. ·The walls that came out between the guards’ rooms [L Between the alcoves] were ·about nine feet [L five cubits; v. 5] thick. The ·opening [threshold] of the gateway next to the ·porch [portico] that faced the Temple was ·ten and one-half feet [L one rod/stick] deep.
8 Then the man measured the porch of the gateway. 9 It was ·about fourteen feet [L eight cubits] deep, and its ·side walls [or jambs] were ·three and one-half feet [L two cubits] thick. The ·porch [portico] of the gateway faced the Temple.
10 On each side of the east gateway were three ·rooms [alcoves], which ·measured the same on each side [had the same measurement]. The ·walls between each room [dividing walls; or jambs] ·were the same thickness [or had the same measurement]. 11 The man measured the width of the entrance to the gateway, which was ·seventeen and one-half feet [L ten cubits; v. 5] wide. The ·width [or length] of the gate was ·about twenty-three feet [L thirteen cubits]. 12 And there was a low ·wall [barrier] ·about twenty-one inches [L one cubit] high in front of each ·room [alcove]. The ·rooms [alcoves] were ·ten and one-half feet [L six cubits] on each side. 13 The man measured the gateway from the roof of one ·room [alcove] to the roof of the opposite one. It was ·about forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] from one door to the opposite door. 14 The man also measured the ·porch [or jambs], which was ·about thirty-five feet [L twenty cubits] wide. The courtyard was around the ·porch [or jamb; C the meaning of this verse is uncertain]. 15 From the front of the ·outer side of the [entrance] gateway to the front of the porch of the ·inner side of the [inner] gateway was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits]. 16 The ·rooms [alcoves] and porch had small windows on both sides. The windows were narrower on the side facing the gateway. Carvings of palm trees were on each side wall of the rooms.
The Outer Courtyard
17 Then the man brought me into the outer courtyard ·where I saw [L and look/T behold] rooms and a pavement of stones all around the court. Thirty rooms ·were along the edge of [faced] the paved walkway. 18 The pavement ran alongside the gates and was as deep as the gates were wide. This was the lower pavement. 19 Then the man measured from the ·outer wall [front of the lower gate] to the ·inner wall [L exterior face of the inner court]. The outer court between these two walls was ·one hundred seventy-five feet [L one hundred cubits] on the east and on the north.
The North Gateway
20 The man measured the length and width of the north gateway leading to the outer courtyard. 21 Its three ·rooms [alcoves] on each side, its ·inner walls [or jambs], and its ·porch [portico] measured the same as the first gateway. It was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits] long and ·forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] wide. 22 Its windows, ·porch [portico], and carvings of palm trees measured the same as the east gateway. Seven steps went up to the gateway, and the gateway’s ·porch [portico] was at the inner end. 23 The inner courtyard had a gateway across from the northern gateway like the one on the east. The man measured it and found it was ·one hundred seventy-five feet [L one hundred cubits] from inner gateway to outer gateway.
The South Gateway
24 Then the man led me south ·where I saw [L and look/T behold] a gateway facing south. He measured its ·inner walls [or jambs] and its ·porch [portico], and they measured the same as the other gateways. 25 The gateway and its porch had windows all around like the other gateways. It was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits] long and ·forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] wide. 26 Seven steps went up to this gateway. Its porch was at the inner end, and it had carvings of palm trees on its inner walls. 27 The inner courtyard had a gateway on its south side. The man measured from gate to gate on the south side, which was ·one hundred seventy-five feet [L one hundred cubits].
The Inner Courtyard
28 Then the man brought me through the south gateway into the inner courtyard. The inner south gateway measured the same as the gateways in the outer wall. 29 The inner south gateway’s ·rooms [alcoves], ·inner walls [or jambs], and ·porch [portico] measured the same as the gateways in the outer wall. There were windows all around the gateway and its porch. The gateway was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits] long and ·forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] wide. 30 Each porch of each inner gateway was ·about forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] long and ·about nine feet [L five cubits] wide. 31 The inner south gateway’s ·porch [portico] faced the outer courtyard. Carvings of palm trees were on its ·side walls [or jambs], and its stairway had eight steps.
32 The man brought me into the inner courtyard on the east side. He measured the inner east gateway, and it was the same as the other gateways. 33 The inner east gateway’s ·rooms [alcoves], ·inside walls [or jambs], and ·porch [portico] measured the same as the other gateways. Windows were all around the gateway and its ·porch [portico]. The inner east gateway was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits] long and ·forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] wide. 34 Its porch faced the outer courtyard. Carvings of palm trees were on its ·inner walls [or jambs] on each side, and its stairway had eight steps.
35 Then the man brought me to the inner north gateway. He measured it, and it was the same as the other gateways. 36 Its ·rooms [alcoves], ·inside walls [or jambs], and ·porch [portico] measured the same as the other gateways. There were windows all around the gateway, which was ·eighty-seven and one-half feet [L fifty cubits] long and ·forty-four feet [L twenty-five cubits] wide. 37 Its ·porch [portico] faced the outer courtyard. Carvings of palm trees were on its inner walls on each side, and its stairway had eight steps.
Rooms for Preparing Sacrifices
38 There was a room with a door that opened onto the ·porch [portico] of the inner north gateway. ·In this room the priests washed animals for the burnt offerings [L …where the burnt offering was washed; Lev. 1:1–17]. 39 There were two tables on each side of the ·porch [portico], on which animals for burnt offerings, ·sin [or purification] offerings [Lev. 4:3], and ·penalty [guilt; reparation] offerings [Lev. 5:14—6:7] were killed. 40 Outside, by each side wall of the ·porch [portico], at the entrance to the north gateway, were two more tables. 41 So there were four tables inside the gateway, and four tables outside. In all there were eight tables on which ·the priests killed animals for sacrifices [L to slaughter]. 42 There were four tables made of cut stone for the burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17]. These tables were ·about three feet [L a cubit and a half] long, ·three feet [L a cubit and a half] wide, and ·about two feet [L a cubit] high. On these tables the priests put their tools which they used to kill animals for burnt offerings and the other sacrifices. 43 Double shelves[a] ·three inches [L one handbreadth] wide were put up on all the walls. The flesh for the offering was put on the tables.
The Priests’ Rooms
44 There were two rooms in the inner courtyard. One was beside the north gateway and faced south. The other room was beside the south gateway and faced north. 45 The man said to me, “The room which faces south is for the priests who ·serve in [or guard; or have charge of] the Temple area, 46 while the room that faces north is for the priests who ·serve at [or guard; or have charge of] the altar. This second group of priests are descendants of Zadok, the only descendants of Levi who can come near the Lord to ·serve [minister to] him.”
47 The man measured the inner courtyard. It was a square—·one hundred seventy-five feet [L one hundred cubits] long and ·one hundred seventy-five feet [L one hundred cubits] wide. The altar was in front of the Temple.
The Temple Porch
48 The man brought me to the ·porch [portico] of the Temple and measured each ·side wall [or jamb] of the ·porch [portico]. Each was ·about nine feet [L five cubits] thick. The doorway was ·twenty-four and one-half feet [L fourteen cubits] wide. The side walls of the doorway were each ·about five feet [L three cubits] wide. 49 The ·porch [portico] was ·thirty-five feet [L twenty cubits] long and ·twenty-one feet [L twelve cubits] wide, with ten steps leading up to it. Pillars were by the ·side walls [or jambs], one on each side of the entrance.
Safe in the Lord
91 Those who ·go to God Most High for safety [L dwell/sit in the shelter of God Most High]
will ·be protected by [lodge in the shade/shadow of] the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “You are my ·place of safety [refuge] and ·protection [fortress].
You are my God and I ·trust [have confidence in] you.”
3 God will ·save [protect] you from ·hidden traps [L the snare of the fowler]
and from deadly ·diseases [pestilence].
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you ·can hide [will find refuge; Deut. 32:11; Is. 31:5; Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34].
His ·truth [faithfulness] will be your shield and ·protection [buckler; C a small shield].
5 You will not fear any ·danger by [terror at] night
or an arrow that flies during the day.
6 ·You will not be afraid of diseases [L …or the pestilence] that ·come [walks; stalks] in the dark
or ·sickness [L stings] that ·strikes [devastates; overpowers] at noon.
7 At your side one thousand people may ·die [L fall],
or even ten thousand ·right beside you [L at your right hand],
but ·you will not be hurt [L it will not touch you].
8 You will only ·watch [L look with your eyes]
and see the wicked ·punished [recompensed].
9 ·The Lord is your protection [L For you, Lord, are my refuge];
you have made God Most High your ·place of safety [dwelling place].
10 Nothing ·bad [evil; harmful] will ·happen to [befall] you;
no ·disaster [blow; or plague] will ·come to [approach] your ·home [L tent].
11 He has ·put his angels in charge of [L commanded his angels/messengers concerning] you
to ·watch over [keep; guard] ·you wherever you go [L all your ways].
12 They will ·catch you [lift you up] in their hands
so that you will not hit your foot on a rock [Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:10–11].
13 You will ·walk [tread] on lions and cobras;
you will ·step on [trample] strong lions and snakes.
14 The Lord says, “Whoever ·loves [desires] me, I will ·save [rescue].
I will ·protect [lift to safety] those who know ·me [L my name].
15 They will call to me, and I will answer them.
I will be with them in ·trouble [distress];
I will rescue them and ·honor [glorify] them.
16 I will ·give them a long, full life [L satisfy them with length of days],
and ·they will see how I can save [L show them my salvation/victory].”
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