M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan

5 In that day Debbora and Barac son of Abinoem sung, and said:

² O you of Israel, that have willingly offered your lives to danger, bless the Lord.

³ Hear, O ye kings, give ear, ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord the God of Israel.

⁴ O Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, and passedst by the regions of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped water.

⁵ The mountains melted before the face of the Lord, and Sinai before the face of the Lord the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Samgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jahel the paths rested: and they that went by them, walked through by-ways.

⁷ The valiant men ceased, and rested in Israel: until Debbora arose, a mother arose in Israel.

⁸ The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overthrew the gates of the enemies: a shield and spear was not seen among forty thousand of Israel.

⁹ My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ Speak, you that ride upon fair asses, and you that sit in judgment, and walk in the way.

¹¹ Where the chariots were dashed together, and the army of the enemies was choked, there let the justices of the Lord be rehearsed, and his clemency towards the brave men of Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the gates, and obtained the sovereignty.

¹² Arise, arise, O Debbora, arise, arise, and utter a canticle. Arise, Barac, and take hold of thy captives, O son of Abinoem.

¹³ The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among the valiant ones.

¹⁴ Out of Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out of Benjamin into thy people, O Amalec: Out of Machir there came down princes, and out of Zabulon they that led the army to fight.

¹⁵ The captains of Issachar were with Debbora, and followed the steps of Barac, who exposed himself to danger, as one going headlong, and into a pit. Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

¹⁶ Why dwellest thou between two borders, that thou mayest hear the bleatings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

¹⁷ Galaad rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan applied himself to ships: Aser dwelt on the sea shore, and abode in the havens.

¹⁸ But Zabulon and Nephtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merome.

¹⁹ The kings came and fought, the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanach by the waters of Mageddo, and yet they took no spoils.

²⁰ War from heaven was made against them, the stars remaining in their order and courses fought against Sisara.

²¹ The torrent of Cison dragged their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cisoii: tread thou, my soul, upon the strong ones.

²² The hoofs of the horses were broken whilst the stoutest of the enemies fled amain, and fell headlong down.

²³ Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord: curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to help his most valiant men.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jahel the wife of Haber the Cinite, and blessed be she in her tent.

²⁵ He asked her water and she gave him milk, and offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.

²⁶ She put her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman's hammer, and she struck Sisara, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and strongly piercing through his temples.

²⁷ At her feet he fell: he fainted, and he died: he rolled before her feet, and he lay lifeless and wretched.

²⁸ His mother looked out at a window, and howled: and she spoke from the dining room: Why is his chariot so long in coming back? Why are the feet of his horses so slow?

²⁹ One that was wiser than the rest of his wives, returned this answer to her mother in law:

³⁰ Perhaps he is now dividing the spoils, and the fairest of the women is chosen out for him: garments of divers colours are given to Sisara for his prey, and furniture of different kinds is heaped together to adorn the necks.

³¹ So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love thee shine, as the sun shineth in his rising.

³² And the land rested for forty years.

9 And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

² And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³ And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.

⁴ And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

⁵ Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

⁶ And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

⁷ And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man.

⁸ And Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus.

⁹ And he was there three days, without sight, and he did neither eat nor drink.

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord.

¹¹ And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street that is called Stait, and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth.

¹² (And he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.)

¹³ But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem.

¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name.

¹⁵ And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

¹⁶ For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest; that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

¹⁸ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized.

¹⁹ And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.

²⁰ And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

²¹ And all that heard him, were astonished, and said: Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon this name: and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?

²² But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ.

²³ And when many days were passed, the Jews consulted together to kill him.

²⁴ But their laying in wait was made known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night, that they might kill him.

²⁵ But the disciples taking him in the night, conveyed him away by the wall, letting him down in a basket.

²⁶ And when he was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples; and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

²⁷ But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him; and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus.

²⁸ And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem, and dealing confidently in the name of the Lord.

²⁹ He spoke also to the Gentiles, and disputed with the Greeks; but they sought to kill him.

³⁰ Which when the brethren had known, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

³¹ Now the church had peace throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost.

³² And it came to pass that Peter, as he passed through, visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.

³³ And he found there a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed for eight years, who was ill of the palsy.

³⁴ And Peter said to him: Eneas, the Lord Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And immediately he arose.

³⁵ And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, saw him: who were converted to the Lord.

³⁶ And in Joppe there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

³⁷ And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

³⁸ And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not be slack to come unto them.

³⁹ And Peter rising up, went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood about him weeping, and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made them.

⁴⁰ And they all being put forth, Peter kneeling down prayed, and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up.

⁴¹ And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.

⁴² And it was made known throughout all Joppe; and many believed in the Lord.

⁴³ And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppe, with one Simon a tanner.

18 The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying:

² Arise, and go down into the potter's house, and there thou shalt hear my words.

³ And I went down into the potter's house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel.

⁴ And the vessel was broken which he was making of clay with his hands: and turning he made another vessel, as it seemed good in his eyes to make it.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

⁶ Cannot I do with you, as this potter, O house of Israel, saith the Lord? behold as clay is in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

⁷ I will suddenly speak against a nation, and against a kingdom, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy it.

⁸ If that nation against which I have spoken, shall repent of their evil, I also will repent of the evil that I have thought to do to them.

⁹ And I will suddenly speak of a nation and of a kingdom, to build up and plant it.

¹⁰ If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice: I will repent of the good that I have spoken to do unto it.

¹¹ Now therefore tell the men of Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: let every man of you return from his evil way, and make ye your ways and your doings good.

¹² And they said: We have no hopes: for we will go after our own thoughts, and we will do every one according to the perverseness of his evil heart.

¹³ Therefore thus saith the Lord: Ask among the nations: Who hath heard such horrible things, as the virgin of Israel hath done to excess?

¹⁴ Shall the snow of Libanus fail from the rock of the field? or can the cold waters that gush out and run down, be taken away?

¹⁵ Because my people have forgotten me, sacrificing in vain, and stumbling in their ways, in ancient paths, to walk by them in a way not trodden:

¹⁶ That their land might be given up to desolation, and to a perpetual hissing: every one that shall pass by it, shall be astonished, and wag his head.

¹⁷ As a burning will I scatter them before the enemy: I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their destruction.

¹⁸ And they said: Come, and let us invent devices against Jeremias: for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet: come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us give no heed to all his words.

¹⁹ Give heed to me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my adversaries.

²⁰ Shall evil be rendered for good, because they have digged a pit for my soul? Remember that I have stood in thy sight, so speak good for them, and turn away thy indignation from them.

²¹ Therefore deliver up their children to famine, and bring them into the hands of the sword: let their wives be bereaved of children and widows: and let their husbands be slain by death: let their young men be stabbed with the sword in battle.

²² Let a cry be heard out of their houses: for thou shalt bring the robber upon them suddenly: because they have digged a pit to take me, and have hid snares for my feet.

²³ But thou, O Lord, knowest all their counsel against me unto death: forgive not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from thy sight: let them be overthrown before thy eyes, in the time of thy wrath do thou destroy them.

4 And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side.

² And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine:

³ Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow.

⁴ And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up.

⁵ And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

⁶ And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

⁸ And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

⁹ And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁰ And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable.

¹¹ And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parables:

¹² That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

¹³ And he saith to them: Are you ignorant of this parable? and how shall you know all parables?

¹⁴ He that soweth, soweth the word.

¹⁵ And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown, and as soon as they have heard, immediately Satan cometh and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶ And these likewise are they that are sown on the stony ground: who when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.

¹⁷ And they have no root in themselves, but are only for a time: and then when tribulation and persecution ariseth for the word they are presently scandalized.

¹⁸ And others there are who are sown among thorns: these are they that hear the word,

¹⁹ And the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless.

²⁰ And these are they who are sown upon the good ground, who hear the word, and receive it, and yield fruit, the one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred.

²¹ And he said to them: Doth a candle come in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

²² For there is nothing hid, which shall not be made manifest: neither was it made secret, but that it may come abroad.

²³ If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

²⁴ And he said to them: Take heed what you hear. In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.

²⁵ For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, that also which he hath shall be taken away from him.

²⁶ And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth,

²⁷ And should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up whilst he knoweth not.

²⁸ For the earth of itself bringeth forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.

²⁹ And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

³⁰ And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?

³¹ It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth:

³² And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof.

³³ And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as they were able to hear.

³⁴ And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.

³⁵ And he saith to them that day, when evening was come: Let us pass over to the other side.

³⁶ And sending away the multitude, they take him even as he was in the ship: and there were other ships with him.

³⁷ And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled.

³⁸ And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him: Master, doth it not concern thee that we perish?

³⁹ And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased: and there was made a great calm.

⁴⁰ And he said to them: Why are you fearful? have you not faith yet? And they feared exceedingly: and they said one to another: Who is this (thinkest thou) that both wind and sea obey him?