M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Micah’s Descent into Idolatry
17 A man named Micah lived in the mountainous region[a] of the territory of[b] Ephraim. 2 He told his mother, “Do you remember[c] those 1,100 silver coins that were stolen from you and about which you uttered a curse when I could hear it? Well, I have the silver. I took it.”
So she replied, “May my son be blessed by the Lord.”
3 Her son gave back the 1,100 silver coins to his mother, and she said, “I’m totally giving this silver—from my hand to the Lord—so my son can make a carved image and a cast image. So I’m returning it to you.”
4 When he had returned the silver to his mother, his mother took 200 of the silver coins and handed them over to a silversmith. He crafted them into a carved image and into a cast image, and they were set up[d] in Micah’s house. 5 This man Micah had his own shrine,[e] had crafted his own ephod and some household idols,[f] and had installed one of his sons as a priest.
6 Back in those days, Israel didn’t yet have a king, so each person did whatever seemed right in his own opinion.
7 A young male descendant of Levi happened to be visiting there from Bethlehem in the territory of[g] Judah. 8 The man had left his city Bethlehem in Judah to live wherever he could. As he traveled along, he eventually arrived at Micah’s house in the mountainous region[h] of Ephraim, looking for work.
9 Micah asked him, “Where did you come from?”
He replied, “I’m a descendant of Levi from Bethlehem in Judah, and I’m going to stay temporarily wherever I can find a place.”[i]
10 So Micah replied, “Come live with me! You can be a spiritual father[j] to me, as well as a priest. I’ll pay you ten silver coins a year, plus a priestly uniform[k] and an income.” So the descendant of Levi moved in. 11 The descendant of Levi agreed to live with the man, and the young man became like one of the family.[l] 12 Micah set up the descendant of Levi in ministry, and the young man became his priest while he lived in Micah’s house. 13 As for Micah, he kept saying, “Now I know the Lord will make me rich, because I have a descendant of Levi for a priest!”
Paul in Tyre
21 When we had torn ourselves away from those brothers,[a] we sailed straight to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.[b] 2 There we found a ship going across to Phoenicia, so we went aboard and sailed on. 3 We came in sight of Cyprus, and leaving it on our left, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre because the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 So we located some disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem, 5 but when our time there came to an end, we left and proceeded on our journey. All of them accompanied us with their wives and children out of the city. We knelt on the beach, prayed, 6 and said goodbye to each other. Then we reboarded the ship, and they went back home.
Paul in Caesarea
7 When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, greeted the brothers there, and stayed with them for one day. 8 The next day, we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who could prophesy. 10 After we had been there for a number of days, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, and tied his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘This is how the Jewish leaders[c] in Jerusalem will tie up the man who owns this belt. Then they will hand him over to the gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people who lived there begged Paul[d] not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 At this Paul replied, “What do you mean by crying and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!”
14 When he could not be persuaded otherwise, we remained silent except to say, “May the Lord’s will be done.”
Paul in Jerusalem
15 When our time there ended,[e] we got ready to go up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us. They took us to the home of Mnason to be his guests. He was from Cyprus and had been[f] an early disciple. 17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers there welcomed us warmly.
18 The next day, Paul went with us to visit James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, Paul[g] related one by one the things that God had done among the gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard about it, they praised God and told him, “You see, brother, how many tens of thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and all of them are zealous for the Law. 21 But they have been told about you—that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. 22 What is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 So do what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow. 24 Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay their expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you are carefully observing and keeping the Law. 25 As for the gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our decision that they should keep away from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood,[h] from anything strangled,[i] and from sexual immorality.”
Paul is Arrested in the Temple
26 Then Paul took those men and the next day purified himself with them. Then he went into the Temple to announce the time when their days of purification would end and when the sacrifice would be offered for each of them. 27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul[j] in the Temple, stirred up a large crowd. They grabbed Paul,[k] 28 yelling, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere to turn against our people, the Law, and this place. More than that, he has even brought Greeks into the Temple and desecrated this Holy Place.” 29 For they had earlier seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had taken him into the Temple. 30 The whole city was in chaos. The people rushed together, grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the Temple, and at once the doors were sealed shut.
31 The crowd[l] was trying to kill Paul[m] when a report reached the tribune of the cohort[n] that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Immediately the tribune[o] took some soldiers and officers and ran down to the crowd.[p] When the people[q] saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul,[r] and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul[s] was and what he had done. 34 Some of the crowd shouted this and some that. Since the tribune[t] couldn’t learn the facts due to the confusion, he ordered Paul[u] to be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul[v] got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because the mob had become so violent. 36 The crowd of people kept following him and shouting, “Kill him!”
Paul Speaks in His Own Defense
37 Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, “May I say something to you?”
The tribune[w] asked, “Oh, do you speak Greek? 38 You’re not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?”
39 Paul replied, “I’m a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people.” 40 The tribune[x] gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:
A Message of Consolation
30 This message came from the Lord to Jeremiah: 2 “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘Write all the words that I’ve spoken to you in a book. 3 Indeed, the time[a] will come,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I’ll restore the security of my people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘I’ll bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors, and they’ll possess it.’”
4 These are the words that the Lord spoke about Israel and Judah:
5 “Indeed, this is what the Lord says:
‘We have heard a sound of terror
and of fear, and there is no peace.
6 Ask about this and think about it—
Can a man give birth to a child?
Why then do I see every strong man
with his hands on his thighs
like a woman giving birth,
and all their faces have turned pale?
7 Oh how terrible! That time[b] will be worse
than any like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
but he will be rescued from it.
8 On that day,’ declares the Lord
of the Heavenly Armies,
‘I’ll break the yoke[c] from your neck
and will tear off your restraints.[d]
Foreigners will no longer make you[e] serve them.[f]
9 Rather, they will serve the Lord their God
and David their king,
whom I will raise up for them.
10 ‘My servant Jacob, don’t be afraid,’ declares the Lord,
‘and Israel, don’t be dismayed.
For I’ll deliver you from a distant place
and your descendants from the land of their captivity.
Jacob will return. He will be undisturbed and secure,
and no one will cause him to fear.
11 For I’ll be with you to save you,’
declares the Lord.
‘For I’ll put an end to all the nations
where I scattered you;
but I won’t make an end of you.
I’ll discipline you justly,
but I certainly won’t leave you unpunished.’
The Healing of Zion’s Wounds
12 “For this is what the Lord says:
‘Your injury won’t heal;
your wound is severe.
13 There is no one to plead your cause.
There is no medicine for your sore;[g]
no healing for you.
14 All your lovers have forgotten you;
they don’t seek you.
Indeed, I’ve struck you down
with the blow of an enemy,
with the punishment of a cruel foe[h]
because your wickedness is great,
and your sins are numerous.
15 Why do you cry out because of your injury?
Your wound won’t heal.
Because your wickedness is severe,
and your sins are numerous,
I’ve done all these things to you.
16 In addition, all who devour you will be devoured,
and all your oppressors—all of them—
will go into captivity.
Those who plunder you will become plunder,
and all who spoil you will become spoil.
17 Indeed, I’ll bring you healing,
and I’ll heal you of your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because they have called you an outcast
and have said,[i] “It is Zion, no one cares for her!”’”[j]
Jacob’s Restoration
18 “This is what the Lord says:
‘I’m going to restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob
and have compassion on his dwellings.
A city will be rebuilt on its ruins
and a palace[k] will sit on its rightful place.
19 Thanksgiving and the sounds of laughter
will come out of them.
I’ll cause them to increase in numbers and not decrease.
I’ll honor them and not make them insignificant.
20 Their[l] children will be as they were before,
and their congregation will be established before me.
I’ll punish all who oppress them.
21 Their leader will be one of their own,[m]
and their ruler will come from among them.
I’ll bring him near, and he will approach me,
for who would otherwise dare to approach me?’
declares the Lord.
22 ‘You will be my people,
and I’ll be your God.’”
The Coming Judgment
23 Look, the storm of the Lord!
His[n] wrath has gone forth, a twisting storm.
It will swirl around the head of the wicked.
24 The fierce anger of the Lord won’t turn back
until he has accomplished and established the plan of his heart.
In the days to come, you will understand this.
31 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I’ll be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
The Lord Promises Restoration
2 This is what the Lord says:
“The people who survived the sword,
found favor in the desert
while Israel was seeking rest.[o]
3 The Lord appeared to Israel[p] from far away and said,[q]
“I’ve loved you with an everlasting love,
therefore I’ve drawn you with gracious love.
4 I’ll again build you, and you will be rebuilt,
Virgin Israel!
You will again take up your tambourines
and go out to dance with those who are filled with joy.
5 You will again plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria
where planters had planted and defiled the fruit.[r]
6 For there will be a day when the watchmen
will call out on the hills of Ephraim,
‘Arise, let’s go up to Zion to the Lord our God.’”
The Blessings of Returning from Exile
7 For this is what the Lord says:
“Cry out with joy for Jacob
and shout for the chief among the nations.
Announce, give praise, and say,
‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
8 Look, I’m bringing them from the northern region,[s]
and I’ll gather them from the farthest parts of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame,
together with the pregnant woman
and the woman in labor.
A large group will return here.
9 They’ll come crying,
and I’ll lead them as they pray for mercy.[t]
I’ll make them walk by streams of water,
along a straight path on which they won’t stumble.
For I am Israel’s father,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.”
10 Nations, listen to this message from the Lord,
and declare it in the distant coastlands.
Say, “The one who scattered Israel will gather him
and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.”
11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
and redeem him from the hand of one stronger than he.
12 They’ll come and cry out with joy
on the heights of Zion.
They’ll be radiant over the Lord’s goodness,
over the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil,
and over the young of the flocks and herds.
Their lives will be like a well-watered garden.
They’ll never again grow faint.[u]
13 The virgins will rejoice with dancing,
together with young men and old men.
For I’ll turn their mourning into joy,
and I’ll comfort them and give them gladness
instead of sorrow.
14 I’ll give the priests abundant provisions,[v]
and my people will be satisfied with my goodness,”
declares the Lord.
The End of Rachel’s Mourning
15 This is what the Lord says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter crying.
Rachel is crying,
and she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no longer alive.”
16 This is what the Lord says:
“Restrain your voice from crying,
and your eyes from tears,
for there is a reward for your work,”
declares the Lord.
“They’ll return from the enemy’s land.
17 There is hope for your future,”
declares the Lord.
“Your[w] children will return to their own territory.”
Ephraim’s Prayer and Confession
18 “I’ve certainly heard Ephraim
shuddering with grief as they said,[x]
‘You have disciplined me,
and I’m disciplined like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and let me return,[y]
for you are the Lord my God.
19 Indeed, after I turned away, then I repented.
And after I came to understand,
I slapped my forehead.[z]
I was both ashamed and humiliated
because I bear the disgrace of my youth.’”
God’s Gracious Response
20 “Is Ephraim my dear son?
Is he a darling child?
Indeed, as often as I’ve spoken about him,
I surely still remember him.
Therefore I deeply yearn for him.
I’ll surely have great compassion on him,”
declares the Lord.
21 Set up markers for yourselves.
Erect signposts for yourselves.
Pay attention to the highway,
to the road you traveled.
Return, virgin Israel,
return to these cities of yours.
22 How long will you go this way and that,
rebellious daughter?
Indeed, the Lord will create a new thing on the earth;
a woman will protect[aa] a man.
23 This is what the Lord of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: “They’ll again speak this message in the land of Judah and its towns when I restore their fortunes:[ab] ‘The Lord bless you, righteous dwelling, holy mountain.’ 24 Judah and all its towns will live together in the land,[ac] along with farmers and those who follow the flock. 25 I’ll provide abundance for those who are weary, and fill all who are faint.” 26 Then I awoke and looked around, and I had had a pleasant sleep.
Restoration and Responsibility
27 “Look, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I’ll sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah using people and animals as seed.[ad] 28 Just as I’ve watched over them to pull up, tear down, overthrow, destroy, and bring disaster, so I’ll watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord. 29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, but the children’s teeth have been set on edge.’ 30 Instead, each person will die for his own iniquity. Everyone who eats sour grapes will have his own[ae] teeth set on edge.”
The New Covenant
31 “Look, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I’ll make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It won’t be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. They broke my covenant, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “Rather, this is the covenant that I’ll make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord. “I’ll put my Law[af] within them and will write it on their hearts. I’ll be their God and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a person teach his neighbor or his relative: ‘Know the Lord.’ Instead, they’ll all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord. “Indeed, I’ll forgive their iniquity, and I’ll remember their sin no more.”
35 This is what the Lord says,
who gives the sun for light by day,
the laws that govern the moon and stars for light by night,
and who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar.
The Lord of the Heavenly Armies is his name:
36 “If these laws cease to function in my presence,”
declares the Lord,
“then the descendants of Israel will cease to be
a nation in my presence for all time!”
37 This is what the Lord says:
“If the heavens could be measured above,
or the foundations of the earth be searched out below,
then I also would reject all the descendants of Israel
because of everything they have done,”
declares the Lord.
38 “Look, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the city of the Lord will be rebuilt[ag] from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. 39 A measuring line will go straight out from there to the hill of Gareb, and then it will turn to Goah. 40 The whole valley of dead bodies and ashes and all the fields as far as the Brook Kidron to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east will be holy to the Lord. It won’t be uprooted or overthrown again, forever.”
Jesus is Raised from the Dead(A)
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene,[a] Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to go and anoint Jesus.[b] 2 Very early on the first day of the week,[c] when the sun had just come up, they were going to the tomb. 3 They kept saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 Then they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled away. (It was a very large stone.)
5 As they went into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were utterly astonished. 6 But he told them, “Stop being astonished! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He is not here. Look at the place where they laid him. 7 But go and tell his disciples—especially Peter—that Jesus[d] is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
8 So they left the tomb and ran away, overwhelmed by shock and astonishment. They didn’t say a thing to anyone, because they were afraid.[e]
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene(B)
9 After Jesus[f] had risen early on the first day of that week,[g] he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,[h] from whom he had driven out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Jesus[i] and who now were grieving and crying. 11 When they heard that he was alive and that he had been seen by her, they refused to believe Mary.[j]
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples(C)
12 After this, Jesus[k] appeared in a different form to two disciples[l] as they were walking into the country. 13 They went back and told the others, who didn’t believe them, either.
Jesus Commissions His Disciples(D)
14 Finally he appeared to his eleven disciples[m] while they were eating. He rebuked them for their unbelief and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 Then he told them, “As you go into the entire world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.[n] 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn’t believe will be condemned. 17 These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: In my name they’ll drive out demons. they’ll speak in new languages,[o] 18 and they’ll pick up snakes with their hands.[p] Even if they drink any deadly poison, it won’t hurt them, and they’ll place their hands on the sick, and they’ll recover.”
Jesus is Taken Up to Heaven(E)
19 So the Lord Jesus,[q] after talking with his disciples,[r] was taken up to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 Then his disciples[s] went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the signs that accompanied it.
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