M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Family of Reuben
5 Reuben was the first-born son of Israel but because he sinned against his father’s marriage bed, his birth-right was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel. Reuben is not written down in the family names by his birth-right. 2 Judah became stronger than his brothers, and a prince came from him. But the birth-right belonged to Joseph. 3 The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6 and Beerah his son. Beerah was the one whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away to a strange land. He was a leader of the Reubenites. 7 These are his brothers by their families, from the writings of their family names. There was Jeiel the leader, then Zechariah, 8 and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal-meon. 9 He lived as far east as the beginning of the desert this side of the Euphrates River, because their cattle had become too many for the land of Gilead. 10 In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites and killed them. So they lived in their tents over all the land east of Gilead.
The Family of Gad
11 The sons of Gad lived beside them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah. 12 Joel was the leader. Then there was Shapham, then Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 Their seven brothers of their fathers’ houses were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber. 14 These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz. 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers’ houses. 16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its towns, and in all the fields of Sharon as far as they go. 17 All of these were added to the family names in the days of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel.
18 The sons of Reuben, the Gadites and the half-family group of Manasseh were powerful soldiers. They carried the battle-covering and the sword, and shot with the bow. They were able men in battle. There were 44,760 of them who went to war. 19 They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20 They were given help against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand. They cried out to God in the battle. He gave them what they asked for, because they trusted in Him. 21 They took away their animals, 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 men. 22 Many were killed, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until they were taken away by Assyria.
The Family of Manasseh East of the Jordan River
23 The sons of the half-family group of Manasseh lived in the land. There were many of them from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir and Mount Hermon. 24 The heads of their fathers’ houses were Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were powerful soldiers, men whose names were well-known. And they were heads of their fathers’ houses.
25 But they sinned against the God of their fathers. They sold themselves to the gods of the people of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel moved the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, also known as Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria. And he carried the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-family group of Manasseh away to a strange land. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan. And they are there to this day.
The Family of Levi
6 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar was the father of Phinehas. Phinehas was the father of Abishua. 5 Abishua was the father of Bukki. Bukki was the father of Uzzi. 6 Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth. 7 Meraioth was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub. 8 Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz. 9 Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah. Azariah was the father of Johanan. 10 Johanan was the father of Azariah. (He was the one who served as the religious leader in the house which Solomon built in Jerusalem.) 11 Azariah was the father of Amariah. Amariah was the father of Ahitub. 12 Ahitub was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Shallum. 13 Shallum was the father of Hilkiah. Hilkiah was the father of Azariah. 14 Azariah was the father of Seraiah. Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak. 15 Jehozadak was taken away when the Lord carried Judah and Jerusalem away to a strange land by Nebuchadnezzar.
16 The sons of Levi were Gershom, Kohath and Merari. 17 The names of the sons of Gershom were Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites by their fathers’ houses. 20 Of Gershom there were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath were Amminadab, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Saul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth, 26 Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel were Joel the first-born, and Abijah the second. 29 The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.
Singers in the House of the Lord
31 David chose these men to lead the singing in the house of the Lord, after the special box with the Law of the Lord rested there. 32 They led the singing in front of the meeting tent until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And they took their places for their work at the right times. 33 These are the men who served, and their sons. From the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, son of Samuel, 34 son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, 35 son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, 36 son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, 37 son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, 38 son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel. 39 Heman’s brother Asaph stood at his right hand. Asaph was the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 40 son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, 41 son of Ethni, son of Zerah. Zerah was the son of Adaiah, 42 son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, 43 son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi. 44 On the left hand were their brothers the sons of Merari. There was Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, 45 son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah. Amaziah was the son of Hilkiah, 46 son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, 47 son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi. 48 Their brothers the Levites were chosen for all the work of the house of God.
The Family of Aaron
49 But Aaron and his sons gave the gifts on the altar of burnt gifts and on the altar of special perfume. They did all the work of the most holy place, to pay for the sins of Israel. They did all that Moses the servant of God had told them to do. 50 The sons of Aaron were Eleazar, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
54 These are the places where they lived in their lands. The sons of Aaron of the families of the Kohathites were first to choose where to live. 55 They were given Hebron in the land of Judah, and the fields around it. 56 But the fields of the city and its towns were given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 The sons of Aaron were given cities where people go to be safe. These cities were Hebron, Libnah with its fields, Jatir, Eshtemoa with its fields, 58 Hilen with its fields, Debir with its fields, 59 Ashan with its fields, and Beth-shemesh with its fields. 60 From the family of Benjamin they were given Geba with its fields, Allemeth with its fields, and Anathoth with its fields. There were thirteen cities in all, by their families.
61 Ten cities were given, by drawing names, to the rest of the sons of Kohath. These cities were given from the families of the half-family group of Manasseh. 62 Thirteen cities were given to the sons of Gershom, by their families. These cities were given from the families of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh. 63 Twelve cities were given, by drawing names, to the sons of Merari, by their families. These cities were given from the families of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. 64 So the people of Israel gave to the Levites the cities with their fields. 65 By drawing names, they gave them these cities which are written here, from the families of the sons of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.
66 Some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their land from the family of Ephraim. 67 They were given cities where anyone could go to be safe. These cities were Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its fields, Gezer with its fields, 68 Jokmeam with its fields, Beth-horon with its fields, 69 Aijalon with its fields, and Gath-rimmon with its fields. 70 From the half-family group of Manasseh they were given Aner with its fields and Bileam with its fields. They were for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.
71 Cities were given to the sons of Gershom from the half-family group of Manasseh. These cities were Golan in Bashan with its fields and Ashtaroth with its fields. 72 From the family of Issachar they were given Kedesh with its fields, Daberath with its fields, 73 Ramoth with its fields, and Anem with its fields. 74 From the family of Asher they were given Mashal with its fields, Abdon with its fields, 75 Hukok with its fields, and Rehob with its fields. 76 From the family of Naphtali they were given Kedesh in Galilee with its fields, Hammon with its fields, and Kiriathaim with its fields.
77 The rest of the Levites, the sons of Merari were given cities from the family of Zebulun. These cities were Rimmono with its fields and Tabor with its fields. 78 On the other side of the Jordan at Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given cities from the family of Reuben. These cities were Bezer in the desert with its fields, Jahzah with its fields, 79 Kedemoth with its fields, and Mephaath with its fields. 80 From the family of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead with its fields, Mahanaim with its fields, 81 Heshbon with its fields, and Jazer with its fields.
In the Old Way of Worship Many Gifts Were Given
10 The Law is like a picture of the good things to come. The Jewish religious leaders gave gifts on the altar in worship to God all the time year after year. Those gifts could not make the people who came to worship perfect. 2 If those gifts given to God could take away sins, the people who came to worship would no longer feel guilty of sin. They would have given no more gifts. 3 When they gave the gifts year after year, it made them remember that they still had their sins. 4 The blood of animals cannot take away the sins of men.
In The New Way of Worship One Gift Was Given
5 When Christ came to the world, He said to God, “You do not want animals killed or gifts given in worship. You have made My body ready to give as a gift. 6 You are not pleased with animals that have been killed or burned and given as gifts on the altar to take away sin. 7 Then I said, ‘I have come to do what You want, O God. It is written in the Law that I would.’”
8 Then Christ said, “You do not want animals killed or gifts given in worship to you for sin. You are not pleased with them.” These things are done because the Law says they should be done. 9 Then He said, “I have come to do what You want Me to do.” And this is what He did when He died on a cross. God did away with the Old Way of Worship and made a New Way of Worship. 10 Our sins are washed away and we are made clean because Christ gave His own body as a gift to God. He did this once for all time.
11 All Jewish religious leaders stand every day killing animals and giving gifts on the altar. They give the same gifts over and over again. These gifts cannot take away sins. 12 But Christ gave Himself once for sins and that is good forever. After that He sat down at the right side of God. 13 He is waiting there for God to make of those who have hated Him a place to rest His feet. 14 And by one gift He has made perfect forever all those who are being set apart for God-like living.
15 The Holy Spirit tells us this: First He says, 16 “This is the New Way of Worship that I will give them. When that day comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws in their hearts. And I will write them in their minds.” Then He says, 17 “I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore.” (A) 18 No more gifts on the altar in worship are needed when our sins are forgiven.
We Can Go to God Through Christ
19 Christian brothers, now we know we can go into the Holiest Place of All because the blood of Jesus was given. 20 We now come to God by the new and living way. Christ made this way for us. He opened the curtain, which was His own body. 21 We have a great Religious Leader over the house of God. 22 And so let us come near to God with a true heart full of faith. Our hearts must be made clean from guilty feelings and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the hope we say we have and not be changed. We can trust God that He will do what He promised. 24 Let us help each other to love others and to do good. 25 Let us not stay away from church meetings. Some people are doing this all the time. Comfort each other as you see the day of His return coming near.
Do Not Fall Back Into Sin
26 If we keep on sinning because we want to after we have received and know the truth, there is no gift that will take away sins then. 27 Instead, we will stand before God and on that day He will judge us. And the hot fires of hell will burn up those who work against God. 28 Anyone who did not obey the Old Way of Worship died without loving-kindness when two or three men spoke against him. 29 How much more will a man have to be punished if he walks on and hates the Son of God? How much more will he be punished if he acts as if the blood of God’s New Way of Worship is worth nothing? This New Way of Worship is God’s way of making him holy. How much more will he be punished if he laughs at the Holy Spirit Who wanted to show him loving-favor? 30 For we know God said, “I will pay back what is coming to them.” And, “The Lord will judge His people.” (B) 31 The very worst thing that can happen to a man is to fall into the hands of the living God!
32 Remember how it was in those days after you heard the truth. You suffered much. 33 People laughed at you and beat you. When others suffered, you suffered with them. 34 You had loving-pity for those who were in prison. You had joy when your things were taken away from you. For you knew you would have something better in heaven which would last forever.
35 Do not throw away your trust, for your reward will be great. 36 You must be willing to wait without giving up. After you have done what God wants you to do, God will give you what He promised you. 37 The Holy Writings say, “In a little while, the One you are looking for will come. It will not be a long time now. 38 For the one right with God lives by faith. If anyone turns back, I will not be pleased with him.” (C) 39 We are not of those people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith to be saved from the punishment of sin.
4 Listen to this, you fat cows of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria. You make it hard for the poor. You crush those in need. You say to your husbands, “Bring us something to drink!” 2 As the Lord God is holy, He has promised, “The days are coming when they will take you away with meat hooks. And the last of you will be taken with fish hooks. 3 You will go out through breaks in the walls. Each of you will go straight out. And you will be sent to Harmon,” says the Lord.
4 “Go to Bethel and sin! Go and sin much more in Gilgal! Bring your gifts in worship every morning. Every three days give a tenth part of what you receive. 5 Give a thank gift of bread made with yeast. And make your free-will gifts known. For this is what you love to do, O people of Israel,” says the Lord God.
Israel Did Not Learn
6 “I kept food from your teeth in all your cities. I did not let you have enough bread in all your places. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. 7 “I kept the rain from you while there were still three months until gathering time. Then I would send rain on one city, but would send no rain on another city. One part would receive rain, while the part which did not receive rain would dry up. 8 People would go from city to city to drink water, but would not get enough. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. 9 “I sent hot wind to dry up your fields. The locust destroyed your many gardens and grape-fields, fig trees and olive trees. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. 10 “I sent a very bad disease upon you as I had done to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword and took your horses away. I filled your nose with the bad smell of your camp. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. 11 “I destroyed some of you as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick pulled out of the fire. Yet you have not returned to Me,” says the Lord. 12 “So I will do this to you, O Israel. And because I will do this to you, get ready to meet your God, O Israel.” 13 He is the One Who makes the mountains and the wind. He makes His thoughts known to man. He turns the morning into darkness, and walks on the high places of the earth. The Lord God of All is His name.
The Whole World Should Praise the Lord
148 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise Him on high! 2 Praise Him, all His angels! Praise Him, all His army! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For He spoke and they came into being. 6 He has made them last forever and ever. He has set a Law which will not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you large sea animals and all seas, 8 fire and hail, snow and clouds, and wind storms, obeying His Word. 9 Praise the Lord, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all tall trees, 10 wild animals and all cattle, small animals that move on the ground and birds that fly, 11 kings of the earth and all people, princes and all leaders of the earth, 12 both young men and women who have never had men, and old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord. For His name alone is honored. His shining-greatness is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all who belong to Him, for the people of Israel, who are near to Him. Praise the Lord!
A Call to Praise God
149 Praise the Lord! Sing a new song to the Lord! Praise Him in the meeting of His people. 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker. Let the sons of Zion be full of joy in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with dancing. Let them sing praises to Him with timbrels and a harp. 4 For the Lord is happy with His people. He saves those who have no pride and makes them beautiful.
5 Let those who are God-like be full of joy and honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and in their hand a sword that cuts both ways. 7 Let it be used to punish the nations and the people. 8 Let their kings be tied in chains, and their rulers with ropes of iron. 9 Let the punishment that is written be given to them. This is an honor for all His faithful ones. Praise the Lord!
A Song of Praise
150 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His holy place! Praise Him in the heavens of His power! 2 Praise Him for His great works! Praise Him for all His greatness!
3 Praise Him with the sound of a horn. Praise Him with harps. 4 Praise Him with timbrels and dancing. Praise Him with strings and horns. 5 Praise Him with loud sounds. Praise Him with loud and clear sounds. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.