M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Preparing to Return to Egypt
43 Meanwhile, the famine remained severe throughout the region. 2 As a result, when Jacob’s family[a] was beginning to eat the last of the grain that they had brought back from Egypt, their father Jacob[b] told his sons, “Go back to Egypt and buy us some food.”
3 But Judah reminded him, “The man distinctly warned us: ‘You’ll never see my face unless your brother comes with you.’ 4 So if you send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy some food. 5 But if you don’t send him, we’re not going, because the man told us, ‘You’ll never see my face unless your brother is with you.’”
6 Israel replied, “Why did you make all this trouble by telling the man that you have another brother?”
7 “The man specifically asked about us and our relatives,” they responded. “He asked us, ‘Is your father still alive?’ and ‘Do you have another brother?’ So we answered his questions. How could we have known that he would tell us to bring our brother back with us?”
8 “Send the young man with me,” Judah told his father Israel, “and we’ll get up and go so we can survive and not die—and that includes all of us, you and our families.[c] 9 I’ll even offer myself to guarantee that I’ll be responsible for him. If I don’t bring him back and present him to you, I’ll personally bear the consequences forever. 10 After all, if we hadn’t delayed, we could have been there and back[d] twice by now!”
Jacob Gives Instructions for the Trip
11 “If that’s the way it has to be,” their father Israel replied, “then do this: take some of the best produce of the land in your containers and take them to the man as a gift—some resin ointment, some honey, fragrant resins, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds. 12 Also take twice as much money with you so you can return the money that had been replaced in the mouth of your sacks. Maybe it was an accounting[e] mistake on his part. 13 And be sure to take your brother, too. So get up, return to the man, 14 and may God Almighty cause the man to show compassion toward you. May he send all of you back, including your other brother and Benjamin. Now as for me, if I lose my children, I lose them.”
15 So the men took their gift and twice as much money, got up, took Benjamin with them, and set out for Egypt. Eventually they appeared before Joseph.
Joseph Sees Benjamin
16 As soon as Joseph noticed that Benjamin had come with them, he ordered his palace manager, “Bring the men into the palace.[f] Slaughter an animal and prepare it, because these men will be dining with me for lunch.”[g] 17 So the man did what Joseph had ordered, and brought the men to Joseph’s palace.
18 The men were terrified as they were being taken to Joseph’s palace. “It’s because of that money that was returned to our sacks the first time we were brought to him,” they reasoned. “He’s seeking an excuse to attack us, enslave us, and confiscate our donkeys!”
19 So they approached Joseph’s palace manager and talked with him at the palace entrance. 20 “Your Excellency,” they said, “The first time we came here to buy food, 21 when we arrived at our overnight lodging place, we opened our sacks and discovered each man’s money was still in the mouth of his sack. All of our money was there! We’ve brought it back with us in full. 22 We’ve also brought along some more money to buy supplies, but we don’t know who put our money back into our sacks.”
23 “Relax,” the manager said. “You can stop being afraid, now. Your God, the God of your father, has placed hidden treasure within those sacks for you. I’ve been paid in full.” Then he brought Simeon out to them, 24 ushered the men into Joseph’s palace, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided[h] fodder for their donkeys. 25 Then off he went to prepare the honorary meal that was to be made ready for Joseph’s arrival at noon, since they had been informed that they were going to be eating there.
Joseph Inquires about His Family
26 When Joseph arrived at his palace, his brothers[i] brought to him their gifts that they had carried with them and bowed to the ground in front of him.
27 Joseph asked them how they had been doing. “Is your father well, the older gentleman about whom you spoke?” he inquired. “Is he still alive?”
28 “Your servant, our father, is doing well,” they replied. “He is still alive.” Then they bowed down in humility.
29 As Joseph looked up and recognized his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother about whom you spoke to me?” And he addressed him directly, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”[j]
30 At this, Joseph hurried out, deeply moved because of his brother, and looked for a place to weep by himself. He entered his personal quarters, wept there awhile,[k] 31 then washed his face and came out. Barely controlling himself, he ordered his staff to serve the meal.
32 Joseph’s staff[l] served him by himself, his brothers[m] separately, and the Egyptian staff members by themselves, because the Egyptians wouldn’t take their meal with the Hebrews, since doing so was detestable for the Egyptians. 33 Meanwhile, the brothers[n] were seated in front of Joseph in birth order, from firstborn to youngest. The men stared at one another in astonishment. 34 Joseph[o] himself brought portions to them from his own table, except that he provided to Benjamin five times as much as he did for each of the others. So they feasted together and drank freely with Joseph.[p]
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple(A)
13 While Jesus[a] was leaving the Temple, one of his disciples told him, “Look, Teacher! What stones! And what buildings!”
2 “Do you see these large buildings?” Jesus responded. “Not even a single stone here will be left on top of another that won’t be demolished.”
Cults, Revolutions, Famines, and Earthquakes(B)
3 As Jesus[b] was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what is to be the sign when these things will be put into effect?”
5 Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, proclaiming, ‘I AM,’ and they will deceive many people.[c] 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t panic. These things must take place, but the end won’t have come yet, 8 because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Furthermore, there will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These things are only a beginning of agonies.”
Future Persecution and Evangelism(C)
9 “As for yourselves, be on your guard! People[d] will hand you over to local councils, and you will be beaten in their synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings in order to testify to them because of me. 10 But first, the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.[e] 11 When they take you away and hand you over for trial, don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Instead, say whatever is given to you at that time, because it won’t be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated continuously by everyone on account of my name. But the person who endures to the end will be saved.”
Signs of the End(D)
14 “So when you see the destructive desecration standing where it should not be (let the reader take note),[f] then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 Anyone who’s on his housetop must not come down and go into his house to take anything out of it, 16 and the one who’s in the field must not turn back to get his coat.
17 “How terrible it will be for women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days! 18 Pray that it may not be in winter, 19 because those days will be a time of suffering,[g] a kind that has not happened from the beginning of creation—which God himself created—until now, and certainly will never happen again. 20 If the Lord had not shortened those days, no one[h] would survive. But for the sake of the elect whom he has chosen, he has shortened those days.
21 “At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look here! The Messiah!’,[i] or, ‘Look there!’ don’t believe it, 22 because false messiahs[j] and false prophets will have arisen and will produce signs and omens intending to deceive, if possible, the elect. 23 So be on your guard! I’ve told you everything beforehand.”
The Coming of the Son of Man(E)
24 “But after the troubles[k] of those days,
‘The sun will be darkened,
the moon will not reflect its light,
25 the stars will be falling out of the sky,
and the powers that are in the heavens will be disrupted.’[l]
26 Then people[m] will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’[n] with great power and glory. 27 He’ll send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the most remote part of earth to the most remote part of heaven.”
The Lesson from the Fig Tree(F)
28 “Now learn a lesson[o] from the fig tree. When its branches become tender and it produces leaves, you know that summer is approaching. 29 In the same way, when you see these things taking place, you will know that the Son of Man[p] is near, right at the door. 30 I tell all of you[q] with certainty, this generation won’t disappear until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
The Unknown Day and Hour of the Messiah’s Return(G)
32 “No one knows when that day or hour will come[r]—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be careful! Watch out! Because you don’t know when the time will come. 34 It’s like a man who went on a trip. As he left home, he put his servants in charge, each with his own work, and he ordered the doorkeeper to be alert. 35 So keep on watching, because you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the middle of the night, at the time the cock crows,[s] or at daybreak. 36 Otherwise, he may come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 I’m telling you what I’m telling everyone: Be alert!”
Job Cannot Argue with His Creator
9 This was Job’s response:
2 “Indeed, I’m fully aware that this is so,
but how can a person become right with God?
3 If one were to seek to argue with him,
he won’t be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.
4 He is wise in heart and strong in will—
who can be stubborn against him and succeed?
5 “He removes mountains without their knowledge,
overthrowing them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its orbit,[a]
so that its foundations shudder.
7 He commands the sun so that it doesn’t shine[b]
and seals up the stars.
8 He alone spreads out the heavens,
he walks on the waves[c] of the sea.
9 He created Bear, Orion, the Pleiades,
and the southern constellations.
10 He does great things that cannot be explained,
and awesome deeds that cannot be counted.
11 “If he were to pass near me, I wouldn’t notice;
if he moves by, I wouldn’t perceive him.
12 Indeed, if he snatches someone[d] away,
who could restrain him?
Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
13 “God doesn’t restrain his anger.
Rahab’s assistants are humiliated under him.
14 So how am I to answer him,
choosing what I am to say to him?
15 Even if I’m in the right,
I cannot answer him.
I can only appeal for mercy.
16 “Were I to be summoned, and he were to answer me,
I wouldn’t even believe
that he was listening to what I have to say.[e]
17 For he crushes me with a storm,
and keeps on wounding me for no reason.
18 He won’t let me catch my breath;
instead, he fills me with bitterness.
19 “Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger!
Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?
20 Though I’m in the right, my own mouth will condemn me;
though I’m blameless, he’ll pronounce me as guilty.
21 “I’m blameless;
I don’t know myself;
I despise my life.
22 I say it’s all the same—
he destroys both the blameless and the guilty.[f]
23 If a calamity[g] causes sudden death,
he’ll mock at the despair of the innocent.
24 A land is given into the hands of a wicked person;[h]
he covers the faces of its judges.
If it is not God,[i] then who is it?”
Job Argues that God Won’t Acquit Him
25 “My days pass faster than a runner;
but they pass quickly without seeing anything good.
26 They pass by like a ship made of reeds,
like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 If I were to say, ‘Let me forget my complaint,’
change[j] the expression on[k] my face, and look cheerful,
28 then I still dread all of my suffering;
I know you still won’t acquit me.
29 I will be condemned,
so why should I wear myself out with this futility?
30 “If I wash myself with water from snow,
and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 you’ll still drop me into the Pit,[l]
and my own clothes will despise me.
32 He’s not a man like me,
so that I can answer him,
or that we can enter into litigation[m] with one another.
33 There is not yet a mediator between us,
who would set his hand on the two of us,
34 removing his rod from me,
and not letting terror of him overwhelm me.
35 Otherwise, I would speak without being terrified of him,
because I’m not like that inside myself.”
Obey Your Government
13 Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God’s permission.[a] The existing authorities have been established by God, 2 so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. 4 For they are God’s servants, working for your good.
But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God’s servants to administer punishment[b] to anyone who does wrong. 5 Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities,[c] not only for the sake of God’s[d] punishment,[e] but also for the sake of your own conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers[f] are God’s servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work.[g] 7 Pay everyone whatever you owe them—taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear[h] to whom fear[i] is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Love One Another
8 Do not owe anyone anything—except to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law. 9 For the commandments, “You must not commit adultery; you must not murder; you must not steal; you must not covet,”[j] and every other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”[k] 10 Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law.
Live in the Light of the Messiah’s Return
11 This is necessary because you know the times—it’s already time for you to wake up from sleep, because our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. 12 The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let’s therefore put aside the actions of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let’s behave decently, as people who live in the light of day.[l] No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, quarreling, or jealousy! 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[m] and do not obey your flesh and its desires.
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