M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Descendants of Issachar
7 The sons[a] of Is′sachar: Tola, Pu′ah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. 2 The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Repha′iah, Je′ri-el, Jah′mai, Ibsam, and Shemu′el, heads of their fathers’ houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being twenty-two thousand six hundred. 3 The sons of Uzzi: Izrahi′ah. And the sons of Izrahi′ah: Michael, Obadi′ah, Jo′el, and Isshi′ah, five, all of them chief men; 4 and along with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were units of the army for war, thirty-six thousand, for they had many wives and sons. 5 Their kinsmen belonging to all the families of Is′sachar were in all eighty-seven thousand mighty warriors, enrolled by genealogy.
Descendants of Benjamin
6 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jedi′a-el, three. 7 The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uz′ziel, Jer′imoth, and Iri, five, heads of fathers’ houses, mighty warriors; and their enrollment by genealogies was twenty-two thousand and thirty-four. 8 The sons of Becher: Zemi′rah, Jo′ash, Elie′zer, Eli-o-e′nai, Omri, Jer′emoth, Abi′jah, An′athoth, and Al′emeth. All these were the sons of Becher; 9 and their enrollment by genealogies, according to their generations, as heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty warriors, was twenty thousand two hundred. 10 The sons of Jedi′a-el: Bilhan. And the sons of Bilhan: Je′ush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chena′anah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahish′ahar. 11 All these were the sons of Jedi′a-el according to the heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty warriors, seventeen thousand and two hundred, ready for service in war. 12 And Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, Hushim the sons of Aher.
Descendants of Naphtali
13 The sons of Naph′tali: Jah′zi-el, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the offspring of Bilhah.
Descendants of Manasseh
14 The sons of Manas′seh: As′ri-el, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead. 15 And Machir took a wife for Huppim and for Shuppim. The name of his sister was Ma′acah. And the name of the second was Zelo′phehad; and Zelo′phehad had daughters. 16 And Ma′acah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 The sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manas′seh. 18 And his sister Hammo′lecheth bore Ishhod, Abi-e′zer, and Mahlah. 19 The sons of Shemi′da were Ahi′an, Shechem, Likhi, and Ani′am.
Descendants of Ephraim
20 The sons of E′phraim: Shuthe′lah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Ele-a′dah his son, Tahath his son, 21 Zabad his son, Shuthe′lah his son, and Ezer and E′le-ad, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land slew, because they came down to raid their cattle. 22 And E′phraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. 23 And E′phraim went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beri′ah, because evil had befallen his house. 24 His daughter was She′erah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-hor′on, and Uz′zen-she′erah. 25 Rephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Ladan his son, Ammi′hud his son, Elish′ama his son, 27 Nun his son, Joshua his son. 28 Their possessions and settlements were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Na′aran, and westward Gezer and its towns, Shechem and its towns, and Ayyah and its towns; 29 also along the borders of the Manas′sites, Beth-she′an and its towns, Ta′anach and its towns, Megid′do and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.
Descendants of Asher
30 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beri′ah, and their sister Serah. 31 The sons of Beri′ah: Heber and Mal′chi-el, who was the father of Bir′zaith. 32 Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shu′a. 33 The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the sons of Japhlet. 34 The sons of Shemer his brother: Rohgah, Jehub′bah, and Aram. 35 The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah: Su′ah, Har′nepher, Shu′al, Beri, Imrah. 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Be-e′ra. 38 The sons of Jether: Jephun′neh, Pispa, and Ara. 39 The sons of Ulla: Arah, Han′niel, and Rizi′a. 40 All of these were men of Asher, heads of fathers’ houses, approved, mighty warriors, chief of the princes. Their number enrolled by genealogies, for service in war, was twenty-six thousand men.
Descendants of Benjamin
8 Benjamin was the father of Bela his first-born, Ashbel the second, Ahar′ah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abi′hud, 4 Abishu′a, Na′aman, Aho′ah, 5 Gera, Shephu′phan, and Huram. 6 These are the sons of Ehud (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and they were carried into exile to Man′ahath): 7 Na′aman,[b] Ahi′jah, and Gera, that is, Heglam,[c] who was the father of Uzza and Ahi′hud. 8 And Shahara′im had sons in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Ba′ara his wives. 9 He had sons by Hodesh his wife: Jobab, Zib′i-a, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Je′uz, Sachi′a, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ houses. 11 He also had sons by Hushim: Abi′tub and Elpa′al. 12 The sons of Elpa′al: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns, 13 and Beri′ah and Shema (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Ai′jalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath); 14 and Ahi′o, Shashak, and Jer′emoth. 15 Zebadi′ah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were sons of Beri′ah. 17 Zebadi′ah, Meshul′lam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ish′merai, Izli′ah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpa′al. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Eli-e′nai, Zil′lethai, Eli′el, 21 Adai′ah, Bera′iah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shim′e-i. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eli′el, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hanani′ah, Elam, Anthothi′jah, 25 Iphde′iah, and Penu′el were the sons of Shashak. 26 Sham′sherai, Shehari′ah, Athali′ah, 27 Ja-areshi′ah, Eli′jah, and Zichri were the sons of Jero′ham. 28 These were the heads of fathers’ houses, according to their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
29 Je-i′el[d] the father of Gibeon dwelt in Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Ma′acah. 30 His first-born son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Ba′al, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahi′o, Zecher, 32 and Mikloth (he was the father of Shim′e-ah). Now these also dwelt opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen. 33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Mal′chishu′a, Abin′adab, and Esh-ba′al; 34 and the son of Jonathan was Mer′ib-ba′al; and Mer′ib-ba′al was the father of Micah. 35 The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tare′a, and Ahaz. 36 Ahaz was the father of Jeho′addah; and Jeho′addah was the father of Al′emeth, Az′maveth, and Zimri; Zimri was the father of Moza. 37 Moza was the father of Bin′e-a; Raphah was his son, Ele-a′sah his son, Azel his son. 38 Azel had six sons, and these are their names: Azri′kam, Bo′cheru, Ish′mael, She-ari′ah, Obadi′ah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his first-born, Je′ush the second, and Eliph′elet the third. 40 The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty. All these were Benjaminites.
The Meaning of Faith
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old received divine approval. 3 By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear.
The Examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he received approval as righteous, God bearing witness by accepting his gifts; he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.
The Faith of Abraham
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” 19 He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his burial.[a]
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.
The Faith of Other Israelite Heroes
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land; but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,[b] they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
A Lament for Israel’s Sin
5 Hear this word which I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel:
2 “Fallen, no more to rise,
is the virgin Israel;
forsaken on her land,
with none to raise her up.”
3 For thus says the Lord God:
“The city that went forth a thousand
shall have a hundred left,
and that which went forth a hundred
shall have ten left
to the house of Israel.”
4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
“Seek me and live;
5 but do not seek Bethel,
and do not enter into Gilgal
or cross over to Beer-sheba;
for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,
and Bethel shall come to nought.”
6 Seek the Lord and live,
lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel,
7 O you who turn justice to wormwood,
and cast down righteousness to the earth!
8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
and turns deep darkness into the morning,
and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea,
and pours them out upon the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name,
9 who makes destruction flash forth against the strong,
so that destruction comes upon the fortress.
10 They hate him who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
11 Therefore because you trample upon the poor
and take from him exactions of wheat,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions,
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate.
13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time;
for it is an evil time.
14 Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you have said.
15 Hate evil, and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
16 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
“In all the squares there shall be wailing;
and in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! alas!’
They shall call the farmers to mourning
and to wailing those who are skilled in lamentation,
17 and in all vineyards there shall be wailing,
for I will pass through the midst of you,”
says the Lord.
The Day of the Lord a Dark Day
18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light;
19 as if a man fled from a lion,
and a bear met him;
or went into the house and leaned with his hand against the wall,
and a serpent bit him.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
21 “I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and cereal offerings,
I will not accept them,
and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts
I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
25 “Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 26 You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star-god, your images,[a] which you made for yourselves; 27 therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.
Dedication to Theophilus
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, 2 just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely[a] for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent The-oph′ilus, 4 that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari′ah,[b] of the division of Abi′jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechari′ah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechari′ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth;
15 for he will be great before the Lord,
and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink,
and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother’s womb.
16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God,
17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli′jah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechari′ah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechari′ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”[c] 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35 And the angel said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;
therefore the child to be born[d] will be called holy,
the Son of God.
36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.