M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Pharaoh Refuses to Let the People Go
5 After Moses and Aaron arrived, they told Pharaoh, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘Let my people go so they may make a pilgrimage for me in the desert.’”
2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should listen to[a] him and let Israel go? I don’t know about[b] the Lord, nor will I let Israel go!”
3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God so he does not strike us with pestilence or sword.”[c]
4 The king of Egypt replied to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you keeping the people from their labor? Go back to your work!”[d] 5 Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people in the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.”[e]
Pharaoh Increases the Israelis’ Work
6 That day Pharaoh ordered the taskmasters of the people and their officials, 7 “You’re no longer to give the people straw for making bricks, as in the past.[f] They must gather straw for themselves. 8 But you’re to impose the previous quota[g] of bricks that they’re making. You’re not to reduce it! It is because they’re lazy that they’re crying out, ‘Let’s go offer sacrifices to our God.’ 9 So increase the work load on the people,[h] and let them do it so they don’t pay attention to deceptive speeches.”
10 Then the taskmasters of the people and their officials went out and told the people, “This is Pharaoh’s response: ‘I’ll no longer give you any[i] straw. 11 Go get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work quotas won’t be reduced at all.’”[j] 12 So the people scattered throughout the entire land of Egypt to collect stubble[k] for straw.
13 The taskmasters pressured them by saying, “Finish your work—each day’s quota[l]—just as when you were given straw.”[m]
14 The Israeli supervisors whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had appointed over them were beaten and told,[n] “Why didn’t you, both yesterday and today, fulfill[o] your quota[p] for making bricks as before?”
The Israelis’ Appeal Rejected by Pharaoh
15 The Israeli supervisors came and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you doing this to us?[q] 16 No straw is being given to us, yet they’re saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look, we are being beaten. It’s wrong how you are treating your people!”
17 Then Pharaoh[r] said, “You are lazy, lazy! That’s why[s] you’re saying, ‘Let’s go offer sacrifices to the Lord.’ 18 Now, go! Get to work! And straw won’t be given to you, but you are to deliver the same[t] number of bricks!” 19 The Israeli supervisors realized they were in trouble when he said,[u] “You won’t reduce each day’s quota of bricks!”[v]
The Israelis Blame Moses and Moses Complains to God
20 As they left Pharaoh’s presence,[w] they met Moses and Aaron standing there.[x] 21 The supervisors[y] told them, “May the Lord look on you and judge you![z] You have made us repulsive to[aa] Pharaoh and his servants. You have put[ab] a sword in their hands to kill us.”
22 So Moses returned to the Lord and asked him, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why have you sent me here? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have done nothing to deliver your people.”
Some Women Accompany Jesus
8 After this, Jesus[a] traveled from one city and village to another, preaching and spreading the good news about God’s kingdom. The Twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and illnesses: Mary, also called Magdalene,[b] from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza; Susanna; and many others. These women[c] continued to support them[d] out of their personal resources.
The Parable about a Farmer(A)
4 Now while a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus[e] from every city, he said in a parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, were trampled on, and birds from the sky ate them up. 6 Others fell on stony ground, and as soon as they came up, they dried up because they had no moisture. 7 Others fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes grew with them and choked them. 8 But others fell on good soil, and when they came up, they produced 100 times as much as was planted.” As he said this, he called out, “Let the person who has ears to hear, listen!”
The Purpose of the Parables(B)
9 Then his disciples began to ask him what this parable meant. 10 So he said, “You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of God. But to others they are given[f] in parables, so that
‘they might look but not see,
and they might listen but not understand.’”[g]
Jesus Explains the Parable about the Farmer(C)
11 “Now this is what the parable means. The seed is God’s word. 12 The ones on the path are the people who listen, but then the Devil comes and takes the word away from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the stony ground are the people who joyfully welcome the word when they hear it. But since they don’t have any roots, they believe for a while, but in a time of testing they fall away. 14 The ones that fell among the thorn bushes are the people who listen, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries, wealth, and pleasures of life, and their fruit doesn’t mature. 15 But the ones on the good soil are the people who hear the word but also hold on to it with good and honest hearts, producing a crop through endurance.”
A Light under a Bowl(D)
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see the light. 17 There is nothing hidden that won’t be revealed, and there is nothing secret that won’t become known and come to light. 18 So pay attention to how you listen, because to the one who has something, more will be given. However, from the one who doesn’t have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
The True Family of Jesus(E)
19 His mother and his brothers came to him, but they couldn’t get near him because of the crowd. 20 Jesus[h] was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and want to see you.”
21 But he answered those people,[i] “My mother and my brothers are those who hear a message from God and heed it.”
Jesus Calms the Sea(F)
22 One day, Jesus[j] and his disciples got into a boat. He told them, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they started out.
23 Now as they were sailing, Jesus[k] fell asleep. A violent storm swept over the lake, and they were taking on water and were in great danger. 24 So his disciples[l] went to him, woke him up, and kept telling him, “Master! Master! We’re going to die!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. They stopped, and there was calm.
25 Then he asked the disciples,[m] “Where’s your faith?”
Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this man? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!”
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man(G)
26 They landed in the region of the Gerasenes,[n] which is just across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus[o] stepped out on the shore, a man from the city met him. This man was controlled by[p] demons and had not worn clothes for a long time. He did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he screamed, fell down in front of him, and cried out in a loud voice, “What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you not to torture me!” 29 because Jesus[q] was in the process of ordering the unclean spirit to come out of the man. On many occasions the unclean spirit[r] had seized the man,[s] and though he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, he would break the chains and be driven by the demon into deserted places.
30 Jesus asked the man,[t] “What’s your name?”
He answered, “Legion,”[u] because many demons had gone into him. 31 Then the demons[v] began begging Jesus[w] not to order them to go into the bottomless pit.[x]
32 Now a large herd of pigs was grazing there on the hillside. So the demons[y] begged Jesus[z] to let them go into those pigs, and he consented to that. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down a steep slope into the lake and drowned.
34 Now when those who had been taking care of the pigs saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and in the countryside. 35 So the people[aa] went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind, they were frightened. 36 The people who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people from the region surrounding the Gerasenes[ab] asked Jesus[ac] to leave them, because they were terrified. So he got into a boat and started back.
38 Now the man from whom the demons had gone out kept begging Jesus[ad] to let him go with him. But Jesus[ae] sent him away, saying, 39 “Go home and tell what God has done for you.” So the man[af] left and kept proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
Jesus Heals a Woman and Resurrects a Girl(H)
40 When Jesus came back, the crowd welcomed him, because everyone was expecting him. 41 Just then a synagogue leader by the name of Jairus arrived. He fell at Jesus’ feet and kept begging him to come to his home, 42 because his only living[ag] daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. While Jesus[ah] was on his way, the crowds continued to press in on him.
43 A woman was there[ai] who had been suffering from chronic bleeding for twelve years. Although she had spent all she had on doctors,[aj] no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind Jesus[ak] and touched the tassel of his garment, and her bleeding stopped at once.
45 Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
While everyone was denying it, Peter and those who were with him[al] said, “Master, the crowds are surrounding you and pressing in on you.”
46 Still Jesus said, “Somebody touched me, because I know that power has gone out of me.”
47 When the woman saw that she couldn’t hide, she came forward trembling. Bowing down in front of him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched Jesus[am] and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s home[an] and told him,[ao] “Your daughter is dead. Stop bothering the teacher anymore.”
50 But when Jesus heard this, he told the synagogue leader,[ap] “Stop being afraid! Just believe, and she will get well.”
51 When he arrived at the man’s[aq] house, he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the young girl’s father and mother. 52 Now everyone was crying and wailing for her. But Jesus[ar] said, “Stop crying! She’s not dead. She’s sleeping.” 53 They laughed and laughed at him, because they knew she was dead. 54 But he took her hand and called out, “Young lady, get up!” 55 So her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then Jesus[as] directed that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Eliphaz Speaks a Third Time
22 Then in response, Eliphaz from Teman said:
2 “Can a human being be useful to God,
since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself?
3 Will it please the Almighty if you are innocent,
or does he profit if your life is[a] blameless?
4 Will he acquit you just because you fear him,
and render a verdict on your behalf?
5 Your wickedness is great, isn’t it?
There’s no limit to your iniquity, is there?
6 “After all, you’ve taken collateral from your relatives for no reason;
you stripped the naked of their clothing.[b]
7 You’ve neglected to give water to the weary,[c]
and you’ve withheld food from the hungry.
8 The land belongs to the powerful,
and the privileged[d] thrive in it.
9 You sent away widows empty-handed,
and broke the outstretched arms of orphans.
10 That’s why disaster surrounds you,
terror suddenly overwhelms you,
11 you see nothing but darkness,
and a flood of troubles[e] drowns you.”
Eliphaz Acknowledges God but Issues an Imprecatory Prayer
12 “Isn’t God in heaven above?
Consider how far away the stars are,
and how lofty they are!
13 You’ve asked, ‘What does God know?
Can he sort through pitch black darkness?’[f]
14 Thick clouds cover him so he can’t see
as he walks back and forth at heaven’s horizon.
15 “Will you keep walking on the traditional path
that sinners[g] have tread,
16 who were snatched away before their time;
when their foundation was swept away by a river?
17 They told God, ‘Get away from us!’
and ‘What will the Almighty do to them?’
18 “Though God[h] fills their houses with good things,
the counsel of the wicked will remain far from me.
19 The righteous will see this and rejoice;
the innocent will insult him, saying,[i]
20 ‘Our enemies are sure to be destroyed,
and fire will burn up what’s left of their riches.”
Eliphaz Challenges Job to Repent
21 “Get to know God, and you’ll be at peace with him,
and then prosperity will come to you.
22 Accept what he has to teach you,
and treasure his words in your heart.
23 “If you return to the Almighty you’ll be restored,
as you remove iniquity from your household.[j]
24 Bury your gold nuggets in the dust,
and your source of gold[k] among the stones in a streambed,
25 and then the Almighty will be your gold
and your refined silver.
26 “Then you’ll take delight in the Almighty;
and will turn your face toward God.
27 You’ll entreat him and he’ll listen to you
as you fulfill your vows.
28 When you make a decision on something,
it will be established for you,
and light will brighten[l] your way.
The Rights of an Apostle
9 I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven’t I? You are the result of[a] my work in the Lord, aren’t you? 2 If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the evidence of my apostolic authority from the Lord.
3 This is my defense to those who would examine me: 4 We have the right to earn our food,[b] don’t we? 5 We have the right to take a believing wife with us like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas,[c] don’t we? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to keep on working for a living? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its grapes? Or who takes care of a flock and does not drink any of its milk? 8 I am not saying this on human authority, am I? The Law says the same thing, doesn’t it? 9 For in the Law of Moses it is written, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[d] God is not only concerned about oxen, is he? 10 Isn’t he really speaking for our benefit? Yes, this was written for our benefit, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others enjoy this right over you, don’t we have a stronger claim? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we tolerate everything in order not to put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of the Messiah.[e]
13 You know that those who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple and that those who serve at the altar get their share of its offerings, don’t you? 14 In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who proclaim the gospel should make their living from the gospel.
15 But I have not used any of these rights, and I’m not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason for[f] boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for this obligation has been entrusted to me. How terrible it would be for me if I didn’t preach the gospel! 17 For if I preach voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with that obligation. 18 What, then, is my reward? It is[g] to be able to preach the gospel free of charge, and so I never resort to demanding my rights when I’m preaching[h] the gospel.
19 Although I am free from everyone’s expectations, I have made myself a servant to all of them to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the Law I became like a man under the Law, in order to win those under the Law (although I myself am not under the Law). 21 To those who do not have the Law, I became like a man who does not have the Law in order to win those who do not have the Law. However, I am not free from God’s Law, but I’m subject to the Messiah’s[i] law. 22 To the weak I became weak in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some of them. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel in order to have a share in its blessings.
24 You know that in a race all the runners run but only one wins the prize, don’t you? You must run in such a way that you may be victorious. 25 Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that withers away, but we run to win a prize that[j] never fades. 26 That is the way I run, with a clear goal in mind. That is the way I fight, not like someone shadow boxing. 27 No, I keep on disciplining my body, making it serve me so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.