M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Israelis Reach Mount Sinai
19 On the third New Moon after the Israelis went out of the land of Egypt, on that very day,[a] they came to the desert of Sinai. 2 They had set out from Rephidim and arrived at the desert of Sinai where they camped in the desert. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and declare to the sons of Israel, 4 ‘You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 And now if you carefully obey me and keep my covenant, you are to be my special possession out of all the nations,[b] because the whole earth belongs to me, 6 but you are to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to me.’ These are the words you are to declare to the Israelis.”
7 When Moses came, he summoned the elders of the people and told them everything that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together: “We’ll do everything that the Lord has said!”
Then Moses reported all the words of the people back to the Lord. 9 The Lord told Moses, “Look, I’m coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may listen when I speak with you and always believe you.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
Preparation for the Covenant
10 The Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes, 11 and be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You are to set boundaries for the people all around: ‘Be very careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch the side of it. Anyone who touches the mountain is certainly to be put to death. 13 No hand is to touch that person,[c] but he is certainly to be stoned or shot;[d] whether animal or person, he is not to live.’ They are to approach[e] the mountain only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast.”
14 When Moses went down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 He told the people, “Be ready for the third day; don’t go near a woman.”[f]
The Lord Appears on Mount Sinai
16 When morning came on the third day, there was thunder and lightning, with a heavy cloud over the mountain, and the very loud sound of a ram’s horn. All the people in the camp trembled. 17 Moses brought the people from the camp to meet God, and they stood at the base of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord had come down in fire on it. Smoke went up from it like smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer with thunder.[g] 20 When the Lord came down on Mount Sinai to the top of the mountain, he[h] summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 The Lord told Moses, “Go down and warn the people so they don’t break through to look at the Lord, and many of them perish.[i] 22 Even the priests who approach the Lord must consecrate themselves. Otherwise, the Lord will attack them.”
23 Moses told the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai because you warned us: ‘Set boundaries around the mountain and consecrate it.’”[j]
24 The Lord told him, “Go down, and come back up with Aaron, but the priests and the people must not break through to go up to the Lord. Otherwise, he will attack them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
The Plot to Kill Jesus(A)
22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2 So the high priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the crowd.
3 But Satan went into Judas called Iscariot, who belonged to the circle[a] of the Twelve. 4 So he went off and discussed with the high priests and the Temple police how he could betray Jesus[b] to them. 5 They were delighted, and agreed to give him money. 6 Judas[c] accepted their offer and began to look for a good opportunity to betray Jesus[d] to them when no crowd was present.
The Passover with the Disciples(B)
7 Then the day of the Festival[e] of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus[f] sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal.”
9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”
10 He told them, “Just after you go into the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large upstairs room that is furnished. Get things ready for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything just as Jesus[g] had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
The Lord’s Supper(C)
14 Now when the hour came, Jesus[h] took his place at the table, along with his apostles. 15 He told them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer, 16 because I tell all of you,[i] I will never eat it again until it finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, 18 because I tell you, from now on I will never drink the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 Then he took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it in pieces, and handed it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Keep on doing this in memory of me.”
20 He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed[j] by my blood, which is being poured out for you. 21 Yet look! The hand of the man who is betraying me is with me on the table! 22 The Son of Man is going away, just as it has been determined, but how terrible it will be for that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to discuss among themselves which one of them was going to do this.
An Argument about Greatness
24 Now an argument sprang up among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he told them, “The kings of the unbelievers[k] lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not to do so. On the contrary, the greatest among you should become like the youngest, and the one who leads should become like the one who serves. 27 Because who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? It is the one at the table, isn’t it? But I’m among you as one who serves.
28 “You are the ones who have always stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred a kingdom[l] on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit down on thrones to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(D)
31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers.”
33 Peter[m] told him, “Lord, I am ready to go even to prison and to die with you!”
34 But Jesus[n] said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.”
Be Prepared for Trouble
35 Then Jesus[o] asked his disciples,[p] “When I sent you out without a wallet, traveling bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?”
They replied, “Nothing at all.”
36 Then he told them, “But now whoever has a wallet must take it along, and his traveling bag, too. And the one who has no sword must sell his coat and buy one. 37 Because I tell you, what has been written about me must be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the criminals.’[q] Indeed, what is written about me must be fulfilled.”
38 So they said, “Lord, look! Here are two swords.”
He answered them, “Enough of that!”[r]
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(E)
39 Then he left and went to the Mount of Olives, as usual. The disciples went with him. 40 When he arrived, he told them, “Keep on praying that you may not be tempted.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”
43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like large drops of blood falling on the ground.[s]
45 When he got up from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them asleep from sorrow. 46 He asked them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep on praying that you may not be tempted.”
Jesus is Arrested(F)
47 While Jesus[t] was still speaking, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them, and he came close to Jesus to kiss[u] him. 48 But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those who were around Jesus[v] saw what was about to take place, they asked, “Lord, should we attack with our swords?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” So he touched the wounded man’s[w] ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus told the high priests, the Temple police, and the elders, who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?[x] 53 While I was with you day after day in the Temple, you didn’t lay a hand on me. But this is your hour, when darkness reigns!”[y]
Peter Denies Jesus(G)
54 Then they arrested him, led him away, and brought him to the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had taken their seats, Peter, too, sat down among them. 56 A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, stared at him, and said, “This man was with him, too.”
57 But he denied it, “I don’t know him, woman!” he responded.
58 A little later, a man looked at him and said, “You are one of them, too.”
But Peter said, “Mister,[z] I am not!”
59 About an hour later, another man emphatically asserted, “This man was certainly with him, because he is a Galilean!”
60 But Peter said, “Mister,[aa] I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered the word from the Lord, and how he had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 So he went outside and cried bitterly.
Jesus is Insulted and Beaten(H)
63 Then the men who were holding Jesus in custody began to make fun of him while they beat him. 64 They blindfolded him and asked him over and over again, “Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?” 65 And they kept insulting[ab] him in many other ways.
66 As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council.[ac] 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah,[ad] tell us.”
But he told them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me, 68 and if I ask you a question, you won’t answer me. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”[ae]
70 Then they all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”
He answered them, “You said it—I AM.”
71 “Why do we need any more testimony?” they asked. “We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth!”
Elihu Concludes His Argument
37 “Now I’ll conclude with this:
my heart is trembling violently;
it feels like it’s about to leap from my body!
2 Listen carefully to his thundering voice;
to the sound that rumbles from his mouth.
3 He releases his lightning throughout the sky,
to the ends[a] of the earth.
4 His thunder roars after it;
his majestic voice will thunder;
and no one can trace them[b]
once his voice has been heard.
5 “God thunders with his wondrous voice;
he does awesome works that we don’t comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth.’
He tells the rain, ‘Pour down,’
then it rains profusely.
7 “He puts a limit to the skill[c] of every person;
to delineate all people from what they do.
8 “Then a beast enters its lair
and remains in its den.
9 “From the south,[d] a whirlwind proceeds,
out of the icy north winds.
10 From the breath of God ice is produced,
and a wide body of water is frozen.
11 He also loads the clouds with moisture,
scattering his lightning with the clouds.
12 It whirls about in circles at his direction
to accomplish all that he commands
throughout the surface of the entire world,
13 whether for discipline on his land
or to demonstrate his gracious love,
he causes it to be realized.”
Elihu Challenges Job to Pay Attention
14 “Pay attention to this, Job!
Stand still,
and consider the wondrous attributes of God.
15 Do you know how God ordains them,
and makes his lightning to flash throughout his clouds?
16 Do you understand his wondrous work of balancing the clouds,
the one[e] whose knowledge is perfect,
17 you whose garments are hot,
even though the land is cooled by a south wind?
18 Can you spread out the skies like he does;
can you cast them as one might a mirror?
19 Tell us! What are we to say to him?
Can we prepare our case to face him
when our faces are in darkness?
20 Has it been relayed to God[f] that I want to talk?
Can a person[g] speak when he is confused?”
God is Revered
21 “So then, the sun[h] is too bright to gaze at, is it not?
The sky is swept clean by the wind that blows,[i] is it not?
22 From the north he brings gold;
around God is awesome splendor.
23 We cannot find the Almighty—
he is majestic in power and justice,
and overflowing with righteousness;
he never oppresses.
24 Therefore humanity fears him,
which none of the wise[j] can quite comprehend.”
Cleanse Yourselves in Holiness
7 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let’s cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit by becoming mature in our holy fear of God.
Encouraged by the Corinthians
2 Make room for us in your hearts![a] We have not treated anyone unjustly, harmed anyone, or cheated anyone. 3 I am not saying this to condemn you. I told you before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4 I have great confidence in you. I am very proud of you. I am very much encouraged. I am overjoyed in all our troubles.
5 For even when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest. We suffered in a number of ways. Outwardly there were conflicts, inwardly there were fears. 6 Yet God, who comforts those who feel miserable, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, 7 and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing for me, your sorrow, and your eagerness to take my side, and this made me even happier.
8 If I made you sad with my letter, I do not regret it, although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while. 9 Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repent. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way. 10 For having sorrow in a godly way results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 See what great earnestness godly sorrow has produced in you! How ready you are to clear yourselves, how indignant, how alarmed, how full of longing and enthusiasm, how eager to seek justice! In every way you have demonstrated that you are innocent in this matter. 12 So, even though I wrote to you, it wasn’t because of the man who did the wrong or because of the man who was hurt. Instead, I wrote to you so that your devotion to us might be made perfectly clear to you before God.
13 This is what comforted us. In addition to our own comfort, we were even more delighted at the joy of Titus, because his spirit had been set at rest by all of you. 14 For if I have been doing some boasting about you to him, I have never been ashamed of it. Moreover, since everything we told you was true, our boasting to Titus has also proved to be true. 15 His affection for you is even greater as he remembers how obedient all of you were and how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that I can have complete confidence in you.
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