M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Holy Tent
7 When Moses finished setting up the ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle], he ·gave it for service to the Lord [consecrated/sanctified it] by ·pouring olive oil on the Tent [anointing it] and on everything used in it. He also ·poured oil on [anointed] the altar and all its tools to ·prepare them for service to the Lord [consecrate/sanctify it]. 2 Then the leaders of Israel made offerings. These were the heads of the families, the leaders of each tribe who counted the people. 3 They brought to the Lord six covered ·carts [wagons] and twelve oxen—each leader giving an ox, and every two leaders giving a ·cart [wagon]. They brought these to the Holy Tent.
4 The Lord said to Moses, 5 “Accept these gifts from the leaders and use them in the work of the Meeting Tent. Give them to the Levites as they need them.”
6 So Moses accepted the ·carts [wagons] and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two ·carts [wagons] and four oxen to the ·Gershonites [L sons/descendants of Gershon], which they needed for their work. 8 Then Moses gave four ·carts [wagons] and eight oxen to the ·Merarites [L sons/descendants of Merari], which they needed for their work. Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest, directed the work of all of them. 9 Moses did not give any oxen or ·carts [wagons] to the ·Kohathites [L sons/descendants of Kohath], because their job was to carry the holy things on their shoulders.
10 When the ·oil was poured on the altar [altar was anointed], the leaders brought their offerings to it to ·give it to the Lord’s service [dedicate it]; they presented them in front of the altar. 11 The Lord told Moses, “Each day one leader must bring his gift ·to make the altar ready for service to me [for the dedication of the altar].”
In addition, each of the leaders brought one young bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17]; one male goat for a ·sin [or purification; Lev. 4:3] offering; and two oxen, five ·male sheep [rams], five male goats, and five male lambs a year old for a ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [Lev. 3:1; C the Hebrew text repeats the preceding two paragraphs with each of the twelve leaders listed below].
On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Judah.
On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Issachar.
On the third day Eliab son of Helon brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Zebulun.
On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Reuben.
On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Simeon.
On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Gad.
On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Ephraim.
On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Manasseh.
On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Benjamin.
On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Dan.
On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Asher.
On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan brought his gifts. He was the leader of the tribe of Naphtali.
84 So these were the gifts from the Israelite leaders when ·oil was poured on the altar [the altar was anointed] ·and it was given for service to the Lord [to dedicate it]: twelve silver plates, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes. 85 Each silver plate weighed about ·three and one-fourth pounds [L 130 shekels], and each bowl weighed about ·one and three-fourths pounds [L 70 shekels]. All the silver plates and silver bowls together weighed about ·sixty pounds [L 2,400 shekels] according to a weight set by the Holy Place measure. 86 The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ·four ounces [L 10 shekels] each, according to the weight set by the Holy Place measure. Together the gold dishes weighed about ·three pounds [L 120 shekels]. 87 The total number of animals for the burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] was twelve bulls, twelve ·male sheep [rams], and twelve male lambs a year old. There was also a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1], and there were twelve male goats for a ·sin [or purification; Lev. 4:3] offering. 88 The total number of animals for the ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offering [Lev. 3:1] was twenty-four bulls, sixty ·male sheep [rams], sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. All these offerings were for ·giving the altar to the service of the Lord [the dedication of the altar] after ·the oil had been poured on it [it had been anointed].
89 When Moses went into the Meeting Tent to speak with the Lord, he heard the Lord speaking to him. The voice was coming from between the two ·gold creatures with wings [cherubim; Ex. 37:7] that were above the ·lid [Mercy Seat/Cover; Ex. 25:17–22] of the Ark of the ·Agreement [Treaty; Covenant; L Testimony; 1:50]. In this way the Lord spoke with him.
Book 2: Psalms 42–72
Wishing to Be Near God
For the director of music. A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of the sons of Korah [C descendants of Kohath, son of Levi, who served as Temple musicians; 1 Chr. 6:22].
42 As a deer ·thirsts [longs; T pants] for streams of water,
so ·I [T my soul] ·thirst [L longs] for you, God.
2 ·I [T My soul] thirst for the living God.
When can I go to ·meet with [L see] ·him [L the face of God]?
3 Day and night, my tears have been my food.
People are always saying,
“Where is your God?”
4 When I remember these things,
I ·speak with a broken heart [L pour out my soul].
I used to walk with the ·crowd [throng]
and lead them to ·God’s Temple [L the house of God]
with ·songs of praise [L the sound of praise and thanks, a crowd in procession].
5 Why ·am I so sad [L are you cast down, my soul]?
Why ·am I so upset [L are you groaning/in an uproar]?
I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God
and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him,
my ·Savior [Victor] and 6 my God.
·I am very sad [My soul is cast down].
So I remember you ·where the Jordan River begins [L from the land of Jordan],
·near the peaks of [L and from] Hermon and Mount Mizar [C far from the Temple where God made his presence known].
7 ·Troubles have come again and again [L Deep calls to deep], ·sounding like waterfalls [L at the sound of your torrents; C waters represent distress; 69:1–2].
Your waves and your breakers ·are crashing all around [L pass over] me.
8 The Lord ·shows [commands] his ·true love [loyalty; covenant love] every day.
At night I have a song,
and I pray to my living God.
9 I say to God, my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why am I ·sad [L going around in mourning]
and ·troubled [oppressed] by my enemies?”
10 My enemies’ ·insults [scorn] make me feel
as if my bones were ·broken [L murdered].
They are always saying,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why ·am I so sad [L are you cast down, my soul]?
Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]?
I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God
and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him,
my ·Savior [Victor] and my God.
A Prayer for Protection
43 God, defend me.
·Argue my case [L Vindicate me, O God, and contend for/defend me] against ·those who don’t follow you [L a godless nation].
·Save [Rescue; T Deliver] me from ·liars [deceivers] and those who ·do evil [are unjust].
2 God, you are my ·strength [L refuge].
Why have you rejected me?
Why am I ·sad [L going around in mourning]
and ·troubled [oppressed] by my enemies?
3 Send me your light and ·truth [faithfulness]
to ·guide [lead] me.
Let them ·lead [bring] me to your holy mountain [C Zion, the location of the Temple],
to ·where you live [your dwelling].
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God who is my joy and happiness.
I will praise you with a ·harp [lyre],
God, my God.
5 Why ·am I so sad [L are you downcast, my soul]?
Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]?
I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God
and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him,
my ·Savior [Victor] and my God.
The Man Speaks
5 I have entered my garden, my sister [4:9], my bride.
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.
I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey.
I have drunk my wine and my milk [C he enjoys physical intimacy with her].
The Friends Speak
Eat, friends, and drink;
yes, ·drink deeply [be intoxicated], lovers.
The Woman Dreams
2 I sleep, but my ·heart [mind] ·is awake [was alert].
·I hear [L The sound of] my lover knocking.
“Open to me, my sister [4:9; C he desires physical intimacy], my darling,
my dove, my ·perfect [flawless] one.
My head is ·wet with [L full of] dew,
and my hair with the ·dampness [drizzle] of the night.”
3 I have taken off my ·garment [clothes]
·and don’t want to put it on [L should I get dressed…?] again.
I have washed my feet
·and don’t want to get [L should I get…?] them dirty again.
4 My lover put his hand through the ·opening [L hole],
and I felt ·excited inside [aroused; warmed].
5 I got up to open the door for my lover.
Myrrh was dripping from my hands
and liquid myrrh [4:14] was flowing from my fingers,
onto the handles of the lock.
6 I opened the door for my lover,
but my lover had left and was gone.
When he spoke, ·he took my breath away [L my spirit went out].
I ·looked for [sought] him, but I could not find him;
I called for him, but he did not answer.
7 The ·watchmen [guards; C an ancient equivalent to police; 3:3] found me
·as they patrolled [those who make their rounds in] the city.
They hit me and ·hurt [bruised] me;
the guards ·on the wall took away my veil [L lifted my garments from me].
8 ·Promise me [I adjure you], ·women [L daughters] of Jerusalem [1:5],
if you find my lover,
·tell him [L what should you say to him? That] I am weak with love.
The Friends Answer the Woman
9 How is your lover better than other lovers,
most beautiful of women?
How is your lover better than other lovers?
Why do you want us to promise this?
The Woman Answers the Friends
10 My lover is ·healthy [radiant] and ·tan [ruddy],
·the best of [distinguished among] ten thousand men.
11 His head is like ·the finest [pure] gold;
his hair is wavy and black like a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves [1:15]
by ·springs [streams] of water.
They seem to be bathed in ·cream [milk; C referring to the white of the eye]
·and are set like jewels [or sitting by pools].
13 His cheeks are like beds of spices [C his beard is perfumed];
·they smell like mounds of perfume [L growing aromatics].
His lips are like lilies
flowing with myrrh [4:14].
14 His ·hands [or arms] are like gold ·hinges [or bars],
·filled with jewels [L set with Tarshish stones; C a location in Spain; perhaps a black jet stone or golden topaz].
His ·body [or member] is like ·shiny ivory [or an ivory tusk]
·covered with sapphires [ornamented with lapis].
15 His legs are like large marble ·posts [pillars],
standing on ·bases [pedestals] of fine gold.
·He is like a cedar of [L His appearance is like] Lebanon,
·like the finest of the trees [L choice like the cedars].
16 His mouth is sweet [C to kiss],
and ·I desire him very much [he is totally desirable].
Yes, ·daughters [women] of Jerusalem [1:5],
this is my lover
and my ·friend [darling].
5 [L For] Every high priest is chosen from among ·the people [human beings; C to represent humans, the priest must himself be human] and is ·given the work of going before God for them [L appointed to represent people in things related to God] to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 Since he himself is weak [C subject to human frailty, both physical and moral], he is able to be gentle with those who ·do not understand [are ignorant] and who are ·doing wrong things [easily deceived; wayward; going astray]. 3 Because he is weak, the high priest must offer sacrifices for his own sins and also for the sins of the people [Lev. 16].
4 To be a high priest is an honor, but no one ·chooses himself for this work [takes this office by his own authority; L takes this honor for himself]. He must be ·called [chosen] by God as Aaron was [C Moses’ brother and Israel’s first high priest; Ex. 28:1]. 5 So also ·Christ [or the Messiah; C either a proper name or a title] did not ·choose himself to have the honor of being [L glorify/exalt himself by becoming] a high priest, but God ·chose [glorified; exalted] him. God said to him,
“You are my Son.
Today I have ·become your Father [T begotten you; Ps. 2:7].”
6 And in another Scripture God says,
“You are a priest forever,
·a priest like [L in the priestly order/line of] Melchizedek [Ps. 110:4].” [C See 7:1–10; Melchizedek was a priest and king in the time of Abraham; Gen. 14:17–24.]
7 ·While Jesus lived on earth [L In the days of his flesh/earthly life], he ·prayed to God and asked God for help [L offered prayers and petitions]. He prayed with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and his prayer was heard because ·he trusted God [L of his reverence/devotion; C referring especially to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane; Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:41, 44]. 8 Even though Jesus was ·the Son of God [or a son; C with all the rights and privileges of an heir], he learned obedience by what he suffered [C through total obedience to God, Jesus achieved the glorified or perfected state God originally intended for human beings; 2:3–9]. 9 And ·because his obedience was perfect [or having achieved perfection], he ·was able to give [L became the source/means of] eternal salvation to all who obey him. 10 In this way God ·made [designated; appointed] Jesus a high priest, ·a priest like [L in the priestly order/line of] Melchizedek [v. 6; Ps. 110:4].
Warning Against Falling Away
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are so ·slow to understand [hard of hearing; C spiritually]. 12 By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the ·first lessons [elementary truths; basic principles] of God’s ·message [revelation; oracles]. You still need ·the teaching that is like milk [L milk]. You are not ready for solid food. 13 [L For] Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and ·knows nothing about [or is unskilled/inexperienced with] ·right teaching [or the message about righteousness]. 14 But solid food is for those who are ·grown up [mature]. ·They are mature enough […who through practice/exercise have trained their faculties/senses] to know the difference between good and evil.
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