M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Israel’s Labor Increased
5 And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “(A)Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘(B)Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “(C)Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, (D)I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “(E)The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you [a]draw the people away from their [b]work? Get back to your [c](F)labors!” 5 Again Pharaoh said, “Look, (G)the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!” 6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded (H)the taskmasters over the people and their (I)foremen, saying, 7 “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are (J)lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘[d]Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”
10 So (K)the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I am not going to give you any straw. 11 You go and get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it, but none of your labor will be reduced.’” 12 So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your [e]work quota, [f]your daily amount, just as when [g]you had straw.” 14 Moreover, (L)the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, (M)were beaten [h]and were asked, “Why have you not completed your required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?”
15 Then the foremen of the sons of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? 16 There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are (N)lazy, very lazy; therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the quota of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble [i]because they were told, “You must not reduce [j]your daily amount of bricks.” 20 When they left Pharaoh’s presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were [k]waiting for them. 21 (O)They said to them, “(P)May the Lord look upon you and judge you, for you have (Q)made [l]us odious in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
22 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “(R)O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, (S)and You have not delivered Your people at all.”
Ministering Women
8 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, (A)proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2 and also (B)some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: (C)Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, (D)Herod’s (E)steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Parable of the Sower
4 (F)When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the [a]air ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. 8 Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “(G)He who has ears to hear, [b]let him hear.”
9 (H)His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. 10 And He said, “(I)To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that (J)seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
11 “Now the parable is this: (K)the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; [c]they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with [d]perseverance.
Parable of the Lamp
16 “Now (L)no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. 17 (M)For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 So take care how you listen; (N)for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he [e]thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”
19 (O)And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these (P)who hear the word of God and do it.”
Jesus Stills the Sea
22 (Q)Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of (R)the lake.” So they launched out. 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on (S)the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “(T)Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and (U)rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and [f]it became calm. 25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”
The Demoniac Cured
26 (V)Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. 28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “[g](W)What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of (X)the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. 30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “(Y)Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into (Z)the abyss.
32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter [h]the swine. And He gave them permission. 33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into (AA)the lake and was drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country. 35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down (AB)at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. 36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was (AC)demon-possessed had been [i]made well. 37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. 38 (AD)But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might [j]accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Miracles of Healing
40 (AE)And as Jesus returned, the [k]people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. 41 (AF)And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an [l](AG)official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; 42 for he had an [m]only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.
43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His [n]cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “(AH)Master, the [o]people are crowding and pressing in on You.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that (AI)power had gone out of Me.” 47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, (AJ)your faith has [p]made you well; (AK)go in peace.”
49 While He was still speaking, someone *came from the house of (AL)the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “(AM)Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be [q]made well.” 51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52 Now they were all weeping and (AN)lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but (AO)is asleep.” 53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed; but He (AP)instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
Eliphaz Accuses and Exhorts Job
22 Then Eliphaz the Temanite [a]responded,
2 “Can a vigorous (A)man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?
3 “Is there any pleasure to [b]the Almighty if you are righteous,
Or profit if you make your ways perfect?
4 “Is it because of your [c]reverence that He reproves you,
That He (B)enters into judgment against you?
5 “Is not (C)your wickedness great,
And your iniquities without end?
6 “For you have (D)taken pledges of your brothers without cause,
And (E)stripped [d]men naked.
7 “To the weary you have (F)given no water to drink,
And from the hungry you have (G)withheld bread.
8 “But the earth (H)belongs to the (I)mighty man,
And (J)the honorable man dwells in it.
9 “You have sent (K)widows away empty,
And the [e]strength of the (L)orphans has been crushed.
10 “Therefore (M)snares surround you,
And sudden (N)dread terrifies you,
11 Or (O)darkness, so that you cannot see,
And an (P)abundance of water covers you.
12 “Is not God (Q)in the height of heaven?
Look also at the [f]distant stars, how high they are!
13 “You say, ‘(R)What does God know?
Can He judge through the thick darkness?
14 ‘(S)Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see;
And He walks on the [g]vault of heaven.’
15 “Will you keep to the ancient path
Which (T)wicked men have trod,
16 Who were snatched away (U)before their time,
Whose (V)foundations were [h]washed away by a river?
17 “They (W)said to God, ‘Depart from us!’
And ‘What can [i]the Almighty do to them?’
18 “Yet He (X)filled their houses with good things;
But (Y)the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 “The (Z)righteous see and are glad,
And the innocent mock them,
20 Saying, ‘Truly our adversaries are cut off,
And their [j]abundance (AA)the fire has consumed.’
21 “[k](AB)Yield now and be at peace with Him;
Thereby good will come to you.
22 “Please receive [l](AC)instruction from His mouth
And establish His words in your heart.
23 “If you (AD)return to [m]the Almighty, you will be [n]restored;
If you (AE)remove unrighteousness far from your tent,
24 And (AF)place your [o]gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,
25 Then [p]the Almighty will be your [q]gold
And choice silver to you.
26 “For then you will (AG)delight in [r]the Almighty
And lift up your face to God.
27 “You will (AH)pray to Him, and (AI)He will hear you;
And you will pay your vows.
28 “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And (AJ)light will shine on your ways.
29 “When [s]you are cast down, you will speak with [t]confidence,
And the [u](AK)humble person He will save.
30 “He will deliver one who is not innocent,
And he will be (AL)delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”
Paul’s Use of Liberty
9 Am I not (A)free? Am I not an (B)apostle? Have I not (C)seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not (D)my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the (E)seal of my (F)apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 [a](G)Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 [b](H)Do we not have a right to take along a [c]believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the (I)brothers of the Lord and (J)Cephas? 6 Or do only [d](K)Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves (L)as a soldier at his own expense? Who (M)plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not [e]use the milk of the flock?
8 I am not speaking these things (N)according to [f]human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “(O)You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about (P)oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, (Q)for our sake it was written, because (R)the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 (S)If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we (T)did not use this right, but we endure all things (U)so that we will cause no hindrance to the (V)gospel of Christ. 13 (W)Do you not know that those who (X)perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share [g]from the altar? 14 So also (Y)the Lord directed those who proclaim the (Z)gospel to (AA)get their living from the gospel.
15 But I have (AB)used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make (AC)my boast an empty one. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for (AD)I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach (AE)the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a (AF)reward; but if against my will, I have a (AG)stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my (AH)reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel (AI)without charge, so as (AJ)not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am (AK)free from all men, I have made myself (AL)a slave to all, so that I may (AM)win more. 20 (AN)To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under [h]the Law, as under [i]the Law though (AO)not being myself under [j]the Law, so that I might win those who are under [k]the Law; 21 to those who are (AP)without law, (AQ)as without law, though not being without the law of God but (AR)under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the (AS)weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become (AT)all things to all men, (AU)so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
24 (AV)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives (AW)the prize? (AX)Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who (AY)competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable (AZ)wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I (BA)run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not (BB)beating the air; 27 but I [l]discipline (BC)my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.