M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Divisions of the Levites
23 When David was old and full of days,(A) he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.(B) 2 Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, the priests, and the Levites. 3 The Levites 30 years old or more were counted;(C) the total number of men was 38,000 by headcount.(D) 4 “Of these,” David said, “24,000 are to be in charge of the work on the Lord’s temple,(E) 6,000 are to be officers and judges,(F) 5 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the Lord with the instruments that I have made for worship.”(G)
6 Then David divided them into divisions according to Levi’s sons:(H) Gershom,[a] Kohath, and Merari.
7 The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.
8 Ladan’s sons: Jehiel was the first, then Zetham, and Joel—three.
9 Shimei’s sons: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran—three. Those were the heads of the families of Ladan.
10 Shimei’s sons: Jahath, Zizah,[b] Jeush, and Beriah. Those were Shimei’s sons—four. 11 Jahath was the first and Zizah was the second; however, Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became an ancestral house and received a single assignment.
12 Kohath’s sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four.
13 Amram’s sons:(I) Aaron and Moses.
Aaron, along with his descendants,(J) was set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense in the presence of Yahweh,(K) to minister to Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever. 14 As for Moses the man of God,(L) his sons were named among the tribe of Levi.
15 Moses’ sons: Gershom and Eliezer.
16 Gershom’s sons: Shebuel was first.
17 Eliezer’s sons were Rehabiah, first; Eliezer did not have any other sons, but Rehabiah’s sons were very numerous.
18 Izhar’s sons: Shelomith was first.
19 Hebron’s sons: Jeriah was first, Amariah second, Jahaziel third, and Jekameam fourth.
20 Uzziel’s sons: Micah was first, and Isshiah second.
21 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi.
Mahli’s sons: Eleazar and Kish.
22 Eleazar died having no sons, only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.
23 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three.
24 These were the sons of Levi by their ancestral houses—the heads of families, according to their registration by name in the headcount—20 years old or more, who worked in the service of the Lord’s temple.(M) 25 For David said, “The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people,(N) and He has come to stay in Jerusalem forever. 26 Also, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the equipment for its service”(O)— 27 for according to the last words of David, the Levites 20 years old or more were to be counted— 28 “but their duty will be to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the Lord’s temple, being responsible for the courts and the chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of God’s temple— 29 as well as the rows of the bread of the Presence,(P) the fine flour for the grain offering,(Q) the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking,[c](R) the mixing,(S) and all measurements of volume and length.(T) 30 They are also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the Lord, and likewise in the evening. 31 Whenever burnt offerings are offered to the Lord on the Sabbaths, New Moons,(U) and appointed festivals, they are to do so regularly in the Lord’s presence according to the number prescribed for them.(V) 32 They are to carry out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the holy place,(W) and for their relatives, the sons of Aaron,(X) in the service of the Lord’s temple.”
Following Christ
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered[a] in the flesh,[b] equip[c] yourselves also with the same resolve[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished(A) with sin[e]— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,[f] but for God’s will.(B) 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,(C) drunkenness, orgies,(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood[h] of wild living—and they slander you. 5 They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) 6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,(F) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly(G) realm,[i] they might live(H) by God in the spiritual realm.[j]
End-Time Ethics
7 Now the end of all things is near;(I) therefore, be serious and disciplined(J) for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain an intense love(K) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.(L)[k] 9 Be hospitable(M) to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,(N) as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,(O) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Christian Suffering
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal[l] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.(P) 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,(Q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation(R) of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(S) you are blessed, because the Spirit(T) of glory and of God rests on you.[m] 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[n] 16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment(U) to begin with God’s household,(V) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?(W)[o]
19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves(X) to a faithful Creator.
Oppressors Judged
2 Woe to those who dream up wickedness
and prepare evil plans(A) on their beds!
At morning light(B) they accomplish it
because the power is in their hands.(C)
2 They covet fields(D) and seize them;(E)
they also take houses.
They deprive a man of his home,(F)
a person of his inheritance.(G)
3 Therefore, the Lord says:
I am now planning(H) a disaster
against this nation;(I)
you cannot free your necks from it.(J)
Then you will not walk so proudly(K)
because it will be an evil time.(L)
4 In that day one will take up(M) a taunt against you,
and lament mournfully,(N) saying,
“We are totally ruined!(O)
He measures out the allotted land of my people.
How He removes it from me!
He allots our fields(P) to traitors.”
5 Therefore, there will be no one
in the assembly of the Lord
to divide the land by casting lots.[a](Q)
God’s Word Rejected
6 “Quit your preaching,”(R) they[b] preach.
“They should not preach these things;(S)
shame will not overtake us.”[c](T)
7 House of Jacob, should it be asked,
“Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient?(U)
Are these the things He does?”
Don’t My words bring good(V)
to the one who walks uprightly?(W)
8 But recently My people have risen up
like an enemy:(X)
You strip off the splendid robe(Y)
from those who are passing through confidently,(Z)
like those returning from war.
9 You force(AA) the women of My people
out of their comfortable homes,
and you take My blessing[d](AB)
from their children forever.
10 Get up and leave,
for this is not your place of rest,(AC)
because defilement(AD) brings destruction—
a grievous destruction!(AE)
11 If a man of wind[e] comes
and invents lies:(AF)
“I will preach to you about wine and beer,”(AG)
he would be just the preacher for this people!(AH)
The Remnant Regathered
12 I will indeed gather(AI) all of you, Jacob;
I will collect the remnant of Israel.(AJ)
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in the middle of its fold.
It will be noisy with people.(AK)
13 One who breaks open the way
will advance before them;
they will break out, pass through the gate,
and leave by it.
Their King will pass through before them,
the Lord as their leader.
The Model Prayer
11 He was praying(A) in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”(B)
2 He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say:(C)
Father,[a](D)
Your name(E) be honored as holy.(F)
Your kingdom come.[b](G)
3 Give us each day our daily bread.[c](H)
4 And forgive us our sins,(I)
for we ourselves also forgive everyone
in debt to us.[d](J)
And do not bring us into temptation.”[e](K)
Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking
5 He also said to them: “Suppose one of you[f] has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’[g] 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence,[h] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.(L)
9 “So(M) I say to you, keep asking,[i](N) and it will be given to you. Keep searching,[j](O) and you will find. Keep knocking,[k](P) and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son[l] asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil,(Q) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father(R) give[m] the Holy Spirit(S) to those who ask Him?”
A House Divided
14 Now(T) He was driving out a demon(U) that was mute.[n](V) When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul,(W) the ruler(X) of the demons!”(Y) 16 And others, as a test,(Z) were demanding of Him a sign(AA) from heaven.
17 Knowing their thoughts,(AB) He told them: “Every kingdom divided(AC) against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan(AD) also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom(AE) stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sons[o](AF) drive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God,(AG) then the kingdom of God(AH) has come to you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.[p] 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers(AI) him, he takes from him all his weapons[q](AJ) he trusted(AK) in, and divides up his plunder.(AL) 23 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me,(AM) and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.
An Unclean Spirit’s Return
24 “When(AN) an unclean spirit(AO) comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest,(AP) and not finding rest, it then[r] says, ‘I’ll go back to my house where I came from.’ 25 And returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits(AQ) more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first.”(AR)
True Blessedness
27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd(AS) raised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You(AT) are blessed!”
28 He said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God(AU) and keep it(AV) are blessed!”
The Sign of Jonah
29 As the crowds were increasing, He began saying: “This generation(AW) is an evil generation.(AX) It demands a sign,(AY) but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.[s](AZ) 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the Son of Man(BA) will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the south(BB) will rise up at the judgment(BC) with the men of this generation and condemn(BD) them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,(BE) and look—something greater than Solomon is here! 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation, and look—something greater than Jonah is here!
The Lamp of the Body
33 “No(BF) one lights a lamp(BG) and puts it in the cellar or under a basket,[t] but on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see its light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body.(BH) When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad,(BI) your body is also full of darkness. 35 Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.”[u]
Religious Hypocrisy Denounced
37 As He was speaking, a Pharisee(BJ) asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and reclined at the table. 38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed that He did not first perform the ritual washing[v](BK) before dinner.(BL) 39 But the Lord said to him: “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed(BM) and evil.(BN) 40 Fools!(BO) Didn’t He who made the outside make the inside too? 41 But give from what is within to the poor,[w](BP) and then everything is clean(BQ) for you.
42 “But woe(BR) to you Pharisees! You give a tenth[x](BS) of mint, rue, and every kind of herb, and you bypass[y] justice(BT) and love for God.[z](BU) These things you should have done without neglecting the others.
43 “Woe to you Pharisees! You love the front seat(BV) in the synagogues(BW) and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 “Woe to you![aa] You are like unmarked graves;(BX) the people who walk over them don’t know it.”
45 One of the experts in the law(BY) answered Him, “Teacher, when You say these things You insult us too.”
46 Then He said: “Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens(BZ) that are hard to carry, yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers.(CA)
47 “Woe to you! You build monuments[ab] to the prophets,(CB) and your fathers killed(CC) them. 48 Therefore, you are witnesses(CD) that you approve[ac](CE) the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their monuments.[ad] 49 Because of this, the wisdom of God(CF) said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles,(CG) and some of them they will kill and persecute,’(CH) 50 so that this generation(CI) may be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world[ae](CJ)— 51 from the blood of Abel(CK) to the blood of Zechariah,(CL) who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.
“Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible.[af]
52 “Woe to you experts in the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge!(CM) You didn’t go in yourselves, and you hindered(CN) those who were going in.”
53 When He left there,[ag] the scribes and the Pharisees began to oppose(CO) Him fiercely and to cross-examine Him about many things; 54 they were lying in wait(CP) for Him to trap Him in something He said.[ah](CQ)
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