M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Israel at Sinai
19 In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain.(A)
3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called(B) to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.(C) 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant,(D) you will be my own possession(E) out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’(F) These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”
7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.”(G) So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud,(H) so that the people will hear when I speak(I) with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord, 10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes(J) 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.(K) 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.(L) 13 No hand may touch him;[a] instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”
14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.”
16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire.(M) Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace,(N) and the whole mountain shook violently.(O) 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.(P)
20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die.(Q) 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out in anger against them.”(R)
23 Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.” 24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
22 The(A) Festival of Unleavened Bread,(B) which is called Passover,(C) was approaching. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death,(D) because they were afraid of the people.(E)
3 Then(F) Satan entered Judas,(G) called Iscariot,(H) who was numbered among the Twelve. 4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police(I) how he could hand him over(J) to them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him silver.[a] 6 So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.
Preparation for Passover
7 Then(K) the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.(L) 8 Jesus sent Peter and John,(M) saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. 11 Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs.(N) Make the preparations there.”
13 So they went and found it just as he had told them,(O) and they prepared the Passover.
The First Lord’s Supper
14 When(P) the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again[b] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”(Q) 17 Then he took a cup,(R) and after giving thanks,(S) he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body,(T) which is given for you. Do this in remembrance (U) of me.”
20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant(V) in my blood,(W) which is poured out for you.[c] 21 But(X) look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me.(Y) 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined,(Z) but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
23 So they began to argue(AA) among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it.
The Dispute over Greatness
24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.(AB) 25 But he said to them,(AC) “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called[d] ‘Benefactors.’ 26 It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest,(AD) and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.(AE) 28 You are those who stood by me in my trials.(AF) 29 I bestow on you a kingdom,(AG) just as my Father bestowed one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.(AH) And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(AI)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
31 “Simon, Simon,[e] look out. Satan(AJ) has asked to sift you[f] like wheat.(AK) 32 But I have prayed(AL) for you[g] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen(AM) your brothers.”
33 “Lord,”(AN) he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
34 “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until[h] you deny three times that you know me.”
Be Ready for Trouble
35 He also said to them, “When I sent you out(AO) without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Not a thing,” they said.
36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one. 37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in me: [i] And he was counted among the lawless.[j](AP) Yes, what is written about me is coming to its fulfillment.”(AQ)
38 “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”
“That is enough!” he told them.
The Prayer in the Garden
39 He went out and made his way(AR) as usual(AS) to the Mount of Olives,(AT) and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place,(AU) he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”(AV) 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray,(AW) 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup(AX) away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
43 Then an angel from heaven(AY) appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in anguish,(AZ) he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.[k] 45 When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”
Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus
47 While(BA) he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?[l] 53 Every day while I was with you in the temple,(BB) you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour(BC) —and the dominion of darkness.”(BD)
Peter Denies His Lord
54 They seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter(BE) was following at a distance. 55 They(BF) lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard(BG) and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 56 When a servant saw him sitting in the light, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with him too.”
57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know him.”
58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter said.
59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with him, since he’s also a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter.(BH) So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”(BI) 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus Mocked and Beaten
63 The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him.(BJ) 64 After blindfolding him, they kept[m] asking, “Prophesy! Who was it that hit you?” 65 And they were saying many other blasphemous(BK) things to him.
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
66 When daylight came,(BL) the elders[n] of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes,(BM) convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin.(BN) 67 They said,(BO) “If you are the Messiah, tell us.”
But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”(BP)
70 They all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” (BQ)
And he said to them, “You say that I am.”(BR)
71 “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth?”
37 My heart(A) pounds at this
and leaps from my chest.[a]
2 Just listen to his thunderous voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He lets it loose beneath the entire sky;
his lightning to the ends(B) of the earth.
4 Then there comes a roaring sound;
God thunders(C) with his majestic voice.
He does not restrain the lightning
when his rumbling voice is heard.
5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow,(D) “Fall to the earth,”
and the torrential rains, his mighty torrential rains,
7 serve as his sign to all mankind,
so that all men may know his work.
8 The wild animals enter their lairs
and stay in their dens.(E)
9 The windstorm comes from its chamber,
and the cold from the driving north winds.
10 Ice is formed by the breath of God,(F)
and watery expanses are frozen.
11 He saturates clouds with moisture;(G)
he scatters his lightning through them.
12 They swirl about,
turning round and round at his direction,
accomplishing everything he commands them
over the surface of the inhabited world.
13 He causes this to happen for punishment,
for his land, or for his faithful love.
14 Listen to this, Job.
Stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God directs his clouds
or makes their lightning flash?
16 Do you understand how the clouds float,
those wonderful works of him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You whose clothes get hot
when the south wind brings calm to the land,
18 can you help God spread out the skies
as hard as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we should say to him;(H)
we cannot prepare our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Can a man speak when he is confused?
21 Now no one can even look at the sun
after a wind has swept through and cleared the sky.
22 Out of the north he comes, shrouded in a golden glow;
awesome(I) majesty surrounds him.
23 The Almighty—we cannot reach him—
he is exalted in power!
He will not violate justice and abundant righteousness,
24 therefore, men fear him.
He does not look favorably on any who are wise(J) in heart.
7 So then, dear friends, since we have these promises,(A) let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit,(B) bringing holiness to completion[a] in the fear of God.(C)
Joy and Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, corrupted(D) no one, taken advantage of no one. 3 I don’t say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.
5 In fact, when we came into Macedonia,(E) we[b] had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts(F) on the outside, fears(G) within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(H) comforted us by the arrival of Titus, 7 and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he received from you. He told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal(I) for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I grieved you with my letter,(J) I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it—since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while— 9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.(K) 11 For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure(L) in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your devotion to us might be made plain to you in the sight of God. 13 For this reason we have been comforted.
In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus(M) had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you. 14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been disappointed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth,(N) so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth. 15 And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you.
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