M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Ark of the Covenant(A)
37 Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was ·forty-five inches [L two and a half cubits] long, ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] wide, and twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] high. 2 He ·covered [overlaid] it, both inside and out, with pure gold, and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 3 He ·made [cast] four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on ·each [one side and two rings on the other] side. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and ·covered [cast; overlay] them with gold. 5 He put the poles through the rings on each side of the Ark to carry it. 6 Then he made a ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] of pure gold that was ·forty-five inches [L two and a half cubits] long and ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] wide. 7 Then Bezalel ·hammered gold to make two creatures with wings [L made two golden cherubim of hammered gold; C cherubim are powerful angelic creatures] and attached them to each end of the ·lid [cover; C the mercy seat]. 8 He made one ·creature [L cherubim] on one end of the lid and the ·other creature [L cherubim] on the other end. He attached them to the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover] so that it would be one piece. 9 The ·creatures’ [L cherubim’s] wings were spread upward, covering the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover], and the ·creatures [L cherubim] faced each other across the ·lid [mercy seat; atonement cover].
The Table(B)
10 Then he made the table of acacia wood; it was ·thirty-six inches [L two cubits] long, ·eighteen inches [L one cubit] wide, and ·twenty-seven inches [L one and a half cubits] high. 11 He ·covered [overlaid] it with pure gold and put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 12 He made a ·frame [rim] ·three inches [L a handbreadth] high ·that stood up all around the edge [all around it], and he put a gold ·strip [molding] around it. 13 Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the ·frame [rim] around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were ·covered [overlaid] with gold. 16 He made of pure gold all the ·things [vessels] that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings [Ezra 1:9–11; Dan. 1:2; 5:1–4].
The Lampstand(C)
17 Then he made the ·lampstand [L Menorah] of pure gold, hammering out its base and ·stand [shaft]. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and ·stand [shaft; 25:31]. 18 Six branches went out from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers, and each cup had a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same. 20 There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself, each with its buds and petals. 21 Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same. 22 The buds, branches, and lampstand were all one piece of pure, hammered gold. 23 He made seven pure gold lamps for this lampstand, and he made pure gold ·wick trimmers [snuffers] and trays. 24 He used about ·seventy-five pounds [L one talent] of pure gold to make the lampstand and all the things that go with it.
The Altar for Burning Incense(D)
25 Then he made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square—·eighteen inches [L one cubit] long and ·eighteen inches [L one cubit] wide—and it was ·thirty-six inches [L two cubits] high. Each ·corner that stuck out like a horn [horn; 27:2] was joined into one piece with the altar. 26 He ·covered [overlaid] the top and all the sides and the ·corners [horns] with pure gold, and he put gold ·trim [molding] around the altar 27 He made two gold rings and put them below the ·trim [molding] on opposite sides of it; these rings held the poles for carrying it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood and ·covered [overlaid] them with gold.
29 Then he made the holy olive oil for ·appointing the priests [anointing] and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.
16 “I have told you these things to keep you from ·giving up [stumbling; falling away; going astray]. 2 People will ·put you out of [ban you from] their synagogues. Yes, ·the time [L an hour; C an indefinite reference to a future time but likely connected to the period after the death and resurrection of Christ] is coming when those who kill you will think they are offering ·service [worship] to God. 3 They will do this because they have not known the Father and they have not known me. 4 I have told you these things now so that when ·the time [L their hour; C the time of persecution] comes you will remember that I ·warned [told] you [about them].
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“I did not tell you ·these things [C that they would experience persecution] ·at [from] the beginning, because I was with you then. 5 Now I am going back to the One who sent me. But none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Your hearts are filled with ·sadness [grief; sorrow] because I have told you these things. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is ·better for you [for your advantage] that I go away. [L For] When I go away, I will send the ·Helper [Counselor; Advocate; C the Holy Spirit] to you. If I do not go away, the Helper will not come [to you]. 8 When the Helper comes, he will ·prove to the people of the world the truth about sin [L convict/expose/convince the world about sin], about ·being right with God [L righteousness], and about judgment [C the meaning of this sentence is uncertain, as are the explanatory phrases in vv. 9–11]. 9 ·He will prove to them that sin is not believing in me [L concerning sin, because they do not believe in me]. 10 ·He will prove to them that being right with God comes from my going to the Father and not being seen anymore [L concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will no longer see me; C probably means the Spirit will convict the world of its empty righteousness because Jesus is no longer present to model true righteousness]. 11 ·And the Helper will prove to them that judgment happened when the ruler of this world was judged [L concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged; C probably means the Spirit will convict the world that its judgments are false because Satan—the one they follow—has been condemned by Christ’s victory on the cross].
12 “I [L still] have many more things to say to you, but ·they are too much for you [L you cannot bear them] now. 13 But when the Spirit of truth [C the Helper; see 16:7] comes, he will ·lead [guide] you into all truth. He will not speak ·his own words [from his own authority; L from himself], but he will speak only what he hears [C from the Father], and he will ·tell [announce/declare to] you what is to come. 14 The Spirit of truth will ·bring glory to [glorify; honor] me, because he will take what ·I have to say [L is mine] and ·tell [announce; declare] it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take what ·I have to say [L what is mine] and ·tell [announce; declare] it to you.
Sadness Will Become Happiness
16 “After a little while you will not see me [C after his crucifixion], and then after a little while you will see me again [C after his resurrection].”
17 [L Therefore] Some of the ·followers [disciples] ·said to each other [discussed among themselves], “What does Jesus mean when he says, ‘After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again’? And what does he mean when he says, ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They also asked, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus ·saw [knew; was aware] that the ·followers [disciples] wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you ·asking each other [discussing among yourselves] what I meant when I said, ‘After a little while you will not see me, and then after a little while you will see me again’? 20 ·I tell you the truth [L Truly, truly I say to you], you will ·cry and be sad [weep and mourn/lament], but the world will be happy. You will ·be sad [grieve; have pain], but your ·sadness [grief; pain] will become joy. 21 When a woman ·gives birth to a baby [goes into labor], she has pain, because her ·time [L hour] has come. But when her baby is born, she ·forgets the pain [does not remember the suffering/affliction], because ·she is so happy [L of the joy] that a ·child [L human being] has been born into the world. 22 It is the same with you. Now you are ·sad [sorrowful; in pain; grieving], but I will see you again and ·you [L your heart] will ·be happy [rejoice], and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day [C after his resurrection] you will not ask me for anything. ·I tell you the truth [L Truly, truly I say to you], my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name [see 14:13]. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be ·the fullest possible joy [complete; fulfilled].
Victory over the World
25 “I have told you these things ·indirectly in stories [in parables/figurative speech]. But ·the time [L the hour] will come when I will ·not [no longer] use ·stories like that [parables; figurative speech; 10:6] to tell you things; I will speak to you in plain words about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask the Father for things in my name. I mean, I will not need to ask the Father for you. 27 [L For] The Father himself loves you. He loves you because you loved me and believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then the ·followers [disciples] of Jesus said, “You are speaking ·clearly [plainly] to us now and are not using ·stories that are hard to understand [parables; figurative speech]. 30 We can see now that you know all things. ·You can answer a person’s question even before it is asked. [L You do not need anyone to question you.] This makes us believe you came from God.”
31 Jesus answered, “So now you believe? 32 Listen to me; ·a time [L an hour] is coming when you will be scattered, each to your own home [compare Zech. 13:7]. That time is now here. You will leave me alone, but I am ·never really [L not] alone, because the Father is with me.
33 “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have ·trouble [persecution; suffering], but ·be brave [take courage/heart]! I have ·defeated [victory over; conquered; overcome] the world.”
13 Wise ·children take their parents’ advice [L sons listen to their father’s discipline/instruction],
but ·whoever makes fun of wisdom [mockers] won’t listen to ·correction [a rebuke].
2 People will ·be rewarded for what they say [L eat well from the fruit of their mouth],
but ·those who can’t be trusted [the faithless] ·want only [L have an appetite for] violence.
3 Those who ·are careful about what they say [L watch/guard their mouth] protect their lives,
but whoever ·speaks without thinking [L spreads their lips wide] will be ruined.
4 The desire of the lazy is strong, but they get nothing,
but desire of those who work hard will be satisfied.
5 ·Good [Righteous] people hate what is false,
but the wicked do shameful and disgraceful things.
6 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] protects the honest person on the path,
but doing evil ·ruins [or misleads] the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8 The rich may have to pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor will face no ·such danger [threats].
9 ·Good people can look forward to a bright future [L The light of the righteous rejoices],
but the ·future of the wicked is like a flame going [L lamp of the wicked goes] out.
10 Pride only leads to arguments [or The empty-headed cause arguments out of pride],
but those who take advice are wise.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow.
12 ·It is sad not to get what you hoped for [L Hope delayed makes the heart sick].
But ·wishes that come true are like eating fruit from [longing fulfilled is] the tree of life.
13 Those who ·reject what they are taught [despise a word] will pay for it,
but those who ·obey what they are told [respect/fear the commandment] will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person ·gives life [L is a fountain of life]
·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].
15 People with good ·understanding [insight; sense] will ·be well liked [receive favor],
but the ·lives of those who are not trustworthy are [L way of the faithless is] hard.
16 Every ·wise [prudent] person acts ·with good sense [knowledgeably],
but fools ·show how foolish they are [display stupidity].
17 A wicked messenger ·brings nothing but trouble [or will fall into evil],
but a ·trustworthy [reliable] ·one [envoy] ·makes everything right [L brings healing].
18 A person who ·refuses [neglects] ·correction [instruction; discipline] will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who ·accepts [L guards] correction will be honored.
19 ·It is so good when wishes come true [L A realized longing/desire is pleasant],
but fools ·hate [detest] ·to stop doing [turning from] evil.
20 ·Spend time [L Walk; Go] with the wise and you will become wise,
but the friends of fools will ·suffer [or get into trouble].
21 Trouble ·always comes to [L pursues] sinners,
but ·good [righteous] people ·enjoy success [get a good reward].
22 Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for ·good [righteous] people.
23 A poor person’s ·field [soil] might produce plenty of food,
but ·others often steal it away [L it is unjustly swept away].
24 If you ·do not punish your children [L withhold/T spare the rod], you ·don’t love them [hate your children/son],
but if you love your children, you will ·correct [discipline] them.
25 ·Good [Righteous] people ·have enough to eat [eat till they are full/satisfied],
but the ·wicked will go hungry [L stomachs of the wicked will be empty].
Children and Parents
6 Children, obey your parents ·as the Lord wants [L in the Lord], because this is ·the right thing to do [right; just]. 2 The command says, “Honor your father and mother [Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16].” This is the first command that has a promise with it— 3 “Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth [Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16].”
4 ·Fathers [or Parents; Heb. 11:23], do not make your children angry, but raise them with the ·training [discipline] and ·teaching [instruction] of the Lord [Col. 3:21].
Slaves and Masters
5 ·Slaves [Bondservants], obey your ·masters here on earth [human masters; L masters according to the flesh; Col. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:18–25] with ·respect [fear] and ·fear [trembling] and from a sincere heart, ·just as you [or as you would] obey Christ. 6 You must do this not only ·while they are watching you [L with eye-service], ·to please them [L as people-pleasers]. But as ·slaves [bondservants] of Christ, do ·what God wants [God’s will] ·with all your [or from the] heart. 7 Do your work ·with enthusiasm [willingly; cheerfully]. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not people. 8 ·Remember [L …knowing] that the Lord will give ·a reward [or back] to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.
9 Masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them. Remember that the One who is your Master and their Master is in heaven, and he ·treats everyone alike [has no favorites; shows no favoritism].
Wear the Full Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his ·great [strong; mighty] power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes]. 12 [For] Our ·fight [conflict; struggle] is not against ·people on earth [L flesh and blood] but against the rulers and authorities and the ·powers [or cosmic powers/rulers] of this ·world’s darkness [L darkness], against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly ·world [realm; places]. 13 ·That is why you need to [L For this reason,] put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil [C persecution generally or end-time tribulation] you will be able to ·stand strong [keep your ground; resist the enemy]. And ·when you have finished the whole fight [L after you have done/accomplished everything], you will still be standing. 14 So stand ·strong [or ready], with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the ·body armor [breastplate] of ·right living [a righteous life; or God’s own righteousness/justice; L righteousness]. 15 On your feet wear the ·Good News [Gospel] of peace ·to help you stand strong [for firm footing; or to be fully prepared]. 16 And ·also [in addition to all this; or in all circumstances] use the shield of faith with which you can ·stop [extinguish] all the ·burning arrows [T fiery darts] of the Evil One. 17 ·Accept [Receive; or Take] the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the ·word [message] of God. 18 Pray ·in [or in dependence on] the Spirit at all times with all ·kinds of prayers [L prayers and requests], asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ·ready [alert] ·and never give up [L with all perseverance]. Always pray for all ·God’s people [T the saints].
19 Also pray for me that when I ·speak [L open my mouth], God will give me words so that I can tell the ·secret [mystery] of the ·Good News [Gospel] ·without fear [confidently; boldly]. 20 ·For this Good News […for which] I am an ambassador in ·prison [L chains; 3:1]. Pray that I will speak ·it [or for him; or in him] ·without fear [boldly; confidently], as I should.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus [Acts 20:4; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12], our ·brother whom we love [dear/beloved brother] and a faithful servant ·of the Lord’s work [or in the Lord] will tell you everything that is happening with me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this reason—so that you will know how we are, and he can encourage ·you [L your hearts].
23 Peace and love with faith to you brothers and sisters from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with ·love that never ends [an imperishable/undying love].
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.