M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Groups of the Priests
24 These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of Aaron’s sons: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did [Lev. 10:1–2], and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. 3 David, with the help of Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, ·a descendant of Ithamar, separated their [C Aaron’s] ·family groups [descendants] into two different groups according to their ·various duties [assigned responsibilities/offices]. 4 There were more ·leaders [chiefs] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] than from Ithamar’s—sixteen ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Eleazar’s ·family [descendants] and eight ·leaders [heads of their clans] from Ithamar’s ·family [descendants]. 5 Men were ·chosen [divided; allocated; organized] ·impartially [or similarly] from Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s ·families [descendants] by throwing lots. Some men ·from each family were chosen to be in charge [were officials] of the ·Holy Place [sanctuary], and some were ·chosen to serve as priests [officials of God].
6 Shemaiah son of Nethanel, ·from the tribe [son] of Levi, was the ·secretary [recorder; scribe]. He recorded the names of those descendants in ·front [the presence] of King David, the ·officers [officials; leaders], Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests and Levites. The work was divided by lots among the ·families [clans] of Eleazar and Ithamar. 7 The first ·one chosen was [lot fell to] Jehoiarib. The second was Jedaiah. 8 The third was Harim. The fourth was Seorim. 9 The fifth was Malkijah. The sixth was Mijamin. 10 The seventh was Hakkoz. The eighth was Abijah. 11 The ninth was Jeshua. The tenth was Shecaniah. 12 The eleventh was Eliashib. The twelfth was Jakim. 13 The thirteenth was Huppah. The fourteenth was Jeshebeab. 14 The fifteenth was Bilgah. The sixteenth was Immer. 15 The seventeenth was Hezir. The eighteenth was Happizzez. 16 The nineteenth was Pethahiah. The twentieth was Jehezkel. 17 The twenty-first was Jakin. The twenty-second was Gamul. 18 The twenty-third was Delaiah. The twenty-fourth was Maaziah.
19 These were ·the groups chosen to serve [or their appointed duties; L the order of their serving] in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. They obeyed the ·rules [procedures; regulations] given them by Aaron, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
The Other Levites
20 These are the names of the rest of Levi’s descendants:
Shubael was a descendant of Amram, and Jehdeiah was a descendant of Shubael.
21 Isshiah was the ·first [firstborn; chief] son of Rehabiah.
22 From the Izhar ·family group [clan], there was Shelomoth, and Jahath was a descendant of Shelomoth.
23 Hebron’s ·first son was [descendants included] Jeriah, Amariah was his second, Jahaziel was his third, and Jekameam was his fourth.
24 Uzziel’s ·son was [descendants included] Micah. Micah’s son was Shamir. 25 Micah’s brother was Isshiah, and Isshiah’s ·son was [descendants included] Zechariah.
26 Merari’s descendants were Mahli and Mushi. Merari’s son was Jaaziah. 27 Jaaziah ·son [descendant] of Merari had ·sons [descendants] named Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Mahli’s ·son [descendant] was Eleazar, but Eleazar did not have any sons.
29 Kish’s ·son [descendant] was Jerahmeel.
30 Mushi’s ·sons were [descendants included] Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These are the Levites, listed by their ·families [clans]. 31 They ·were chosen for special jobs by throwing [cast] lots in front of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of the ·families [clans] of the priests, and the Levites. They did this just as their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, had done. The families of the oldest brother and the youngest brother were treated the same.
The Music Groups
25 David and the ·commanders [officers] of the army chose some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy] and play harps, lyres, and cymbals. Here is a list of the men who ·served in this way [performed/were assigned these services]:
2 Asaph’s sons who served were Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. King David ·chose [directed] Asaph to ·preach [proclaim; prophesy], and Asaph directed his sons.
3 Jeduthun’s sons who served were Gedaliah, ·Zeri [or Izri; v. 11], Jeshaiah, Shimei [C name not included in most manuscripts], Hashabiah, and Mattithiah. There were six of them, and Jeduthun directed them. He ·preached [proclaimed; prophesied] and used a harp to give thanks and praise to the Lord.
4 Heman’s sons who served were Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All these were sons of Heman, David’s ·seer [prophet]. God promised to ·make Heman strong, so Heman had [exalt/honor him with] many sons. God gave him fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 Heman directed all his sons in ·making music [singing] for the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord with cymbals, lyres, and harps; that was their way of serving in the ·Temple [L house] of God. King David ·was in charge of [directed; supervised] Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. 7 These men and their relatives were trained and skilled in ·making music for [singing to] the Lord. There were two hundred eighty-eight ·of them [with these skills; experts]. 8 Everyone threw lots ·to choose the time his family was to serve at the Temple [for their duties]. The ·young [small] and the ·old [great], the teacher and the student, had to throw lots.
9 First, the lot fell to Joseph, from the ·family [clan] of Asaph [C the number twelve needs to be understood here, as in the following verses, to make the total come to the stated 288].
Second, twelve men were chosen from Gedaliah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
10 Third, twelve men were chosen from Zaccur, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
11 Fourth, twelve men were chosen from ·Izri [or Zeri; v. 3], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
12 Fifth, twelve men were chosen from Nethaniah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
13 Sixth, twelve men were chosen from Bukkiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
14 Seventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Jesarelah [or Asarelah; 25:2], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
15 Eighth, twelve men were chosen from Jeshaiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
16 Ninth, twelve men were chosen from Mattaniah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
17 Tenth, twelve men were chosen from Shimei, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
18 Eleventh, twelve men were chosen from ·Azarel [or Uzziel; 25:4], his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
19 Twelfth, twelve men were chosen from Hashabiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
20 Thirteenth, twelve men were chosen from Shubael, his sons and·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
21 Fourteenth, twelve men were chosen from Mattithiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
22 Fifteenth, twelve men were chosen from Jerimoth, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
23 Sixteenth, twelve men were chosen from Hananiah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
24 Seventeenth, twelve men were chosen from Joshbekashah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
25 Eighteenth, twelve men were chosen from Hanani, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
26 Nineteenth, twelve men were chosen from Mallothi, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
27 Twentieth, twelve men were chosen from Eliathah, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
28 Twenty-first, twelve men were chosen from Hothir, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
29 Twenty-second, twelve men were chosen from Giddalti, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
30 Twenty-third, twelve men were chosen from Mahazioth, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
31 Twenty-fourth, twelve men were chosen from Romamti-Ezer, his sons and ·relatives [kinsmen; L brothers].
The Flock of God
5 ·Now [L Therefore] I ·have something to say to [exhort; appeal to] the elders in your group. I also am an elder. I ·have seen [was a witness to] ·Christ’s [or the Messiah’s] sufferings [Matt. 16:13–23; Mark 8:27–33; Luke 9:18–22], and I will share in the glory that will be ·shown [revealed] to us. I ·beg [exhort; urge] you to 2 ·shepherd [tend] God’s flock [John 21:15–19], ·for whom you are responsible [which is under your care]. ·Watch over [Oversee] them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are ·happy [eager] to serve, not because ·you want money [of greed]. 3 Do not ·be like a ruler over people [T lord it over those; dominate those; Matt. 20:25–27; Mark 10:42–45; Luke 22:25–27] ·you are responsible for [under your care; L those allotted (to you)], but be good examples to ·them [L the flock]. 4 Then when the Chief Shepherd [C Christ] ·comes [L appears], you will get a glorious crown that will never ·lose its beauty [fade away; C crowns for athletic success made from flowers wilted quickly; 1 Cor. 9:25].
5 In the same way, younger people should be willing to ·be under [submit/be subject to] ·older people [or the elders]. And all of you should ·be very humble with each other [L clothe yourselves with humility toward one another]. [L Because:]
“God ·is against [resists; opposes] the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble [Prov. 3:34].”
6 Be humble [L therefore] under God’s powerful hand so he will ·lift you up [exalt you] ·when the right time comes [in due time]. 7 ·Give all your worries to him [Cast all your anxiety on him], because he cares about you.
8 ·Control [Discipline] yourselves and be ·careful [alert]! The devil, your enemy, ·goes around [prowls] like a roaring lion looking for someone to ·eat [devour]. 9 ·Refuse to give in to [Resist] him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your ·Christian family [community of believers; L brotherhood] all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.
10 And after you suffer ·for a short time [or a little], God, who gives all grace, will ·make everything right [L restore you]. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you ·to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever [L into his eternal glory in Christ]. 11 ·All power is his [or To him be the power] forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 I wrote this short letter ·with the help of Silas [L through Silvanus; C a variant of Silas; he either helped write the letter or carried it], who I know is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote to ·encourage [exhort] you and to ·tell [testify/witness to] you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.
13 ·The church in Babylon [L She who is in Babylon; C “Babylon” is probably a veiled (and negative) name for Rome], who was chosen like you, sends you greetings. Mark, ·my son in Christ [L my son; C but probably a spiritual rather than a physical relationship], also greets you. 14 ·Give each other a kiss of Christian love when you meet [L Greet one another with a kiss of love].
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
The Leaders of Israel Are Guilty of Evil
3 Then I said,
“Listen, leaders of ·the people of Jacob [L Jacob];
listen, you rulers of the ·nation [L house] of Israel.
·You should [L Should you not…?] know ·how to decide cases fairly [justice],
2 but you hate good and love evil.
You skin my people alive
and tear the flesh off their bones.
3 You ·eat [devour] my people’s flesh
and skin them and break their bones;
you chop them up like meat for the pot,
like meat in a cooking pan.
4 Then they will cry to the Lord,
but he won’t answer them.
At that time he will hide his face from them,
because what they have done is evil.”
5 The Lord says this about the prophets who ·teach his people the wrong way of living [mislead/lead astray my people]:
“If these prophets are given food to eat,
they shout, ‘Peace!’
But if someone doesn’t ·give them what they ask for [L place food in their mouths],
they ·call for a holy war [declare war] against that person.
6 So it will become like night for them, without visions [C revelation from God will cease].
It will become dark for them, without ·any way to tell the future [divination].
The sun is about to set for the prophets;
their day will become dark.
7 The seers [C another name for prophets] will be ashamed;
the ·people who see the future [diviners] will be ·embarrassed [disgraced; humiliated].
Yes, all of them will cover their ·mouths [or lips; or faces],
because there will be no answer from God.”
Micah Is an Honest Prophet of God
8 But I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice and ·strength [might],
to ·tell the people of Jacob [L declare to Jacob] ·how they have turned against God [L his transgression],
and ·the people of Israel [L Israel] how they have sinned.
9 Leaders of [L the house of] Jacob and rulers of [L the house of] Israel,
listen to me,
you who hate ·fairness [justice]
and ·twist [pervert; distort] what is ·right [straight].
10 You build ·Jerusalem [L Zion; C the location of the Temple] ·by murdering people [L with bloodshed];
you build it with ·evil [wickedness; iniquity].
11 Its ·judges take money
to decide who wins in court [L rulers judge for a bribe].
Its priests only teach for ·pay [a price],
and its prophets ·only look into the future when they get paid [tell fortunes/practice divination for money].
But they lean on the Lord and say,
“The Lord is here with us,
so ·nothing bad [no harm] will ·happen to [overtake; come upon] us.”
12 [L Therefore] Because of you,
Jerusalem will be plowed like a field.
·The city [L Zion; v. 10] will become a ·pile of rocks [heap of rubble/ruins],
and the ·hill [mountain] ·on which the Temple stands [L of the house] will be ·covered with bushes [an overgrown hill; wooded heights].
Don’t Be Like the Pharisees(A)
12 [L Meanwhile] So many thousands of people had gathered that they were ·stepping [trampling] on each other. Jesus began to speak first to his ·followers [disciples], saying, “Beware of the ·yeast [leaven] of the Pharisees, ·because they are hypocrites [L which is hypocrisy; C the evil influence of the Pharisees was like yeast that would grow and affect everything around it; Mark 8:14–21]. 2 Everything that is ·hidden [concealed; covered up] will be ·shown [revealed; uncovered; disclosed], and everything that is ·secret [hidden] will be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered ·in an inner room [or behind closed doors] will be ·shouted [proclaimed] from the housetops.
4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of people who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more to hurt you. 5 I will ·show you [warn you about] the one to fear. Fear the one who has the ·power [authority] ·to kill you and also [L after the killing] to throw you into ·hell [L Gehenna; C a valley outside of Jerusalem where in the OT period children were sacrificed to a pagan god; later used as a burning trash heap; a metaphor for hell]. Yes, this is the one you should fear.
6 “[L Are not…?] Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies [C Greek: assaria; copper coins of very low value], ·and [yet] God does not forget any of them. 7 But ·God even knows how many hairs you have on your head [L even the hairs on your head have all been numbered]. Don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.
Don’t Be Ashamed of Jesus
8 “I tell you, all those who ·stand before others and say they believe in me [L confess/acknowledge me before people], ·I, the Son of Man, [L the Son of Man; C a title for the Messiah; Dan. 7:13–14] will ·say before the angels of God that they belong to me [L confess/acknowledge them before God’s angels]. 9 But all who ·stand before others and say they do not believe in me [L deny/disown me before people], I will ·say before the angels of God that they do not belong to me [L deny/disown them before God’s angels].
10 “Anyone who speaks [L a word] against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who ·speaks [L blasphemes] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [Matt. 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–30].
11 “When you are brought into the synagogues before the leaders and ·other powerful people [authorities], don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. 12 [L For] At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you ·must [ought/need to] say [Matt. 10:19–20; Mark 13:11].”
Jesus Warns Against Selfishness
13 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the ·property our father left us [family inheritance].”
14 But Jesus said to him, “[L Man,] Who ·said I should judge or decide [appointed me judge or arbiter] between you?” 15 Then Jesus said to them, “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life ·is not measured by [does not consist of] how much one owns.”
16 Then Jesus told this ·story [parable]: “There was a rich man who had some land, which grew a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods. 19 Then I can say to ·myself [L my soul], “I [L Soul, you] have enough good things stored to last for many years. ·Rest [Take it easy], eat, drink, and ·enjoy life [celebrate; T be merry]!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘Foolish man! Tonight your ·life [L soul] will be ·taken [demanded back] from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be for those who store up ·things [wealth; treasure] for themselves and are not rich ·toward [or in what matters to; or in their relationship with] God.”
Don’t Worry(B)
22 Jesus said to his ·followers [disciples], “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. 23 [L For] Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. 24 ·Look at [Consider; Think of] the ·birds [L ravens]. They don’t ·plant [sow] or ·harvest [reap], they don’t have storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds. 25 ·You cannot [L Who of you can…?] add ·any time [or a step; L a cubit; C about eighteen inches] to your ·life [or height; C the Greek is ambiguous, but probably refers to time instead of stature] by worrying about it. 26 If you cannot ·do [change] even the little things [by worrying], then why worry about the ·big things [L the rest]? 27 ·Consider [Look; Think] how the lilies grow; they don’t ·work [toil] or ·make clothes for themselves [L spin thread]. But I tell you that even Solomon ·with his riches [L in all his glory] was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. 28 God clothes [L If God clothes…?] the ·grass [wildflower] in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the ·fire [L furnace; oven]. So how much more will God clothe you? ·Don’t have so little faith [or You people of little faith; or How little faith you have]! 29 Don’t always think about what you will eat or what you will drink, and don’t keep worrying. 30 All the ·people [nations; Gentiles; pagans] in the world are trying to get these things, and your Father knows you need them. 31 But seek God’s kingdom, and ·all your other needs will be met as well [L these things will be given to you].
Don’t Trust in Money
32 “Don’t fear, little flock, because your Father ·wants [is glad/pleased] to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give ·to the poor [alms]. ·Get [Make] for yourselves ·purses [moneybags] that will not wear out, the treasure in heaven that never ·runs out [fails you], where thieves can’t ·steal [L come near] and moths can’t destroy. 34 ·Your heart will be where your treasure is [L For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also; Matt. 6:19–21].
Always Be Ready(C)
35 “·Be dressed, ready for service [T Let your loins be girded; C tucking garments into the waist belt to allow swift movement; a metaphor for preparedness], and have your lamps ·shining [burning; lit]. 36 Be like ·servants [L people] who are waiting for their ·master [lord] to come home from a wedding party. When he comes and knocks, the servants immediately open the door for him. 37 ·They [L Those servants/slaves] will be ·blessed [happy; or rewarded] when their ·master [lord] comes home, because he sees that they were ·watching [alert; awake] for him. I tell you the truth, the master will dress himself to serve and tell the servants to ·sit at the table [recline; C the posture for a banquet or dinner party; see 7:36], and he will ·serve [wait on] them [C a radical reversal in a culture where a master would never wait on a slave]. 38 Those servants will be ·blessed [happy; or rewarded] when he comes in and finds them ·still waiting [L thus; C alert and ready], even ·if it is midnight or later [L even in the second or third watches; C between 9 PM and 3 AM (by Roman reckoning)].
39 “·Remember [Know] this: If the owner of the house knew what time a thief was coming, he would not allow the thief to ·enter [break into] his house. 40 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man [C a title for the Messiah; Dan. 7:13–14] will come at a time when you don’t expect him!”
Who Is the Trusted Servant?
41 Peter said, “Lord, did you tell this ·story to [parable for] us or ·to [for] all people?”
42 The Lord said, “Who is the ·trusted [faithful] and ·wise [sensible] ·servant [household manager] that the ·master [lord] ·trusts [L puts in charge of the household servants] to give ·the other servants [L them] their ·food [food allowance; daily provisions] at the right time? 43 That ·servant [slave] will be ·blessed [happy; or rewarded] when the master comes and finds him doing his work. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will ·choose that servant to take care [put him in charge] of everything he owns. 45 But suppose the ·servant [slave] thinks to himself, ‘My master ·will not come back soon [is delayed in coming],’ and he begins to beat the other servants, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master [L of that servant/slave] will come [L on a day] when that servant is not ready and [L at an hour when he] is not expecting him. Then the master will cut him in pieces and ·send him away to be [assign/appoint him a place] with the ·others who don’t obey [unfaithful; unbelievers; C a metaphorical reference to Jesus, the ultimate Lord and Master, returning to judge his servants].
47 “The ·servant [slave] who knows what his master wants but is not ·ready [prepared], or who does not do what the master wants, will ·be beaten with many blows [beaten severely]! 48 But the servant who does not know what his master wants and does things that should be punished will be beaten ·with few blows [lightly; C a metaphor for judgment]. From everyone who has been given much, much will be ·demanded [required]. And from the one trusted with much, much more will be expected.
Jesus Causes Division(D)
49 “I came to ·set [bring; cast] fire to the world, and I wish it were already ·burning [kindled]! 50 I have a baptism [C a metaphor for suffering, portrayed as an overwhelming deluge] ·to suffer through [L to be baptized with], and I feel very ·troubled [distressed] until it is over. 51 Do you think I came to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I came to ·divide it [bring division]. 52 [L For] From now on, a ·family [L house] with five people will be divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law [Mic. 7:6].”
Understanding the Times(E)
54 Then Jesus said to the ·people [crowds], “When you see clouds coming up in the west, [L immediately] you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and [L so; thus] it happens. 55 When you feel the wind begin to blow from the south [C the desert], you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it happens. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to ·understand [interpret] the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you ·understand [know how to interpret] ·what is happening now [this present time; C the time of the coming of the Kingdom]?
Settle Your Problems(F)
57 “Why can’t you ·decide [judge] for yourselves what is right? 58 If your ·enemy [opponent; accuser] is taking you ·to court [before the magistrate/ruler], try hard to settle it on the way. If you don’t, your enemy might ·take [drag] you to the judge, and the judge might turn you over to the officer, and the officer might throw you into ·jail [prison]. 59 I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid everything you owe [C Greek: the last lepton; a copper or bronze coin of very little value].”
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