M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Gatekeepers
26 These are the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers. From the ·family [clan] of Korah, there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, who was from Asaph’s ·family [descendants]. 2 Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jediael was second, Zebadiah was third, Jathniel was fourth, 3 Elam was fifth, Jehohanan was sixth, and Eliehoenai was seventh.
4 Obed-Edom had sons. Shemaiah was his ·first son [firstborn], Jehozabad was second, Joah was third, Sacar was fourth, Nethanel was fifth, 5 Ammiel was sixth, Issachar was seventh, and Peullethai was eighth. God indeed blessed Obed-Edom.
6 Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons. They ·were leaders in [ruled over] their father’s ·family [L house] because they were ·capable men [highly respected; L mighty men of valor]. 7 Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad, whose ·brothers [relatives] Elihu and Semakiah were ·skilled workers [or valiant men; or also respected]. 8 All these were Obed-Edom’s descendants. They and their sons and ·relatives [brothers; grandsons] were capable men and ·strong [well-qualified] workers. Obed-Edom had sixty-two ·descendants [relatives] in all.
9 Meshelemiah had sons and ·relatives [brothers] who were ·skilled workers [capable/respected men]. In all, there were eighteen.
10 From the Merari ·family [clan], Hosah had sons. Shimri, although not the oldest son, was chosen by his father to be in charge. 11 Hilkiah was his second son, Tabaliah was third, and Zechariah was fourth. In all, Hosah had thirteen sons and ·relatives [brothers].
12 These were the leaders of the ·groups [divisions; orders] of gatekeepers, and they served in the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord, as did their ·relatives [brothers]. 13 By throwing lots, each ·family [clan] chose a gate to guard. ·Young [Small] and ·old [great] threw lots.
14 ·Meshelemiah [or Shelemiah; v. 2] was chosen by lot to guard the East Gate. Then lots were ·thrown [cast] for Meshelemiah’s son Zechariah. He was a ·wise counselor [prudent advisor] and was chosen for the North Gate. 15 Obed-Edom was ·chosen for [allotted] the South Gate, and Obed-Edom’s sons were ·chosen to guard [allotted] the storehouse. 16 Shuppim and Hosah were chosen for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the ·upper [ascending] road [C to the Temple].
·Guards stood side by side with guards [or Guard duty was evenly divided; L A guard alongside a guard]. 17 Six Levites stood guard every day at the East Gate; four stood guard every day at the North Gate; four stood guard every day at the South Gate; and two at a time guarded the storehouse. 18 There were two guards at the ·western court [colonnade; Parbar; C the gateway leading up to the Temple] and four guards on the road.
19 These were the ·groups [divisions; orders] of the gatekeepers from the ·families [clans; L sons] of Korah and Merari.
Other Leaders
20 ·Other [Their fellow/brother] Levites were ·responsible for guarding [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [L house] of God and for the ·places where the holy items were kept [treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts].
21 ·Ladan [or Libni] was Gershon’s son and the ancestor of several ·family groups [clans]. ·Jehiel [or Jehieli; 23:8] was a ·leader [chief] of one of the ·family groups [clans]. 22 His sons were Zetham and Joel his brother, and they were ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries of the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord.
23 Other leaders were chosen from the ·family groups [clans] of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 24 Shubael,[a] the descendant of Gershom, who was Moses’ son, was the ·leader [chief] ·responsible for [in charge of] the treasuries. 25 These were Shubael’s relatives from Eliezer: Eliezer’s son Rehabiah, Rehabiah’s son Jeshaiah, Jeshaiah’s son Joram, Joram’s son Zicri, and Zicri’s son Shelomith. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] ·everything that had been collected for the Temple [the treasuries of dedicated/consecrated gifts collected] by King David, by the heads of ·families [clans], by the commanders of a thousand men and of a hundred men, and by other army ·commanders [officers]. 27 They also ·gave [dedicated] some of the ·things they had [plunder; spoil] taken in wars to be used in repairing the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord. 28 Shelomith and his relatives took care of all the ·holy items [dedicated/consecrated gifts]. Some had been given by Samuel the ·seer [prophet], Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah.
29 Kenaniah was from the Izhar ·family [clan]. He and his sons worked outside the ·Temple [L house] as officers and judges in Israel.
30 Hashabiah was from the Hebron ·family [clan]. He and his relatives were ·responsible for [in charge of] the Lord’s work and ·the king’s business [served the king] in Israel west of the Jordan River. There were seventeen hundred ·skilled [capable; respected] men in Hashabiah’s group. 31 The ·history [genealogy] of the Hebron ·family [clan] shows that Jeriah was their ·leader [chief]. In David’s fortieth year ·as king [of reign], the ·records [genealogies] were searched, and some ·capable [skilled; respected] men of the Hebron ·family [clan] were found living at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives who were ·capable [skilled; respected] men and leaders of families. King David ·gave them the responsibility of directing [put them in charge of] the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ·East [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh in God’s work and the king’s ·business [service].
Army Divisions
27 This is the list of the Israelites who served the king in the army. Each division was on duty one month each year. There were leaders of ·families [clans], commanders of a thousand men, commanders of a hundred men, and other officers. Each division had twenty-four thousand men.
2 Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. 3 Jashobeam, one of the descendants of Perez, was ·leader [chief; commander] of all the army officers for the first month.
4 Dodai, from the Ahohites, was in charge of the division for the second month. Mikloth was a ·leader [chief; commander] in the division. There were twenty-four thousand men in Dodai’s division.
5 The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division. 6 He was the Benaiah who was one of the Thirty [11:11]. Benaiah was a ·brave [mighty] warrior who led those men. Benaiah’s son Ammizabad was in charge of Benaiah’s division.
7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Asahel, the brother of Joab. Later, Asahel’s son Zebadiah ·took his place as commander [succeeded him]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, from Izrah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
9 The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh from the town of Tekoa. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
10 The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Helez. He was from the Pelonites and a descendant of Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
11 The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai. He was from Hushah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
12 The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Abiezer. He was from Anathoth in Benjamin. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
13 The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Maharai. He was from Netophah and was from Zerah’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
14 The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah. He was from Pirathon in Ephraim. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
15 The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai. He was from Netophah and was from Othniel’s ·family [clan]. There were twenty-four thousand men in his division.
Leaders of the Tribes
16 These were ·the leaders [in charge] of the tribes of Israel. Eliezer son of Zicri was over the tribe of Reuben. Shephatiah son of Maacah was over the tribe of Simeon. 17 Hashabiah son of Kemuel was over the tribe of Levi. Zadok was over the people of Aaron. 18 Elihu, one of David’s brothers, was over the tribe of Judah. Omri son of Michael was over the tribe of Issachar. 19 Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was over the tribe of Zebulun. Jerimoth son of Azriel was over the tribe of Naphtali. 20 Hoshea son of Azaziah was over the tribe of Ephraim. Joel son of Pedaiah was over ·West [L the half-tribe of] Manasseh. 21 Iddo son of Zechariah was over ·East Manasseh [L the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead]. Jaasiel son of Abner was over the tribe of Benjamin. 22 Azarel son of Jeroham was over the tribe of Dan.
These were the ·leaders [chiefs; commanders] of the tribes of Israel.
23 The Lord had promised to make the Israelites as ·many [numerous] as the stars ·in the sky [of heaven; Gen. 22:17; 26:4; Ex. 32:13]. So David did not count those younger than twenty years old. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began ·to count [the census of] the people, but he did not finish. ·God became angry with [L Wrath came upon] Israel for counting the people, so the number of the people was not put in the ·history book about [chronicles/annals of] King David.
The King’s Directors
25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal ·storehouses [treasuries].
Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the ·storehouses [treasuries] in the country, towns, villages, and ·towers [fortresses].
26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who ·farmed [tilled] the land.
27 Shimei, from the town of Ramah, was in charge of the vineyards.
Zabdi, from Shapham, was in charge of storing the wine that came from the vineyards.
28 Baal-Hanan, from Geder, was in charge of the olive trees and sycamore trees in the ·western hills [L Shephelah].
Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.
29 Shitrai, from Sharon, was in charge of the herds that ·fed [grazed] in the Plain of Sharon.
Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the ·herds [cattle] in the valleys.
30 Obil, an Ishmaelite, was in charge of the camels.
Jehdeiah, from Meronoth, was in charge of the donkeys.
31 Jaziz, from the Hagrites, was in charge of the flocks.
All these men were the ·officers who took care [officials/overseers in charge] of King David’s property.
32 Jonathan was David’s uncle, and he ·advised [counseled] David. Jonathan was a ·wise man [man of understanding/insight] and a ·teacher of the law [scribe]. Jehiel son of Hacmoni ·took care of [taught; tutored] the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel ·advised [counseled] the king. Hushai, from the Arkite people, was the king’s ·friend [confidant]. 34 Jehoiada and Abiathar later took Ahithophel’s place in ·advising [counseling] the king. Jehoiada was Benaiah’s son. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
1 From ·Simon [L Simeon; C a version of Simon closer to the Hebrew name] Peter, a ·servant [slave] and apostle of Jesus Christ.
To ·you [L those] who have received a faith as ·valuable [precious; privileged] as ours, ·because our God and Savior Jesus Christ does what is right [or through the righteousness/justice of our God and Savior Jesus Christ].
2 [May] Grace and peace be ·given to you more and more [lavished upon you; multiplied to you], ·because you truly know [or as you grow in your knowledge; L through/in the knowledge of] God and Jesus our Lord.
God Has Given Us Blessings
3 ·Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us [L His divine power has given us] everything we need ·to live and to serve God [or to live a godly life; L for life and godliness]. We have these things ·because we know [or as we better come to know; L through the knowledge of] ·Jesus, who called us [L the one who called us; C may refer to Jesus or God the Father] by his glory and ·goodness [virtue; moral excellence]. 4 Through these he gave us the very great and precious promises. [L …so that] With these gifts you can ·share in [partake of; participate in] ·God’s nature [L the divine nature; C which enables us to live forever], ·and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires [or having escaped the world’s decay that was caused by its evil desires].
5 ·Because you have these blessings [L For this very reason; C the reasons stated in vv. 3–4], ·do your best [make every effort; strive] to ·add these things to [or increase these things in] your lives: to your faith, add ·goodness [virtue; moral excellence]; and to your ·goodness [virtue; moral excellence], add knowledge; 6 and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add ·patience [or perseverance]; and to your ·patience [or perseverance], add ·service for God [devotion; piety; godliness]; 7 and to your ·service for God [devotion; piety; godliness], add ·kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ [affection for fellow believers; L brotherly love/affection; C Greek: philadelphia]; and to ·this kindness [affection; L brotherly love/affection], add love [C Greek: agapē]. 8 If all these things are in you and are ·growing [increasing], they will ·help you to be useful and productive [L keep you from being ineffective/idle and unfruitful/unproductive] in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 ·But [or For] anyone who does not have these things ·cannot see clearly [is nearsighted]. He is blind [1 John 2:11; Rev. 3:17] ·and [or because he] has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins.
10 [L Therefore] My brothers and sisters, ·try hard [make every effort; strive] to ·be certain that you really are called and chosen by God [L confirm your calling and election]. [L For] If you do all these things, you will never ·fall [stumble]. 11 ·And [For in this way] you will be given a very ·great [rich; lavish] ·welcome [entrance; arrival] into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 You know these things, and you are ·very strong [established] in the truth [that has come to you; that you now have], but I will always ·help you remember [remind you of] them. 13 I think it is right for me to ·help you remember [L arouse you with a reminder] as long as I am in this ·body [L tent; C a metaphor for the transitory earthly body]. 14 I know I must soon ·leave this body [L put off my tent; C die; 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:1, 4], as our Lord Jesus Christ ·has shown [made clear to] me [John 21:18]. 15 I will ·try my best [make every effort; strive] so that you may be able [L always] to remember these things even after ·I am gone [L my departure; C Peter’s death].
We Saw Christ’s Glory
16 [L For] When we ·told [made known to] you about the ·powerful coming [or power and coming] of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not ·telling [following; repeating] ·just clever stories that someone invented [or cleverly-concocted myths]. But we ·saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes [L were eyewitness of his majesty]. 17 [L For] ·Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory [L When that voice came to him from the Majestic Glory], when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him [C a reference to the Transfiguration; Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35].” 18 We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the ·holy [sacred] mountain.
19 ·This makes us more sure about the message the prophets gave [or And we also have a reliable message from the prophets; L And we have the prophetic word confirmed; C probably referring to the Old Testament]. ·It is good for you [You do well] to follow closely what they said as you would follow a ·light [L lamp] shining in a dark place, until the day ·begins [L dawns] and the morning star rises in your hearts [Num. 24:17; Rev. 22:16; C the planet Venus as seen before sunrise, here symbolizing Christ]. 20 ·Most [First] of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ·ever comes from the prophet’s own interpretation [or is a matter of one’s own interpretation]. 21 No prophecy ever came from ·what a person wanted to say [L human will/intention], but people ·led [carried; moved] by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God. [C True prophecy originates with God, not with the prophet.]
The Mountain of the Lord
4 In the last days
the mountain ·on which the Lord’s Temple stands [L of the house of the Lord]
will become the ·most important [L head] of all mountains.
It will be raised above the hills,
and people from other nations will come streaming to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the ·Temple [L house] of the God of Jacob,
so that he can teach us his ways,
and we can ·obey his teachings [L walk in his paths].”
His ·teachings [instruction; law; L Torah] will go out from ·Jerusalem [L Zion],
the word of the Lord from ·that city [L Jerusalem].
3 The Lord will ·judge [or arbitrate between] many nations;
he will ·make decisions about [settle disputes between] strong nations that are far away.
They will ·hammer [beat] their swords into ·plow blades [T plowshares]
and their spears into ·hooks for trimming trees [pruning hooks; Is. 2:4; Joel 3:10].
Nations will no longer raise swords against other nations;
they will not train for war anymore.
4 Everyone will sit under his own grapevine and fig tree [C symbols of prosperity],
and no one will make him afraid,
because the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] has said it.
5 All other nations ·may follow [L walk in the name of] their own gods,
but we will ·follow [L walk in the name of] the Lord our God forever and ever.
6 The Lord says, “·At that time [L In that day],
I will gather the ·crippled [lame];
I will ·bring together [assemble; gather] ·those who were sent away [the outcast/exile],
those whom I ·caused to have trouble [afflicted; filled with grief].
7 I will ·keep alive those who were crippled [make the lame a remnant],
and I will make a strong nation of those who were ·sent away [outcasts; exiles].
The Lord will ·be their king [reign over them] in Mount Zion from now on and forever.
8 And you, ·watchtower of the flocks [or Migdal-eder], ·hill [or stronghold] of ·Jerusalem [L Daughter Zion],
to you ·will come the kingdom [dominion will be restored] as in the past.
·Jerusalem [L Daughter Jerusalem], the ·right to rule [kingship; sovereignty] will come again to you.”
Why the Israelites Must Go to Babylon
9 Now, why do you cry so loudly?
·Is your king gone [Have you no king/King; C either a human king or God]?
Have you lost your ·helper [counselor; wise guide],
so that you are in pain, like a woman ·trying to give birth [in labor]?
10 ·People of Jerusalem [L Daughter Zion], ·strain and be in pain [writhe and groan].
Be like a woman ·trying to give birth [in labor],
because now you must leave the city
and live in the field.
You will go to Babylon,
but you will be ·saved [rescued] from that place.
The Lord will go there
and ·buy you back [redeem you] from [L the hand of] your enemies.
11 But now many nations
have ·come to fight [gathered; assembled] against you,
saying, “·Let’s destroy Jerusalem [L Let her be defiled/desecrated].
We will ·look at her and be glad we have defeated [gloat over; L let our eye look upon] ·her [L Zion].”
12 But they don’t know
·what the Lord is thinking [the thoughts of the Lord];
they don’t understand his plan.
He has gathered them like ·bundles of grain [sheaves] to the threshing floor.
13 “Get up and ·beat them [thresh], ·people of Jerusalem [Daughter Zion].
I will make you ·strong as if you had horns of iron [horns of iron]
and hoofs of bronze.
You will beat many nations into small pieces
and ·give [devote; consecrate] their ·wealth [gains; spoils] to the Lord,
their ·treasure [wealth] to the Lord of all the earth.”
Change Your Hearts
13 At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate [C Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea from ad 26 to 36; see 3:1] had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think ·this happened to them [L they suffered these things] because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? 3 No, I tell you. But unless you ·change your hearts and lives [repent], you will [L all] be destroyed as they were! 4 [L Or] What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were ·more sinful [more guilty; greater offenders] than all the others who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you. But unless you ·change your hearts and lives [repent], you will all be destroyed too!”
The Useless Tree
6 Jesus told this ·story [parable]: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for some fruit on the tree, but he found none. 7 So the man said to his gardener, ‘[L Look,] I have been looking for fruit on this tree for three years, but I never find any. Cut it down. Why should it ·waste the ground [take up space]?’ 8 But the servant answered, ‘·Master [Sir], let the tree have one more year to produce fruit. Let me dig up the dirt around it and put on some ·fertilizer [manure]. 9 If the tree produces fruit next year, good. But if not, you can cut it down.’”
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
10 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. 11 A woman was there who, for eighteen years, had an evil spirit in her that made her ·crippled [disabled]. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are ·free [released; set free] from your ·sickness [disability].” 13 Jesus ·put [laid] his hands on her, and immediately she was able to stand up straight and began ·praising [giving glory to] God.
14 The synagogue leader was ·angry [indignant] because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, “There are six days when one has to work. So come to be healed on one of those days, and not on the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord answered, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you untie your ·work animals [L ox or donkey from the stall] and lead them to drink water on the Sabbath day? 16 This woman that I healed, a daughter of Abraham, has been held by Satan for eighteen years. ·Surely it is not wrong [L Was it not necessary…?] for her to be freed from ·her sickness [L this bond/imprisonment] on a Sabbath day!” 17 When Jesus said this, all of those who were ·criticizing [opposing] him were ashamed, but the entire crowd rejoiced at all the ·wonderful [glorious] things Jesus was doing.
Stories of Mustard Seed and Yeast(A)
18 Then Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it with? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the ·wild birds [L birds of the sky] build nests in its branches.”
20 Jesus said again, “What can I compare God’s kingdom with? 21 It is like ·yeast [leaven] that a woman took and ·hid [mixed] in a large tub [C Greek: three sata; about fifty pounds] of flour until ·it made all the dough rise [L the whole was leavened; Matt. 13:33].”
The Narrow Door(B)
22 Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
Jesus said, 24 “·Try hard [Strive; Exert yourself] to enter through the narrow door, because many people [L I tell you] will try to enter there, but they will not be able. 25 When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you ·can [L begin to] stand outside and knock on the door and say, ‘·Sir [Lord], open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in the streets of our town.’ 27 But he will say to you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Go away from me, all you who ·do evil [practice unrighteousness; Ps. 6:8]!’ 28 [L There; In that place] You will cry and ·grind [gnash] your teeth [C indicating pain and remorse, or perhaps anger at the master; see Ps. 35:16] when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside. 29 People will come from the east, west, north, and south and will ·sit down at the table [L recline; C the posture for a banquet or dinner party] in the kingdom of God [C the messianic banquet, a metaphor for God’s final salvation; Is. 25:6–8]. 30 [Indeed; L Look; T Behold] There are those who are last now who will be first in the future. And there are those who are first now who will be last in the future.”
Jesus Will Die in Jerusalem(C)
31 At that ·time [or very hour] some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away from here! Herod [C Antipas; see 3:1] wants to kill you!”
32 Jesus said to them, “Go tell that fox Herod, ‘[L Look; T Behold] Today and tomorrow I am ·forcing [driving; casting] demons out and healing people. Then, on the third day, I will ·reach my goal [accomplish my purpose; finish my work; L finish].’ 33 Yet I must be on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. Surely it ·cannot be right [is impossible; is unthinkable] for a prophet to be killed anywhere except in Jerusalem.
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone to death those who are sent to you. ·Many times [How often] I wanted to gather your ·people [L children] as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me [Matt. 23:37–39]. 35 ·Now [L Look!; T Behold!] your house is ·left completely empty [left desolate; abandoned; Jer. 22:5]. I tell you, you will not see me until that time when you will say, ‘·God bless [L Blessed is] the One who comes in the name of the Lord [Ps. 118:26].’”
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