M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Clothes for the Priests
39 They used blue, purple and red thread to make woven clothes for the priests. They were to wear these when they served in the Holy Place. They also made the holy clothes for Aaron as the Lord had commanded Moses.
2 They made the holy vest of gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. 3 They hammered the gold into sheets. Then they cut the gold into long, thin strips. They worked the gold into the blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. This was done by a skilled craftsman. 4 They made the shoulder straps for the holy vest. These straps were attached to the top corners of the vest. Then the shoulder straps were tied together over each shoulder. 5 The skillfully woven belt was made in the same way. It was joined to the holy vest as one piece. It was made of gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. It was made the way the Lord commanded Moses.
6 They put gold around the onyx stones. Then they wrote the names of the sons of Israel on these gems. They did that as a person carves words and designs on a seal. 7 Then they attached the gems on the shoulder straps of the holy vest. These gems are reminders of the 12 sons of Israel. This was done the way the Lord had commanded Moses.
8 The skilled craftsmen made the chest covering. It was made like the holy vest. It was made of gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. 9 The chest covering was square, nine inches long and nine inches wide. It was folded double to make a pocket. 10 Then they put four rows of beautiful jewels on it. In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a yellow quartz. 11 In the second row there was a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald. 12 In the third row there was a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst. 13 In the fourth row there was a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Gold was put around these jewels to attach them to the chest covering. 14 The names of the sons of Israel were carved on these 12 jewels as a person carves a seal. Each jewel had the name of 1 of the 12 tribes of Israel.
15 They made chains of pure gold for the chest covering. They were twisted together like a rope. 16 The workers made two gold pieces and two gold rings. They put the two gold rings on the two upper corners of the chest covering. 17 Then they put two gold chains in the two rings. These are at the ends of the chest covering. 18 They fastened the other two ends of the chains to the two gold pieces. Then they attached these gold pieces to the two shoulder straps in the front of the holy vest. 19 They made two more gold rings and put them at the lower corners of the chest covering. They put them on the inside edge next to the holy vest. 20 Then they made two more gold rings on the bottom of the shoulder straps in front of the holy vest. These rings were near the seam, just above the woven belt of the holy vest. 21 They used a blue ribbon and tied the rings of the chest covering to the rings of the holy vest. This connected it to the woven belt. In this way the chest covering would not swing out from the holy vest. They did all these things the way the Lord commanded.
22 Then they made the outer robe to be worn under the holy vest. It was woven of blue cloth. 23 They made a hole in the center of the outer robe. A woven collar was sewn around this hole so it would not tear. 24 Then they made balls like pomegranates of blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen. They hung them around the bottom of the outer robe. 25 They also made bells of pure gold. They hung these around the bottom of the outer robe between the balls. 26 So around the bottom of the outer robe there was a bell and a pomegranate ball, a bell and a pomegranate ball. The priest wore this outer robe when he served as priest, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
27 They wove inner robes of fine linen for Aaron and his sons. 28 And they made turbans and underclothes of fine linen. 29 Then they made the cloth belt of fine linen and blue, purple and red thread. Designs were sewn onto the cloth. These things were made as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30 They made a strip of pure gold, which is the holy crown. They carved these words in the gold: “Holy to the Lord.” They did it as one might carve on a seal. 31 Then they tied this flat piece to the turban with a blue ribbon. This was done as the Lord had commanded Moses.
32 So all the work on the Meeting Tent was finished. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 Then they brought the Holy Tent to Moses: the Tent and all its furniture, hooks, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 34 the covering made of male sheep skins colored red, the covering made of fine leather and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place; 35 the Ark of the Covenant, its poles and lid; 36 the table, all its containers and the bread that showed they were in God’s presence; 37 the pure gold lampstand with its lamps in a row, all its tools and the olive oil for the light; 38 the gold altar, the special olive oil used for appointing priests, the sweet-smelling incense, and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Tent; 39 the bronze altar and its screen, its poles and all its tools, the bowl and its stand; 40 the curtains for the courtyard with their posts and bases, the curtain that covered the entry to the courtyard, the cords, pegs and all the things in the Meeting Tent. 41 They brought the clothes for the priests to wear when they served in the Holy Tent: the holy clothes for Aaron the priest and the clothes for his sons. They wore these when they served as priests.
42 The Israelites had done all this work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 Moses looked closely at all the work. He saw they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Jesus Is Arrested
18 When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers. They went across the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden of olive trees. Jesus and his followers went there.
2 Judas knew where this place was, because Jesus met there often with his followers. Judas was the one who turned against Jesus. 3 So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden. Judas also brought some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
4 Jesus knew everything that would happen to him. Jesus went out and asked, “Who is it you are looking for?”
5 The men answered, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
Jesus said, “I am Jesus.” (Judas, the one who turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am Jesus,” the men moved back and fell to the ground.
7 Jesus asked them again, “Who is it you are looking for?”
They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus said, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, then let these other men go.” 9 This happened so that the words Jesus said before might come true: “I have not lost any of the men you gave me.”
10 Simon Peter had a sword. He took out the sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back. Shall I not drink of the cup[a] the Father has given me?”
Jesus Is Brought Before Annas
12 Then the soldiers with their commander and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus. They tied him 13 and led him first to Annas. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the Jews that it would be better if one man died for all the people.
Peter Says He Doesn’t Know Jesus
15 Simon Peter and another one of Jesus’ followers went along after Jesus. This follower knew the high priest. So he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16 But Peter waited outside near the door. The follower who knew the high priest came back outside. He spoke to the girl at the door and brought Peter inside. 17 The girl at the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of that man’s followers?”
Peter answered, “No, I am not!”
18 It was cold, so the servants and guards had built a fire. They were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter was standing with them, warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 The high priest asked Jesus questions about his followers and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to everyone. I have always taught in synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews come together. I never said anything in secret. 21 So why do you question me? Ask the people who heard my teaching. They know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there hit him. The guard said, “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”
23 Jesus answered him, “If I said something wrong, then say what was wrong. But if what I said is true, why do you hit me?”
24 Then Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest. Jesus was still tied.
Peter Says Again He Doesn’t Know Jesus
25 Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “Aren’t you one of that man’s followers?”
Peter denied it and said, “No, I am not.”
26 One of the servants of the high priest was there. This servant was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. The servant said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”
27 Again Peter said it wasn’t true. Just then a rooster crowed.
Jesus Is Brought Before Pilate
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas’ house to the Roman governor’s palace. It was early in the morning. The Jews would not go inside the palace. They did not want to make themselves unclean,[b] because they wanted to eat the Passover meal. 29 So Pilate went outside to them. He asked, “What charges do you bring against this man?”
30 They answered, “He is a criminal. That is why we brought him to you.”
31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
They answered, “But we are not allowed to put anyone to death.” 32 (This happened so that what Jesus had said about how he would die would come true.)
33 Then Pilate went back inside the palace. He called Jesus to him and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 Jesus said, “Is that your own question, or did others tell you about me?”
35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew. It was your own people and their leading priests who brought you before me. What have you done wrong?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it belonged to this world, my servants would have fought to keep me from being given over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is from another place.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king!”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. That is true. I was born for this: to tell people about the truth. That is why I came into the world. And everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.”
38 Pilate said, “What is truth?” After he said this, he went out to the Jews again. He said to them, “I can find nothing to charge against this man. 39 But it is your custom that I free one prisoner to you at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to free this ‘king of the Jews’?”
40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Let Barabbas go free!” (Barabbas was a robber.)
15 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger.
But an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak.
But fools speak only foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything that happens.
He watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives us fruit, healing words give us life.
But evil words crush the spirit.
5 A foolish person rejects his father’s correction.
But anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6 There is much wealth in the houses of good people.
But evil people are paid only with trouble.
7 With their words wise people spread knowledge.
But there is no knowledge in the thoughts of the foolish.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked person offers.
But he is pleased with an honest person’s prayer.
9 The Lord hates what evil people do.
But he loves those who do what is right.
10 The person who quits doing what is right will really be punished.
The one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 The Lord knows what is happening where the dead people are.
So he can surely know what living people are thinking.
12 A person who laughs at wisdom does not like to be corrected.
He will not ask advice from the wise.
13 Happiness makes a person smile.
But sadness breaks a person’s spirit.
14 Smart people want more knowledge.
But a foolish person just wants more foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for those who suffer.
But a happy heart makes it like a continual feast.
16 It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
than to be wealthy and have much trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than to eat meat with those who hate you.
18 A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble.
But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel.
19 A lazy person’s life is as difficult as walking through a patch of thorns.
But an honest person’s life is as easy as walking down a smooth highway.
20 A wise son makes his father happy.
But a foolish person hates his mother.
21 A man without wisdom enjoys being foolish.
But a man with understanding does what is right.
22 Plans fail without good advice.
But plans succeed when you get advice from many others.
23 People enjoy giving good answers!
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing!
24 A wise person does things that will make his life better.
He avoids whatever would cause his death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house.
But he will protect the property of a widow.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts.
But he is pleased with kind words.
27 A greedy person brings trouble to his family.
But the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer.
But the wicked simply give evil answers.
29 The Lord does not listen to the wicked.
But he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30 Good news makes you feel better.
Your happiness will show in your eyes.
31 A wise person pays attention to correction
that will improve his life.
32 A person who refuses correction hates himself.
But a person who accepts correction gains understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must not be proud.
2 Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the Spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2 If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. 3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
Be Unselfish Like Christ
5 In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
6 Christ himself was like God in everything.
He was equal with God.
But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be held on to.
7 He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.
He was born as a man
and became like a servant.
8 And when he was living as a man,
he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God.
He obeyed even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9 So God raised Christ to the highest place.
God made the name of Christ greater than every other name.
10 God wants every knee to bow to Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 Everyone will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord”
and bring glory to God the Father.
Be the People God Wants You to Be
12 My dear friends, you have always obeyed. You obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am not with you. Keep on working to complete your salvation, and do it with fear and trembling. 13 Yes, God is working in you to help you want to do what pleases him. Then he gives you the power to do it.
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing. 15 Then you will be innocent and without anything wrong in you. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with crooked and mean people all around you. Among them you shine like stars in the dark world. 16 You offer to them the teaching that gives life. So when Christ comes again, I can be happy because my work was not wasted. I ran in the race and won.
17 Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God. Perhaps I will have to offer my own blood with your sacrifice. But if that happens, I will be happy and full of joy with all of you. 18 You also should be happy and full of joy with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. I will be happy to learn how you are. 20 I have no other person like Timothy. He truly cares for you. 21 Other people are interested only in their own lives. They are not interested in the work of Christ Jesus. 22 You know the kind of person Timothy is. You know that he has served with me in telling the Good News, as a son serves his father. 23 I plan to send him to you quickly when I know what will happen to me. 24 I am sure that the Lord will help me to come to you soon.
25 Epaphroditus is my brother in Christ. He works and serves with me in the army of Christ. When I needed help, you sent him to me. I think now that I must send him back to you 26 because he wants very much to see all of you. He is worried because you heard that he was sick. 27 Yes, he was sick, and nearly died. But God helped him and me too, so that I would not have more sadness. 28 So I want very much to send him to you. When you see him, you can be happy. And I can stop worrying about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with much joy. Give honor to people like Epaphroditus. 30 He should be honored because he almost died for the work of Christ. He put his life in danger so that he could help me. This was help that you could not give me.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.