M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Ahaziah Succeeds Jehoram in Judah
22 (A)Then the inhabitants of Jerusalem made [a]Ahaziah, his youngest son, king in his place, for the band of men who came with (B)the Arabs to the camp had slain all the older sons. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. 2 Ahaziah was [b]twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the [c]granddaughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. 4 He did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to (C)his destruction.
Ahaziah Allies with Jehoram of Israel
5 He also walked according to their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead. But the [d](D)Arameans [e]wounded [f]Joram. 6 So he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds [g]which they had inflicted on him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. And [h]Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
7 Now (E)the destruction of Ahaziah was from God, in that [i]he went to Joram. For when he came, (F)he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, (G)whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
Jehu Murders Princes of Judah
8 (H)It came about when Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the princes of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers ministering to Ahaziah, and slew them. 9 (I)He also sought Ahaziah, and they caught him while he was hiding in Samaria; they brought him to Jehu, put him to death (J)and buried him. For they said, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, (K)who sought the Lord with all his heart.” So there was no one of the house of Ahaziah to retain the power of the kingdom.
10 (L)Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal [j]offspring of the house of Judah. 11 But Jehoshabeath the king’s daughter took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah so that she would not put him to death. 12 He was hidden with them in the house of God six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
Jehoiada Sets Joash on the Throne of Judah
23 (M)Now in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took captains of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Johanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, and they entered into a covenant with him. 2 They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the fathers’ households of (N)Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And [k]Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, (O)as the Lord has spoken concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing which you shall do: one third of you, of the priests and Levites (P)who come in on the sabbath, shall be gatekeepers, 5 and one third shall be at the king’s house, and a third at the Gate of the Foundation; and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord. 6 But let no one enter the house of the Lord except the priests and (Q)the ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people keep the charge of the Lord. 7 The Levites will surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever enters the house, let him be killed. Thus be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”
8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of (R)the divisions. 9 Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God. 10 He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right [l]side of the house to the left [m]side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him (S)the testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “(T)Long live the king!”
Athaliah Murdered
12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into the house of the Lord to the people. 13 She looked, and behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the [n]trumpeters were beside the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets, the singers with their musical instruments [o]leading the praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, “Treason! Treason!” 14 Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out [p]between the ranks; and whoever follows her, put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the Lord.” 15 So they [q]seized her, and when she arrived at the entrance of (U)the Horse Gate of the king’s house, they (V)put her to death there.
Reforms Carried Out
16 Then (W)Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the Lord’s people. 17 And all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down, and they broke in pieces his altars and his images, and (X)killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 Moreover, Jehoiada placed the offices of the house of the Lord under the [r]authority of (Y)the Levitical priests, (Z)whom David had assigned over the house of the Lord, to offer the burnt offerings of the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses—(AA)with rejoicing and singing according to the [s]order of David. 19 He stationed (AB)the gatekeepers of the house of the Lord, so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean. 20 (AC)He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the Lord, and came through the upper gate to the king’s house. And they placed the king upon the royal throne. 21 So (AD)all of the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword.
The Angel and the Little Book
10 I saw another (A)strong angel (B)coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the (C)rainbow was upon his head, and (D)his face was like the sun, and his (E)feet like pillars of fire; 2 and he had in his hand a (F)little book which was open. He placed (G)his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; 3 and he cried out with a loud voice, (H)as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the (I)seven peals of thunder [a]uttered their voices. 4 When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, (J)I was about to write; and I (K)heard a voice from heaven saying, “(L)Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.” 5 Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land (M)lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6 (N)and swore by (O)Him who lives forever and ever, (P)who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that (Q)there will be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the voice of the (R)seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then (S)the mystery of God is finished, as He [b]preached to His servants the prophets.
8 Then (T)the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take (U)the [c]book which is open in the hand of the angel who (V)stands on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he *said to me, “(W)Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 And (X)they *said to me, “You must (Y)prophesy again concerning (Z)many peoples and nations and tongues and (AA)kings.”
The Four Chariots
6 Now I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, (A)four chariots were coming forth from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains. 2 With the first chariot were (B)red horses, with the second chariot (C)black horses, 3 with the third chariot (D)white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong (E)dappled horses. 4 Then I spoke and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “(F)What are these, my lord?” 5 The angel replied to me, “These are the (G)four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth, 6 with one of which the black horses are going forth to the (H)north country; and the white ones go forth after them, while the dappled ones go forth to the (I)south country. 7 When the strong ones went out, they [a]were eager to go to [b](J)patrol the earth.” And He said, “Go, [c]patrol the earth.” So they [d]patrolled the earth. 8 Then He cried out to me and spoke to me saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have [e](K)appeased My wrath in the land of the north.”
9 The (L)word of the Lord also came to me, saying, 10 “(M)Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah; and you go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.
The Symbolic Crowns
11 Take silver and gold, make an ornate (N)crown and set it on the head of (O)Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is [f](P)Branch, for He will [g](Q)branch out from where He is; and He will (R)build the temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will (S)bear the honor and sit and (T)rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a (U)priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two [h]offices.”’ 14 Now the (V)crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah and [i]Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 (W)Those who are far off will come and [j]build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will (X)know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely (Y)obey the Lord your God.
Healing the Man Born Blind
9 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “(A)Rabbi, who sinned, (B)this man or his (C)parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so (D)that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me (E)as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am (F)the Light of the world.” 6 When He had said this, He (G)spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in (H)the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and (I)washed, and (J)came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to (K)sit and beg?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” [a]He kept saying, “I am the one.” 10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to (L)Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He *said, “I do not know.”
Controversy over the Man
13 They *brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 14 (M)Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 (N)Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He (O)does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such [b](P)signs?” And (Q)there was a division among them. 17 So they *said to the blind man (R)again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a (S)prophet.”
18 (T)The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, 19 and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they (U)were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews (V)had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be [c]Christ, (W)he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “(X)He is of age; ask him.”
24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “(Y)Give glory to God; we know that (Z)this man is a sinner.” 25 He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “(AA)I told you already and you did not (AB)listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” 28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but (AC)we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, (AD)we do not know where He is from.” 30 The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31 We know that (AE)God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. 32 [d]Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 (AF)If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “(AG)You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they (AH)put him out.
Jesus Affirms His Deity
35 Jesus heard that they had (AI)put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the (AJ)Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “(AK)Who is He, [e]Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and (AL)He is the one who is talking with you.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he (AM)worshiped Him. 39 And Jesus said, “(AN)For judgment I came into this world, so that (AO)those who do not see may see, and that (AP)those who see may become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “(AQ)We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “(AR)If you were blind, you would have no sin; but [f]since you say, ‘(AS)We see,’ your sin remains.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.