M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Rahab Receives Two Scouts
2 After this, Nun’s son Joshua sent two men from the Acacia groves[a] as undercover scouts. He told them, “Go and look over the land. Pay special attention to Jericho.” So they went out, came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and lodged there.
2 Then the king of Jericho was told, “Look! Israeli men arrived tonight to scout out the land.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent for Rahab and ordered her, “Bring out the men who came to visit you and lodged in your house, because they’ve come to scout out the entire land.”
4 Now the woman had taken the two men and hid them. So she replied, “The men really did come to me, but I didn’t know from where they came. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gates, the men left. I don’t know where the men went. Go after them quickly, and[b] you might overtake them.”
6 But she had taken them up to the roof and had hidden them among stalks of flax that she had laid out in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued them along the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as the search party had left, they shut the city gate after them.
Rahab Seeks Protection
8 Before the scouts[c] had lain down, she went up to them on the roof 9 “I’m really convinced that the Lord has given you the land,” she said,[d] “because we’re overwhelmed with fear of you. All the other inhabitants of the land are demoralized at your presence, 10 because we heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Reed[e] Sea right in front of you as you were coming out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other[f] side of the Jordan River—to Sihon and Og—whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard these reports,[g] we all became terrified and discouraged[h] because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, since I’ve treated you so kindly,[i] please swear in the name of[j] the Lord that you’ll also be kind[k] to my father’s household by giving me this[l] sure sign: 13 Spare my father, my mother, and my brothers and sisters, along with everyone who belongs with them so we won’t be killed.”
A Promise of Protection
14 So the men told her, “Our life for yours—even to death—if you don’t betray this mission of ours. Then when the Lord gives us this land, we’ll treat you graciously and faithfully.”
15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, since her house was built into the town wall where she lived. 16 She told them, “Go out to the hill country, so the search party won’t find you, and hide for three days. After that, you may go on your own way.”
17 The men replied, “We’ll be free from our commitment to you to which you’ve obligated us 18 when we invade the land, if you don’t tie this rope made with red cords in the window through which you let us down, and if you don’t gather your father, your mother, your brothers, and all of the rest of your father’s household into your house. 19 Everyone who leaves through the doors of your house into the street will be responsible for his own death, but we’ll be responsible for anyone who remains with you in the house if even so much as a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you report this incident, we’ll be free from the oath to which you’ve made us swear.”
21 “Since you put it that way,”[m] she replied, “I agree.”[n] After she sent them on their way and they had left, she tied the red cord in the window.
The Scouts Report to Joshua
22 The scouts[o] left for the hill country and remained there for three days until the search party returned. The search party searched the entire road, but was unable to find them. 23 Later, the two men returned from the hill country, crossed over the Jordan River,[p] approached Nun’s son Joshua, and told him everything that had happened to them. 24 They reported to Joshua, “The Lord really has given the entire land into our control. The inhabitants of the land have melted away right in front of us!”
A Song of Ascents
A Prayer for Relief
123 To you, who sit enthroned in heaven,
I lift up my eyes.
2 Consider this: as the eyes of a servant focus
on what his master provides,[a]
and as the eyes of a female servant focus[b]
on what her mistress provides,[c]
so our eyes focus on the Lord our God,
until he has mercy on us.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our lives overflow
with scorn from those who live at ease,
with contempt from those who are proud.
A Davidic Song of Ascents
God is for Us
124 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side,
when men came against us,
3 then they would have devoured us alive,
when their anger burned against us.
4 Then the flood waters would have overwhelmed us,
the torrent would have flooded over us;
5 the swollen waters would have swept us away.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who did not give us as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s trap.
The trap has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
A Song of Ascents
God is Secure
125 Those who are trusting in the Lord
are like Mount Zion, which cannot be overthrown.
They remain forever.
2 Just as mountains encircle Jerusalem,
so the Lord encircles his people,
from now to eternity.
3 For evil’s scepter will not rest
on the land that has been allotted to the righteous,
and so the righteous will not direct themselves[d] to do wrong.
4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in heart.[e]
5 But for those who choose their own devious paths,
the Lord will lead them away,
along with those who practice evil.
Peace be upon Israel.
The Vindication of Jerusalem
62 “And[a] I won’t remain silent,[b]
and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t stay quiet,
until her vindication shines out like brightness,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
2 The nations will see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and people will call you[c] by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 And[d] you’ll no longer be called ‘Deserted,’
and your land will no longer be called ‘Desolate’;
but people will call you[e] ‘Hephzibah,’[f]
and your land ‘Beulah’[g]—
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.”
5 “For just as[h] a young man marries a maiden,
so your sons will marry you;
and just as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so your God will rejoice over you.
6 “Upon your walls, Jerusalem,
I have posted watchmen;
all day and all night
they won’t[i] remain silent.
You who make mention of the Lord,
take no rest,
7 and give him no rest
until he prepares, establishes[j] and makes Jerusalem
a song of praise throughout the earth.
8 “The Lord has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:[k]
‘I will never again give your grain[l]
as food for your enemies;
never[m] again will foreigners drink your new wine
for which you have toiled;
9 but surely[n] those who harvest it will eat it
and praise the name of[o] the Lord,
and those who gather it will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary,’ says your God.”[p]
The Coming of God to Reign
10 “Pass through[q] the gates!
prepare the way for the people!
Build up! Build up the highway!
Clear it of stumbling stones,[r]
speak among the peoples.[s]
11 Here is the Lord!
Proclaim[t] to the ends[u] of the earth,
say to the inhabitants[v] of Zion:
‘See, your salvation is coming!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompenses are[w] before him.’
12 People will call them, ‘The Holy People,’
‘The Redeemed of the Lord’;
and they will call you,[x] ‘Sought After,’
‘The City Not Deserted.’”
Jesus Appoints Twelve Apostles(A)
10 Then Jesus[a] called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and every illness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;[b] 4 Simon the Cananaean[c] and Judas Iscariot, who later[d] betrayed Jesus.[e]
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples(B)
5 These were the Twelve whom Jesus sent out after he had given them these[f] instructions: “Don’t turn on to the road that leads to the unbelievers,[g] and don’t enter Samaritan towns. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation[h] of Israel. 7 As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom from[i] heaven is near!’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
You have received without payment,
so give without payment.
9 Don’t take any gold, silver, or copper in your moneybags, 10 or a traveling bag for the trip, or an extra shirt,[j] or sandals, or a walking stick, because a worker deserves his food.
11 “Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is receptive[k] in it and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet its occupants.[l] 13 If the household is receptive,[m] let your blessing of peace come on it. But if it isn’t receptive,[n] let your blessing of peace return to you. 14 If no one welcomes you or listens to your words, as you leave that house or town, shake its dust off your feet. 15 I tell all of you[o] with certainty, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!”
Future Persecutions(C)
16 “Pay attention, now! I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves. 17 Watch out for people who will hand you over to the local councils and whip you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings because of me, to testify to them and to unbelievers.[p] 19 When they hand you over, don’t worry about how you are to speak[q] or what you are to say, because in that hour what you are to say will be given to you. 20 It won’t be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through[r] you.
21 “Brother will hand brother over for execution, and a father his child. Children will rebel against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. 23 So when they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, because I tell all of you[s] with certainty that you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, and a slave is not above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher and a slave to be like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul,[t] how much more will they do the same to[u] those of his household!”
Fear God(D)
26 “So never be afraid of them, because there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in darkness you must speak in the daylight, and what is whispered[v] in your ear you must shout from the housetops. 28 Stop being[w] afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.[x]
29 “Two sparrows are sold for a penny, aren’t they? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission.[y] 30 Indeed, even the hairs on your head have all been counted! 31 So stop being[z] afraid. You are worth more than a bunch of sparrows.”
Acknowledging the Messiah(E)
32 “Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before people I, too, will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before people I, too, will deny before my Father in heaven.”
Not Peace, but Division(F)
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword![aa] 35 I came to turn
‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 A person’s enemies will include members of his own family.’[ab]
The Cost of Discipleship(G)
37 “The one who loves his father or mother more than me isn’t worthy of me, and the one who loves a son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 The one who doesn’t take up his cross and follow me isn’t worthy of me. 39 The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it.”
Rewards(H)
40 “The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet as[ac] a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person as[ad] a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 I tell all of you[ae] with certainty, whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is[af] a disciple will never lose his reward.”
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.