M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Ark of the Covenant Law
37 Bezalel made the ark of the covenant law out of acacia wood. It was three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide and high. 2 He covered it inside and outside with pure gold. He put a strip of gold around it. 3 He made four gold rings for it. He joined them to its four bottom corners. He put two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles out of acacia wood. He covered them with gold. 5 He put the poles through the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made its cover out of pure gold. It was three feet nine inches long and two feet three inches wide. The cover is the place where sin is paid for. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He put one of the cherubim on each end of it. 9 He made them as part of the cover itself. Their wings spread up over the cover. The cherubim faced each other and looked toward the cover.
The Table for the Holy Bread
10 The workers made the table out of acacia wood. It was three feet long, one foot six inches wide and two feet three inches high. 11 Then they covered it with pure gold. They put a strip of gold around it. 12 They also made a rim around it three inches wide. They put a strip of gold around the rim. 13 They made four gold rings for the table. They joined them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were close to the rim. The rings held the poles used to carry the table. 15 The workers made the poles out of acacia wood. They covered them with gold. 16 They made plates, dishes and bowls out of pure gold for the table. They also made pure gold pitchers to pour out drink offerings.
The Gold Lampstand
17 The workers made the lampstand out of pure gold. They hammered out its base and stem. Its buds, blossoms and cups branched out from it. 18 Six branches came out from the sides of the lampstand. There were three on one side and three on the other. 19 On one branch there were three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. There were three on the next branch. In fact, there were three on each of the six branches that came out from the lampstand. 20 On the lampstand there were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was under the first pair of branches that came out from the lampstand. A second bud was under the second pair. And a third bud was under the third pair. There was a total of six branches. 22 The buds and branches came out from the lampstand. The whole lampstand was one piece hammered out of pure gold.
23 The workers made its seven lamps out of pure gold. They also made its trays and wick cutters out of pure gold. 24 They used 75 pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand and everything used with it.
The Altar for Burning Incense
25 The workers made the altar for burning incense. They made it out of acacia wood. It was about one foot six inches square and three feet high. A horn stuck out from each of its upper four corners. 26 The workers covered the top, sides and horns with pure gold. They put a strip of gold around it. 27 They made two gold rings below the strip. They put the rings on the sides across from each other. The rings held the poles used to carry it. 28 The workers made the poles out of acacia wood. They covered them with gold.
29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. A person who makes perfume made them.
16 “I have told you all this so that you will not turn away from the truth. 2 You will be thrown out of the synagogue. In fact, the time is coming when someone may kill you. And they will think they are doing God a favor. 3 They will do things like that because they do not know the Father or me. 4 Why have I told you this? So that when their time comes, you will remember that I warned you about them. I didn’t tell you this from the beginning because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to the one who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Instead, you are filled with sadness because I have said these things. 7 But what I’m about to tell you is true. It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Friend will not come to help you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove that the world’s people are guilty. He will prove their guilt concerning sin and godliness and judgment. 9 The world is guilty as far as sin is concerned. That’s because people do not believe in me. 10 The world is guilty as far as godliness is concerned. That’s because I am going to the Father, where you can’t see me anymore. 11 The world is guilty as far as judgment is concerned. That’s because the devil, the prince of this world, has already been judged.
12 “I have much more to say to you. It is more than you can handle right now. 13 But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears. And he will tell you what is still going to happen. 14 He will bring me glory. That’s because what he receives from me he will show to you. 15 Everything that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said what the Holy Spirit receives from me he will show to you.”
The Disciples’ Sadness Will Turn Into Joy
16 Jesus continued, “In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me.”
17 After they heard this, some of his disciples spoke to one another. They said, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me’? And what does he mean by saying, ‘I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about these things. So he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant? Didn’t you understand when I said, ‘In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me’? 20 What I’m about to tell you is true. You will weep and mourn while the world is full of joy. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn into joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a baby has pain. That’s because her time to give birth has come. But when her baby is born, she forgets the pain. She forgets because she is so happy that a baby has been born into the world. 22 That’s the way it is with you. Now it’s your time to be sad. But I will see you again. Then you will be full of joy. And no one will take away your joy. 23 When that day comes, you will no longer ask me for anything. What I’m about to tell you is true. My Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive what you ask for. Then your joy will be complete.
25 “I have not been speaking to you plainly. But a time is coming when I will speak clearly. Then I will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 When that day comes, you will ask for things in my name. I am not saying I will ask the Father instead of you asking him. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me. He also loves you because you have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking plainly. You are using examples that are clear. 30 Now we can see that you know everything. You don’t even need anyone to ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you believe now?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming when you will be scattered and go to your own homes. In fact, that time is already here. You will leave me all alone. But I am not really alone. My Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”
13 A wise son pays attention to what his father teaches him.
But anyone who makes fun of others doesn’t listen to warnings.
2 The good things people say benefit them.
But liars love to hurt others.
3 Those who guard what they say guard their lives.
But those who speak without thinking will be destroyed.
4 People who refuse to work want things and get nothing.
But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.
5 Those who do right hate what is false.
But those who do wrong stink and bring shame on themselves.
6 Doing right guards those who are honest.
But evil destroys those who are sinful.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but have great wealth.
8 A person’s riches might save their life.
But a poor person is not able to do anything about danger.
9 The lights of godly people shine brightly.
But the lamps of sinners are blown out.
10 Where there is arguing, there is pride.
But those who take advice are wise.
11 Money gained in the wrong way disappears.
But money gathered little by little grows.
12 Hope that is put off makes one sick at heart.
But a desire that is met is like a tree of life.
13 Anyone who hates what they are taught will pay for it later.
But a person who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of wise people is like a fountain that gives life.
It turns those who listen to it away from the jaws of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor.
But the way of liars leads to their ruin.
16 Wise people act with knowledge.
But foolish people show how foolish they are.
17 An evil messenger gets into trouble.
But a trusted messenger brings healing.
18 Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed.
But those who accept warnings are honored.
19 A desire that is met is like something that tastes sweet.
But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.
20 Walk with wise people and become wise.
A companion of foolish people suffers harm.
21 Hard times chase those who are sinful.
But those who do right are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves what they own to their children and grandchildren.
But a sinner’s wealth is stored up for those who do right.
23 An unplowed field produces food for poor people.
But those who treat them badly destroy it all.
24 Those who don’t correct their children hate them.
But those who love them are careful to correct them.
25 Those who do right eat until they are full.
But the stomachs of those who do wrong go hungry.
6 Children, obey your parents as believers in the Lord. Obey them because it’s the right thing to do. 2 Scripture says, “Honor your father and mother.” That is the first commandment that has a promise. 3 “Then things will go well with you. You will live a long time on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 5:16)
4 Fathers, don’t make your children angry. Instead, instruct them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them.
5 Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Respect them and honor them with a heart that is true. Obey them just as you would obey Christ. 6 Don’t obey them only to please them when they are watching. Do it because you are slaves of Christ. Be sure your heart does what God wants. 7 Serve your masters with all your heart. Work as serving the Lord and not as serving people. 8 You know that the Lord will give each person a reward. He will give it to them in keeping with the good they do. It doesn’t matter whether they are a slave or not.
9 Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. When you warn them, don’t be too hard on them. You know that the God who is their Master and yours is in heaven. And he treats everyone the same.
God’s Armor for Believers
10 Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans. 12 Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. 13 So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing. 14 So remain strong in the faith. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armor of godliness on your chest. 15 Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. 16 Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word.
18 At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me. Pray that whenever I speak, the right words will be given to me. Then I can be bold as I tell the mystery of the good news. 20 Because of the good news, I am being held by chains as the Lord’s messenger. So pray that I will be bold as I preach the good news. That’s what I should do.
Final Greetings
21 Tychicus is a dear brother. He is faithful in serving the Lord. He will tell you everything about me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing. 22 That’s why I am sending him to you. I want you to know how we are. And I want him to encourage you.
23 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give peace to the brothers and sisters. May they also give the believers love and faith.
24 May grace be given to everyone who loves our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that will never die.
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