M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Divisions of the Priests
24 The following were the divisions for the sons of Aaron.
The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But because Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3 David, together with Zadok, the representative of the male descendants of Eleazar, and Ahimelek, the representative of the male descendants of Ithamar, divided the priests into divisions to be assigned different forms of service.
4 Because the descendants of Eleazar had more men who were leaders of large groups than the descendants of Ithamar did, this is how the priests were divided: From the descendants of Eleazar there were sixteen heads of fathers’ houses, and from the descendants of Ithamar there were eight heads of their fathers’ houses.
5 They were assigned to their duties impartially by drawing lots. There were officials for the sanctuary and officials to serve in the presence of God from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar. 6 Shemaiah son of Nethanel, the scribe, who was a Levite, recorded the lots in the presence of the king and the government officials, namely, Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites. One father’s house was chosen from the descendants of Eleazar, then another, and then one was chosen from the descendants of Ithamar.[a]
7 The first lot came out for Jehoiarib,
the second for Jedaiah,
8 the third for Harim,
the fourth for Seorim,
9 the fifth for Malkijah,
the sixth for Mijamin,
10 the seventh for Hakkoz,
the eighth for Abijah,
11 the ninth for Jeshua,
the tenth for Shekaniah,
12 the eleventh for Eliashib,
the twelfth for Jakim,
13 the thirteenth for Huppah,
the fourteenth for Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth for Bilgah,
the sixteenth for Immer,
15 the seventeenth for Hezir,
the eighteenth for Happizzez,
16 the nineteenth for Pethahiah,
the twentieth for Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-first for Jakin,
the twenty-second for Gamul,
18 the twenty-third for Delaiah,
and the twenty-fourth for Ma’aziah.
19 These were their assigned groups for their service, to come into the Lord’s house according to the regulations given to them by their forefather Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
The Divisions of Levites
20 From the rest of the descendants of Levi, the following were the heads and founders of divisions.
Leaders of the Kohathites
Shubael was from the sons of Amram,
and Jehdeiah was from the sons of Shubael.
21 Ishiah was the head from Rehabiah and the sons of Rehabiah.
22 Shelomoth was from the Izharites,
and Jahath was from the sons of Shelomoth.
23 The sons of Hebron[b] were Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24 Micah was from the sons of Uzziel,
and Shamir was from the sons of Micah.
25 Ishiah was the brother of Micah,
and Zechariah was from the sons of Ishiah.
Leaders of the Merarites
26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.
The son of Ja’aziah was Beno.[c]
27 The sons of Merari from Ja’aziah were Beno,[d] Shoham, Zakkur, and Ibri.
28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 From Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahme’el.
30 The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
These were the descendants of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.[e] 31 These all cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron had done in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites. The fathers’ houses of the oldest son cast lots just as those of his youngest brother did.
The Divisions of the Musicians
25 In addition, David and the officers of the army set apart for service certain of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men set apart for this work of service.
2 From the sons of Asaph:
Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the order of the king.
3 From Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun were:
Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied by giving thanks and praising the Lord with the lyre.
4 From Heman, the sons of Heman were:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, to fulfill the promise of God to exalt him.[f] God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 All these were under the direction of their father to make music in the Lord’s house, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of God’s house. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king. 7 The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to the Lord, all of whom were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight. 8 They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the least as well as the greatest, the teacher as well as the student.
9 So the first lot came out for Asaph’s son Joseph. ⎣He and his brothers and sons totaled twelve.⎦[g]
The second lot fell to Gedaliah, his brothers and sons, twelve,
10 the third to Zakkur, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
14 the seventh to Jesarelah,[h] his sons and his brothers, twelve,
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
20 for the thirteenth lot Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
21 for the fourteenth Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
22 for the fifteenth Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
23 for the sixteenth Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
24 for the seventeenth Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
25 for the eighteenth Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
26 for the nineteenth Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
27 for the twentieth Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
28 for the twenty-first Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
29 for the twenty-second Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
30 for the twenty-third Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve,
31 for the twenty-fourth Romamti Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
Admonition to Elders
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who also shares in the glory that is about to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock that is among you, serving as overseers, not grudgingly but willingly, as God desires,[a] not because you are greedy for money but because you are eager to do it. 3 Do not lord it over those entrusted to your care, but be examples for the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory.
Final Exhortations
5 Likewise, young men, be submissive to those who are older.[b] And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility[c] toward one another. For “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”[d]
6 Therefore humble yourselves under God’s powerful hand so that he may lift you up at the appointed time.[e] 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Have sound judgment. Be alert. Your adversary,[f] the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him by being firm in the faith. You know that the same kinds of sufferings are being laid on your brotherhood[g] all over the world.
10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you. 11 To him be the glory and[h] the power forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 I have written to you briefly (through Silas,[i] whom I consider a faithful brother), to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, who was chosen along with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.[j]
A Rebuke for the Rulers
3 I said:
Listen, you rulers of Jacob,
you leaders of the house of Israel.
Shouldn’t you recognize justice?
2 But you hate good and love evil.
You tear off the skin and the flesh from the bones.
3 You eat the flesh of my people
and peel off their skin.
You smash their bones.
You chop them up like pieces for the cooking pot,
like meat for the cauldron.
4 Then they will cry out to the Lord for help,
but he will not answer them.
He will hide his face from them at that time,
because their deeds were evil.
A Rebuke for Bad Leaders
5 This is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who mislead my people:
Give them something to chew with their teeth, and they declare peace,
but they declare a holy war against anyone who doesn’t put something into their mouths.
6 Therefore, a night without prophetic vision will come upon you.
Darkness will come upon you, without any omens from God.
The sun will set for the prophets,
and daytime will become dark for them.
7 The seers will be ashamed,
and the fortune tellers will hide in disgrace.
They will all cover their mouths,[a]
because there will be no answer from God.
8 I, on the other hand, I am full of power from the Spirit of the Lord,
full of judgment and strength,
to declare Jacob’s sinful rebellion to him
and Israel’s sin to him.
9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob.
Listen attentively, leaders of the house of Israel,
you who have contempt for justice and pervert everything that is right,
10 you who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with injustice.
11 Her leaders render verdicts for a bribe,
and her priests issue rulings for a payoff.
Her prophets foretell the future for silver,
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“The Lord is in our midst, isn’t he? Disaster will not come upon us.”
12 Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field.
Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins,
and the Temple Mount will become a wooded hill.
Warning Against Hypocrisy
12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands gathered together so that they were trampling on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Fear God, Not People
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that are not able to do any more. 5 But I will show you the one you should fear. Fear him who, after he has killed the body, has authority to throw it into hell.[a] Yes, I tell you, fear him!
6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?[b] And not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Why, even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So stop being afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.
Confess Christ
8 “I tell you, whoever confesses me before other people, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me in the presence of other people will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourself, or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should say.”
The Rich Fool
13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me to be a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because a man’s life is not measured by how many possessions he has.”
16 He told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced very well. 17 He was thinking to himself, ‘What will I do, because I do not have anywhere to store my crops?’ 18 He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods. 19 And I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be demanded from you. Now who will get what you have prepared?’
21 “That is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Worry
22 Jesus said to his disciples, “For that reason I tell you, stop worrying about your life, about what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Certainly life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no warehouse or barn; and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! 25 And who of you by worrying can add a single moment to his lifespan? 26 Since you are not able to do this little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 28 If this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith? 29 Do not constantly chase after what you will eat or what you will drink. Do not be worried about it. 30 To be sure, the nations of the world chase after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, continue to seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not become old, a treasure in the heavens that will not fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be Ready!
35 “Be dressed, ready for service, and keep your lamps burning. 36 Be like people waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the master will find watching when he comes. Amen I tell you: He will dress himself and have them recline at the table, and he will come and serve them. 38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch,[c] they will be blessed if he finds them alert. 39 But know this: If the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you are not expecting him.”
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everybody?”
42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager,[d] whom the master will put in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find doing so when he comes. 44 Truly I tell you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is staying away for a long time.’ And he begins to beat the male and female servants, to eat and drink and become drunk, 46 then the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he was not expected and at an hour that his servant does not know. The master will cut him in two and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will and did not prepare or act according to what his master wanted, will be punished severely. 48 But the one who did not know, and did something worthy of punishment, will be punished lightly. From everyone to whom much was given, much will be expected. From the one who was entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Division
49 “I came to throw fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already ignited. 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 Yes, from now on there will be five divided in one household: three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided: father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”[e]
Interpret the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “Whenever you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say that a rainstorm is coming, and so it happens. 55 And whenever a south wind blows, you say that it is going to be hot, and it happens. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you do not know how to interpret this present time? 57 Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Indeed, as you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, make an effort on the way to reach a settlement with him. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last cent.”[f]
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.