M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Covenant at Mount Sinai
The Covenant and the Ten Commandments[a]
Chapter 19
God Proposes His Covenant.[b] 1 Three months to the day after the children of Israel left the land of Egypt, they arrived in the Sinai Desert. 2 They left the camp at Rephidim and arrived in the Desert of Sinai. There Israel camped in front of the mountain.
3 Moses climbed up to meet God, and the Lord called out to him from the mountain, saying, “You will say this to the house of Jacob and announce it to the children of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you here to me. 5 Now, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession from among all the peoples, for the entire earth is mine. 6 You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me.’ These are the words you will speak to Israel.”[c]
7 Moses went and summoned the elders of the people and told them what the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “We will do what the Lord has said.” Then Moses returned to the Lord and told him what the people had said.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to approach you in a thick cloud so that the people will hear when I speak to you and always believe in you.”
The Lord Descends on Sinai.10 The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and have them ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai to visit all the people.
12 “You shall establish a boundary around it, saying, ‘Take heed not to climb up the mountain or even touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain will be put to death.’
13 “No hand must touch that person, however, for he must be stoned or shot with an arrow. Whether it be a human or an animal, he is not to live. They can come up the mountain only when you blow the trumpet.”
14 Moses went down the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people and had them wash their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Be ready in three days’ time. Abstain from sexual relations.”
16 The Great Theophany. On the third day, as morning dawned, there was thunder, lightning, a dense cloud on the mountain, and the sound of loud trumpets. All the people in the camp were filled with fear.
17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They stood on foot at the base of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, for the Lord had descended upon it in fire and the smoke rose up like the smoke of a furnace. The entire mountain trembled. 19 The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Moses spoke and God responded with the sound of a trumpet.
20 The Lord thus descended upon Mount Sinai, on the mountain peak, and he called out to Moses upon the mountain peak. Moses went up the mountain.
21 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to gaze upon the Lord; otherwise many will die.
22 “Let the priests consecrate themselves before they approach the Lord. Otherwise the Lord will burst forth upon them.”
23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot climb up Mount Sinai, for you yourself have warned us saying, ‘Establish a boundary around the mountain and declare it to be holy.’ ”
24 The Lord told him, “Go, descend, then come back up with Aaron. But the priests and the people are not to break through to climb up to the Lord. Otherwise, he will burst forth against them.”
25 Moses went down and spoke to the people.
The Passion and Resurrection[a]
Chapter 22
The Conspiracy against Jesus.[b] 1 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, known as the Passover, was drawing near, 2 and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.
Judas Betrays Jesus.[c] 3 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. 4 And he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss how he might betray Jesus to them 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He accepted their offer and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper[d]
The Preparations for the Passover.[e] When the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make the preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make the preparations?”10 He replied, “When you enter the city, a man will meet you carrying a jug of water. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says this to you: “Where is the room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 Then he will show you a large upper room that is furnished. Make the preparations there.” 13 They went forth and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
14 The Last Supper.[f] When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table along with the apostles. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that from this moment on I shall never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from this moment I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 Jesus Gives His Body and His Blood.[g] Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you. Do this in memory of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be poured out for you.
21 The Betrayer Foretold.[h]“But behold, the hand of the one who will betray me is here with me on the table. 22 The Son of Man goes on his appointed path, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” 23 Then they began to question among themselves as to which one of them might do this.
24 The Disciples Are To Serve on Earth.[i] Then a dispute also broke out among them as to which one of them should be considered the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them are given the title of ‘Benefactor.’[j]
26 “But it must not be so with you. Rather, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater—the one seated at table or the one who serves? Surely, the one who sits at table. And yet I am in your midst as one who serves.
28 Judges of the Twelve Tribes.[k]“You are the ones who have stood by my side in my trials, 29 and now I confer on you a kingdom just as my Father has conferred one on me. 30 In my kingdom, you will eat and drink at my table, and you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[l]
31 Peter’s Denial Foretold.[m]“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to sift all of you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed that your own faith may not fail. And once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brethren.” 33 Simon said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Instructions for the Time of Crisis.[n] Then Jesus said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or sack or sandals, were you ever in need of anything?” They answered, “No, not a thing.” 36 He then remarked, “But now, the one who has a money bag should take it with him, as well as a sack. And if you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and purchase one.
37 “For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was numbered with the wicked.’ Indeed, everything written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 They said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”
The Passion
39 The Agony in the Garden.[o] Jesus then went forth and made his way, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 After withdrawing from them about a stone’s throw, he knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”
43 [p]Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish, he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like great drops of blood falling on the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
47 Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested.[q] While he was still speaking, a crowd of men suddenly approached, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came up to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When Jesus’ disciples realized what was about to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “Stop! No more of this!” He then touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for him, “Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs as though I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not raise a hand against me. But this is the hour for you and the power of darkness.”[r]
54 Peter Denies Jesus.[s] Then they arrested Jesus and led him away. They brought him into the house of the high priest, and Peter followed at a distance. 55 Lighting a fire in the middle of the courtyard, they sat around it, and Peter sat with them.
56 A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, looked closely at him, and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them,” but Peter replied, “No, I am not.”
59 About an hour later, another person strongly insisted, “This man was unquestionably with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed, 61 and the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter recalled the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept uncontrollably.
63 The men who were guarding Jesus began to mock him and to beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they continued to taunt him with insult after insult.
66 Jesus before the Sanhedrin.[t] When the dawn came, the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes, assembled, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.[u] 67 Then they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us!” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
70 All of them asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “It is you who say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What need do we have for any further testimony? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”
Chapter 37
1 “This also causes my heart to tremble
and to leap out of its place.
2 Listen to the thunder of God’s voice
and the rumbling that comes forth from his mouth.
3 He sends it forth across the heavens,
along with his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 Following this, there comes a roaring sound,
as God thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain his flashes of lightning
when his voice is heard.
5 “At God’s command marvels come to pass;
he performs wonders beyond our ability to comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall upon the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Turn into a heavy downpour.’
7 All human activity comes to a standstill
so that everyone may acknowledge his power.
8 Wild beasts return to their lairs
and take shelter in their dens.
9 “The tempest comes out of its chamber,
and the north winds bring bitter cold.
10 By the breath of God[a] ice is formed
and the surface of the waters becomes frozen.
11 He weighs down the thick clouds with moisture,
and they scatter his lightning.
12 Following his command they blow about
over the face of the entire earth
to do whatever he directs.
13 Whether for correction of his people or for love,
he causes all this to happen.
Reflect Upon the Marvelous Works of God
14 “Listen to my words, O Job;
stop and reflect upon the marvelous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds,
or how he makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced,
the wondrous work of the one who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your stifling garments
when the earth lies still under the south wind,
18 can you, like him, spread out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast metal?[b]
19 “Teach us, then, what we should say to him;
because of ignorance, we cannot present our case.
20 Do my words have any effect on him?
Is he informed of any man’s commands?
21 Sometimes the light vanishes,
and the sky is overcast with clouds;
then the wind comes and sweeps them away.
22 [c]“Out of the north golden splendor comes forth,
and God is surrounded by awesome majesty.
23 But the Almighty we cannot find;
he is unequaled in power and judgment,
and in his righteousness he will not violate justice.
24 Therefore, men revere him,
and all thoughtful men fear him.”
Chapter 7
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from anything that can defile flesh or spirit, and thereby make our holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Trust Reestablished. 2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I have already told you that your place in our hearts is secure, so that we will live together and we will die together. 4 I have great confidence in you, and I boast about you with intense pride. Despite all of our afflictions, I am greatly encouraged and overflowing with joy.
5 [a]Even when we arrived in Macedonia, we were unable to rest our bodies, for we were afflicted in every way: conflicts on the outside and fears on the inside. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus— 7 and not merely by his arrival but also by the encouragement he received from you. He told us of your longing for me, your deep regrets, and your zeal for me, all of which cause me even greater joy.
8 Even if I did cause you sorrow with my letter, I do not regret it. I did regret this letter briefly, but, having come to realize that you were sorrowful only for a short time, 9 I now am able to rejoice, not because you were grieved but because your sorrow led to repentance. For you were sorrowful in a godly way and so received no harm because of us. 10 Such godly sorrow results in repentance that leads to salvation and causes no regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death.
11 For see what earnestness this godly sorrow has produced for you, what eagerness to repent, what indignation, what fear, what yearning, what zeal, what desire to see justice done. In every way, you have proved your innocence in this matter.
12 Therefore, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who committed the offense or on account of the one who was wronged, but rather that you should be fully aware of your zeal for us in the sight of God. 13 In this we have been greatly encouraged.
In addition to being encouraged ourselves, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his mind has been completely refreshed by all of you. 14 Anything I may have said to him in boasting about you has not caused me to feel ashamed. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus has proved equally true. 15 And his affection for you grows even more as he recalls the obedience of all of you and how you welcomed him in fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice because I can rely completely on you.
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