M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Chapter 39
The Priestly Vestments. 1 With the blue, purple, and scarlet cloth were made the finely woven vestments for ministering in the sanctuary, as well as the sacred vestments for Aaron as the Lord had commanded Moses.
The Ephod. 2 He made the ephod of gold and blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and fine twisted linen. 3 The gold was beaten into fine plates and cut into wires and was interwoven into the blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and the linen with skilled craftsmanship. 4 Two shoulder pieces were made for the ephod that were attached to its two ends so that it might be joined together. 5 The skillfully woven band to bind it together that was placed over it was of the same workmanship and the same materials, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and twisted linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
6 The onyx stones were prepared and set into settings of gold filigree. They were engraved with the names of the children of Israel, like an engraver engraves a signet ring. 7 The two stones were set on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as stones of remembrance for the children of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
The Breastplate. 8 He made the breastplate like the ephod, with fine workmanship. It was made of gold, blue, purple and scarlet cloth and fine twisted linen. 9 It was square and doubled over, a span in length and a span in width. 10 They covered it with settings of precious stones arranged in four rows. The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald. 11 The second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond. 12 The third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. 13 The fourth row had a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings. 14 The stones corresponded to the names of the children of Israel. There were twelve, standing for their names. They were engraved like the engraving of a signet ring, each name corresponding to a name of one of the twelve tribes.
15 They made chains of pure gold on the breastplate in the shape of twisted cords. 16 They also made two filigree settings of gold and two golden rings and placed the two rings at the two edges of the breastplate. 17 They attached the two golden chains to the two rings at the edges of the breastplate. 18 They attached the other ends of the chains to the two filigree settings and they thus attached it to the front part of the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 19 They made two other golden rings and placed them on the two edges of the breastplate, on its inside edge, next to the ephod. 20 They made two other golden rings and placed them on the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at their bottom on the front side, next to the place where it is attached to the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
21 Other Priestly Vestments. They then tied the breastplate with its rings to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue material so that it might lie upon the skillfully woven band of the ephod and that the breastplate might not pull away from the ephod, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
22 The Robe. He made a robe of the ephod all in blue 23 with an opening in the middle and a woven border around the opening so that it might not be torn. 24 They made a design of pomegranates on the hem of the garment with blue, purple, and scarlet cloth and fine twisted linen. 25 They also made bells out of pure gold and placed the bells in between the pomegranates all around the hem of the robe. 26 There was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe used for ministering, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
27 Other Vestments. They also wove tunics from fine linen for Aaron and his sons, 28 a turban of fine linen, caps of fine linen, and undergarments of fine twisted linen, 29 and a sash of fine twisted linen, of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth, embroidered with fine needlework, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30 The Turban. They made the plate of the holy crown out of pure gold and they wrote on it as an engraver would engrave a signet ring, “Holy to the Lord.” 31 They attached it with a blue cord to the front part of the turban, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
32 Moses Inspects the Tabernacle. Thus, all of the work of the tabernacle, of the tent of meeting, was finished. The children of Israel had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 They then brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its accessories, its clasps, boards, bars, columns, and bases, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sheep skins, the veil of the screen; 35 the Ark of Testimony with its poles, and the seat of atonement, 36 the table with all its accessories and the bread of the Presence, 37 the lampstand made of pure gold with its lamps, that is, the lamps that were to be placed on top of it, with all its accessories, the oil for light, 38 the altar of gold, the oil of anointing, the fragrant incense; the screen for the entrance to the tent, 39 the altar of bronze with its bronze grating, its poles and all its accessories, the basin and its base, 40 the drapes for the courtyard, their columns, their bases, and the screen for the gate to the courtyard, their cords, their pegs, and all the utensils for ministering in the tabernacle, for the meeting tent; 41 the finely woven vestments for ministering in the sanctuary, the holy vestments for Aaron the priest, and the vestments for his sons in their priestly ministry. 42 Whatever the Lord had commanded Moses, this is how the children of Israel did all their work. 43 Moses examined all the work, and behold, it was done as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
The Passion—The Supreme Testimony[a]
Chapter 18
Jesus Gives Himself Up Freely.[b] 1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples and crossed the Kidron[c] valley. He and his disciples entered a garden there. 2 This place was known to Judas, his betrayer, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 Therefore, Judas went to that garden with a detachment of soldiers,[d] together with temple guards provided by the chief priests and the Pharisees, equipped with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Then Jesus, fully aware of everything that was going to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5 They answered, “Jesus the Nazorean.”[e] Jesus replied, “I am.” Judas who betrayed him was standing with them.
6 When Jesus said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again, he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am. If you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word he had spoken, “I did not lose any of those you gave me.”[f]
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, slicing off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its scabbard! Am I not to drink the cup[g] that the Father has given me?”
12 Jesus and Peter at the Hour of Bearing Witness.[h]Then the detachment of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus and bound him. 13 They took him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die for the people.
15 Peter’s First Denial. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter remained standing outside at the gate. The other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the woman who was in charge of the gate, and he brought Peter inside.
17 The woman said to Peter, “Are you not one of this man’s disciples?” He replied, “I am not.” 18 Since it was cold, the servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire, and they were standing around it, warming themselves. Peter was also standing there and warming himself.
19 The Inquiry before Annas.[i]The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus answered,
“I have spoken openly
for the world to hear.
I have always taught
in synagogues and in the temple
where all the Jews congregate.
I have said nothing in secret.
21 Why do you ask me?
Interrogate those who heard
what I said to them.
They know what I said.”
22 [j]When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that any way to answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus replied, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to my error. But if I have spoken rightly, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.
25 Peter’s Second and Third Denials. Meanwhile, as Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “Are you not also one of his disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 Then one of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had sliced off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Again, Peter denied it. And at that very moment, a cock crowed.
28 Jesus Handed Over to Pilate.[k]Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium.[l] It was early in the morning, and they did not enter the praetorium in order to avoid becoming defiled and thus be able to eat the Passover meal.
29 Therefore, Pilate went out to them and asked, “What charge do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.
33 The First Hearing before Pilate. Then Pilate went back into the praetorium, and having summoned Jesus he asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 Pilate said, “Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus replied,
“My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my followers would have fought
to prevent me from being handed over to the Jews.
The fact is that my kingdom is not here.”
37 Pilate then said to him, “So you are a king!” Jesus answered,
“It is you who say
that I am a king.
For this was I born,
and for this I came into the world:
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who is of the truth
listens to my voice.”
38 Pilate responded, “What is truth?”
Barabbas Preferred to Jesus. Then, having said this, he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no evidence of a crime in this man. 39 But according to your custom, I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They shouted, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a thief.[m]
Chapter 15
The Lord Loves Anyone Whose Goal Is Righteousness[a]
1 A gentle reply turns away wrath,
but a harsh word arouses anger.
2 The tongue of the wise distills knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool utters nothing except folly.[b]
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,[c]
keeping a close watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit.
5 A fool spurns his father’s correction,
but whoever heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is no lack of treasures,
but the earnings of the wicked are never secure.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
such is not true of the heart of a fool.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,[d]
but he delights in the prayer of the upright.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves anyone whose goal is righteousness.
10 Severe punishment awaits the one who strays from the right path;
whoever hates a rebuke will die.
11 The netherworld and the abyss lie open to the Lord;
how much more is this true of the human heart.[e]
12 A scoffer[f] does not like to be reproved,
and he refuses to consult the wise.
13 A glad heart makes the face cheerful,
but anguish of heart breaks one’s spirit.
14 The mind of one who is wise seeks further knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 Every day is wretched for those who are sorrowing,
but to one who is cheerful, every day is a perpetual feast.[g]
16 It is better to have a little and fear the Lord[h]
than to possess immense wealth and suffer anguish.
17 Better a dish of herbs served with love
than a fattened ox accompanied by hatred.
18 An ill-tempered man provokes quarrels,
but a patient man quiets dissension.
19 The path of the idler[i] is covered with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a broad highway.
20 A wise son is a joy to his father,
but a foolish son has no respect for his mother.
21 Folly delights the one without sense,
but a man of understanding follows a straight path.
22 Plans miscarry when counsel is lacking,
but they succeed when there are many counselors.
23 A man is joyful when he utters apt answers,
and even more satisfying is a word in season.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent man
so that he may escape going down to the netherworld.[j]
25 The Lord tears down the proud man’s house,[k]
but he preserves the widow’s boundaries.
26 The Lord abhors the thoughts of the wicked,
but he is pleased with the words of the pure.
27 He who is greedy for dishonest gain brings disaster on a house,
but he who refuses to accept bribes will have life.
28 The righteous man reflects before answering,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.
29 The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked,
but he listens to the prayer of the righteous.
30 A kindly glance gives joy to the heart,
and good news refreshes the bones.
31 He who accepts saving reproof has life
and will enjoy the company of the wise.
32 He who rejects correction despises himself,
but whoever accepts admonition will gain understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord[l] provides instruction in wisdom,
and to be humble is the way to honor.
Chapter 2
Unity and Humility.[a] 1 Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, any comfort in love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love for one another, and united in thought. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but humbly regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Be concerned not only with your own interests but also with those of others.
5 Let your attitude be identical to that of Christ Jesus.
The Humbled and Exalted Christ[b]
6 Though he was in the form of God,
he did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped.
7 Rather, he emptied himself,[c]
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
Being found in appearance as a man,
8 he humbled himself,
and became obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above all other names,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
Jesus Christ is Lord.[d]
12 Innocence of the Children of God.[e] Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always been obedient when I am present, you must be so all the more now when I am absent, as you work out your salvation in fear and trembling.[f] 13 For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to desire and to act for his chosen purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may show yourselves blameless and beyond reproach, children of God without spot in the midst of an evil and depraved generation, among which you shine like lights in the world 16 as you hold fast tenaciously to the word of life. Then I will have cause to boast of you on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor to no purpose.
17 But even if my blood is to be poured out as a libation upon the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I rejoice, and I share my joy with all of you. 18 In the same way, you too must rejoice and share your joy with me.
19 Timothy Commended.[g]I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by hearing news of you. 20 I have no one else like him in his genuine concern for your welfare. 21 All the others serve their own interests more than those of Jesus Christ.
22 His reputation is well known to you. Like a son helping his father, he has worked with me in the service of the gospel. 23 I hope to send him to you as soon as I see how things will go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself shall also come before long.
25 Epaphroditus Praised. I have also decided that it is necessary to send you Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, who was your messenger and ministered to my needs. 26 He has missed all of you and been greatly distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 And indeed he was dangerously ill and close to death. However, God had mercy on him—and not merely on him but on me as well, so that I would not have to endure one sorrow on top of another.
28 Therefore, I am all the more eager to send him in order that you may rejoice on seeing him again and I may thereby feel less anxious. 29 Receive him joyfully in the Lord, and value people like him very highly. 30 For he came perilously close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to render me those services that you were unable to provide.
Copyright © 2019 by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.