M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Levitical Gatekeepers
26 The following were the divisions of the gatekeepers:
From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
2 Meshelemiah had sons:
Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second,
Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth,
and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed-edom also had sons:
Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second,
Joah the third, Sachar the fourth,
Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth,
Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth,
for God blessed him.
6 Also, to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled their ancestral families[a] because they were strong, capable men.
7 Shemaiah’s sons: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semachiah were also capable men. 8 All of these were among the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and relatives; they were capable men with strength for the work—sixty-two from Obed-edom.
9 Meshelemiah also had sons and relatives who were capable men—eighteen.
10 Hosah,(A) from the Merarites, also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were thirteen in all.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their leading men, had duties for ministering in the Lord’s temple, just as their relatives did. 13 They cast lots for each temple gate according to their ancestral families, young and old alike.(B)
14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemiah.[b] They also cast lots for his son Zechariah, an insightful counselor, and his lot came out for the north gate. 15 Obed-edom’s was the south gate, and his sons’ lot was for the storehouses; 16 it was the west gate and the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending highway for Shuppim and Hosah.
There were guards stationed at every watch. 17 There were six Levites each day[c] on the east, four each day on the north, four each day on the south, and two pair at the storehouses. 18 As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court. 19 Those were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the descendants of the Korahites and Merarites.
The Levitical Treasurers and Other Officials
20 From the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of God’s temple and the treasuries of what had been dedicated.(C) 21 From the sons of Ladan, who were the descendants of the Gershonites through Ladan and were the family heads belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.
23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites: 24 Shebuel, a descendant of Moses’s son Gershom, was the officer in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer: his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomith.[d] 26 This Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of what had been dedicated by King David,(D) by the family heads who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders. 27 They dedicated part of the plunder from their battles for the repair of the Lord’s temple. 28 All that the seer Samuel, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah had dedicated, along with everything else that had been dedicated, were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.
29 From the Izrahites: Chenaniah and his sons had duties outside the temple[e](E) as officers and judges(F) over Israel. 30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah(G) and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had assigned duties in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the service of the king. 31 From the Hebronites: Jerijah(H) was the head of the Hebronites, according to the family records of his ancestors. A search was made in the fortieth year of David’s reign and strong, capable men were found among them at Jazer(I) in Gilead. 32 There were among Jerijah’s relatives 2,700 capable men who were family heads. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh as overseers in every matter relating to God and the king.(J)
David’s Secular Officials
27 This is the list of the Israelites, the family heads, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter to do with the divisions that were on rotated military duty each month throughout[f] the year. There were 24,000 in each division:
2 Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division,(K) for the first month; 24,000 were in his division. 3 He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month.
4 Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader; 24,000 were in his division.
5 The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of the priest Jehoiada; 24,000 were in his division. 6 This Benaiah was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge[g] of his division.
7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him; 24,000 were in his division.
8 The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; 24,000 were in his division.
9 The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; 24,000 were in his division.
10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.
11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.
12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite; 24,000 were in his division.
13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division.
14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division.
15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel’s family;[h] 24,000 were in his division.
16 The following were in charge of the tribes of Israel:
For the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was the chief official;
for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah;
17 for the Levites, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok;
18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael;
19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;
for Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel;
20 for the Ephraimites, Hoshea son of Azaziah;
for half the tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah;
21 for half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah;
for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner;
22 for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham.
Those were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.(L)
23 David didn’t count the men aged twenty or under, for the Lord had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.(M) 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count them, but he didn’t complete it. There was wrath against Israel because of this census,(N) and the number was not entered in the Historical Record[i] of King David.
25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses.
Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.
26 Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of those who worked in the fields tilling the soil.
27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.
Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars.
28 Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees(O) in the Judean foothills.[j]
Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil.
29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds that grazed in Sharon,(P) while Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.
30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.
Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.
31 Jaziz the Hagrite(Q) was in charge of the flocks.
All these were officials in charge of King David’s property.
32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of understanding and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended[k] the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel(R) was the king’s counselor. Hushai(S) the Archite was the king’s friend. 34 After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah,(T) then Abiathar.(U) Joab was the commander of the king’s army.(V)
Greeting
1 Simeon[a] Peter,(A) a servant and an apostle(B) of Jesus Christ:
To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness(C) of our God and Savior(D) Jesus Christ.
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God(E) and of Jesus our Lord.
Growth in the Faith
3 His[b] divine power(F) has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge(G) of him who called(H) us by[c] his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises,(I) so that through them you may share in the divine nature,(J) escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control,(K) self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection,(L) and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless(M) or unfruitful(N) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election,(O) because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom(P) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
12 Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth(Q) you now have. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent,(R) to wake you up with a reminder, 14 since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me.(S) 15 And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.[d]
The Trustworthy Prophetic Word
16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;(T) instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.(U) 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son,[e] with whom I am well-pleased!” (V) 18 We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.(W) 19 We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place,(X) until the day dawns(Y) and the morning star(Z) rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man;(AA) instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.(AB)
The Lord’s Rule from Restored Zion
4 In the last days(A)
the mountain of the Lord’s house(B)
will be established
at the top of the mountains
and will be raised above the hills.
Peoples will stream to it,(C)
2 and many nations will come and say,(D)
“Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord,(E)
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us about his ways(F)
so we may walk in his paths.”
For instruction will go out of Zion(G)
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 He will settle disputes among many peoples(H)
and provide arbitration for strong nations
that are far away.
They will beat their swords into plows
and their spears into pruning knives.
Nation will not take up the sword against nation,
and they will never again train for war.
4 But each person will sit under his grapevine(I)
and under his fig tree
with no one to frighten him.(J)
For the mouth of the Lord(K) of Armies
has spoken.
5 Though all the peoples walk
in the name of their own gods,(L)
we will walk(M) in the name of the Lord our God
forever and ever.(N)
6 On that day—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
I will assemble the lame
and gather the scattered,(O)
those I have injured.
7 I will make the lame into a remnant,(P)
those far removed into a strong nation.
Then the Lord will reign over them(Q) in Mount Zion
from this time on and forever.
8 And you, watchtower for the flock,(R)
fortified hill[a] of Daughter Zion,
the former rule(S) will come to you;
sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem.
From Exile to Victory
9 Now, why are you shouting loudly?(T)
Is there no king with you?
Has your counselor perished(U)
so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor?
10 Writhe and cry out,[b](V) Daughter Zion,
like a woman in labor,
for now you will leave the city(W)
and camp in the open fields.
You will go to Babylon;
there you will be rescued;(X)
there the Lord will redeem you(Y)
from the grasp of your enemies!
11 Many nations have now assembled against you;(Z)
they say, “Let her be defiled,
and let us feast our eyes on Zion.”
12 But they do not know the Lord’s intentions(AA)
or understand his plan,
that he has gathered them
like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13 Rise and thresh,(AB) Daughter Zion,
for I will make your horns iron
and your hooves bronze
so you can crush many peoples.(AC)
Then you[c] will set apart their plunder(AD)
for the Lord,
their wealth for the Lord of the whole earth.
Repent or Perish
13 At that time,(A) some people came and reported to him about the Galileans(B) whose blood Pilate(C) had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And he[a] responded to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things?(D) 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well. 4 Or those eighteen that the tower in Siloam(E) fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the other people who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well.”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 And he told this parable:(F) “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.(G) 7 He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!(H) Why should it even waste the soil?’(I)
8 “But he replied to him, ‘Sir,[b] leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.(J) 9 Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”
Healing a Daughter of Abraham
10 As he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,(K) 11 a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit[c](L) for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.[d] 12 When Jesus saw her, he called out to her,[e] “Woman, you are free of your disability.” 13 Then he laid his hands on her,(M) and instantly she was restored(N) and began to glorify God.(O)
14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant(P) because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done;(Q) therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.”
15 But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites!(R) Doesn’t each one of you untie his ox(S) or donkey from the feeding trough(T) on the Sabbath and lead it to water?(U) 16 Satan(V) has bound(W) this woman, a daughter of Abraham,(X) for eighteen years—shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage[f] on the Sabbath day?”
17 When he had said these things, all his adversaries(Y) were humiliated,(Z) but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he was doing.(AA)
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Leaven
18 He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like,(AB) and what can I compare it to? 19 It’s like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”
20 Again he said, “What can I compare the kingdom of God(AC) to? 21 It’s like leaven[g](AD) that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds[h] of flour until all of it was leavened.”
The Narrow Way
22 He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem.(AE) 23 “Lord,” someone asked him, “are only a few people going to be saved?” (AF)
He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door,(AG) because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able 25 once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door.(AH) Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from me,(AI) all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth(AJ) in that place,(AK) when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,(AL) but yourselves thrown out. 29 They will come from east and west, from north and south, to share the banquet[i] in the kingdom of God. 30 Note this: Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”(AM)
Jesus and Herod Antipas
31 At that time some Pharisees came and told him, “Go, get out of here. Herod(AN) wants to kill you.”(AO)
32 He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.’[j](AP) 33 Yet it is necessary that I(AQ) travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet(AR) to perish(AS) outside of Jerusalem.
Jesus’s Lamentation over Jerusalem
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,(AT) who kills the prophets and stones(AU) those who are sent to her.(AV) How often I wanted to gather your children(AW) together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,(AX) but you were not willing!(AY) 35 See, your house is abandoned to you.(AZ) I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[k] you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!”[l](BA)
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