M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
The Shunammite’s Land Restored
8 Elisha said to the woman whose son he had restored to life,(A) “Get ready, you and your household, and go live as a resident alien wherever you can. For the Lord has announced a seven-year famine,(B) and it has already come to the land.”
2 So the woman got ready and did what the man of God said. She and her household lived as resident aliens in the land of the Philistines for seven years. 3 When the woman returned from the land of the Philistines at the end of seven years,(C) she went to appeal to the king for her house and field.(D)
4 The king had been speaking to Gehazi,(E) the attendant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things Elisha has done.”
5 While he was telling the king how Elisha restored the dead son to life, the woman whose son he had restored to life came to appeal to the king for her house and field. So Gehazi said, “My lord the king, this is the woman and this is the son Elisha restored to life.”(F)
6 When the king asked the woman, she told him the story. So the king appointed a court official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, along with all the income from the field from the day she left the country until now.”
Aram’s King Hazael
7 Elisha came to Damascus(G) while King Ben-hadad(H) of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God(I) has come here.” 8 So the king said to Hazael,(J) “Take a gift(K) with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the Lord through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” (L)
9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift: forty camel-loads of all the finest products of Damascus. When he came and stood before him, he said, “Your son,(M) King Ben-hadad of Aram, has sent me to ask you, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’”
10 Elisha told him, “Go say to him, ‘You are sure to[a] recover.’ But the Lord has shown me that he is sure to die.” 11 Then he stared steadily at him until he was ashamed.(N)
The man of God wept,(O) 12 and Hazael asked, “Why is my lord weeping?”
He replied, “Because I know the evil you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their fortresses on fire. You will kill their young men with the sword. You will dash their children to pieces. You will rip open their pregnant women.”(P)
13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,(Q) do such a mighty deed?”
Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”(R)
14 Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?”
He responded, “He told me you are sure to recover.” 15 The next day Hazael took a heavy cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.
Judah’s King Jehoram
16 In the fifth year(S) of Israel’s King Joram(T) son of Ahab, Jehoram[b](U) son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah, replacing his father.[c](V) 17 He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.(W) 18 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for Ahab’s daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.(X) 19 For the sake of his servant David, the Lord was unwilling to destroy Judah, since he had promised to give a lamp[d](Y) to David and his sons forever.(Z)
20 During Jehoram’s reign, Edom rebelled against Judah’s control and appointed their own king.(AA) 21 So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. Then at night he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot commanders, but his troops fled to their tents.(AB) 22 So Edom is still in rebellion against Judah’s control today. Libnah(AC) also rebelled at that time.
23 The rest of the events of Jehoram’s reign, along with all his accomplishments, are written in the Historical Record of Judah’s Kings.(AD) 24 Jehoram rested with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, and his son Ahaziah became king in his place.(AE)
Judah’s King Ahaziah
25 In the twelfth year of Israel’s King Joram son of Ahab,(AF) Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah.(AG) 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Israel’s King Omri.(AH) 27 He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the Lord’s sight like the house of Ahab,(AI) for his father had married into[e] the house of Ahab.
28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to fight against King Hazael(AJ) of Aram in Ramoth-gilead,(AK) and the Arameans wounded Joram. 29 So King Joram returned to Jezreel(AL) to recover from the wounds that the Arameans had inflicted on him in Ramoth-gilead[f] when he fought against Aram’s King Hazael.(AM) Then Judah’s King Ahaziah son of Jehoram went down to Jezreel to visit Joram son of Ahab since Joram was ill.
5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.
The Support of Widows
3 Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely in need. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C) 7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works(F)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,(G) washed the saints’ feet,(H) helped the afflicted,(I) and devoted herself to every good work.(J) 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry(K) 12 and will therefore receive condemnation(L) because they have renounced their original pledge. 13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. 14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.(O) 15 For some have already turned away(P) to follow Satan. 16 If any[b] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.
Honoring the Elders
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,[c] especially those who work hard(Q) at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[d](R) and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”(S)
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(T) 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(U) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[e](V) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(W) 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,(X) but the sins of others surface[f] later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
12 At that time
Michael,(A) the great prince
who stands watch over your people, will rise up.
There will be a time of distress(B)
such as never has occurred(C)
since nations came into being until that time.(D)
But at that time all your people
who are found written in the book(E) will escape.(F)
2 Many who sleep in the dust(G)
of the earth will awake,
some to eternal life,(H)
and some to disgrace and eternal contempt.(I)
3 Those who have insight will shine
like the bright expanse of the heavens,(J)
and those who lead many to righteousness,(K)
like the stars forever and ever.
4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret(L) and seal the book(M) until the time of the end.(N) Many will roam about,(O) and knowledge will increase.”[a]
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other. 6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen,(P) who was above the water of the river,(Q) “How long until the end(R) of these wondrous things?” 7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river. He raised both his hands[b](S) toward heaven and swore by him who lives eternally(T) that it would be for a time, times, and half a time.(U) When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.
8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” (V)
9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret(W) and sealed until the time of the end.(X) 10 Many will be purified,(Y) cleansed, and refined,(Z) but the wicked will act wickedly;(AA) none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.(AB) 11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation(AC) is set up,(AD) there will be 1,290 days. 12 Happy is the one who waits(AE) for and reaches 1,335 days. 13 But as for you, go on your way to the end;[c] you will rest, and then you will rise[d] to receive(AF) your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.”
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant;
you have given me hope through it.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:(A)
Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from your instruction.(B)
52 Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53 Fury seizes me(C) because of the wicked
who reject your instruction.(D)
54 Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life.[a]
55 Lord, I remember your name(E) in the night,(F)
and I obey your instruction.
56 This is my practice:
I obey your precepts.(G)
ח Cheth
57 The Lord is my portion;[b](H)
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I have sought your favor(I) with all my heart;
be gracious to me(J) according to your promise.
59 I thought about my ways(K)
and turned my steps back to your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked(L)
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget your instruction.(M)
62 I rise at midnight to thank you(N)
for your righteous judgments.(O)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(P)
to those who keep your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;(Q)
teach me your statutes.(R)
ט Teth
65 Lord, you have treated your servant well,
just as you promised.
66 Teach me good judgment and discernment,(S)
for I rely on your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,(T)
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good,(U) and you do what is good;(V)
teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,(W)
but I obey your precepts with all my heart.(X)
70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive,(Y)
but I delight in your instruction.(Z)
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(AA)
so that I could learn your statutes.
72 Instruction from your lips(AB) is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
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