M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Chapter 19
Revelation of God the Judge.[a] 1 The two angels arrived in Sodom toward the evening. Lot was seated at the gate to Sodom. As soon as he saw them, Lot got up and went over to them and bowed down to the ground. 2 He said, “My lords, come to the house of your servant. Pass the night, wash your feet, and then, in the morning, you can go on your way.”
They answered, “No, we will spend the night in the town square.”
3 But he insisted so much that they went with him to his house. He prepared a banquet for them, making unleavened bread,[b] and they ate their meal. 4 But before they went to bed, the men of the city, the inhabitants of Sodom, gathered around the house, the young and the old, all of them without exception. 5 They called out to Lot and said, “Where are those men who are staying with you tonight? Make them come out to us so that we can know them!”[c]
6 Lot went out to them at the door and, after closing the door behind himself, 7 said, “No, my brothers, do not do this evil thing! 8 Listen, I have two daughters who have not yet known a man; let me bring them outside and you can do whatever you want with them. Just do not do anything to these men, for they have entered under the shelter of my roof.”
9 But they answered, “Move out of the way. This one has come into our midst as a foreigner and he would dare to judge us! Now we are going to treat you even worse than them.” And they so violently pushed against Lot that they almost broke open the door. 10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot inside the house, closing the door. 11 They struck all of those who were standing outside the door with blindness so that none of them could find the door.
12 The men then said to Lot, “Who else do you have here? Your sons-in-law, your sons, and your daughters, and anyone that you have in the city, bring them out of this place 13 for we are ready to destroy this place. The complaint raised against them before the Lord is great, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
14 Lot left to speak to his sons-in-law, the men who were to marry his daughters, and he said, “Get up, let us go from this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
15 As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, “Get up, take your wife and the two daughters who are here and leave before you are caught up in the punishment of this city.”
16 Lot hesitated, but the men took him by the hand, along with his wife and his two daughters. They showed him the mercy of the Lord by bringing him out and leading him out of the city. 17 After they had led him out, one of them said, “Flee for your life. Do not look back and do not stop while you are still in the valley. Flee to the mountains lest you be swept away.”
18 But Lot replied, “No, my lord! 19 Look, your servant has found favor in your sight, and now you have shown even greater mercy to me by saving my life. Yet, I will not be able to flee to the mountains to keep the disaster from overtaking me. I will die. 20 Look at this city ahead. It is close enough for me to reach, and it is so small! Let me flee there. It is such a small place. That way my life will be saved.”
21 He answered, “Behold, I will grant you even this, that I will not destroy the city of which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, flee there because I cannot do anything until you have arrived.” For this reason the city is called Zoar.
23 The sun was rising when Lot arrived in Zoar. 24 The Lord then rained sulfur and fire from the heavens upon Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 He destroyed these cities and the entire valley and all the inhabitants of the cities and even the plants in the soil. 26 But the wife of Lot looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 Abraham went out early in the morning to the place where he had been with the Lord. 28 He looked down from the height on Sodom and Gomorrah and the entire extension of the valley, and he saw smoke rising out of the earth, like the smoke coming out of a furnace.
29 Thus God, who destroyed the cities of the valley, remembered Abraham and had Lot flee from the disaster, while he destroyed the cities in which Lot had been living.
30 Degeneration of Lot’s Children.[d] Lot then left Zoar and went to live in the mountains together with his two daughters, for they were afraid to stay in Zoar. He lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31 The older one said to the younger one, “Our father is getting old and there is no one in this territory to marry us as happens all over the earth. 32 Come, we will give wine to our father and then lie with him; thus we will provide descendants for our father.”
33 That night they gave wine to their father, and the older sister laid with her father. He did not realize what was happening, not even when she lay down or when she got out of bed. 34 The next day the older sister said to the younger, “Behold, yesterday I slept with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight as well and you can sleep with him. Thus, we will provide descendants for our father.” 35 That night as well they made their father drink wine, and the younger sister slept with him. He did not realize what had happened, not even when she lay down or when she got out of bed.
36 Thus, the two daughters of Lot conceived children for their father. 37 The older sister gave birth to a son whom she called Moab, “from my father.” He is the forefather of the present-day Moabites. 38 The younger sister also gave birth to a son, and she called him Ben Ammi, “son of my people.” He is the forefather of the present-day Ammonites.
Instructions to the Disciples: The Charter of the Community[a]
Chapter 18
Become Like Little Children.[b] 1 At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus beckoned a child to come to him, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Woe to the World because of Scandals.[c] 5 “And whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of scandals. Such things are bound to occur, but woe to the one through whom they come.
8 [d]“If your hand or your foot is an occasion of sin for you, cut it off and throw it away. It is preferable for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is preferable for you to enter into life with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into the fires of Gehenna.
10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven gaze continually on the face of my heavenly Father. [ 11 For the Son of Man has come to save what was lost.][e]
12 The Parable of the Lost Sheep.[f]“Tell me your opinion. If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the other ninety-nine on the hillside and go off in search of the one who went astray? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he is more filled with joy over it than over the ninety-nine who did not wander off. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that a single one of these little ones should be lost.
15 The Church: Community of Love, Prayer, and Pardon.[g]“If your brother wrongs you, go and take up the matter with him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every detail may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, report it to the Church. And if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
18 “Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 [Amen,] I say to you, further, if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst.”
21 Then Peter came up to him and asked, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy times seven.[h]
23 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.[i]“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a man was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[j] 25 Since he had no possible way to repay what he owed, his master ordered him to be sold, together with his wife, his children, and all his property, to satisfy the debt. 26 At this, the servant fell to his knees, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and canceled the debt.
28 “However, when that servant left, he encountered one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii,[k] and, choking him, he demanded, ‘Pay me back what you owe.’ 29 His fellow servant fell to his knees and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he turned a deaf ear and had him thrown into prison until he had repaid the debt.
31 “When his fellow servants observed what had happened, they were greatly upset, and, going to their master, they reported everything that had taken place. 32 Then his master sent for the man and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you for your complete debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in his anger his master handed him over to be tortured until he repaid the entire debt. 35 In the same way, my heavenly Father will also deal with you unless each of you forgives his brother from the heart.”
Promulgation of the Law
Chapter 8
Ezra Reads the Law.[a] 1 Now when the seventh month came, and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled together as a unit in the square in front of the Water Gate. Then they asked Ezra the scribe to bring forth the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, as well as all those old enough to comprehend what was said.
3 Facing the square in front of the Water Gate, Ezra read from the book of the law from dawn until noon in the presence of the men and women as well as those who could understand what was being said. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been constructed for the occasion, and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left.
5 Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people—for he was standing above them. As soon as he opened it, all the people rose to their feet. 6 Next he blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people lifted up their hands as they answered, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord with their face to the ground.
7 In addition, the Levites Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah helped the people to understand the law while the people remained in their places. 8 Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, making its meaning clear so that the people could understand what was being said.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest-scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “This day is holy to the Lord, your God. Do not mourn, and do not weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10 Then Nehemiah added: “You now may go. Eat rich food and drink what is sweet. Moreover, send some of these to those for whom nothing has been prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord. Furthermore, do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites, thereupon, calmed all the people, saying: “Be quiet, for this is a sacred day. There is no reason for you to be saddened.” 12 Then all the people went off to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great rejoicing, since they had come to comprehend the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
13 The Feast of Booths. On the second day of the month, the family heads of all the people, together with the priests and the Levites, gathered around the scribe Ezra to study the words of the law. 14 And written in the law that the Lord had prescribed through Moses, they found that the Israelites were to live in booths[b] during the feast of the seventh month.
15 In addition, they were to issue this proclamation and circulate it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go forth into the hills and bring branches of olive and wild olive trees, and of myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as the law prescribes.” 16 Therefore the people went out and brought back branches to make shelters for themselves, each on his own roof, and in their courtyards and in the precincts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.
17 Therefore the whole community of those who had returned from their captivity made booths and lived in them, something that the Israelites had not done from the days of Joshua, the son of Nun, until that day, and there was very great rejoicing. 18 Each day, from the first to the last day, Ezra read from the book of the law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, as prescribed, they held a solemn assembly.
Chapter 18
Paul in Corinth.[a] 1 At that point, Paul departed from Athens and moved on to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius[b] had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them, 3 and because they were tentmakers just as he was, he stayed with them and they worked together.[c] 4 Every Sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convert both Jews and Greeks.
5 After Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted all his efforts to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 When they opposed him and began to hurl insults, he shook out his garments in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I have a clear conscience. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 With that, he left and went to the house of a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God, who lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord along with his entire household. Many Corinthians who heard Paul came to believe and were baptized.
9 One night, the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision[d] and said, “Do not be afraid. Continue with your preaching, and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you. No one will attack you or try to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.” 11 And so he remained there for eighteen months, teaching the word of God to them.
12 Accusations before Gallio. However, when Gallio became proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the Law.”
14 Just as Paul was about to refute them, Gallio said to the Jews, “If you were accusing this man of some crime or fraudulent act, O Jews, I would be more than willing to listen to your complaint. 15 But since your argument is about words and names and your own Law, settle it yourselves. I have no intention of making judgments about such matters.” 16 With that, he dismissed them from the tribunal. 17 Then they all attacked Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio remained unconcerned about their action.
18 Return to Antioch in Pisidia.[e] After he remained in Corinth for some considerable time, Paul took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae, he had his hair cut because he had taken a vow.
19 When they reached Ephesus,[f] he left them there. He himself went into the synagogue and had discussions with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined, 21 but on taking leave of them he promised, “I will return to you, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the Church,[g] and then he went down to Antioch.
Ephesus[h]
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey[i]
23 Paul Strengthens the Churches. After spending some time there, he departed and traveled through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Apollos.[j] Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria and an eloquent speaker, came to Ephesus. He was well-versed in the Scriptures, 25 and he had been instructed in the Way of the Lord. Filled with spiritual fervor, he spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he had experienced only the baptism of John.
26 He then began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him more accurately the Way. 27 And when he expressed a wish to cross over to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there, asking that they make him welcome. From the time of his arrival, he was of great help to those who by the grace of God had become believers. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
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