M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Pattern of Sin and Judgment
2 The angel of the Lord(A) went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you out of Egypt and led you into the land(B) I had promised to your ancestors.(C) I also said: I will never break my covenant with you. 2 You are not to make a covenant(D) with the inhabitants of this land. You are to tear down their altars.(E) But you have not obeyed me. What have you done? 3 Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you.(F) They will be thorns[a] in your sides,(G) and their gods will be a trap for you.”(H) 4 When the angel of the Lord had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 So they named that place Bochim[b] and offered sacrifices there to the Lord.
Joshua’s Death
6 Previously, when Joshua had sent the people away, the Israelites had gone to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance.(I) 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works(J) he had done for Israel.
8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. 9 They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim,(K) north of Mount Gaash. 10 That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord(L) or the works he had done for Israel.
11 The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.(M) They worshiped the Baals(N) 12 and abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples(O) and bowed down to them. They angered the Lord,(P) 13 for they abandoned him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.(Q)
14 The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he handed them over to marauders who raided them. He sold(R) them to the enemies around them, and they could no longer resist their enemies. 15 Whenever the Israelites went out, the Lord was against them(S) and brought disaster on them, just as he had promised and sworn to them.(T) So they suffered greatly.
16 The Lord raised up(U) judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 17 but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted(V) themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way(W) of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. They did not do as their ancestors did. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for the Israelites, the Lord was with(X) him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The Lord was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. 19 Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly(Y) than their ancestors, following other gods to serve them and bow in worship to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate(Z) ways.
20 The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and he declared, “Because this nation has violated my covenant(AA) that I made with their ancestors(AB) and disobeyed me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left(AC) when he died.(AD) 22 I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the Lord’s way(AE) by walking in it, as their ancestors had.”(AF) 23 The Lord left these nations and did not drive them out immediately. He did not hand them over to Joshua.
Seven Chosen to Serve
6 In those days, as the disciples(A) were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.(B) 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,(C) full of the Spirit(D) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,(E) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.(F) 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed(G) and laid their hands on(H) them.
7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased(I) greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”(J) 12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. 13 They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.(K) 14 For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”(L) 15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
The Lord’s Negative Response
15 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel(A) should stand before me,(B) my compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from my presence, and let them go.(C) 2 If they ask you, ‘Where will we go?’ tell them: This is what the Lord says:
Those destined for death,(D) to death;
those destined for the sword, to the sword.
Those destined for famine, to famine;
those destined for captivity, to captivity.
3 “I will ordain four kinds[a] of judgment for them”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away,(E) and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land(F) to devour and destroy. 4 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh(G) son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.
5 Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem?(H)
Who will show sympathy toward you?(I)
Who will turn aside
to ask about your well-being?
6 You have left me.”(J)
This is the Lord’s declaration.
“You have turned your back,
so I have stretched out my hand against you
and destroyed you.
I am tired(K) of showing compassion.
7 I scattered them with a winnowing fork
at the city gates of the land.
I made them childless; I destroyed my people.
They would not turn from their ways.(L)
8 I made their widows more numerous
than the sand of the seas.(M)
I brought a destroyer at noon
against the mother of young men.
I suddenly released on her
agitation and terrors.
9 The mother of seven grew faint;(N)
she breathed her last breath.
Her sun set while it was still day;
she was ashamed and humiliated.
The rest of them I will give over to the sword
in the presence of their enemies.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
Jeremiah’s Complaint
10 Woe is me, my mother,
that you gave birth to me,(O)
a man who incites dispute and conflict
in all the land.
I did not lend or borrow,
yet everyone curses me.(P)
The Lord’s Response
11 The Lord said:
Haven’t I set you loose for your good?
Haven’t I punished you
in a time of trouble,
in a time of distress with the enemy?[b]
12 Can anyone smash iron,
iron from the north, or bronze?
13 I will give up your wealth
and your treasures as plunder,
without cost,(Q) for all your sins
in all your borders.
14 Then I will make you serve your enemies[c]
in a land you do not know,
for my anger will kindle a fire
that will burn against you.(R)
Jeremiah’s Prayer for Vengeance
15 You know,(S) Lord;
remember me and take note of me.(T)
Avenge me against my persecutors.(U)
In your patience,[d] don’t take me away.
Know that I suffer disgrace for your honor.(V)
16 Your words were found, and I ate them.(W)
Your words became a delight to me
and the joy of my heart,
for I bear your name,(X)
Lord God of Armies.
17 I never sat with the band of revelers,
and I did not celebrate with them.
Because your hand was on me, I sat alone,(Y)
for you filled me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain become unending,
my wound incurable,(Z)
refusing to be healed?
You truly have become like a mirage to me—
water that is not reliable.
Jeremiah Told to Repent
19 Therefore, this is what the Lord says:
If you return, I will take you back;
you will stand in my presence.
And if you speak noble words,
rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.(AA)
It is they who must return to you;
you must not return to them.
20 Then I will make you a fortified wall of bronze
to this people.
They will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
to save you and rescue you.(AB)
This is the Lord’s declaration.
21 I will rescue you from the power of evil people
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
The Messiah’s Herald
1 The beginning(A) of the gospel(B) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[a](C) 2 As it is written in Isaiah(D) the prophet:[b](E)
See, I am sending my messenger(F) ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.[c][d] (G)
3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:(H)
Prepare the way for the Lord;(I)
make his paths straight
4 John came baptizing[f](K) in the wilderness(L) and proclaiming a baptism of repentance(M) for the forgiveness(N) of sins.(O) 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem(P) were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan(Q) River, confessing(R) their sins.(S) 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts(T) and wild honey.(U)
7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful(V) than I am is coming after me.(W) I am not worthy(X) to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.(Y) 8 I baptize you with[g] water,(Z) but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”(AA)
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In(AB) those days Jesus came from Nazareth(AC) in Galilee(AD) and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens(AE) being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice(AF) came from heaven:(AG) “You are my beloved(AH) Son;(AI) with you I am well-pleased.”(AJ)
The Temptation of Jesus
12 Immediately(AK) the Spirit(AL) drove(AM) him into the wilderness.(AN) 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted(AO) by Satan.(AP) He was with the wild animals,(AQ) and the angels(AR) were serving him.
Ministry in Galilee
14 After(AS) John was arrested,(AT) Jesus went to Galilee,(AU) proclaiming(AV) the good news[h][i](AW) of God:(AX) 15 “The time(AY) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God(AZ) has come(BA) near.(BB) Repent(BC) and believe(BD) the good news!”
The First Disciples
16 As(BE) he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee,(BF) he saw Simon(BG) and Andrew,(BH) Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea(BI)—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,”(BJ) Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for[j](BK) people.”(BL) 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed(BM) him.(BN) 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James(BO) the son of Zebedee(BP) and his brother John(BQ) in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.(BR)
Driving Out an Unclean Spirit
21 They(BS) went into Capernaum,(BT) and right away he entered the synagogue(BU) on the Sabbath(BV) and began to teach.(BW) 22 They were astonished(BX) at his teaching(BY) because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
23 Just then a man with an unclean(BZ) spirit(CA) was in their synagogue.(CB) He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?(CC) Have you come to destroy(CD) us? I know who you are—the Holy(CE) One of God!” (CF)
25 Jesus rebuked(CG) him saying, “Be silent,(CH) and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions,(CI) shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 They were all amazed,(CJ) and so they began to ask(CK) each other, “What is this? A new teaching(CL) with authority He commands even the unclean(CN) spirits,(CO) and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.(CP)
Healings at Capernaum
29 As(CQ) soon as they left the synagogue,(CR) they went into Simon(CS) and Andrew’s(CT) house(CU) with James(CV) and John.(CW) 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up.(CX) The fever(CY) left her,[l] and she began to serve(CZ) them.(DA)
32 When(DB) evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick(DC) and demon-possessed.(DD) 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and he healed(DE) many who were sick with various diseases(DF) and drove out(DG) many demons.(DH) And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.(DI)
Preaching in Galilee
35 Very(DJ) early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place;(DK) and there he was praying.(DL) 36 Simon(DM) and his companions searched for him, 37 and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38 And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach(DN) there too. This is why I have come.”
A Man Cleansed
39 He went into all of Galilee,(DO) preaching in their synagogues(DP) and driving out demons. 40 Then(DQ) a man with leprosy[m](DR) came to him and, on his knees,[n](DS) begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”(DT) 41 Moved with compassion,[o](DU) Jesus reached out his hand and touched(DV) him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the leprosy(DW) left him, and he was made clean. 43 Then he sternly warned(DX) him and sent him away(DY) at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone;(DZ) but go and show(EA) yourself to the priest,(EB) and offer(EC) what Moses commanded for your cleansing,(ED) as a testimony(EE) to them.”[p] 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim(EF) it widely and to spread the news,(EG) with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But he was out in deserted places, and they came to him from everywhere.
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