M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Samson’s Revenge
15 Later on, during the wheat harvest,(A) Samson took a young goat as a gift and visited his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter.
2 “I was sure you hated her,” her father said, “so I gave her to one of the men who accompanied you. Isn’t her younger sister more beautiful than she is? Why not take her instead?”
3 Samson said to them, “This time I won’t be responsible(B) when I harm the Philistines.” 4 So he went out and caught 300 foxes.(C) He took torches, turned the foxes tail-to-tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails. 5 Then he ignited the torches and released the foxes into the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the piles of grain and the standing grain as well as the vineyards and olive groves.(D)
6 Then the Philistines asked, “Who did this?”
They were told, “It was Samson, the Timnite’s son-in-law, because he has taken Samson’s wife and given her to another man.” So the Philistines went to her and her father and burned them to death.
7 Then Samson told them, “Because you did this, I swear that I won’t rest until I have taken vengeance on you.” 8 He tore them limb from limb[a] with a great slaughter, and he went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam.
9 The Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and raided Lehi. 10 So the men of Judah said, “Why have you attacked us?”
They replied, “We have come to arrest Samson and pay him back for what he did to us.”
11 Then 3,000 men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines rule over us?(E) What have you done to us?”
“I have done to them what they did to me,” he answered.[b]
12 They said to him, “We’ve come to arrest you and hand you over to the Philistines.”
Then Samson told them, “Swear to me that you yourselves won’t kill me.”
13 “No,” they said,[c] “we won’t kill you, but we will tie you up securely and hand you over to them.” So they tied him up with two new ropes(F) and led him away from the rock.
14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came to meet him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord took control of[d] him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like burnt flax and his bonds fell off his wrists. 15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand, took it, and killed 1,000 men with it. 16 Then Samson said:
With the jawbone of a donkey
I have piled them in a heap.
With the jawbone of a donkey
I have killed 1,000 men.
17 When he finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone and named that place Ramath-lehi.[e] 18 He became very thirsty and called out to the Lord: “You have accomplished this great victory through[f] Your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” 19 So God split a hollow place in the ground at Lehi, and water came out of it. After Samson drank, his strength returned, and he revived.(G) That is why he named it En-hakkore,[g] which is in Lehi to this day. 20 And he judged Israel 20 years in the days of the Philistines.
Twelve Disciples of John the Baptist
19 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples(A) 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
“No,” they told him, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”(B)
3 “Then what baptism were you baptized with?” he asked them.
“With John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”(C)
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on(D) them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in other languages and to prophesy.(E) 7 Now there were about 12 men in all.
In the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus
8 Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.(F) 9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples, conducting discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.(G) 10 And this went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord.(H)
Demonism Defeated at Ephesus
11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or work aprons[a] that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.(I)
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!”(J) 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.(K) 18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver. 20 In this way the Lord’s message flourished and prevailed.(L)
The Riot in Ephesus
21 When these events were over, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well!”(M) 22 So after sending two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.(N)
23 During that time there was a major[b] disturbance about the Way.(O) 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis,[c] provided a great deal of[d] business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods!(P) 27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world adore.”
28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius(Q) and Aristarchus,(R) Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Though Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going[e] into the amphitheater. 32 Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Then some of the crowd gave Alexander advice when the Jews pushed him to the front. So motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people.(S) 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a united cry went up from all of them for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 However, when the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “Men of Ephesus! What man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great[f] Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our[g] goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.(T) 39 But if you want something else, it must be decided in a legal assembly. 40 In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.
Hananiah’s False Prophecy
28 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah,(A) in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur from Gibeon(B) said to me in the temple of the Lord in the presence of the priests and all the people, 2 “This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.(C) 3 Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of the Lord’s temple(D) that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from here and transported to Babylon. 4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiah[a] son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah(E) who went to Babylon’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”
Jeremiah’s Response to Hananiah
5 The prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the temple of the Lord. 6 The prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!(F) May the Lord do so. May the Lord make the words you have prophesied come true and may He restore the articles of the Lord’s temple and all the exiles from Babylon to this place! 7 Only listen to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster,[b] and plague against many lands and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace—only when the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the Lord has truly sent.”(G)
Hananiah Breaks Jeremiah’s Yoke
10 The prophet Hananiah then took the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it.(H) 11 In the presence of all the people Hananiah proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In this way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of all the nations.’” Jeremiah the prophet then went on his way.
The Lord’s Word against Hananiah
12 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke bar from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet: 13 “Go say to Hananiah: This is what the Lord says, ‘You broke a wooden yoke bar, but in its place you will make an iron yoke bar.’ 14 For this is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have put an iron yoke on the neck of all these nations that they might serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,(I) and they will serve him.(J) I have also put the wild animals under him.’”(K)
15 The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord did not send you, but you have led these people to trust in a lie.(L) 16 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to send you off the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have spoken rebellion against the Lord.’”(M) 17 And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
14 After(A) two days it was the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a treacherous(F) way to arrest and kill Him.(G) 2 “Not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be rioting among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
3 While(H) He was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease,(J) as He was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.(L) 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? 5 For this oil might have been sold for more than 300 denarii(M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.
6 Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing(O) for Me. 7 You always have the poor(P) with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have Me.(Q) 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body(R) in advance for burial.(S) 9 I assure you:(T) Wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10 Then(W) Judas Iscariot,(X) one of the Twelve,(Y) went to the chief priests(Z) to hand Him over(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver.[a](AB) So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray(AC) Him.
Preparation for Passover
12 On(AD) the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb,(AE) His disciples(AF) asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?”
13 So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples(AH) went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Betrayal at the Passover
17 When(AI) evening came, He arrived with the Twelve.(AJ) 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!”
19 They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man(AK) will go just as it is written(AL) about Him,(AM) but woe(AN) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
The First Lord’s Supper
22 As(AO) they were eating, He took bread,(AP) blessed and broke(AQ) it, gave it to them,(AR) and said, “Take it;[b] this is My body.”(AS)
23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood that establishes the covenant;[c](AU) it is shed(AV) for many.(AW) 25 I assure you:(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it in a new(AZ) way[d] in the kingdom of God.”(BA) 26 After singing psalms,[e] they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,[f][g] because it is written:(BD)
28 But after I have been resurrected,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)
29 Peter(BI) told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”
30 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!”(BJ)
31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.
The Prayer in the Garden
32 Then(BK) they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples,(BL) “Sit here while I pray.”(BM) 33 He took Peter,(BN) James,(BO) and John(BP) with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow[i] —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba,(BS) Father!(BT) All things are possible(BU) for You. Take this cup(BV) away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon,(BW) are you sleeping?” He asked Peter.(BX) “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BY) so that you won’t enter into temptation.(BZ) The spirit(CA) is willing, but the flesh(CB) is weak.”
39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.[j] They did not know what to say to Him.(CC) 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man(CD) is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CE) 42 Get up;(CF) let’s go! See—My betrayer is near.”
The Judas Kiss
43 While(CG) He was still speaking, Judas,(CH) one of the Twelve,(CI) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CJ) and the elders.(CK) 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”(CL)—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.
48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[k] to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex,(CM) and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures(CN) must be fulfilled.”(CO) 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away.(CP)
51 Now a certain young man,[l] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CQ)
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53 They(CR) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CS) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CT) convened.(CU) 54 Peter(CV) followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,[m](CW) warming himself by the fire.[n]
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CX) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,(CY) but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CZ) against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands,(DA) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DB) even on this.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not answer anything.(DC) Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah,(DD) the Son(DE) of the Blessed(DF) One?”
62 “I am,”(DG) said Jesus, “and all of you[o] will see the Son of Man(DH) seated at the right hand(DI) of the Power and coming with the clouds(DJ) of heaven.”(DK)[p]
63 Then the high priest(DL) tore his robes(DM) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DN) 64 You have heard the blasphemy!(DO) What is your decision?”[q]
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.(DP) 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!”(DQ) The temple police(DR) also took Him and slapped Him.
Peter Denies His Lord
66 While(DS) Peter(DT) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene,(DU) Jesus.”
68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.[r]
69 When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them!”
70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean!”[s](DV)
71 Then he started to curse[t] and to swear with an oath,(DW) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DX) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” When he thought about it, he began to weep.[u]
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.