a thread opens
Then I commended merriment, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall remain with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.
The Vigil
Today’s scroll, one verse at a time — each linked to the last by the cross-references rather than by any model of you. The same vigil for everyone, and a different one tomorrow.
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
from Ecclesiastes 8:15
Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
from I Timothy 4:3
You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
from Colossians 2:16 · a strong link
One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
from Galatians 4:10 · a strong link
And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatever is not of faith is sin.
from Romans 14:5 · a strong link
a thread opens
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
from I Corinthians 8:4
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
from Deuteronomy 4:39 · a strong link
Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:
from Joshua 2:11 · a strong link
All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
from Isaiah 13:7
a thread opens
By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant offering.
from I John 3:16 · a strong link
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.
from Ephesians 5:2
The first man is of the earth, of dust: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
from II Corinthians 8:9
a thread opens
But the anointing which you have received of him remains in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall remain in him.
However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
from I John 2:27
I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
from John 16:13
I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
from John 8:38
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.
from John 5:30 · a strong link
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I to this hour.
from Romans 15:3
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you shall betray me.
from John 12:27
a thread opens
And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, varieties of tongues.
Obey your leaders, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
from I Corinthians 12:28 · a strong link
Greet all your leaders, and all the saints. They of Italy greet you.
from Hebrews 13:17
Remember your leaders, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct.
from Hebrews 13:24 · a strong link
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
from Hebrews 13:7
He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
a thread opens
I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, who are present here, to offer willingly to you.
And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.
from I Chronicles 29:17 · a strong link
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are out of place;
from I Chronicles 28:9
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
from Romans 1:28
For this cause God gave them up to shameful lusts: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
from Romans 1:24
a thread opens
Clean out therefore the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
from I Corinthians 5:7
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
from Revelation of John 5:12 · a strong link
Ascribe you strength to God: his excellence is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from Ecclesiastes 8:15 along this chain. Today’s own vigil is laid separately.
Each verse follows the one before it along the chain a study Bible draws — a century old, public, and compiled by people arguing about Scripture rather than about how long you stay. Every card says which verse it came from and opens the chapter it belongs to. Today’s vigil is the same for every reader and is worked out from the date alone, so there is no account, no counter, and nothing stored in your browser or ours.
The text is the Lantern Modern Standard. The links are openbible.info’s cross-reference set (CC BY), the same apparatus behind the reader’s Echoes drawer. Read a whole book · Today’s table