The Vigil

from Esther 2:12

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.

a thread opens

Esther 2:12

Now when every maid’s turn had come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, namely, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

Song of Solomon 3:6

Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

from Esther 2:12


a thread opens

Leviticus 10:3

Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Ezekiel 28:22

And say, Thus says the Lord GOD; Look, I am against you, O Sidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of you: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

from Leviticus 10:3

Exodus 14:17

And I, look, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

from Ezekiel 28:22

Exodus 14:8

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with a high hand.

from Exodus 14:17

Exodus 13:16

And it shall be for a token upon your hand, and for bands between your eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

from Exodus 14:8

Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

from Exodus 13:16

Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit; but in humility of mind let each count others better than themselves.

from Matthew 23:5


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Jude 1:24

Now to him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Colossians 1:22

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in his sight:

from Jude 1:24 · a strong link

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

from Hebrews 10:10

I Corinthians 1:2

To the church of God at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

from John 17:19

Romans 1:7

To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

from I Corinthians 1:2 · a strong link


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Jude 1:11

Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Genesis 4:3

And in process of time it happened, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.

from Jude 1:11

Numbers 18:12

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given you.

from Genesis 4:3

Exodus 23:19

The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in his mother’s milk.

from Numbers 18:12

Deuteronomy 14:21

You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself: you shall give it to the stranger in your gates, so that he may eat it; or you may sell it to an alien: for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in his mother’s milk.

from Exodus 23:19 · a strong link


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Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Romans 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

from Luke 2:14

Luke 19:42

Saying, If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong to your peace! but now they are hidden from your eyes.

from Romans 5:1

Matthew 13:14

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:

from Luke 19:42


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Luke 18:7

And shall not God give justice to his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

Isaiah 34:5

For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: look, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

from Deuteronomy 32:41

Isaiah 63:1

Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

from Isaiah 34:5

Revelation of John 11:17

Saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who are, and were, and are to come; because you have taken to you your great power, and have reigned.

from Isaiah 63:1


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Luke 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Philippians 3:8

Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them as rubbish, so that I may win Christ,

from Luke 14:26 · a strong link

I Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.

from Philippians 3:8

Hebrews 10:33

Partly, while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while you became companions of them that were so used.

from I Corinthians 4:9 · a strong link

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Esther 2:12 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