The Vigil

from Esther 2:21

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 2:21

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were angry, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

Esther 6:2

And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

from Esther 2:21 · a strong link


a thread opens

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

from Matthew 3:2

Acts 8:20

But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

from Acts 2:38

Daniel 5:17

Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

from Acts 8:20 · a strong link


a thread opens

Acts 13:38

Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:

II Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

from Acts 13:38

Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

from II Corinthians 5:18

I John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

from Colossians 1:20 · a strong link

I John 5:11

And this is the testimony, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

from I John 4:9 · a strong link

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

from I John 5:11

John 6:40

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

from Romans 6:23 · a strong link


a thread opens

Acts 17:31

Because he has appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

II Peter 3:7

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire for the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

from Acts 17:31

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall grow old like a garment, and they that dwell in it shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

from Matthew 24:35 · a strong link


a thread opens

Acts 4:27

For truly against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.

from Acts 4:27 · a strong link

Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

from Acts 4:30

Acts 4:10

Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.

from Acts 3:6 · a strong link

Matthew 27:63

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

from Acts 4:10


a thread opens

Acts 7:51

You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you.

Exodus 32:9

And the LORD said to Moses, I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stiff-necked people:

from Acts 7:51 · a strong link

Isaiah 48:4

Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;

from Exodus 32:9 · a strong link

Proverbs 29:1

He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

from Isaiah 48:4

I Kings 21:20

And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he answered, I have found you: because you have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

from Proverbs 29:1

II Kings 17:17

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

from I Kings 21:20 · a strong link


a thread opens

Acts 22:21

And he said to me, Depart: for I will send you far hence to the Gentiles.

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

from Acts 22:21 · a strong link

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

from Acts 9:15 · a strong link

Acts 8:29

Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.

from Acts 13:2

Acts 11:12

And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brothers accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

from Acts 8:29

Acts 10:45

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

from Acts 11:12

Acts 10:23

Then he called them in, and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

from Acts 10:45 · a strong link

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Esther 2:21 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