The Vigil

from Esther 4:16

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 4:16

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Susa, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Genesis 43:14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, so that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

from Esther 4:16

Luke 22:42

Saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.

from Acts 21:14 · a strong link

Matthew 20:22

But Jesus answered, You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say to him, We are able.

from Luke 22:42 · a strong link

Isaiah 51:22

Thus says your Lord the LORD, and your God that pleads the cause of his people, Look, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; you shall no more drink it again:

from Matthew 20:22


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I Corinthians 8:4

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.

Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.

from Galatians 3:20

Exodus 24:8

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Look, the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.

from Hebrews 12:24


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I John 3:16

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.

Philippians 2:17

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

Colossians 1:24

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and complete what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

from Philippians 2:17

Romans 5:3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;

from Colossians 1:24 · a strong link


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I John 2:27

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.

John 14:26

But the Helper, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

from I John 2:27 · a strong link

Isaiah 54:13

And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children.

from John 14:26 · a strong link

Isaiah 48:18

O that you had listened to my commandments! then had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea:

from Isaiah 54:13 · a strong link

Isaiah 66:12

For thus says the LORD, Look, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall you suck, you shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

from Isaiah 48:18 · a strong link

Isaiah 60:16

You shall also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shall suck the breast of kings: and you shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

from Isaiah 66:12

Isaiah 66:11

That you may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her comforts; that you may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

from Isaiah 60:16


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I Corinthians 12:28

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.

Jeremiah 3:15

And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

from Ephesians 4:11 · a strong link

John 21:15

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs.

from Jeremiah 3:15 · a strong link

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

from John 21:15

Micah 5:4

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall remain: for now shall he be great to the ends of the earth.

from Isaiah 40:11 · a strong link


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I Chronicles 29:17

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.

Psalms 101:2

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

from Psalms 119:1


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I Corinthians 5:7

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:

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the plunder with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

from Philippians 2:9

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Esther 4:16 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