The Vigil

from Esther 4:8

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 4:8

Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to charge her that she should go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him for her people.

Hosea 14:5

I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

from Proverbs 19:12

Isaiah 35:2

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellence of our God.

from Hosea 14:5 · a strong link

Isaiah 55:12

For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

from Isaiah 35:2


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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.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

from I Corinthians 8:4

Isaiah 37:20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD, even you only.

from Isaiah 44:6 · a strong link

Ezekiel 36:23

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the pagans, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the pagans shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

from Isaiah 37:20

Psalms 126:1

A Song of Ascents. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

from Ezekiel 36:23


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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.

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

from I John 3:16

Luke 12:32

Do not fear, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

from Acts 20:28


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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.

I Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, by the word of God, which lives and remains for ever.

from I John 2:27

I Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

from I Peter 1:23 · a strong link

Ephesians 1:17

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

from I Peter 1:3

Psalms 96:11

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and its fullness.

from Luke 2:14


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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.

Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

from I Corinthians 12:28

II Peter 3:2

That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior:

from Ephesians 3:5 · a strong link

Jude 1:17

But, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

from II Peter 3:2 · a strong link

I John 4:6

We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

from Jude 1:17

John 15:26

But when the Helper has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

from I John 4:6


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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.

II Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

from I Chronicles 29:17

I Timothy 1:5

Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of sincere faith:

from Hebrews 13:18


a thread opens

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:

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

from I Corinthians 5:7

Revelation of John 5:8

And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden bowls full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

from John 1:29 · a strong link

John 5:23

That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.

from Revelation of John 5:8

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Esther 4:8 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