The Vigil

from Esther 8:15

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 8:15

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Susa rejoiced and was glad.

Esther 3:15

The couriers went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Susa the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Susa was perplexed.

from Esther 8:15 · a strong link

John 16:20

Truly, truly, I say to you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

from Esther 3:15

Revelation of John 11:10

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and celebrate, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

from John 16:20


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.

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

from Acts 20:21

Luke 6:20

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

from Matthew 3:2

Revelation of John 2:9

I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

from Luke 6:20

Matthew 4:10

Then says Jesus to him, Get you hence, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.

from Revelation of John 2:9


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:

Acts 5:31

Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

from Acts 13:38

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

from Acts 5:31

I John 3:1

Look, what kind of love the Father has bestowed upon us, so that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

from Galatians 3:26 · a strong link

Romans 8:21

Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

from I John 3:1


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 66:22

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

from Revelation of John 21:1 · 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.

Leviticus 26:41

And that I also have walked contrary to them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

from Acts 7:51 · a strong link

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.

from Leviticus 26:41

Romans 9:6

Not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

from Romans 2:28


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

Romans 11:13

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office:

from Acts 9:15

I Timothy 2:7

To which I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

from II Timothy 1:11 · a strong link

Romans 9:1

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

from I Timothy 2:7

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Esther 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