The Vigil

from Ezra 8:21

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

Ezra 8:21

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, so that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Leviticus 16:29

And this shall be a statute for ever to you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you:

from Ezra 8:21

Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.

from Leviticus 16:29

Matthew 10:13

And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

from Psalms 35:13 · a strong link

II Corinthians 2:16

To the one we are the savor of death to death; and to the other the savor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

from Matthew 10:13

Luke 2:34

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Look, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

from II Corinthians 2:16 · a strong link


a thread opens

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.

II Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

from Ephesians 2:21


a thread opens

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.

Romans 5:8

But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

John 15:13

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

from Romans 5:8 · a strong link

Romans 5:6

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

from John 15:13 · a strong link


a thread opens

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 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which is at work also in you that believe.

from I John 2:27

II Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in ancient times by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

from Matthew 10:20

I Kings 17:18

And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O you man of God? have you come to me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

from II Peter 1:21

II Kings 3:13

And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? get you to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother. And the king of Israel said to him, No: for the LORD has called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

from I Kings 17:18

I Kings 22:22

And the LORD said to him, With which? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

from II Kings 3:13


a thread opens

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 18:18

Then they said, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

from Leviticus 10:11

Psalms 64:3

Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

from Jeremiah 18:18


a thread opens

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.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

from I Chronicles 29:17

I Corinthians 14:24

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

from Hebrews 4:12 · a strong link

Acts 2:37

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?

from I Corinthians 14:24

Acts 5:33

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

from Acts 2:37


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:

Mark 14:12

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said to him, Where will you that we go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?

from I Corinthians 5:7

Exodus 12:18

In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at even.

from Mark 14:12

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Ezra 8:21 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