a thread opens
They eagerly court you, but not well; yes, they would exclude you, that you might court them.
The Vigil
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.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
from Galatians 4:17
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
from Matthew 23:15 · a strong link
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cling to the Lord.
from Acts 13:43 · a strong link
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
from Acts 11:23
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus:
from Acts 20:24
a thread opens
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.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
from I Corinthians 8:4
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
from I Timothy 2:5 · a strong link
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
But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
from Hebrews 12:24
a thread opens
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.
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
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
from Acts 20:28
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep yourself pure.
from Acts 14:23
a thread opens
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.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
from I John 2:27 · a strong link
You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
from I John 2:20
For you have made him most blessed for ever: you have made him exceedingly glad with your countenance.
from Psalms 45:7 · a strong link
You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
from Psalms 21:6
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
from Psalms 16:11
For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
from Ephesians 3:19 · a strong link
a thread opens
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.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
from I Corinthians 12:28
Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
from Romans 12:6
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
from I Corinthians 14:1
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.
from Hebrews 12:14 · a strong link
Let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.
from Romans 14:19
a thread opens
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.
And you, Solomon my son, know you the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.
from I Chronicles 29:17 · a strong link
Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
from I Chronicles 28:9 · a strong link
Then she arose with her daughters in law, so that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
from Exodus 3:16
Give us this day our daily bread.
from Ruth 1:6
a thread opens
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:
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
from I Corinthians 5:7
And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from Galatians 4:17 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