The Vigil

from Genesis 23:20

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

Genesis 23:20

And the field, and the cave in it, were made sure to Abraham for a possession of a burial place by the sons of Heth.

Ruth 4:7

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, to confirm all things; a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel.

from Genesis 23:20

Deuteronomy 25:7

And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.

from Ruth 4:7 · a strong link

Ruth 4:1

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat down there: and the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Come over here, friend! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

from Deuteronomy 25:7

Ruth 3:12

And now it is true that I am your near kinsman: however there is a kinsman nearer than I.

from Ruth 4:1 · a strong link

Matthew 7:12

Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

from Ruth 3:12


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.

Romans 3:29

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

from I Timothy 2:5 · a strong link

Zechariah 2:11

And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

from Romans 3:29

Revelation of John 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

from Zechariah 2:11


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.

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

I Timothy 3:15

But if I delay long, so that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

from Acts 20:28

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 I Timothy 3:15


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.

II Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cleverly devised myths, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

from I John 2:27

Ephesians 4:14

That we from now on be no more children, tossed back and forth, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the craftiness of men, and crafty scheming, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

from II Peter 1:16

I Timothy 4:6

If you put the brothers in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, to which you have attained.

from Ephesians 4:14

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

from I Timothy 4:6

I Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not arrogant, nor trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;

from Colossians 3:16

Psalms 62:10

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

from I Timothy 6:17


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.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

from Hebrews 13:24 · a strong link

Ezekiel 33:7

So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

from Hebrews 13:17

John 6:63

It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

from Acts 5:20 · a strong link


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.

Acts 20:18

And when they had come to him, he said to them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

from I Thessalonians 2:10

Acts 19:10

And this continued for two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

from Acts 20:18 · a strong link

II Timothy 1:15

This you know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

from Acts 19:10


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:

Deuteronomy 22:24

Then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them with stones that they die; the young woman, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife: so you shall put away evil from among you.

from I Corinthians 5:13

Deuteronomy 22:21

Then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she has committed folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house: so shall you put evil away from among you.

from Deuteronomy 22:24

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Genesis 23:20 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