The Vigil

from I Samuel 16:20

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

I Samuel 16:20

And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread, and a wineskin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.

I Samuel 10:27

But the wicked men said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

from I Samuel 16:20

II Chronicles 17:5

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance.

from I Samuel 10:27

Matthew 2:11

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

from II Chronicles 17:5

Numbers 7:86

The golden spoons were twelve, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was a hundred and twenty shekels.

from Matthew 2:11


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.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent:

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


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

I John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

from Acts 5:31

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

from I John 4:14

Luke 3:22

And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.

from Colossians 2:9

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

from Luke 3:22 · a strong link


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.

Romans 2:16

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

from Acts 17:31

Matthew 28:18

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

from John 5:22


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 3:16

And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

from Acts 3:6 · a strong link

Acts 16:18

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

from Acts 3:16


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.

Exodus 32:9

And the LORD said to Moses, I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stiff-necked people:

from Acts 7:51 · a strong link

Deuteronomy 9:13

Furthermore the LORD spoke to me, saying, I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stiff-necked people:

from Exodus 32:9 · a strong link

II Kings 17:14

However they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

from Deuteronomy 9:13

Deuteronomy 31:27

For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: look, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

from II Kings 17:14

Deuteronomy 32:20

And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very perverse generation, children in whom is no faith.

from Deuteronomy 31:27


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

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

from Acts 9:15 · a strong link

Acts 14:26

And from there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

from Acts 13:2

Acts 15:40

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brothers to the grace of God.

from Acts 14:26 · a strong link

Acts 11:23

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 15:40

II Timothy 3:10

But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, perseverance, love, patience,

from Acts 11:23

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from I Samuel 16:20 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