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Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
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.
And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comforting words.
from Isaiah 40:1
For thus says the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
from Zechariah 1:13
And it shall happen, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, says the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
from Jeremiah 29:10 · a strong link
I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, says the LORD of hosts.
from Jeremiah 25:12
But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.
from Isaiah 14:23
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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.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
from I Corinthians 8:4 · a strong link
And this is life eternal, so that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
from Deuteronomy 6:4
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure to him.
from John 17:3 · a strong link
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
from John 3:34 · a strong link
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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.
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
from I John 3:16 · a strong link
Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brothers, be compassionate, be courteous:
from John 13:34
Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to sincere love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:
from I Peter 3:8 · a strong link
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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.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
from I John 2:27
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
from I Corinthians 2:13 · a strong link
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
from I Corinthians 1:17
You know how through weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel to you at the first.
from II Corinthians 10:10
If I must glory, I will glory of the things which concern my weaknesses.
from Galatians 4:13
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, so that I may boast myself a little.
from II Corinthians 11:30
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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
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
from Romans 12:6 · a strong link
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
from I Corinthians 7:7 · a strong link
And when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever.
from I Corinthians 9:5
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s mother-in-law was taken with a great fever; and they begged him for her.
from Matthew 8:14
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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.
You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
from I Chronicles 29:17
In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing integrity, dignity, sincerity,
from I Thessalonians 2:10
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
from Titus 2:7 · a strong link
Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do.
from I Timothy 4:12
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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:
And I saw, and, look, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
from I Corinthians 5:7
Therefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name:
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
from Philippians 2:9
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from Isaiah 40:1 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