The Vigil

from Isaiah 53:11

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

Isaiah 53:11

He shall see of the toil of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

John 16:21

A woman when she is in labor has sorrow, because her hour has come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

from Isaiah 53:11

I Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman; and they shall not escape.

from John 16:21

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

from I Thessalonians 5:3

Leviticus 10:9

Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

from Luke 21:34


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.

Isaiah 45:5

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded you, though you have not known me:

from Deuteronomy 6:4


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.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

from John 3:16 · a strong link

I Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

from John 1:29 · 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.

John 14:26

But the Helper, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

from I John 2:27 · a strong link

John 15:26

But when the Helper has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

from John 14:26 · a strong link

John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Helper, that he may remain with you for ever;

from John 15:26 · a strong link


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.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Look, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes will not panic.

from Ephesians 2:20 · a strong link

I Peter 2:6

Therefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Look, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame.

from Isaiah 28:16 · a strong link

Zechariah 10:4

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.

from I Peter 2:6 · a strong link

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall look on him, but not near: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall strike the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

from Zechariah 10:4


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.

II Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

from I Thessalonians 2:10

Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.

from Hebrews 13:18


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:

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Look, your King!

from I Corinthians 5:7

John 19:5

Then Jesus came forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Look, the man!

from John 19:14

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

from John 19:5

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Isaiah 53:11 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