a thread opens
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shone.
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.
I have come a light into the world, so that whoever believes on me should not remain in darkness.
from Isaiah 9:2
And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
from John 12:46 · a strong link
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
from John 3:19
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
from II Peter 3:3 · a strong link
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
from Jude 1:18
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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.
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
from I Corinthians 8:4
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
from Mark 12:29
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
from Galatians 3:20 · a strong link
Look, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
from I Timothy 2:5
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.
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
from I John 3:16
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
from Romans 16:4
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
from Acts 15:41
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.
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it remain in the vine; no more can you, except you remain in me.
from I John 2:27
I am the vine, you are the branches: He that remains in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
from John 15:4
He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit on it, and found none.
from John 15:5 · a strong link
Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine to me?
from Luke 13:6
How you did drive out the pagans with your hand, and planted them; how you did afflict the people, and cast them out.
from Jeremiah 2:21
He cast out the pagans also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
from Psalms 44:2 · a strong link
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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.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
from I Corinthians 12:28
Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
from I Timothy 5:17 · a strong link
But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wants.
from Romans 12:8
And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
from Deuteronomy 15:8
Then he said also to him that invited him, When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brothers, neither your kinsmen, nor your rich neighbors; lest they also invite you in return, and a recompense be made you.
from Luke 6:34
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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.
For we have great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
from I Chronicles 29:17
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yes, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
from Philemon 1:7 · a strong link
Nevertheless God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
from II Corinthians 7:13
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
from II Corinthians 7:6
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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:
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;
from I Corinthians 5:7
Who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
from I Corinthians 15:3
And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
from Galatians 1:4
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from Isaiah 9:2 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