a thread opens
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of 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 now, little children, remain in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
from John 1:13
As it is written, Look, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
from I John 2:28
O my God, I trust in you: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.
from Romans 9:33 · a strong link
In you, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
from Psalms 25:2
A Song of Ascents. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but remains for ever.
from Psalms 71:1
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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.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
from I Corinthians 8:4
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
from Deuteronomy 4:39 · a strong link
And it happened, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
from Joshua 2:11 · a strong link
And the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up to the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
from Joshua 5:1
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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
If there is therefore any comfort in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
from John 13:34
If you keep my commandments, you shall remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
from Philippians 2:1
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
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
from John 15:4 · a strong link
Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
from Philippians 1:11
But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
from II Corinthians 9:10
Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you in return.
from II Corinthians 9:6 · a strong link
For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you in return.
from Luke 6:38 · a strong link
a thread opens
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.
Greet all your leaders, and all the saints. They of Italy greet you.
from I Corinthians 12:28 · a strong link
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
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
from Hebrews 13:17 · a strong link
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
from I Timothy 5:17 · a strong link
And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brothers, they comforted them, and departed.
from Luke 10:7
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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.
I the LORD search the heart, I try the inmost thoughts, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
from I Chronicles 29:17 · a strong link
And I am coming soon; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
from Jeremiah 17:10
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give its account in the day of judgment.
from Romans 14:12 · a strong link
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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:
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
from I Corinthians 5:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, says the LORD of hosts: strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
O you sword of the LORD, how long will it be before you be quiet? put up yourself into your scabbard, rest, and be still.
from Zechariah 13:7 · a strong link
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from John 1:13 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