The Vigil

from Joshua 20:4

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

Joshua 20:4

And when he that does flee to one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city to them, and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them.

Ruth 4:1

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat down there: and indeed, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Come over here, friend! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

from Joshua 20:4

Ruth 3:12

And now it is true that I am your near kinsman: however there is a kinsman nearer than I.

from Ruth 4:1 · a strong link

I Thessalonians 4:6

That no man wrong or take advantage of his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

from Ruth 3:12


a thread opens

Leviticus 10:3

Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Exodus 14:4

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

from Leviticus 10:3

Romans 9:17

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

from Exodus 14:4

Romans 9:22

What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

from Proverbs 16:4 · a strong link

Romans 9:21

Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?

from Romans 9:22 · a strong link

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 Romans 9:21 · a strong link


a thread opens

Jude 1:24

Now to him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Colossians 1:22

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in his sight:

from Jude 1:24 · a strong link

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

from Colossians 1:22 · a strong link


a thread opens

Jude 1:11

Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Numbers 26:9

And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:

from Jude 1:11

Numbers 1:16

These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

from Numbers 26:9 · a strong link

Numbers 16:2

And they rose up before Moses, with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

from Numbers 1:16

I Chronicles 12:30

And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers.

from Numbers 16:2


a thread opens

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Psalms 69:34

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and everything that moves in it.

from Luke 2:14

Isaiah 55:12

For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

from Psalms 69:34

Psalms 65:13

The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.

from Isaiah 55:12


a thread opens

Luke 18:7

And shall not God give justice to his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

I Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

from Luke 18:7

Acts 9:39

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

from I Timothy 5:3

I Thessalonians 4:13

But I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, so that you may not grieve, even as others which have no hope.

from Acts 9:39

Acts 7:60

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

from I Thessalonians 4:13


a thread opens

Luke 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

John 12:25

He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.

from Luke 14:26 · a strong link

Luke 9:23

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

from John 12:25

Matthew 10:38

And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.

from Luke 9:23 · a strong link

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

from Matthew 10:38 · a strong link

Mark 10:21

Then Jesus seeing him loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

from Matthew 16:24 · a strong link

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Joshua 20:4 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