a thread opens
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
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.
For when he dies he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
from Mark 8:36
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
from Psalms 49:17 · a strong link
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
from I Timothy 6:7 · a strong link
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.
from Job 1:21
For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always angry: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
from Ecclesiastes 12:7 · a strong link
a thread opens
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.
Look, you are of nothing, and your work of nothing: an abomination is he that chooses you.
from I Corinthians 8:4
They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them.
from Isaiah 41:24 · a strong link
They that make them are like to them: so is every one that trusts in them.
from Psalms 115:8
Confounded be all they that serve carved images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all you gods.
from Psalms 135:18
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.
Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
from I John 3:16
Nor consider that it is better for us, so that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
from Matthew 20:28
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, so that it was beneficial that one man should die for the people.
from John 11:50 · a strong link
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.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
from I John 2:27 · a strong link
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
from I John 2:20
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, without reproach; and it shall be given him.
from Proverbs 28:5
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great?
from James 1:5 · a strong link
Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, so that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people?
from II Chronicles 1:10
But solid food belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
from I Kings 3:9 · 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.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
from I Corinthians 12:28 · a strong link
Therefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
from Ephesians 4:11
And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
from Ephesians 4:8 · a strong link
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
from Colossians 2:15
And when he has come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
from John 12:31 · a strong link
a thread opens
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 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 Chronicles 29:17
But have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
from II Corinthians 1:12
What fruit had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
from II Corinthians 4:2
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
from Romans 6:21
a thread opens
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:
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
from I Corinthians 5:7
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
from I Peter 1:19
For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
from I Peter 2:22 · a strong link
That is the whole thread.
Every verse the cross-references reach from Mark 8:36 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