The Vigil

from Matthew 1:25

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

Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:21

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

from Matthew 1:25

Luke 1:59

And it happened, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

from Luke 2:21 · a strong link

Genesis 17:12

And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of your seed.

from Luke 1:59 · a strong link

Philippians 3:5

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as for the law, a Pharisee;

from Genesis 17:12

Romans 11:1

I say then, Has God cast away his people? By no means. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

from Philippians 3:5 · a strong link


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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.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, so that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

from I Timothy 2:5

John 3:34

For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure to him.

from John 17:3 · a strong link

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

from John 3:34


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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.

I Thessalonians 3:12

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all people, even as we do toward you:

from John 15:12

II Thessalonians 1:3

We must thank God always for you, brothers, as is fitting, because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other abounds;

from I Thessalonians 3:12 · 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

I Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

from John 14:26

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

from II Thessalonians 2:14

Luke 7:47

Therefore I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.

from I John 4:19 · a strong link


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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.

Luke 20:17

And he saw them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the cornerstone?

from Ephesians 2:20

Acts 4:11

This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which has become the cornerstone.

from Luke 20:17 · a strong link

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.

from Proverbs 28:1 · a strong link


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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 Chronicles 29:17

I Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

from II Corinthians 1:12

I Corinthians 1:17

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

from I Corinthians 2:13 · a strong link


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:

Deuteronomy 22:21

Then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she has committed folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house: so shall you put evil away from among you.

from I Corinthians 5:13

Deuteronomy 17:7

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put the evil away from among you.

from Deuteronomy 22:21

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 1:25 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