The Vigil

from Matthew 1:5

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 1:5

And Salmon fathered Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz fathered Obed of Ruth; and Obed fathered Jesse;

Ruth 1:4

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

from Matthew 1:5

Deuteronomy 7:3

Neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give to his son, nor his daughter shall you take to your son.

from Ruth 1:4

Exodus 34:15

Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they prostitute themselves after their gods, and do sacrifice to their gods, and one call you, and you eat of his sacrifice;

from Deuteronomy 7:3

Exodus 34:12

Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in the midst of you:

from Exodus 34:15


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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.

Mark 12:29

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

Jude 1:25

To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

from Mark 12:29

John 5:44

How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

from Jude 1:25 · a strong link

I Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

from John 5:44


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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.

Philippians 2:17

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

Philippians 1:23

For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

from II Timothy 4:6 · a strong link


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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.

I John 2:20

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

from I John 2:27 · a strong link

I John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

from I Corinthians 2:15

I John 2:18

Little children, it is the last hour: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.

from I John 4:1 · a strong link

I John 4:3

And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, of which you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

from I John 2:18 · a strong link

II John 1:7

For many deceivers have entered into the world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

from I John 4:3 · 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.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Look, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes will not panic.

from Ephesians 2:20 · a strong link

Acts 4:11

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

from Isaiah 28:16 · a strong link

Psalms 27:1

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

from Proverbs 28:1


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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.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

from I Chronicles 29:17

Isaiah 11:4

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

from Hebrews 4:12 · a strong link

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

from Isaiah 11:4

Isaiah 37:32

For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

from Isaiah 9:7


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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 22:24

Then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them with stones that they die; the young woman, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife: so you shall put away evil from among you.

from I Corinthians 5:13

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 Deuteronomy 22:24

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 1:5 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