The Vigil

from Matthew 4:16

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 4:16

The people who sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Isaiah 9:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shone.

from Matthew 4:16

I John 1:5

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

from Isaiah 9:2

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 I John 1:5 · a strong link

Psalms 18:46

The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

from Psalms 27:1 · a strong link

Psalms 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

from Psalms 18:46


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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.

Colossians 3:11

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

from I Corinthians 12:6

Acts 28:2

And the islanders showed us unusual kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

from Colossians 3:11


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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.

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

from I John 3:16

Titus 1:7

For an overseer must be blameless, as the steward of God; not arrogant, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

from Acts 20:28

Leviticus 10:9

Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

from Titus 1:7


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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 Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, by the word of God, which lives and remains for ever.

from I John 2:27

I John 3:9

Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

from I Peter 1:23

I John 5:1

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

from I John 3:9 · a strong link

Romans 10:9

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

from I John 5:1

Acts 16:31

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

from Romans 10:9 · a strong link

Acts 16:15

And when she was baptized, and her household, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and remain there. And she constrained us.

from Acts 16:31


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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.

Mark 12:10

And have you not read this Scripture; The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone:

from Psalms 118:22 · a strong link

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 Mark 12:10


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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

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct.

from Hebrews 4:12 · a strong link


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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:

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Look, your King!

from I Corinthians 5:7

John 19:42

There they laid Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the tomb was near at hand.

from John 19:14

John 19:41

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which was never man yet laid.

from John 19:42

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 4:16 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