The Vigil

from Matthew 5:2

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 5:2

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Matthew 13:35

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

from Matthew 5:2

Isaiah 42:9

Look, the former things have happened, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

from Matthew 13:35 · a strong link

I Kings 8:15

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

from Isaiah 42:9

Luke 1:68

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people,

from I Kings 8:15 · a strong link

Psalms 41:13

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

from Luke 1:68 · a strong link


a thread opens

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.

Luke 2:10

And the angel said to them, Do not fear: for, look, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

from I Timothy 2:5

Genesis 12:3

And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.

from Luke 2:10

Genesis 27:29

Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brothers, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you.

from Genesis 12:3 · a strong link


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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

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

from Acts 20:28

Acts 14:26

And from there sailed to Antioch, from where they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

from Acts 13:2


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.

Hebrews 8:10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

from I John 2:27

James 1:18

Of his own will he fathered us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

from Hebrews 8:10

Jeremiah 2:3

Israel was holiness to the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, says the LORD.

from James 1:18

Deuteronomy 14:2

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all the nations upon the earth.

from Jeremiah 2:3

Deuteronomy 26:18

And the LORD has avouched you this day to be a people for his own possession, as he has promised you, and that you should keep all his commandments;

from Deuteronomy 14:2 · a strong link

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, so that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

from Deuteronomy 26:18


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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.

Acts 18:2

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.

from Hebrews 13:24

Acts 18:26

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.

from Acts 18:2 · a strong link

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

from Acts 18:26

Micah 7:20

You will perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

from Luke 24:27


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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.

Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

from I Chronicles 29:17

II Timothy 1:16

The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

from Philemon 1:7


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:

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is mute, so he opens not his mouth.

from I Corinthians 5:7

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 5:2 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