The Vigil

from Matthew 5:4

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 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Jeremiah 31:16

Thus says the LORD; Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears: for your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

from Matthew 5:4

Jeremiah 33:7

And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.

from Jeremiah 31:16 · a strong link

Jeremiah 42:10

If you will still remain in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done to you.

from Jeremiah 33:7

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil.

from Jeremiah 42:10

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

from Joel 2:13


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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.

Deuteronomy 4:39

Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

from I Corinthians 8:4

Isaiah 45:5

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded you, though you have not known me:

from Deuteronomy 4:35 · a strong link

Isaiah 22:21

And I will clothe him with your robe, and strengthen him with your belt, and I will commit your government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

from Isaiah 45:5


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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.

Romans 16:4

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

from I John 3:16

John 15:13

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

from Romans 16:4

Romans 5:6

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

from John 15:13 · 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 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which is at work also in you that believe.

from I John 2:27

Galatians 4:14

And my temptation in my flesh you despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

from I Thessalonians 2:13 · a strong link

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.

from Matthew 18:5

John 21:15

So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs.

from Matthew 25:40


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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

I Corinthians 16:19

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, with the church in their house.

from Acts 18:2 · a strong link

I Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

from I Corinthians 16:19

Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,

from I Peter 1:1 · 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.

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 49:2

And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me;

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 19:5

Then Jesus came forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Look, the man!

from John 19:14

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

from John 19:5

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 5:4 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