The Vigil

from Matthew 6:5

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 6:5

And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:2

Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

from Matthew 6:5 · a strong link

Matthew 6:16

Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, so that they may appear to men to fast. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

from Matthew 6:2 · a strong link

Isaiah 58:3

Why have we fasted, say they, and you see not? why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge? Look, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exact all your labors.

from Matthew 6:16 · a strong link

Nehemiah 5:7

Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You exact interest, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

from Isaiah 58:3

Psalms 15:5

He that puts not out his money to interest, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that does these things shall never be moved.

from Nehemiah 5:7


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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 44:8

Fear not, neither be afraid: have not I told you from that time, and have declared it? you are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yes, there is no God; I know not any.

from Deuteronomy 4:35


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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 John 2:6

He who says that he remains in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

from I John 3:16


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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

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

from Proverbs 28:5

John 8:43

Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.

from John 7:17 · a strong link

Jeremiah 6:10

To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? look, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot listen: look, the word of the LORD is to them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

from John 8:43

Exodus 6:12

And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Look, the children of Israel have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

from Jeremiah 6:10


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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.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

from I Corinthians 12:28

Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace given to me, to every man among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

from Romans 12:6 · a strong link

Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

from Romans 12:3

I Corinthians 3:18

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, so that he may be wise.

from Romans 12:16


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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.

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

from Revelation of John 14:5


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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 22:21

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 21:21

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shall you put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

from Deuteronomy 22:21

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 6:5 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