The Vigil

from Nehemiah 5:9

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

Nehemiah 5:9

Also I said, It is not good that you do: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the pagans our enemies?

Ezekiel 18:8

He that has not given forth upon interest, neither has taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man,

from Leviticus 25:36

Leviticus 25:35

And if your brother is grown poor, and fallen in decay with you; then you shall relieve him: yes, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with you.

from Ezekiel 18:8

Psalms 37:25

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

from Psalms 112:5


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.

Psalms 115:8

They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them.

from Isaiah 41:24 · a strong link

II Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.

from Psalms 135:18


a thread opens

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.

Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

from I John 3:16

Luke 22:27

For which is greater, he that sits at food, or he that serves? is not he that sits at food? but I am among you as he that serves.

from Matthew 20:28 · a strong link

John 13:5

After that he pours water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

from Luke 22:27


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.

John 16:13

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

from I John 2:27

II Thessalonians 2:3

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except the rebellion comes first, and that man of lawlessness be revealed, the son of destruction;

from John 16:13

Revelation of John 13:1

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

from Revelation of John 11:2


a thread opens

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.


a thread opens

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.

I Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

from I Thessalonians 2:10 · a strong link

I Peter 1:12

To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they did minister the things, which are now reported to you by them that have preached the gospel to you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

from I Thessalonians 1:5

Ephesians 3:10

To the intent that now to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places might be known by the church the multifaceted wisdom of God,

from I Peter 1:12


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:

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 Nehemiah 5:9 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