The Vigil

from Nehemiah 9:23

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 9:23

Their children also multiplied you as the stars of heaven, and brought them into the land, concerning which you had promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

from Nehemiah 9:23

Genesis 13:16

And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.

from Genesis 22:17 · a strong link

Genesis 32:12

And you said, I will surely do you good, and make your seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

from Genesis 13:16

Genesis 28:13

And the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land on which you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed;

from Genesis 32:12

Exodus 3:6

Moreover he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

from Genesis 28:13


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.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

from I Corinthians 8:4

Isaiah 37:20

Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD, even you only.

from Isaiah 44:6 · a strong link

I Kings 18:36

And it happened at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.

from Isaiah 37:20

II Kings 19:19

Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beg you, save you us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD God, even you only.

from I Kings 18:36


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.

I John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

John 6:51

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

from I John 4:9

John 3:13

And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.

from John 6:51


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 15:4

Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it remain in the vine; no more can you, except you remain in me.

from I John 2:27

Luke 8:15

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

from John 15:4

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,

from Luke 8:15

Galatians 5:13

For, brothers, you have been called to freedom; only do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but by love serve one another.

from Galatians 5:22 · a strong link

John 15:12

This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.

from Galatians 6:2 · a strong link


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.

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 Corinthians 12:28

I Corinthians 1:2

To the church of God at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

from Acts 20:28


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 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

from I Chronicles 29:17

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

from I Samuel 16:7

Romans 2:16

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

from Hebrews 4:13 · a strong link

Romans 14:10

But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nothing your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

from Romans 2:16


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:

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

from I Corinthians 5:7

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Nehemiah 9:23 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