The Vigil

from Numbers 1:5

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

Numbers 1:5

And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.

Numbers 7:30

On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, did offer:

from Numbers 1:5

Numbers 2:10

On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.

from Numbers 7:30

I Chronicles 5:1

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, since he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

from Numbers 2:10


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Leviticus 10:3

Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

II Samuel 16:10

And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why have you done so?

from Psalms 39:9

II Samuel 3:39

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

from II Samuel 16:10

Psalms 28:4

Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

from II Samuel 3:39

Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;

from Psalms 62:12


a thread opens

Jude 1:24

Now to him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

I Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

from Jude 1:24

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

from I Peter 4:13

Luke 6:22

Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

from Acts 5:41

John 12:42

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

from Luke 6:22

Isaiah 51:7

Listen to me, you that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings.

from John 12:42


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Jude 1:11

Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Genesis 4:3

And in process of time it happened, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.

from Jude 1:11

Numbers 18:12

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given you.

from Genesis 4:3

Deuteronomy 18:4

The firstfruit also of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, shall you give him.

from Numbers 18:12

Leviticus 23:17

You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits to the LORD.

from Deuteronomy 18:4


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Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

from Luke 2:14 · a strong link

Psalms 107:14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart.

from Luke 1:79

Psalms 116:16

O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your maidservant: you have loosed my chains.

from Psalms 107:14


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Luke 18:7

And shall not God give justice to his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

I Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

from Luke 18:7

Luke 18:1

And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

from I Timothy 5:5

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in doing good: for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.

from Luke 18:1 · a strong link


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Luke 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you.

from Luke 14:26 · a strong link

Psalms 63:3

Because your loving devotion is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

from Psalms 73:25 · a strong link

Psalms 69:16

Hear me, O LORD; for your loving devotion is good: turn to me according to the multitude of your tender mercies.

from Psalms 63:3 · a strong link

Psalms 51:1

To the director of music, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving devotion: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

from Psalms 69:16

Nehemiah 4:5

And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before you: for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.

from Psalms 51:1

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Numbers 1:5 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