The Vigil

from Romans 3:20

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

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, so that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

from Romans 3:20

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

from Romans 5:20

Deuteronomy 5:1

And Moses called all Israel, and said to them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn them, and keep, and do them.

from John 1:17

Matthew 23:3

All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.

from Deuteronomy 5:1


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 45:21

Tell, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.

from Isaiah 44:6 · a strong link

Titus 2:10

Not pilfering, but showing complete faithfulness; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

from Isaiah 43:11


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 Peter 3:8

Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brothers, be compassionate, be courteous:

from John 15:12

Proverbs 28:8

He that by interest and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

from I Peter 3:8


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

John 12:49

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

from John 16:13 · a strong link

John 17:8

For I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me.

from John 12:49 · a strong link

John 16:30

Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.

from John 17:8 · a strong link

John 21:17

He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, love you me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Love you me? And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

from John 16:30

John 13:38

Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for my sake? Truly, truly, I say to you, The cock shall not crow, till you have denied me three times.

from John 21:17 · 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

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

from Acts 20:28 · a strong link

Ezekiel 34:23

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

from Isaiah 40:11 · a strong link

Acts 13:23

Of this man’s seed has God according to his promise raised to Israel a Savior, Jesus:

from Jeremiah 30:9


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

John 7:24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

from I Samuel 16:7 · a strong link

Deuteronomy 16:18

Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

from John 7:24


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:

James 1:21

Therefore put away all moral filth and rampant wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

from Ephesians 4:22 · a strong link

Ephesians 1:13

In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

from James 1:21 · a strong link

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Romans 3:20 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