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WASHINGTON (AP) — On the west steps of the U.S. Capitol this week, the entire Bible is being read aloud, non-stop, from Genesis to Revelation.
The 25th annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began Sunday evening with the opening words of Genesis and will continue day and night until the last Amen of Revelation is read on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer.
The Rev. Rob Schenck (SHANK), president of Faith and Action, the event's co-sponsor, says it takes about 90 hours to read the Bible aloud cover to cover, with volunteers stepping up to the podium and taking turns, sometimes under umbrellas in pouring rain.
The readers have no microphone or speakers to amplify their message, so tourists often give the readers a curious look and pass on by.
But the marathon's director, the Rev. Michael Hall, says foreign visitors are often surprised that Americans can read the Scriptures aloud at their seat of government.
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