AUSTIN, Texas — Following a longtime tradition among Texas governors, outgoing Governor Rick Perry met with Governor-elect Greg Abbott on Monday morning to hand off a historic bible and share a verse with him.
The Pat Neff Bible was named after Texas’ 28th Governor, who served from 1921 to 1925 and started the tradition. Neff was also the ninth President of Baylor University, from 1932 to 1947.
According to a report by the Houston Chronicle, tradition calls for the outgoing governor to select and mark a passage in the Bible for the next governor keep in mind while preparing to take office.
Perry selected Matthew 20:25-28, and wrote in the margins, “MARKED BY RICK PERRY FOR GREG ABBOTT 20 JAN 15.”
The full verse reads as follows:
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Perry and Abbott both tweeted photos from their meeting:
Abbott and Lieutenant Governor-elect Dan Patrick will officially be sworn into office on Tuesday on the grounds of the Capitol. Breitbart Texas will be there to provide coverage of the inauguration activities.
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