On the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, the word of God was read aloud over the past week, non-stop, from Genesis to Revelation.

The 23rd annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon started last Thursday and continued day and night until 1 p.m. May 1.

CBN News Photojournalist Ian Rushing captured some of the reading.  Click play to watch his inspiring video.

Scott Mitchell, one of the volunteer hosts of the marathon, said it takes about 90 hours to read the Bible aloud, cover to cover.

Readers on this past Saturday persevered through a cold rain that forced cancellation of other outdoor events. Mitchell said a waterproof Bible was used during those hours.

After reading a portion of the Psalms, Sunday, under sunny skies, Sarah Miller said she considered it a privilege to read Scriptures from the Capitol steps, looking west toward the Washington Monument.

The readers have no microphone or speakers to amplify their message, so most tourists on the Capitol grounds Sunday seemed unaware of the Bible marathon.

But Mitchell said some passersby walked up and voiced support or offered to take a turn reading.

The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began in 1990, the year proclaimed by a Joint Congressional Resolution and Presidential Proclamation by President George H.W. Bush as "the International Year of Bible Reading."

Sponsors of the marathon say that the event serves to honor the Bible, celebrate religious freedom, and unite the diverse branches of Christianity around the Bible.