Perry Passes on Bible, Scripture to New Governor

More than 30 governors are taking oaths of office this month, including newly elected Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The Lone Star State's 48th governor was sworn in Tuesday.

Instead of using a family Bible for his first oath, Abbott preserved one of the state's oldest inaugural traditions, using a Bible that's been handed down from governor to governor for nearly a century.

As part of the tradition, each outgoing governor marks a Bible passage for his successor.

Gov. Rick Perry, who held the office for 14 years, chose a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

"But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosover 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." ( b-28)

A faded inscription on the leather-bound Bible reads, "Presented to my successors in office."

The Bible was first presented to Gov. James Ferguson by Gov. Pat Neff in 1925.