I am starting to think the intended effect of “just reading the Bible” is that you will feel overwhelmed, not educated to the task of understanding the words of these people who lived in a very different world from ours and so settle down and let someone else tell you what it means. Who you choose to trust in this task will determine what you get from it. I think the people who say “just read the Bible” assume you will come back to them for help. But— I’m good. You see, I have studied poetry. 3/