Christians will be able to receive the word of God via text message thanks to a new service launched yesterday.
Bible 2 U will send an "affirmative" daily message to subscribers as an alternative to getting news and sport on their mobile phones.
And to help people make it through the privations of Lent, they will also get a Bible reference to look up, thanks to the service devised by an Irish charity. A typical example would be: "Proverbs 3:7. Dont b yyy in ur own iii" - meaning: "Don't be wise in your own eyes."
The service, available to mobile users in Britain and Ireland, was devised by the Dublin-based Leprosy Mission to raise cash for Chinese lepers.
The Rev Kenneth Gibson, the charity's chief executive officer, said: "A subscription for the whole of Lent costs less than a pack of 20 cigarettes and it's better than giving up chocolate."
Lent does not begin until February 13th but the service is online now and will operate until Easter.
Mr Gibson added: "Bible 2 U brings the mobile phone era to a biblical disease and helps pay for much-needed facilities in a leper village in Gizhou province in China."
Subscriptions to Bible 2 U are available by calling 1580 939 578 in the Republic of Ireland and 0906 349 3578 in Britain. The phone call costs £1.50 sterling a minute and lasts just over two minutes.