AI agents call get_verse_by_reference to retrieve information from Bible MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and returns Bible content without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It is a pure data retrieval function with no side effects or ability to alter state. The low severity reflects that misuse (e.g., retrieving excessive verses) poses minimal risk.
From the tool's definition Tool retrieves Bible verses by reference string with 'Get verse(s) by reference' - a retrieval operation with no modification or side effects. Server description confirms it 'enables retrieval of verses' from bible-api.com.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_verse_by_reference gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Bible MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_verse_by_reference:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_verse_by_reference": {}
}
}get_verse_by_reference is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get verse(s) by reference string. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Bible MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Bible MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_verse_by_reference: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Bible MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_verse_by_reference is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_verse_by_reference rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_verse_by_reference. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_verse_by_reference is provided by the Bible MCP Server MCP server (trevato/bible-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Bible MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
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3 Bible MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.