A biblical quotation (5,3,6,5,4,9,3,5,3,5,2,2,4) from the book of 12 (AV) runs clockwise from 1.

Across
9 Exceptional place is renovated (7)
10 Blissful state of a grandma going round Ireland very briefly (7)
11 Worship with no priest initially to provide uplift (5)
12 Judge died producing some employment (3)
13 Bird dog heading off (5)
14 A bishop somehow loves to forgive (7)
16 Non-Jewish rector giving up independence is more moderate (7)
18 A proud man, one with an ark perhaps, including sons (7)
21 The smallest note written with hesitation (7)
23 Correct religious ceremony for listeners (5)
25 Japanese standard in combative sport and cycling (3)
26 Behold, half a vicar’s address is for someone who is unsuccessful (5)
27 Not stopping outside when the cross has been taken away (7)
28 A mansion in France — there a cat is given water (7)

Down
2 Nasty men I see as foes (7)
3 One banished, no longer on French isle (5)
4 A vicar (discourteously) spread joy in a predicament (4,3)
5 One talks a lot, waving big wand (7)
6 A path followed without love is an affliction (5)
7 Welshman set to offer the Christian gospel (7)
15 Fate of one item auctioned (3)
17 A sister, not one to be heard (3)
19 Add to gold and fancy gem presented with holy books (7)
20 Team leader making endless run to rickety old pub (7)
21 Threatened soldiers died guarding a church (7)
22 Girl getting born upside down, not observed properly (7)
24 A choir member and a cardinal joining other ranks (5)
26 Buddhist monk carries a pound — a beast of burden is needed (5)

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