Xiphos is a great Bible tool for Linux users

I downloaded Xiphos, an open source Bible platform for Linux. It works like E-sword, which I highly recommend if you're using Windows. Different Biblical translations, commentaries, and other Biblical references from various languages all over the world are available.  I downloaded the English and Tagalog translations. They don't have the New King James Version (NKJV) and New International Version (NIV) translations, but at least they have English Standard Version (ESV) and King James.

I like the simplicity of the design. The search tool also works efficiently. If you install a dictionary (I installed Strong's Hebrew and Greek), a dialog box immediately appears at the lower right corner. Click on the word, and the corresponding Greek or Hebrew word is shown there.
 

What struck me most as I was installing this (which works well if you use the Ubuntu Software Center (just key in "xiphos" in the search box) was this dialog box:

How easily I forget that while I enjoy the Bible in all forms, electronic or analog, many Christians in certain parts of the world do not have this privilege. They are instead sneaking in their Bibles for fear of being arrested. They are, in Paul's words, "afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus" (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

While the Philippines remains a free nation, let us,  as the old Sunday school song goes, "read (our) Bible and pray every day . . . "