Scarlett Johansson reads ‘sexy’ Bible passages from the Old Testament

The actress appears on Mike O’Brien’s comedy album

Scarlett Johansson (Reuters)

Scarlett Johansson has given an alternative reading of the Old Testament in a bid to satirise “misogynistic” passages by making them sound “sexy”.

The Lucy actress made a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live comedian Mike O’Brien’s album, Tasty Radio, which will be released on 30 October.

Johansson read out passages for the track “Sexy Bible” from the Book of Deuteronomy on WSEX, Sexy Talk Radio.

O’Brien said he wanted a female voice to read passages he believes are misogynistic, such as:

“When you go out to war against your enemies and the Lord your God delivers them into your hands and you take, captives. If you notice among the captives a beautiful woman and are attracted to her, you may take her as your wife."

And:

“If two men are fighting and one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by the private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.”

O’Brien told Rolling Stone magazine he always wanted to develop a sketch around the Old Testament and became "obsessed" with Deuteronomy. “The Old Testament is filled with beautiful stuff,” he said, “but also some weirdly specific, random rules and speeches.

"I wasn't sure what the comedic take would be when I first became obsessed with Deuteronomy, but I knew a female should be delivering most of it because a lot of the quotes are very misogynistic and who wants to hear a guy make fun of that.”