Possible Clues:

• States, because it's about a cleric up there
• Affirms the Bible, but with words of hesitation
• Says without hesitation
• Brief work by bard on American states
• Swears, loath to drop last sweetheart
• Makes assertions
• As it is getting around to the cleric back there, or so it claims
• Certifies
• Makes a statement
• States that are endlessly hostile