Across

1 Leader of Israelites embraced by amiable non-Jew (7)

5 E.g. Paul’s terrible afflictions (7)

9 County for the most part is not, unfortunately, featured in prayers (9)

10 For a little devil in France the world is cycling (5)

11 Part of biblical legend is to bear witness (6)

12 A paper changed by editor was published (8)

14 Employ or hire man displaced from European Union (4.5.6)

17 Refreshment time in Lent, contemplating loaves initially banned, regularly spurned certainly (9,6)

20 The writer with holy books amid fruit trees conjures up imaginary things (8)

21 Converted rich person revered Our Lord 6)

24 Get to know tragic king before the end of reign (5)

25 Democratic processes arbitrator curtailed and reorganised (9)

26 Kept going and finished outside biblical city (7)

27 Slims down creed somehow, with us separately getting involved (7)

Down

1 Sponsor the RAF dog specially trained (9)

2 Virgin primarily at heart of Christmas story (5)

3 Number to bury outside for example (7)

4 Sort of love — more than one love, but not the first (4)

5 Stopping? No, not exactly — delaying temporarily (10)

6 Odd lad given position of leadership becomes Abbot of Malmesbury (6)

7 Single man hurried frantically, not husband (9)

8 Reported wickedness, strange in a church council (5)

13 Tailless bird in Eastern Med is poisoned (10)

15 Good swimmer with way of living a drug ruined (9)

16 A gent I spy dancing for Africans (9)

18 Domestic worker serving cold meat to top lady (7)

19 Shown to seat with employed female being involved (7)

20 River on the outskirts of Stoke? That’s not right (5)

22 Like tiny bits of architectural style (5)

23 A service exalted in a distant place (4)

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