Returning priest's collection of scripture with volume missing (6)

I believe the answer is:

silent

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'scripture with volume missing' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'returning priest's collection' is the wordplay.
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'priest's' becomes 'eli's' (Biblical character).
'collection' becomes 'nt' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'elis' written backwards gives 'sile'.
'sile'+'nt'='SILENT'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for silent that I've seen before include "Mute" , "Anagram of 7 Down" , "Noiseless" , "A continent" , "Making no noise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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