how to reference the bible on essay

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MLA Works Cited Page: Books

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When you are gathering book sources, be sure to make note of the following bibliographic items: the author name(s), other contributors such as translators or editors, the book’s title, editions of the book, the publication date, the publisher, and the pagination.

The 8 th  edition of the MLA handbook highlights principles over prescriptive practices. Essentially, a writer will need to take note of primary elements in every source, such as author, title, etc. and then assort them in a general format. Thus, by using this methodology, a writer will be able to cite any source regardless of whether it’s included in this list.

Please note these changes in the new edition:

• Commas are used instead of periods between Publisher, Publication Date, and Pagination.
• Medium is no longer necessary.
• Containers are now a part of the MLA process. Commas should be used after container titles.
• DOIs should be used instead of URLS when available.
• Use the term “Accessed” instead of listing the date or the abbreviation, “n.d."

Below is the general format for any citation:

Author. Title. Title of container (do not list container for standalone books, e.g. novels), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI). 2 nd  container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location, Date of Access (if applicable).

Basic Book Format

The author’s name or a book with a single author's name appears in last name, first name format. The basic form for a book citation is:

Last Name, First Name. Title of Book . City of Publication, Publisher, Publication Date.

* Note: the City of Publication should only be used if the book was published before 1900, if the publisher has offices in more than one country, or if the publisher is unknown in North America.

Book with One Author

Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science . Penguin, 1987.

Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House . MacMurray, 1999.

Book with More Than One Author

When a book has two authors, order the authors in the same way they are presented in the book. Start by listing the first name that appears on the book in last name, first name format; subsequent author names appear in normal order (first name last name format).

Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring . Allyn and Bacon, 2000.

If there are three or more authors, list only the first author followed by the phrase et al. (Latin for "and others") in place of the subsequent authors' names. (Note that there is a period after “al” in “et al.” Also note that there is never a period after the “et” in “et al.”).

Wysocki, Anne Frances, et al. Writing New Media: Theory and Applications for Expanding the Teaching of Composition . Utah State UP, 2004.

Two or More Books by the Same Author

List works alphabetically by title. (Remember to ignore articles like A, An, and The.) Provide the author’s name in last name, first name format for the first entry only. For each subsequent entry by the same author, use three hyphens and a period.

Palmer, William J. Dickens and New Historicism . St. Martin's, 1997.

---. The Films of the Eighties: A Social History . Southern Illinois UP, 1993.

Book by a Corporate Author or Organization

A corporate author may include a commission, a committee, a government agency, or a group that does not identify individual members on the title page.

List the names of corporate authors in the place where an author’s name typically appears at the beginning of the entry.

American Allergy Association. Allergies in Children . Random House, 1998.

When the author and publisher are the same, skip the author, and list the title first. Then, list the corporate author only as the publisher.

Fair Housing—Fair Lending. Aspen Law & Business, 1985.

Book with No Author

List by title of the book. Incorporate these entries alphabetically just as you would with works that include an author name. For example, the following entry might appear between entries of works written by Dean, Shaun and Forsythe, Jonathan.

Encyclopedia of Indiana . Somerset, 1993.

Remember that for an in-text (parenthetical) citation of a book with no author, you should provide the name of the work in the signal phrase and the page number in parentheses. You may also use a shortened version of the title of the book accompanied by the page number. For more information see the In-text Citations for Print Sources with No Known Author section of In-text Citations: The Basics .

A Translated Book

If you want to emphasize the work rather than the translator, cite as you would any other book. Add “translated by” and follow with the name(s) of the translator(s).

Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason . Translated by Richard Howard, Vintage-Random House, 1988.

If you want to focus on the translation, list the translator as the author. In place of the author’s name, the translator’s name appears. His or her name is followed by the label, “translator.” If the author of the book does not appear in the title of the book, include the name, with a “By” after the title of the book and before the publisher. Note that this type of citation is less common and should only be used for papers or writing in which translation plays a central role.

Howard, Richard, translator. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason . By Michel Foucault, Vintage-Random House, 1988.

Republished Book

Books may be republished due to popularity without becoming a new edition. New editions are typically revisions of the original work. For books that originally appeared at an earlier date and that have been republished at a later one, insert the original publication date before the publication information.

For books that are new editions (i.e. different from the first or other editions of the book), see An Edition of a Book below.

Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble . 1990. Routledge, 1999.

Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine . 1984. Perennial-Harper, 1993.

An Edition of a Book

There are two types of editions in book publishing: a book that has been published more than once in different editions and a book that is prepared by someone other than the author (typically an editor).

A Subsequent Edition

Cite the book as you normally would, but add the number of the edition after the title.

Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students . 3rd ed., Pearson, 2004.

A Work Prepared by an Editor

Cite the book as you normally would, but add the editor after the title with the label "edited by."

Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre,  edited by Margaret Smith, Oxford UP, 1998.

Note that the format for citing sources with important contributors with editor-like roles follows the same basic template:

...adapted by John Doe...

Finally, in the event that the source features a contributor that cannot be described with a past-tense verb and the word "by" (e.g., "edited by"), you may instead use a noun followed by a comma, like so:

...guest editor, Jane Smith...

Anthology or Collection (e.g. Collection of Essays)

To cite the entire anthology or collection, list by editor(s) followed by a comma and "editor" or, for multiple editors, "editors." This sort of entry is somewhat rare. If you are citing a particular piece within an anthology or collection (more common), see A Work in an Anthology, Reference, or Collection below.

Hill, Charles A., and Marguerite Helmers, editors. Defining Visual Rhetorics . Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004.

Peterson, Nancy J., editor. Toni Morrison: Critical and Theoretical Approaches . Johns Hopkins UP, 1997.

A Work in an Anthology, Reference, or Collection

Works may include an essay in an edited collection or anthology, or a chapter of a book. The basic form is for this sort of citation is as follows:

Last name, First name. "Title of Essay." Title of Collection , edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page range of entry.

Some examples:

Harris, Muriel. "Talk to Me: Engaging Reluctant Writers." A Tutor's Guide: Helping Writers One to One , edited by Ben Rafoth, Heinemann, 2000, pp. 24-34.

Swanson, Gunnar. "Graphic Design Education as a Liberal Art: Design and Knowledge in the University and The 'Real World.'" The Education of a Graphic Designer , edited by Steven Heller, Allworth Press, 1998, pp. 13-24.

Note on Cross-referencing Several Items from One Anthology: If you cite more than one essay from the same edited collection, MLA indicates you may cross-reference within your works cited list in order to avoid writing out the publishing information for each separate essay. You should consider this option if you have several references from a single text. To do so, include a separate entry for the entire collection listed by the editor's name as below:

Rose, Shirley K, and Irwin Weiser, editors. The Writing Program Administrator as Researcher . Heinemann, 1999.

Then, for each individual essay from the collection, list the author's name in last name, first name format, the title of the essay, the editor's last name, and the page range:

L'Eplattenier, Barbara. "Finding Ourselves in the Past: An Argument for Historical Work on WPAs." Rose and Weiser, pp. 131-40.

Peeples, Tim. "'Seeing' the WPA With/Through Postmodern Mapping." Rose and Weiser, pp. 153-67.

Please note: When cross-referencing items in the works cited list, alphabetical order should be maintained for the entire list.

Poem or Short Story Examples :

Burns, Robert. "Red, Red Rose." 100 Best-Loved Poems, edited by Philip Smith, Dover, 1995, p. 26.

Kincaid, Jamaica. "Girl." The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories , edited by Tobias Wolff, Vintage, 1994, pp. 306-07.

If the specific literary work is part of the author's own collection (all of the works have the same author), then there will be no editor to reference:

Whitman, Walt. "I Sing the Body Electric." Selected Poems, Dover, 1991, pp. 12-19.

Carter, Angela. "The Tiger's Bride." Burning Your Boats: The Collected Stories, Penguin, 1995, pp. 154-69.

Article in a Reference Book (e.g. Encyclopedias, Dictionaries)

For entries in encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference works, cite the entry name as you would any other work in a collection but do not include the publisher information. Also, if the reference book is organized alphabetically, as most are, do not list the volume or the page number of the article or item.

"Ideology." The American Heritage Dictionary.  3rd ed. 1997. 

A Multivolume Work

When citing only one volume of a multivolume work, include the volume number after the work's title, or after the work's editor or translator.

Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria . Translated by H. E. Butler, vol. 2, Loeb-Harvard UP, 1980.

When citing more than one volume of a multivolume work, cite the total number of volumes in the work. Also, be sure in your in-text citation to provide both the volume number and page number(s) ( see "Citing Multivolume Works" on our in-text citations resource .)

Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria . Translated by H. E. Butler, Loeb-Harvard UP, 1980. 4 vols.

If the volume you are using has its own title, cite the book without referring to the other volumes as if it were an independent publication.

Churchill, Winston S. The Age of Revolution . Dodd, 1957.

An Introduction, Preface, Foreword, or Afterword

When citing an introduction, a preface, a foreword, or an afterword, write the name of the author(s) of the piece you are citing. Then give the name of the part being cited, which should not be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks; in italics, provide the name of the work and the name of the author of the introduction/preface/foreword/afterword. Finish the citation with the details of publication and page range.

Farrell, Thomas B. Introduction. Norms of Rhetorical Culture , by Farrell, Yale UP, 1993, pp. 1-13.

If the writer of the piece is different from the author of the complete work , then write the full name of the principal work's author after the word "By." For example, if you were to cite Hugh Dalziel Duncan’s introduction of Kenneth Burke’s book Permanence and Change, you would write the entry as follows:

Duncan, Hugh Dalziel. Introduction. Permanence and Change: An Anatomy of Purpose, by Kenneth Burke, 1935, 3rd ed., U of California P, 1984, pp. xiii-xliv.

Book Published Before 1900

Original copies of books published before 1900 are usually defined by their place of publication rather than the publisher. Unless you are using a newer edition, cite the city of publication where you would normally cite the publisher.

Thoreau, Henry David. Excursions . Boston, 1863.

Italicize “The Bible” and follow it with the version you are using. Remember that your in-text (parenthetical citation) should include the name of the specific edition of the Bible, followed by an abbreviation of the book, the chapter and verse(s). (See Citing the Bible at In-Text Citations: The Basics .)

The Bible. Authorized King James Version , Oxford UP, 1998.

The Bible. The New Oxford Annotated Version , 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2001.

The New Jerusalem Bible. Edited by Susan Jones, Doubleday, 1985.

A Government Publication

Cite the author of the publication if the author is identified. Otherwise, start with the name of the national government, followed by the agency (including any subdivisions or agencies) that serves as the organizational author. For congressional documents, be sure to include the number of the Congress and the session when the hearing was held or resolution passed as well as the report number. US government documents are typically published by the Government Printing Office.

United States, Congress, Senate, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearing on the Geopolitics of Oil . Government Printing Office, 2007. 110th Congress, 1st session, Senate Report 111-8.

United States, Government Accountability Office. Climate Change: EPA and DOE Should Do More to Encourage Progress Under Two Voluntary Programs . Government Printing Office, 2006.

Cite the title and publication information for the pamphlet just as you would a book without an author. Pamphlets and promotional materials commonly feature corporate authors (commissions, committees, or other groups that does not provide individual group member names). If the pamphlet you are citing has no author, cite as directed below. If your pamphlet has an author or a corporate author, put the name of the author (last name, first name format) or corporate author in the place where the author name typically appears at the beginning of the entry. (See also Books by a Corporate Author or Organization above.)

Women's Health: Problems of the Digestive System . American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2006.

Your Rights Under California Welfare Programs . California Department of Social Services, 2007.

Dissertations and Master's Theses

Dissertations and master's theses may be used as sources whether published or not. Unlike previous editions, MLA 8 specifies no difference in style for published/unpublished works.

The main elements of a dissertation citation are the same as those for a book: author name(s), title (italicized) , and publication date. Conclude with an indication of the document type (e.g., "PhD dissertation"). The degree-granting institution may be included before the document type (though this is not required). If the dissertation was accessed through an online repository, include it as the second container after all the other elements.

Bishop, Karen Lynn. Documenting Institutional Identity: Strategic Writing in the IUPUI Comprehensive Campaign . 2002. Purdue University, PhD dissertation.

Bile, Jeffrey. Ecology, Feminism, and a Revised Critical Rhetoric: Toward a Dialectical Partnership . 2005. Ohio University, PhD dissertation.

Mitchell, Mark. The Impact of Product Quality Reducing Events on the Value of Brand-Name Capital: Evidence from Airline Crashes and the 1982 Tylenol Poisonings.  1987. PhD dissertation.  ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

List the names of corporate authors in the place where an author’s name typically appears at the beginning of the entry if the author and publisher are not the same.

Fair Housing—Fair Lending. Aspen Law & Business, 1985.

How To Properly Quote The Bible

Whether you are religious or not, you have probably come across Bible passages at some point. The Bible is a sacred text for Christians and Jews, but it is also an important historical document, and its many famous quotes have shaped our literature and culture.

So you may find yourself needing to cite the Bible at some point for an essay, article, or even casual writing.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer to citing the Bible: Enclose the book, chapter, and verse in parentheses after the quote, like (John 3:16) . Use abbreviations for books, like Gen. for Genesis.

Formatting Bible Quotations

Book name abbreviations.

When quoting from the Bible, it is important to properly abbreviate the book name. Here are some common examples:

• Genesis – Gen.
• Exodus – Exod.
• Leviticus – Lev.
• Numbers – Num.
• Deuteronomy – Deut.
• Joshua – Josh.
• Judges – Judg.
• Ruth – Ruth
• 1 Samuel – 1 Sam.
• 2 Samuel – 2 Sam.

The first time you reference a book, spell out its full name. For example: “In the Gospel of Matthew 5:3, it says…” Afterward, use the abbreviation. For example: “Jesus also referenced this in Matt. 6:24.” This helps the reader follow along.

Chapter and Verse References

When directly quoting a Bible passage, the reference should include the book name abbreviation, chapter number, colon, and verse number(s). For example:

• John 3:16 – Abbreviation, chapter, colon, verse
• Rom. 12:1-2 – Abbreviation, chapter, colon, range of verses

Chapter and verse numbers should be separated by a colon. Multiple verses should be separated by a dash. Commas and spaces are not used. The chapter and verse reference comes after the quotation. For example:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

If the quote spans multiple paragraphs, place the reference after the last paragraph. The reference should also be placed outside quotation marks and parentheses.

Following these formatting rules clearly communicates to readers where the passage is found in the Bible.

Quoting from Different Versions of the Bible

King james version.

The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is an English translation originally published in 1611 . For centuries, it was the most widely used Bible translation in the English-speaking world and had tremendous influence on literature and culture.

Here are some tips for properly quoting the KJV:

• Use the archaic pronouns and verb endings found in the KJV, like “thee,” “thou,” and “-eth.” This helps convey the historical style of the translation.
• When directly quoting a verse, cite the book, chapter, and verse like this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
• If quoting multiple verses, use an ellipsis (…) or separate references for each verse quoted.
• Use brackets when a pronoun reference needs clarification, like changing “he” to “Jesus.”
• Retain any italicized words, archaic spellings, and punctuation found in the original.

The beauty of the King James Version’s language deserves to be carefully quoted to reflect both its historical elegance and scriptural authority.

New International Version

The New International Version (NIV) is a popular modern English Bible translation first published in 1978 and revised in 2011 . Here are some tips for properly quoting the NIV:

• Use contemporary pronouns and verb endings, like “you” and “-s” endings for third person.
• When directly quoting a verse, cite book, chapter, and verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).
• Use an ellipsis (…) when omitting words from within a quoted verse.
• Retain any emphases like italics from the original.
• Clarify pronoun references by using brackets, like “Christ” instead of just “he.”

The NIV’s clear, accessible language makes quoting it straightforward. Just be sure to cite references and retain original formatting.

Other Popular Versions

Many other Bible translations are commonly quoted today, like the English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Here are some tips that apply when quoting most modern versions:

• Use contemporary grammar and pronouns, but don’t modernize archaic words or names.
• Cite the full name of the version quoted, like “New Living Translation” rather than just the abbreviation.
• When comparing versions, use a table to contrast similar verses side by side.
• Clarify references to “the Lord,” “Christ,” etc. when the meaning is unclear.
• Use quotation marks or block quote formatting for extended passages.

Modern translations aim to make the Bible accessible to contemporary readers. Quoting them well involves retaining their readability while cites references fully. With care, we can insightfully quote God’s word from the wealth of English Bible versions available today.

When to Quote vs Paraphrase

Deciding when to directly quote versus paraphrase the Bible is an important consideration when writing about scripture. Here are some tips on when each approach is most appropriate:

Direct Quotes

Use direct Bible quotes when:

• You want to point to the exact wording of a specific passage
• The phrasing is especially powerful, moving, or memorable
• You are analyzing the meaning of specific words or phrases
• You need to reference a passage that prophesies the coming of Christ or other important events
• The passage is a well-known or oft-quoted section that the reader will recognize

For example, you would want to directly quote John 3:16 instead of paraphrasing:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Paraphrases

Paraphrase Bible passages when:

• You want to simplify complex phrasing or archaic language for clarity
• You need to condense a long or detailed passage to summarize the main point
• You are comparing events across different books or sections
• You want to explain passages to non-Christians unfamiliar with the Bible

For example, you could paraphrase part of Paul’s letter to the Romans 3:23-24:

Paul explains that everyone sins and falls short of God’s glorious standard, yet are justified freely through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.

Finding the right balance of direct Bible quotes and paraphrased explanations requires wisdom and discernment. Study each passage carefully when deciding whether to quote verbatim or rephrase the meaning using your own words.

Both approaches have their place in writing that brings scriptural truths to light.

Using Long Quotes

When quoting long passages from the Bible in an essay or article, it is important to format the quote properly to make it clear that you are citing a direct quote. Here are some tips for formatting long Bible quotes:

For Bible passages that are more than 4 lines long, format them as a block quotation. Start the quote on a new line and indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks around the passage. Here is an example:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

(John 3:16-18, NIV)

Citing the Translation

When quoting Scripture, be sure to cite which Bible translation you are using. Abbreviate the title and include it in parentheses after the quote. Common abbreviations include:

• NIV – New International Version
• ESV – English Standard Version
• KJV – King James Version
• NRSV – New Revised Standard Version

Formatting Line Spacing

Add extra spacing above and below long block quotes to separate them from the rest of the text. This improves readability. Many style guides recommend spacing block quotes 0.5 inches from the surrounding text.

For Bible passages less than 4 lines long, format them as a short in-line quotation. Enclose the quote in double quotation marks and cite the translation.

Make sure to properly introduce the quote in the lead up text. Here’s an example:

Jesus clearly explains that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, NIV). This demonstrates that spiritual nourishment is important.

Merging Quotes

You can also merge a short quote into the text without using quotation marks. Make sure it fits grammatically into your sentence. For example:

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that no eye has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Using these formatting tips will help ensure your Bible quotes are properly cited and easy for readers to understand within the context of your writing.

Examples of Common Bible Quotes

The Bible contains many memorable and influential quotes that have become an integral part of our culture. Here are some examples of commonly quoted Bible verses and passages:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” – Psalm 23:1

This beloved verse from Psalm 23 has brought comfort and hope to millions of people over the centuries. It poetically expresses the close relationship between God and those who follow him.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 22:39

This command from Jesus simply yet powerfully encapsulates the Christian ethic of selfless love and care for others. It has become a widely known moral principle even among non-Christians.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” – Genesis 1:1

The majestic opening words of the Bible have been memorized by countless Christians. They affirm God’s sovereignty as the divine Creator who brought the universe into being.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16

This concise yet profound verse summarizes the gospel – that God sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and give us salvation. It is often called the “gospel in a nutshell.”

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” – Philippians 4:13

Paul’s uplifting words of encouragement have motivated generations of Christians to press on with fortitude and hope in their faith. The verse emphasizes our dependence on God’s strength.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5

From the book of wisdom, this call to trust God fully resonates with believers seeking guidance. It speaks to forsaking self-reliance and submitting to God’s good plans.

The Bible’s most significant verses have become touchstones of truth and wisdom for billions of people. Even for those unfamiliar with Scripture, quotes like these often carry profound meaning and influence.

They reflect Christianity’s immense cultural impact over thousands of years.

Quoting scripture can enrich your writing while lending credibility and weight to your ideas. With the right citation format and context, Bible passages blend seamlessly into essays, articles, and other texts.

While different versions and translations exist, the strategies outlined here will help you quote the Bible accurately in your own work.

Amanda Williams is a dedicated Christian writer and blogger who is passionate about sharing Biblical truth and encouraging believers in their faith walks. After working as a youth pastor and Bible teacher for several years, she launched her blog in 2022 to minister to Christians online seeking to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. When she's not creating content or connecting with readers, Amanda enjoys studying theology, being out in nature, baking, and spending time with family. Her goal is to provide practical wisdom and hope from a genuine Christian perspective. Amanda currently resides in Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs.

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / APA Format / How to Cite the Bible in APA

How to Cite the Bible in APA

The Bible is a frequently used source of information for many types of papers, but is referencing it the same as citing a book? This page will help you format citations for the Bible based on APA 7th edition guidelines.

Guide overview

Citing a bible (print or ebook), citing a translated bible, citing a bible on a website, apa in-text bible citations, apa reference page entry for a bible.

Reference page citations for the Bible are similar to that of a book; however, Bible texts are treated as not having an author.

However, if an editor or translator contributed to the text, then they must be included following the same citation conventions as a book.

In terms of dates, you must include the current version’s date after the title. For the original publication date, include the republished date only (if provided), as the date of publication for the Bible and for other religious texts is uncertain.

Reference page structure:

Bible name. (Year published). Publisher. URL (Original work published year)

Reference page PRINT Bible example:

King James Bible. (2019). Christian Art Publishers. (Original work published 1769)

Bible name (Translator’s F. M. Last name, Trans.). (Year published). Publisher.

Reference page example:

The holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate (R. Challoner, Trans.). (2017). Andesite Press.

If there is no site/page published date, use “n.d.” which stands for “no date.”

Bible name. (Year published). Publisher or Website Name. URL (Original work published year)

Holy Bible – American Standard Version. (n.d.). Holy-Bible.online. https://holy-bible.online/asv.php (Original work published 1901)

In-Text Citation Structure:

When quoting or paraphrasing specific excerpts from the text, use the name/version of the Bible, the year(s) (remember to write the original publication year, a slash, and then the year of the version you are using), the chapter name, the verse, and then the line.

( Version name , Year, Chapter name line:verse)

In-Text Citation Example:

The Bible extols the virtues of love; “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” ( King James Bible , 1769/2019, 1 Corinthians 13:4).

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Multiple Authors
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
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To cite a bible verse in APA style, it is important that you know some basic information such as the bible version, year, chapter number, verse number, and/or URL (uniform resource locator). The templates for in-text citations and reference list entry of a bible verse along with examples are given below:

In-text citation templates and examples:

Set the bible version in italics along with the year. Include the biblical abbreviation for the book, chapter number, and verse number. There is no need to include the page number.

Bible version (Year, Book Name Chapter #:Verse #)

GOD’S WORD Translation (1995, Ruth 4:1)

Parenthetical:

( Bible Version , Publication Year, Book Name Chapter #:Verse #)

( GOD’S WORD Translation , 1995, Ruth 4:1)

Reference list entry template and example:

Title of the Bible Version . (Year). Publisher. URL

GOD’S WORD Translation . (1995). Bible Study Tools. https://www.biblestudytools.com/gw/ruth/4.html

The Bible is italicized both in the in-text citation and in the reference list entry.

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