How to Cite the Bible in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles
Citing the Bible needs a different touch than citing your average book. Let's face it, with dozens of translations floating around (each with their own quirks), you can't just slap down a verse and call it a day. When you're writing that research paper, your readers need to track down your exact words, and professors don't mess around with sloppy citations.
Here's a no-nonsense guide covering APA (7th ed.), MLA (9th ed.), and Chicago (17th ed.). You'll get real examples to work from, a heads-up on common slip-ups, and a quick checklist to double-check your work.
One read-through and you'll handle Scripture citations like a pro, whether it's for class papers or published work.
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Why precision matters when citing Scripture
People think citing the Bible's straightforward, just drop in the book, chapter, and verse, right? Not quite. The translation you pick changes everything.
Take two students working with the same verse: one's got the King James Version (KJV) with its thee's and thou's, while the other's using the stripped-down modern English of the New International Version (NIV). Same verse, different words, different feel. When you're building an argument, those distinctions matter.
Sharp citations show you've done your homework. They give your work a professional edge that professors and editors notice right away. The best part? These little citation fixes are pretty simple once you know what to look for, and they make your writing that much stronger.
APA (7th Edition): The Basics for Bible Citations
Let's cut through the confusion about citing Scripture in APA. Most students overthink it, but there's really just a handful of key points to nail down.
Core APA rules
Skip the author - the translation's name does the heavy lifting
Italicize Bible titles in your reference list
Include the year of your edition
For online sources, drop in a working URL
Your in-text citations need version, year, and chapter:verse
Reference list - keep it clean
Print version: Title of Bible Version. (Year). Publisher.
Online version: Title of Bible Version. (Year). Publisher. URL
Real-world examples:
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway.
New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/
Don't forget the editor or translator if they're front and center on your edition - it helps pinpoint exactly which Bible you're working from.
In-text citations - the quick version
Basic format: (Version, Year, Book Chapter:Verse)
In action: (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Josh. 2:7)
A few things to remember:
Always use colons between chapter and verse
If you mention the book in your sentence, just put the other details in parentheses: When Paul writes in Galatians 5:22 (New International Version, 2011)...
For quotes:
Under 40 words? Use quotation marks and cite
Over 40 words? Block quote it and cite after
<ProTip title="📖 Pro Tip:" description="Name your Bible version in the first citation - if you stick with it throughout your paper, you can drop it from later citations to keep things flowing." />
Multiple translations and paraphrase (APA)
If you use several translations, list each translation in the reference list. When paraphrasing, include the version so readers know which wording informed your paraphrase: (New International Version, 2011, Rom. 8:28).
MLA (9th Edition): Concise Works Cited and In-Text Style
MLA keeps in-text references short while asking for fuller details in the Works Cited.
Core MLA rules
Italicize the Bible title in the Works Cited entry only.
In-text citations use periods between chapter and verse, not colons.
Provide the version on first citation or in the Works Cited entry.
If a translation lists an editor or translator, include that person in the Works Cited.
Works Cited formats and examples
Format: Title of Bible Version. Editor/translator if listed, Publisher, Year. Website or database name, URL (if online).
Examples:
The ESV Bible. Crossway, 2001. www.esv.org/.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Edited by the Division of Christian Education, HarperCollins, 1990.
In-text citations and quoting (MLA)
Format: (Version, Book Chapter.Verse) Example: (ESV Bible, Matt. 1.2)
Notes:
Periods separate chapter and verse (Matt. 1.2).
Use an en dash for ranges: (Ezek. 1.5–1.6).
If your Works Cited lists the edition you used, you may omit the version in subsequent in-text citations.
Quoting: Follow general MLA rules: short quotes in quotes with parenthetical citation; longer quotes as block quotes.
<ProTip title="✍️ Reminder:" description="MLA uses periods between chapter and verse; mixing this up with APA’s colon is a common student error." />
Chicago (17th Edition): Notes, Abbreviations, and Practice
Chicago is flexible and commonly used in history and theology. The main thing to remember: Scripture usually appears in notes or in-text citations, not the bibliography.
Core Chicago rules
Capitalize "Bible" but do not italicize it.
Always include the translation name.
Use chapter and verse; do not use page numbers.
The Bible is generally not listed in the bibliography unless a publisher or instructor requests it.
In-text and note examples
In-text: Job 4:8 (NIV) Footnote: 1. Job 4:8 (New International Version).
Use traditional abbreviations (Gen., Exod., Matt.), or full book names if that suits your audience; be consistent.
<ProTip title="📝 Note:" description="When using Chicago, include the Bible version in the first citation and any time you switch versions. If your journal or instructor requests a bibliography entry, follow their instruction." />
Common Student Examples: Copy-Paste Templates
Below are ready-made citations for three common translations and three citation styles. Replace publisher info with the edition you used if it differs.
APA (reference list): English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway. New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/
MLA (Works Cited): The ESV Bible. Crossway, 2001. www.esv.org/. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Edited by Division of Christian Education, HarperCollins, 1990.
Chicago (footnote): Gen. 3:2-5 (New International Version). Matt. 5:3-10 (New Revised Standard Version).
Handling Special Situations (Expanded)
Citing Multiple Translations
When a paper uses multiple translations, list each translation that you quote or paraphrase in your reference list/Works Cited. In-text, always show which version you used for a given quotation so the reader can find the exact wording.
Practical habit: Put the version in the parentheses the first time you use it in a paragraph. That makes it easy for a reader skimming the page to see which translation you relied on.
Paraphrase and Adaptation
Paraphrasing Scripture still requires attribution. Cite the book, chapter, and verse and the translation. If you adapt the language for a particular audience (e.g., contemporary paraphrase), acknowledge that: "Paraphrasing the NRSV, Paul indicates..." This transparency prevents misunderstanding.
Study Bibles and Commentaries
A study Bible blends text and commentary. If you quote the biblical text, cite the Scripture per your chosen style. If you quote the study notes, cite the author of the notes as a secondary source.
Tip for long exegetical work: In a thesis, explain in your methodology which edition and study notes you used and why. That keeps your interpretive choices transparent.
Apocrypha and Deuterocanonical Books
These books are cited the same as other biblical books: include book, chapter, verse, and the translation. If the edition arranges them differently, add a clarifying parenthetical (e.g., "(collection includes Apocrypha)").
Online Texts and Stable URLs
Use stable, publisher-controlled URLs when possible. If the site requires a login or is part of a database, list the database name rather than a private URL. That way, a reader knows where to look even if the direct link won’t open for them.
Workflow: From Research to Submission
A disciplined workflow removes stress at submission time.
Capture metadata up front. As you consult a Bible, note the full name, edition year, publisher, and whether it’s print or online.
Maintain a Scripture master list. Keep a single spreadsheet with each citation and the translation used.
Save stable links. For online editions, copy the site’s stable URL or database name.
Use citation software but verify. Import Bible editions as distinct entries into Zotero or EndNote and check auto-generated citations against the style manuals.
Proofread specifically for Scripture rules. Search your document for colons vs periods, missing version names, and inconsistent abbreviations.
<ProTip title="🔎 Quick Check:" description="Search your document for key failures: missing versions, colon vs period errors, or inconsistent abbreviations before you submit." />
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Omitting the version. Fix: add the translation at first mention.
Using page numbers. Fix: use book, chapter, and verse instead.
Mixing punctuation rules (APA vs. MLA). Fix: decide the style early and keep a one-page cheat sheet.
Putting the Bible in a Chicago bibliography without checking. Fix: ask your instructor or publisher.
Quick Decision Checklist
Which citation style does the course require?
What translation and edition are you quoting? Record publisher and year.
Are you using an online or print edition? If online, capture a stable URL.
Have you formatted chapter and verse according to the chosen style?
If using a study Bible, are commentary and Scripture cited separately?
How Jenni Helps Without Taking Over
Citing the Bible precisely is a detail-oriented, repeatable task. Once you know the rules, it isn’t difficult, but when you’re juggling footnotes, quotations, and different translations, small errors creep in.
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Jenni helps by automating the repetitive parts, generating formatted examples, assembling a cheat sheet for your course, and creating an outline-first draft, while leaving the final editorial checks to you. The result is cleaner citations and more time for the work that actually matters: your analysis and argumentation.