How to Cite The Bible

Wondering what the appropriate way is to cite the Bible or biblical verses in your term paper or other articles.

Here are the guidelines for citing the Bible according to APA, MLA, and Chicago style standards:

Instructions

1. 

   According to the American Psychological Association (APA), references are not needed for the Bible or other major classical works.

   To cite parenthetical reference: Identify in the first citation in your text which version of the Bible you are using. Subsequent references do not need the version identified unless you switch.

   Example: (John 3:16 King James Version)

2. 

   To cite Chicago style:
   Names of the books of the Bible are not italicized. Names and versions of the Hebrew and Christian bibles are capitalized but not italicized. Do not abbreviate books of the Bible in the text of your paper.

   To cite a particular passage or verse in footnotes,endnotes or parenthetical notes:
   Include abbreviated name of book, chapter and verse separated by colon.
   Example: (2 Cor. 4:1-3,5:17)

   Chicago Style has two lists of abbreviations for books of the Bible. Either is acceptable, but be consistent.

   *The Bible does not needed to be included in your bibliography.

3. 

   According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, books and versions of the Bible are not italicized, put in quotation marks, or underlined.

   In parenthetical references, the title of the books of the Bible are usually abbreviated. A period is used to separate chapter and verse. Example: (John 3.16)

   The first time you refer to a version of the Bible, include the name of the version, followed by a comma.
   Example: (New International Version, John 3.16)

Resources

• MLA Formatting and Writing Guide
• APA Writing Guidelines
• Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide