Cite the Bible

The Bible is a popular resource for many research papers, but knowing how to cite it properly both in the paper and in your works cited page is different than other resources. Learn how to cite the Bible using either the MLA, APA or Turabian style handbooks.

Steps

Using Modern Language Association (MLA) Style

  1. Know how to do your first in-text citation. The first time you cite the Bible in a paper using MLA style, you will need to list the name of the translation first, then the Bible reference. Include a comma between the two.
    • For example, " 'In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father' (New Living Translation, Matt. 5.16)."
  2. Know how to do subsequent in-text citations. The second time you quote a passage from the same translation, you only need to give the scripture reference.
    • For example: (Matt. 5.16).
  3. Abbreviate the books of the Bible. When citing the books of the Bible, make sure to use the correct abbreviations, as outlined in the MLA handbook.
    • For example, Genesis is written as "Gen.", Leviticus is written as "Lev.", and 1 Corinthians is written as "1 Cor."
  4. Use a period to distinguish between Bible chapters and verses. While some writing manuals offer flexibility in using a period or colon, MLA format requires a period. Double-check your paper to make sure you catch all Bible references.
    • For example, rather than using the customary colon to separate the chapter and verse (5:15), MLA uses a period (5.5).
  5. Never underline or italicize individual books or versions of the Bible. When referring to common versions of the Bible, or specific books, there is no need to italicize, underline or place in quotation marks. For example: "The King James Version of the Bible was originally published in 1611."
    • However, the titles of individually published editions should be italicized. For example: "The NIV Study Bible includes an introduction to each book of the Bible."[1]
  6. Know how to reference the Bible on the "Works Cited" page. With MLA, you will also need to reference the Bible you used on your "Works Cited" page. The reference should include: the translation and/or version of the Bible you used, the author's or editor's name, the publication information and whether it was a print copy or accessed online. A number of examples are provided below:
    • The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Ed. Michael D. Coogan. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
      • This is a fairly standard MLA Bible reference, with the name of the Bible in Italics, followed by the name of the editor.
    • Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002. Print.
      • This reference is slightly different, as this edition has an author rather than an editor. In this instance the name of the author comes before the name of the Bible.
    • English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
      • This is an example of a reference from an online version of the Bible.[2]

Using American Psychological Association (APA) Style

  1. Know how to do your first in-text citation. With APA style, the first in-text reference to a particular scripture should include the book, chapter and verse, followed by the version of the Bible it was taken from.
    • For example: "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father" (Matt. 5:16 New Living Translation).
    • Note that there is no comma between the scripture and version.
  2. Know how to do subsequent in-text citations. Once you have explicitly referenced the version of the Bible used in your first citation, you do not need to keep repeating it.
    • You can simply give the scripture reference, e.g. (Matt. 5:16) for all remaining citations, unless you switch to a different version.
  3. Use a colon or period to distinguish between Bible chapters and verses. Either punctuation mark is acceptable as long as you remain consistent.
    • For example, (Matt. 5:16) or (Matt. 5.16).
  4. Understand that it is usually unnecessary to include the Bible on your reference page. According to the APA style manual, it is usually unnecessary to provide references for the Bible, in addition to other well-known classical texts.
    • However, if you are writing a paper for class, your professor may prefer that you provide full publication information, so it may be best to ask if you are unsure.[3]

Using Turabian Style

  1. List the scripture reference first, then the translation. With Turabian style referencing, the book, chapter and verse come first, followed, by the version of the Bible you are using. Place a comma between the two.
    • For example, " 'In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father' (Matt. 5:16, New Living Translation)."
  2. Use a colon to distinguish between Bible chapters and verses. Though this is a fairly typical way of referencing Scripture, some citation styles prefer periods. However, Turabian requires a colon.
    • For example: (Matt. 5:16).
  3. Stay consistent in your abbreviations. Turabian allows for two sets of abbreviations when citing books of the Bible. The first is a traditional set, the second a shorter version. Pick one and remain consistent. Consider asking your instructor to see if there is a preferred set to use.
  4. Understand that with Turabian style, you do not need to include the Bible on your bibliography or reference list. Unless your professor specifically requests it, you don not need to provide publication information for the version or versions of the Bible you use. [4]

Following General Bible-Citation Guidelines

  1. Understand when to use underline and when to use italics. There are certain times when you should use underline and italics when referring to the Bible, and other times when you should refrain from doing so.
    • When you refer to the Bible itself throughout your paper or presentation, you should not set it apart in any way except by capitalizing the word Bible or capitalizing the book you are referring to, such as Matthew, Mark, or Luke.
    • When you refer to a specific edition of the Bible, italicize the title like other books. For example, The NIV Study Bible.
  2. Include the Bible on your works cited page only when referencing editorial content. Using Scripture verses in your paper does not warrant the need to cite the Bible as a source on your bibliography. However, referencing specific notes or commentary within a specific study Bible does. List specific study Bibles like other books on your works cited page. Include title, edition, publisher, location, and year.
  3. Use book abbreviations. When you reference specific passages in the Bible, use the abbreviation given for the book. For example, instead of "Matthew 5:16," you would write "Matt. 5:16." Find the appropriate abbreviations for books of the Bible by using a guide provided in many Bibles or by searching online.
  4. Use Arabic numbers. Some traditional writing uses Roman numerals for books: II John. Instead of Roman numerals, stick to the Arabic form: 2 John.
  5. Identify the Bible translation you are using. Most research papers stick with one translation of the Bible (e.g., New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version). Simply reference this in your first citation and leave it out of the others. However, if you are constantly changing from one translation to another, include the translation in every reference.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://hbl.gcc.libguides.com/content.php?pid=230450&sid=1913938
  2. ↑ http://libraryanswers.apu.edu/a.php?qid=264974
  3. ↑ http://www.messiah.edu/murraylibrary/guides/bible_cite.pdf
  4. ↑ http://hbl.gcc.libguides.com/content.php?pid=230450&sid=1914822
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Cite_the_Bible&oldid=303733"