How to Cite the Bible
Updated September 2026
Citing the Bible breaks the usual rules in two ways: you cite by book, chapter, and verse (not page), and you must name the version/translation — because wording differs between translations. APA 7 now treats the Bible like any other book (a change from APA 6, which classified it as a classical work).
The format
APA: Title of Version. (Year). Publisher. (Original work published Year) — e.g. New International Version. (2011). Zondervan. MLA: The Bible. Translation/Version, Publisher, Year.
Name the specific version (New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version). Different translations word verses differently, so the version is essential to the citation.
Cite by book, chapter, and verse
In-text, point to the passage, not a page: book chapter:verse. APA: (New International Version, 2011, John 3:16) — name the version on first use. MLA: (John 3.16) with a period between chapter and verse, version established in your text or Works Cited. Verse ranges use a dash: John 3:16–17.
Details and abbreviations
- Book names can be abbreviated after first use in MLA (Gen., Matt., 1 Cor.).
- Italics — don't italicize "the Bible" or book names in your prose; do italicize a specific published edition's title in the reference.
- Multiple versions — name the version each time if you switch between them, to avoid confusion.
- Study Bibles with commentary may also cite the editors, like an edited book.
In-text citations
APA: (New International Version, 2011, Matthew 5:9) — version + year + book chapter:verse. MLA: (Matt. 5.9). Establish the version on first reference; after that the passage reference alone is enough.
Keep every citation you make.
A free account saves your citation history and organizes sources into projects with notes and tags.
Create a free account →Find the sources you should be citing.
Premium searches 250 million scholarly works by topic, recommends citations for your claims, and flags statements in your writing that need support.
Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- Do I cite the Bible by page number?
- No — cite by book, chapter, and verse (e.g., John 3:16), so the passage is findable in any edition regardless of pagination.
- Do I need to name the translation?
- Yes — versions word verses differently, so the translation (NIV, KJV, ESV) is part of the citation. Name it on first use.
- Is the Bible italicized?
- Don't italicize 'the Bible' or book names in your prose. Do italicize the title of a specific published edition in the reference entry.
- How does APA 7 treat the Bible?
- Like a regular book with a reference-list entry — a change from APA 6, which treated scripture as a classical work cited in-text only.