How to Cite the Bible in AGLC (4th edition)
Learn how to cite the Bible, scripture, and other sacred texts in AGLC format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
AGLC Bibliography Format
Here is the standard AGLC format for citing the Bible in your bibliography:
AGLC Example for the Bible
A complete AGLC reference for the Bible, formatted by the official AGLC CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles, 1989)
Matching in-text citation: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles, 1989).
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Bible.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the AGLC (4th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match AGLC requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: aglc.csl
Metadata to collect
- version or translation
- book, chapter and verse
- publisher and year of the edition, when the style requires them
- URL for an online edition
Common metadata traps
- Name the version in the first citation; translations word verses differently.
- Cite book, chapter and verse, never page numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite the Bible in AGLC?
- To cite the Bible in AGLC (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the AGLC format for the Bible citation?
- The AGLC format for the Bible is: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles, 1989)
- What does the in-text citation look like for the Bible in AGLC?
- In AGLC, the in-text citation for the example above is The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles, 1989).
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