How do I cite the Bible in OSCOLA?

To cite the Bible in OSCOLA (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the OSCOLA format for the Bible citation?

The OSCOLA 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 OSCOLA?

In OSCOLA, the in-text citation for the example above is The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles 1989).

How to Cite the Bible in OSCOLA (4th edition)

Learn how to cite the Bible, scripture, and other sacred texts in OSCOLA format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

OSCOLA Bibliography Format

Here is the standard OSCOLA format for citing the Bible in your bibliography:

OSCOLA Example for the Bible

A complete OSCOLA reference for the Bible, formatted by the official OSCOLA 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 OSCOLA (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 OSCOLA 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: oscola.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 OSCOLA?: To cite the Bible in OSCOLA (4th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the OSCOLA format for the Bible citation?: The OSCOLA 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 OSCOLA?: In OSCOLA, the in-text citation for the example above is The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (Meridian Bibles 1989).