Bible & Religious Text Citation Generator
Cite a passage of the Bible, Quran, Torah or Book of Mormon. Choose the version, enter the book, chapter and verses, and get the reference-list entry and the in-text citation in APA 7, MLA 9 and the Chicago 18 footnote, each with a copy button. Free, no sign-up.
Fill in the version, book, and chapter to see your citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago.
How APA, MLA, and Chicago Cite Scripture
APA 7th. Religious works are cited like books with no author: the version title (e.g. New International Version) stands in the title position, followed by the year and publisher of the edition. In text, the passage replaces page numbers: (New International Version, 2011, John 3:16). A colon separates chapter and verse.
MLA 9th. The Works Cited entry begins with the italicized title of the edition (The Bible), then the version, the publisher, and the year. In-text citations use a period between chapter and verse — (New International Version, John 3.16) — and name the version the first time you cite it.
Chicago (notes-bibliography). Scripture is cited in footnotes or endnotes only, as book chapter:verse plus the version — John 3:16 (New International Version) — and is usually omitted from the bibliography.
How to Use the Bible Citation Generator
- 1. Choose the work and the version. Pick the Bible, Quran, Torah or Book of Mormon, then the version or translation you read. If yours is not listed, choose Other and type its name.
- 2. Enter the passage. Type the book (John), the chapter (3) and the verses (16, or 16–18). Verses are optional if you cite a whole chapter.
- 3. Add the edition's publisher and year if you have them. They matter for APA and MLA, and the title page or copyright page gives them. Chicago does not use them.
- 4. Copy the form you need. Each style has a reference or note, and the in-text citation, with its own copy button. Replace any hyphen in a verse range with an en dash.
Bible Citation Examples
John 3:16 in the New International Version, published by Zondervan in 2011.
APA 7th edition
Reference list:
New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.
In-text citation:
(New International Version, 2011, John 3:16)
MLA 9th edition
Works Cited:
The Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.
In-text citation:
(New International Version, John 3.16)
Chicago 18th edition (notes and bibliography)
Footnote:
John 3:16 (New International Version).
Bibliography:
Usually omitted. List the edition only if you discuss it or the text differs from the one you cite.
In APA, an edition of a much older text also carries its original date in parentheses at the end of the reference (for example (Original work published 1769) for the King James Version), and the in-text citation shows both years. The generator takes one year, so add the original date by hand.
Verses, Books and Abbreviations
| APA 7 | MLA 9 | Chicago 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter and verse | John 3:16, with a colon | John 3.16, with a period | John 3:16, with a colon |
| A range | John 3:16–18 (en dash) | John 3.16–18 | John 3:16–18 |
| Book names | Written out in text; may be abbreviated in parentheses | Abbreviated in parentheses, written out in your sentences | Abbreviated in notes: Matt., Rom., 1 Cor. |
| Version | Named in the reference and in every in-text citation | Named the first time you cite it | Named in the first note, then abbreviated, e.g. NIV |
| Reference list | Yes | Yes | Usually not |
Once you have named the version in a paper, MLA lets you cite later passages with the book, chapter and verse alone. Chicago does the same, with the version abbreviated after the first note.
Common Mistakes
- Citing the Bible without a version. Translations differ, and a verse number alone does not say which text you quote.
- Using a colon in MLA. MLA separates chapter and verse with a period: John 3.16.
- Listing it in a Chicago bibliography. Sacred texts are normally cited in notes only.
- Citing a study Bible as the Bible. If you quote the commentary or the notes, cite the edition as a book with its editors.
- Hyphens in a verse range. Use an en dash: 16–18.
Which Tool Do You Need?
| You have | Use |
|---|---|
| A passage of scripture | This page |
| A study Bible, a commentary or a book about the Bible | Book Citation Generator |
| A play, poem or other classical work by line or act | Classical Work Citation Generator |
| A sermon or a talk | Speech Citation Generator |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite the Bible in APA 7?
- Cite the version like a book with no author: the version in italics, the year in parentheses and the publisher. In text, give the version, the year and the passage: (New International Version, 2011, John 3:16). A colon separates chapter and verse.
- How do I cite the Bible in MLA 9?
- In Works Cited: The Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011. In text, use the version the first time and the passage with a period between chapter and verse: (New International Version, John 3.16). Later citations can give the passage only.
- Do I include the Bible in a Chicago bibliography?
- Usually not. Chicago cites scripture in footnotes or endnotes only, as book chapter:verse and the version: John 3:16 (New International Version). List it only if the edition itself is under discussion.
- Do I italicize the Bible?
- Not in the text of your paper. The title of an edition is italicized in an APA reference or an MLA Works Cited entry, and the names of the books of the Bible are never italicized or put in quotation marks.
- How do I cite the Quran, Torah or Book of Mormon?
- The same way: choose the work and the translation, then give the chapter and verse (a sura and ayah for the Quran). Name the translator or version, such as Abdel Haleem for the Quran, so readers can find your text.
- What if I do not know the version or the year?
- Name the version you used; it matters more than the year. In APA, leave the year blank and the reference shows n.d. In MLA, drop the year.
- Can I cite other books with this tool?
- No, it is built for scripture. For any other book, use the Book Citation Generator, which works with all 10,834 styles.
Related Tools
How to cite the Bible in each style
Format rules, templates, and worked examples for the styles most often required.