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How to Cite the Bible in Chicago (17th edition)

Learn how to cite the Bible, scripture, and other sacred texts in Chicago format (17th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

Chicago Bibliography Format

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

Not listed in the bibliography — cite in a note: 1. 1 Cor. 13:4 (New Revised Standard Version).

Chicago In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

Note: 1 Cor. 13:4 (New Revised Standard Version)

Narrative

As 1 Cor. 13:4 (NRSV) explains...

Key Chicago Formatting Rules

  • Do not include the Bible in the bibliography — cite it in a note or in the text.
  • Give the abbreviated book, chapter, and verse, separated by a colon (e.g., 1 Cor. 13:4) — never a page number.
  • Spell out the version in the first citation; later citations may use its abbreviation, such as (NRSV).
  • Books of the Bible are not italicized.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Bible.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Chicago (17th edition) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Chicago requirements.

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Cite the Bible in Other Styles

Bible in APABible in MLABible in HarvardBible in VancouverBible in IEEEBible in AMABible in TurabianBible in CSEBible in BibTeXBible in NatureBible in ACSBible in OSCOLABible in BluebookBible in AGLCBible in ASABible in APSABible in AAABible in NLMBible in ACMBible in APSBible in AIPBible in CellBible in ScienceBible in PLOSBible in BMJBible in LancetBible in JAMABible in Elsevier HarvardBible in Springer

Cite Other Sources in Chicago

Website in ChicagoBook in ChicagoJournal Article in ChicagoYouTube Video in ChicagoPodcast in ChicagoNewspaper Article in ChicagoMagazine Article in ChicagoBlog Post in ChicagoWikipedia in ChicagoPDF in ChicagoInterview in ChicagoSocial Media Post in ChicagoGovernment Document in ChicagoDissertation or Thesis in ChicagoConference Paper in ChicagoLecture or PowerPoint in ChicagoImage or Photograph in ChicagoMovie or Film in ChicagoTV Show in ChicagoSong or Music in ChicagoCourt Case in ChicagoPatent in ChicagoEncyclopedia Entry in ChicagoDictionary Entry in ChicagoDataset in ChicagoSoftware or App in ChicagoPress Release in ChicagoReport in ChicagoBook Chapter in ChicagoChatGPT in ChicagoTED Talk in Chicago

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