MLA Style
Parenthetical Citations: The first time you
reference a version of the Bible, in the in-text citations, give the name of the edition (italicized), followed by
a comma and the abbreviated book (see back of handout), chapter, and verse. Use a period, not a colon, between the chapter and
verse: John 3.16.
Ezekiel saw “what seemed to be four living creatures” (New
Jerusalem Bible, Ezek. 1.5-10).
If future references come from the same version of the Bible,
include only the abbreviated book, chapter, and verse in the parenthetical
citation: “For
the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land” (Deut. 8.7).
Works Cited Page: Include the name of the Bible (italicized) , the editor (if given), and
publication information:
The Student Bible. Ed. Phillip Yancey. New York: Zondervan, 1996. Print.
APA Style
Parenthetical Citations: The first time you
reference a version of the Bible, give the book (abbreviated), chapter, and verse, followed by the name
of the edition (not italicized) in the in-text
citation.
Quote: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm”
(Prov. 13:20 New International Version).
Paraphrase: In Proverbs 13:20 (New International Version), the Bible encourages us to spend time with wise people to become wiser.
If future references come from the same version of the Bible,
include only the abbreviated book, chapter, and verse in the parenthetical
citation: “It
was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters” (Ezek. 31:7).
Reference List: Do not include biblical references
on the reference page unless required by your
professor.
Chicago/ Turabian
Footnotes and Endnotes: The first time you
reference a version of the Bible, give the book (abbreviated), chapter, and verse, followed by the name
of the edition (not italicized) in parentheses:
1
1 Thess. 4:11 (New Revised Standard Version). For specialist audiences, abbreviate:
1
1 Thess. 4:11 (NRSV).
If future references come from the same version of the Bible,
include only the abbreviated
book, chapter, and verse in the footnote or endnote:
2
Eph. 6:10-17.
Bibliography: Do not include biblical references
in the bibliography unless required by your
professor.
SBL Style
Society of Biblical L:iterature
Parenthetical Citations: The first time you
reference a version of the Bible, give the book (abbreviated without a period), chapter, and verse, followed
by the abbreviated name of the version (not italicized) in parentheses:
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm”
(Prov 13:20 NIV).
If future references come from the same edition of the Bible,
include only the book, chapter, and verse in the parenthetical
citation: The events
transpired “in the ninth year of King Zedekiah of
Judah, in the tenth month” (Jer 39:1).
Bibliography: Do not include biblical references
in the bibliography unless required by your
professor.
Citing the Bible
● APU Writing Center ● (626)815-6000 ext.3141 ● apu.edu/writingcenter ● apu.mywconline.com ●
MLA Style
HB/OT
Judg.
2 Chron.
Hos.
Hab.
NT
1 Cor.
2 Thess.
1 Pet.
Gen.
Ruth
Ezra
Joel
Zeph.
Matt.
2 Cor.
1 Tim.
2 Pet.
Exod.
1 Sam.
Neh.
Amos
Hag.
Mark
Gal.
2 Tim.
1 John
Lev.
2 Sam.
Esth.
Obad.
Zech.
Luke
Eph.
Tit.
2 John
Num.
1 Kings
Job
Jon.
Mal.
John
Phil.
Philem.
3 John
Deut.
2 Kings
Ps.
Mic.
Acts
Col.
Heb.
Jude
Josh.
1 Chron.
Prov.
Nah.
Rom.
1 Thess.
Jas.
Rev.
APA Style
HB/OT
Judg.
2 Chron.
Hos.
Hab.
NT
1 Cor.
2 Thess.
1 Pet.
Gen.
Ruth
Ezra
Joel
Zeph.
Matt.
2 Cor.
1 Tim.
2 Pet.
Exod.
1 Sam.
Neh.
Amos
Hag.
Mark
Gal.
2 Tim.
1 John
Lev.
2 Sam.
Esth.
Obad.
Zech.
Luke
Eph.
Tit.
2 John
Num.
1 Kings
Job
Jon.
Mal.
John
Phil.
Philem.
3 John
Deut.
2 Kings
Ps.
Mic.
Acts
Col.
Heb.
Jude
Josh.
1 Chron.
Prov.
Nah.
Rom.
1 Thess.
Jas.
Rev.
Chicago/ Turabian
HB/OT
Judg.
2 Chron.
Hosea
Hab.
NT
1 Cor.
2 Thess.
1 Pet.
Gen.
Ruth
Ezra
Joel
Zeph.
Matt.
2 Cor.
1 Tim.
2 Pet.
Exod.
1 Sam.
Neh.
Amos
Hag.
Mark
Gal.
2 Tim.
1 John
Lev.
2 Sam.
Esther
Obad.
Zech.
Luke
Eph.
Titus
2 John
Num.
1 Kings
Job
Jon.
Mal.
John
Phil.
Philem.
3 John
Deut.
2 Kings
Ps.
Mic.
Acts
Col.
Heb.
Jude
Josh.
1 Chron.
Prov.
Nah.
Rom.
1 Thess.
James
Rev.
SBL Style
Society of Biblical Literature
HB/OT
Judg
2 Chr
Eccl
Hos
Hab
NT
1 Cor
2 Thess
1 Pet
Gen
Ruth
Ezra
Song
Joel
Zeph
Matt
2 Cor
1 Tim
2 Pet
Exod
1 Sam
Neh
Isa
Amos
Hag
Mark
Gal
2 Tim
1 John
Lev
2 Sam.
Esth
Jer
Obad
Zech
Luke
Eph
Titus
2 John
Num
1 Kgs
Job
Lam
Jonah
Mal
John
Phil
Phlm
3 John
Deut
2 Kgs
Ps/Pss
Ezek
Mic
Acts
Col
Heb
Jude
Josh
1 Chr
Prov
Dan
Nah
Rom
1 Thess
Jas
Rev
Abbreviations for Books of the Bible