The Bible is a sacred text that has been studied and referenced by millions of people throughout history. When it comes to quoting or referring to passages from the Bible in academic or professional writing, it is essential to cite your sources correctly. This article will discuss three common styles for citing the Bible: Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago/Turabian. Each method has specific guidelines to follow, ensuring accurate attribution.
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- Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
In MLA style, you will need to include the name of the Bible version, book, chapter, and verse when citing a passage. Use abbreviations for the books (found in an MLA handbook or online resource) and follow this format:
Book Chapter.Verse (Bible Version)
For example, a citation for John 3:16 in the New International Version bible would look like:
John 3.16 (New International Version)
When referencing multiple verses from one book in a single citation, use a hyphen between verse numbers:
John 3.16-18 (New International Version)
If you have cited the same version throughout your paper, you may simply list the book, chapter, and verse without mentioning the version again.
- American Psychological Association (APA) Style
In APA style, you will also need to include the name of the Bible version, book, chapter, and verse when citing a passage. However, you must provide more information than in MLA style citation. The format for APA citation is:
Book Chapter.Verse (Bible Version). Year published.
For example:
John 3:16 (New International Version). 2011.
For multiple verses from one book:
John 3:16-18 (New International Version). 2011.
In APA citations for subsequent references after the first complete citation of that particular translation can omit the publication year. Additionally, when mentioning the Bible in the text, italicize its name and version.
- Chicago/Turabian Style
The Chicago/Turabian style for citing the Bible follows a similar format to both MLA and APA styles. However, this style avoids using abbreviations for the titles of Bible books. The format for Chicago/Turabian citation is:
Book Chapter:Verse (Bible Version)
For example:
John 3:16 (New International Version)
For multiple verses from one book:
John 3:16-18 (New International Version)
In Chicago/Turabian style, place citations in footnotes rather than in-text and do not include the Bible version in subsequent citations after the first complete citation.
In conclusion, proper citation of biblical passages is essential to maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Familiarizing yourself with the appropriate citation styles–whether it be MLA, APA, or Chicago/Turabian–can ensure that you provide accurate attribution when referencing sacred texts. Always consult a style manual or an online resource for the most up-to-date formatting guidelines for your specific citation style.