Answered By: Terri Bogan
Last Updated: May 30, 2023     Views: 174918

With MLA style (9th ed.), you need to cite the Bible in the text of your paper and on your Works Cited page as described below.

In Text (parenthetical references)

The first time you quote from the Bible, include the version (in italics), editor (if given), abbreviated name of the book, and then the chapter and verse. In subsequent citations, if you are using the same version, you can just cite the book, chapter, and verse.

Notes:

  • You only need to identify the version in subsequent citations if you switch to a different version of the Bible.
  • A period (as used in most ancient literature, instead of the colon) separates the chapter and verse.

     

Works Cited

On your Works Cited page, your citation should include the version used (in italics), the editor (if given), and the publication information. Use hanging indents and double space.

Examples:

The Holy Bible: New International Version. Zondervan, 1984.

New International Version. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com. Accessed 29 Jul. 2020.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Edited by Michael D. Coogan, Oxford University Press, 2007.

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Comments (1)

  1. Double check with your instructor which edition of the MLA Handbook he or she is expecting you to use.
    by chadmander on Oct 09, 2017