Citing the Bible in academic papers can stump even seasoned students, with MLA’s rules feeling like a puzzle. Unsure how to format verses correctly? This guide unravels MLA Bible citation requirements with clear examples. It introduces tools like WPS Office to simplify the process. Nail your citations effortlessly!
Part 1: What Is MLA Bible Citation and When Is It Needed?
MLA Bible citation follows the Modern Language Association’s rules, used in papers for religious studies, literature, or philosophy. You need it when quoting or paraphrasing verses to give proper credit. Include the Bible version, book (with abbreviations like Exod. for Exodus), chapter, and verse. Mention the version only in the first in-text citation, and list the title, version, publisher, and year in the Works Cited. Editors or translators are usually skipped unless key to your work.
Citation Elements:
In-text citation format: (Book Chapter:Verse, Version) for first mention, then (Book Chapter:Verse)
Works Cited format: Title of Bible. Version, Publisher, Year.
Examples:
In-text citation: (John 3:16, New International Version); later (John 3:16)
Works Cited: The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011.
Multiple verses: (Matt. 5:3-12, New Revised Standard Version); later (Matt. 5:3-12)
Works Cited: The Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Oxford UP, 1989.
Citing Psalms 23:1 in a literature paper was tricky until I mastered MLA’s abbreviations (e.g., Ps. for Psalms). The first-version-only rule simplifies later citations. Always verify abbreviations and version details, as errors can creep in. Citation generators like EasyBib saved me time, but manual checks ensured accuracy. This format is straightforward once you grasp the basics, making scripture citations less daunting.
Part 2: How to Cite the Bible MLA Using Citation Generators
EasyBib
EasyBib is a popular citation generator that streamlines MLA Bible citations through a manual entry system tailored for religious texts. It’s intuitive for students needing quick, accurate references.
Steps:
Step 1: From EasyBib (https://www.easybib.com/) , select MLA Format.
Step 2: Set the source type as Book and enter either Bible or the specific versions (e.g., King James Version).
Step 3: Provide necessary information in the respective fields: version, publisher, and year (e.g., New International Version, Zondervan, 2011).
Step 4: Click on "Generate Citation," and then copy the citation to the clipboard.
EasyBib went ahead and whipped up a nice MLA citation for me within seconds. Although the ads were a bit of a distraction, EasyBib is a godsend when she is required to juggle multiple sources, assuring that she has her Bible citations all in the correct format without having to manually do so.
Grammarly Citation Tool
Grammarly’s citation tool excels at crafting MLA Bible citations through manual entries, auto-formatting them with precision. It’s a great add-on for students already using Grammarly’s writing features.
Steps:
Step 1: Visit Grammarly’s citation tool (https://www.grammarly.com/citations).
Step 2: Select MLA format and choose “Book” as the source type.
Step 3: Enter details: The Holy Bible, version, publisher, year (e.g., New King James Version, Thomas Nelson, 1982).
Step 4: Copy the auto-generated citation for your paper.
Grammarly formatted my citation flawlessly, but manual entry took a minute. It’s ideal for Grammarly users, seamlessly integrating with writing tools, though it’s less specialized than EasyBib for citations.
MyBib / Zbib
MyBib and ZBib offer free, structured templates for MLA Bible citations, allowing easy input of version and publication details. They’re reliable for students seeking no-cost solutions.
Steps:
Step 1: Visit MyBib (https://www.mybib.com/) or ZBib and select MLA format.
Step 2: Choose “Book” source type and enter The Holy Bible details.
Step 3: Add version, publisher, year, then generate the citation.
Step 4: Copy the formatted citation for your Works Cited page.
MyBib’s templates were simple, but the UI felt dated. It’s a solid free tool for Bible citations, though navigation could be smoother. Great for budget-conscious students needing quick results.
Part 3: Best MLA Bible Citation Helper: WPS Office
WPS Office is a free, AI-powered office suite that rivals Microsoft Word, offering robust tools for MLA Bible citations. Its WPS Word and WPS AI features provide MLA templates, hanging indents, and precise spacing, making academic writing a breeze. Fully compatible with Word files, it supports manual citations from generators like EasyBib, ensuring polished papers. WPS’s cost-free access, AI-driven writing assistance, and cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) make it a standout for students citing the Bible in MLA format in 2025.
Why Choose WPS Word?
Free, no subscription fees
Built-in MLA citation templates
Hanging indent and spacing tools
WPS AI enhances writing/editing
Compatible with Microsoft Word
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Open WPS Office Word, create a new document, and navigate to the “References” tab.
Step 2: Select the MLA template or manually enter the citation (e.g., The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011).
Step 3: Apply a hanging indent (Home > Paragraph > Special > Hanging, 0.5”) for the Works Cited entry.
Step 4: Use WPS AI to check formatting or suggest in-text citation phrasing (e.g., (Gen. 1:1)).
Formatting a Bible citation in WPS Word was effortless, with the MLA template saving time. WPS AI caught a font inconsistency, and the indent tool was intuitive. Free and feature-rich, it’s a student’s dream for academic writing, outshining paid suites.
FAQs about Citing the Bible in MLA
Q1: Do I need to include the version every time I cite the Bible?
No, in MLA format, you only need to include the Bible version (e.g., New International Version) in the first in-text citation. Subsequent citations can omit the version for brevity, assuming the same version is used throughout. For example, (John 3:16, New International Version) becomes (John 3:16) later. I found this rule handy when citing multiple verses in a paper, keeping my text clean.
Q2: Can I use a citation generator for Bible citations?
Yes, citation generators like EasyBib, ZBib, and Grammarly support MLA Bible citations, accurately formatting in-text and Works Cited entries. They handle version, publisher, and year details with ease. I used EasyBib for a quick citation, and it saved time, though I double-checked the output for precision.
Q3: Are Bible book names italicized in MLA?
No, MLA style does not italicize Bible book names (e.g., Genesis, Psalms) in either in-text citations or the Works Cited entry. They’re treated as standard titles without special formatting. When I cited Matthew in a paper, keeping it unitalicized felt odd but followed MLA’s clear rule.
Q4: How do I cite multiple verses in MLA?
In MLA, use a hyphen for consecutive verses (e.g., John 3:16-18) or commas for non-consecutive verses (e.g., John 3:16, 18) in in-text citations. Include the version on the first mention only. I cited Romans 8:28, 31 this way, and the comma format was simple to apply.
