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For the most part, the Bible should not be included in a bibliography. However, as always, consult with the professor.
The Bible should be cited in the main text or in a parenthetical note. Specific instructions and accompanying examples appear below.
SBL specifies that when citing a book without a chapter, the Bible book should be written out in the main text as in this example:
When citing a chapter and verse, the book of the Bible should be abbreviated unless it appears at the beginning of the sentence. An example of both is shown below.
Bible passages may also be cited using a parenthetical citation which is particularly useful when quoting a specific passage of scripture as indicated below.
Note: there is not a period after the abbreviation but a colon separates chapter and verse.
SBL indicates the version used in a citation should be noted in the citation when multiple translations or version is used.
If multiple passages are cited, SBL has specific guidelines for listing them.
SBL provides a list of abbreviations to use for Bible translations and version in section 8.2.1. Abbreviations for books of the Old Testament are provided in section 8.3.1 and the New Testament in section 8.3.2
The helpful Student Supplement for The SBL Handbook of Style, Second Edition reminds writers that articles, notes, and other resources provided in study Bibles are not part of the biblical text and must be cited as a book with a footnote and bibliographic citation.