How to Reference in Turabian
Referencing the Bible
i. In the footnotes
The first time you use a translation, include a footnote that gives the translation's formal name, including all the typical bibliographical details. If you are relying on one particular translation, you can make a note of this. If you do cite additional translations, the first instance of using that translation would require a similar footnote.
Jeremiah speaks of "great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3 [ESV]).1 The omniscience of the Lord is further emphasised in the rhetorical question, "Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" (23:24 [NIV]).2
1 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical quotations use the English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008).
2 New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1978.
ii. In the text
When referring to a Bible verse, it is usually not necessary to quote the whole verse. By giving the Scripture reference and translation, the reader can look up the verse if necessary.
The Scripture reference can be in-text in parentheses or brackets, e.g.
As a sacred text, the biblical translation does not need to be included in the bibliography.
Additional Information
- When referring to a book in the main text, it should not be in italics or underlined, e.g.
The prophet Nathan confronts King David in 2 Samuel 12.
The identity of the author of the book of Hebrews is uncertain.
- When referencing different verses from the same book, you don't need to repeat the book's name if the previous reference was from the same book.
Paul describes actions without love as "a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor. 13:1, NIV), "nothing" (2) and as gaining nothing (3). John equates love with God in 1 John 4:16, and Paul says that "the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13).
Abbreviations of the Books of the Bible
|
Old Testament (OT) |
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|
Full Name |
Trad. |
Shorter |
|
Full Name |
Traditional |
Shorter |
|
Genesis |
Gen |
Gn |
Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) |
Song of Sol. |
Sg |
|
|
Exodus |
Exod |
Ex |
Isaiah |
Isa |
Is |
|
|
Leviticus |
Lev |
Lv |
Jeremiah |
Jer |
Jer |
|
|
Numbers |
Num |
Nm |
Lamentations |
Lam |
Lam |
|
|
Deuteronomy |
Deut |
Dt |
Ezekiel |
Ezek |
Ez |
|
|
Joshua |
Josh |
Jo |
Daniel |
Dan |
Dn |
|
|
Judges |
Judg |
Jgs |
Hosea |
Hosea |
Hos |
|
|
Ruth |
Ruth |
Ru |
Joel |
Joel |
Jl |
|
|
1 & 2 Samuel |
1 & 2 Sam |
1 & 2 Sm |
Amos |
Amos |
Am |
|
|
1 & 2 Kings |
1 & 2 Kings |
1 & 2 Kgs |
Obadiah |
Obad |
Ob |
|
|
1 & 2 Chronicles |
1 & 2 Chron |
1 & 2 Chr |
Jonah |
Jon |
Jon |
|
|
Ezra |
Ezra |
Ezr |
Micah |
Mic |
Mi |
|
|
Nehemiah |
Neh |
Neh |
Nahum |
Nah |
Na |
|
|
Esther |
Esther |
Est |
Habakkuk |
Hab |
Hb |
|
|
Job |
Job |
|
Zephaniah |
Zeph |
Zep |
|
|
Psalms |
Ps (plural Pss) |
Ps (plural Pss) |
Haggai |
Hag |
Hg |
|
|
Proverbs |
Prov |
Prv |
Zechariah |
Zech |
Zec |
|
|
Ecclesiastes |
Eccles |
Eccl |
Malachi |
Mal |
Mal |
|
|
New Testament (NT) |
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|
Full Name |
Traditional |
Shorter |
|
Full Name |
Traditional |
Shorter |
|
Matthew |
Matt |
Mt |
1 & 2 Thessalonians |
1 & 2 Thess |
1 & 2 Thes |
|
|
Mark |
Mark |
Mk |
1 & 2 Timothy |
1 & 2 Tim |
1 & 2 Tm |
|
|
Luke |
Luke |
Lk |
Titus |
Titus |
Ti |
|
|
John |
John |
Jn |
Philemon |
Philem |
Phlm |
|
|
Acts |
Acts |
Acts |
Hebrews |
Heb |
Heb |
|
|
Romans |
Rom |
Rom |
James |
James |
Jas |
|
|
1 & 2 Corinthians |
1 & 2 Cor |
1 & 2 Cor |
1 & 2 Peter |
1 & 2 Pet |
1 & 2 Pt |
|
|
Galatians |
Gal |
Gal |
1, 2 & 3 John |
1, 2 & 3 John |
1, 2 & 3 Jn |
|
|
Ephesians |
Eph |
Eph |
Jude |
Jude |
Jude |
|
|
Philippians |
Phil |
Phil |
Revelation |
Rev |
Rv |
|
|
Colossians |
Col |
Col |
|
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