One of the most common mistakes that I see when I am editing and proofing manuscripts is misquoted scriptures with incorrect or non-existent citations.
Properly adding a quotation of any kind to your writing is important because it is designed to enhance your writing and to help your reader to fully grasp the point that you are making. When you quote incorrectly, you run the risk of distracting and confusing your reader.
Properly citing your references is important for legal reasons. There are copyright laws that are grounds for legal action to be taken against you if you break them.
So, I am going to walk you step by step through the process of properly citing and quoting scripture in your writing so that you never get caught slipping! Let's begin with citations.
How to properly cite a scripture:
Once you have the scripture that you want to use, begin by clicking the link below.
On this link is a list of all of the Bible versions in the English language. Once you visit this page, select the version that you want to use in your book.
For the sake of an example, let’s look up how to properly cite a scripture from The Message version.
Select “The Message” version on the version list.
Then select the “copyright” tab to view the copyright permissions for this version.
Once you are able to view the copyright information, you will notice that the publisher for this version is listed as NavPress Publishing group.
You have permission to quote The Message version in any form including: written form, visual form, electronic form, and in audio form, as long as it is less than 500 verses.
The only restriction to this is that you cannot quote a complete book of the Bible and your book can not be 25% quoted scripture.
This is a very high threshold and many versions share this limit, however this is a lot of text and getting near or surpassing this limit would require fees and communication with the publisher.
Also, as an editor and a reader, I would recommend not directly quoting large portions of scripture in your book. the Bible is a published book that is easily accessible to most online for free. Tastefully reference and paraphrase scripture in a way that flows with the rest of your book and in a way that gives the reader more insight into the points that you are making.
The copyright information also has specific instruction on how you are to cite the Bible in their version. You can choose which sentence you will use and copy and paste it to your copyright page. In the message version, the sentence that you would use depends on whether your book contains just The Message version when referencing scripture or if you use multiple bible versions throughout your book.
Lastly, there is contact information for the publisher that you can use to communicate with them if you have any questions or concerns. You have the option to email them, call their phone number, or visit their website.
How to properly quote a scripture:
Once you have used a scripture in your book, you can either follow the sentence with a parenthetical note (placing the scripture in parenthesis), or you can create an endnote or footnote.
In either case, you should always abbreviate the book of the Bible, followed by the chapter and the verse separated by a colon.
Here is an example:
2 Tim. 2:1
John 1:1
Deut. 12:5
Click here to view a list of the proper abbreviations for each book of the Bible.
You also need to include the name of the version you are using.
If you are using the same version for all of your citations in your book, you can spell out the entire version on the first time that you quote it and then abbreviate the book version for the rest of times.
If you are using multiple bible versions, spell out the name of the version the first time that you quote that particular version and then abbreviate it for the rest.
Here is an example:
(2 Tim. 2:1 The Message) and then (John 1:1 MSG)
(2 Tim. 2:1 New King James Version) and then (John 1:1 NKJV)
For more information and research, check out the first website listed in my references below. Also, check out the rules associated with the Chicago Manual of Style for the rules on how to properly record things in your book.
References:
Chicago Manual of Style Citing the Bible and Other Biblical Resources:
Bible Gateway
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