Cite Bible verses with chapter and verse(s) using arabic numerals separated by a period. Periods are used in most literature, so that convention is used here. Do not write out the numbers.
YES: John 5.8-9
NO: John chapter five verses eight and nine
Use abbreviations for the books of the Bible when citing texts or referencing them. Do not abbreviate the name of the book if it starts a sentence or is a reference to the entire book or the author.
YES: Revelation 3 begins with the letter to the church in Sardis.
We know little about the historical Habakkuk.
NO: Rev 3 begins with the letter to the church in Sardis.
We know little about the historical Hab.
When quoting the biblical text you should include the version being quoted the first time a version is being used. The version name should be italicized. References from the Bible should sow appear in the Works Cited page. It will be assumed that you will continue to use that same translation throughout your paper. If you change translations, you must indicate the change. You should cite which version of the Bible you are using in the reference page.
"Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria" (New Revised Standard Version, 2 Kgs 10.1).
Other quotations would leave out the reference to the translation.
On Reference Page:
New Revised Standard Version. Michael D. Coogan, editor, Oxford UP, 2018.