Q. How do I cite and reference religious literature in APA Style?

APA 6th Edition

For major religious works such as the Qur’an, Bible, or Torah, use the numbering of the religious work (e.g., verses) instead of page numbers, and do not include a reference entry for the specific publication you used (American Psychological Association, 2010, p. 179). For classical works that may not be easily accessible or well known, please see “How should I reference classic literature in APA Style?”

APA 7th Edition

Please cite and reference all religious works as books without an author, including the title of the religious work in both in-text citations and references in place of an author name (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, p. 302). Where applicable include the name of a translator in the reference entry and use the publication date of the specific version of the religious work you are citing from in the in-text citations and references, rather than “n.d.”, even when the original publication date of the religious work may not be known or commonly accepted. Finally, use the numbering of the religious work (e.g., verses) instead of page numbers (APA, 2020, p. 303). For specific examples, please see page 325 of the APA Style manual as well as the reference entries below:

Reference entry:

New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/niv-holy-bible-ebook

Holy Qur'an. (A.Y. Ali, Trans. & T. Griffith, Ed.). (2001). Wordsworth.

In-text citation: 

(New International Version Bible, 2011, Matthew 5:18)

(Holy Qur’an, 2001, 5:18)

Reference

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000