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Using Verse Numbers in Scripture Quotes

February 11th, 2015

February 10, 2015 · Edited

When you are quoting a passage of Scripture and provide the appropriate reference, do you include the individual verse numbers in the text of the passage? I’ve gone back and forth on this and I’m curious as to what the rest of you do.

Clarification: I include verse numbers in the reference, I’m speaking specifically about when I’m typing out a passage of Scripture that I want them to read without having to look it up.

In other words, do you write this: Matthew 4:12-14 “12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:”

Or do you write this: Matthew 4:12-14 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:”

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  • Ed Chait likes this.
  • Christopher Dupre I include the verse numbers.
    14 hrs · Like · 2
  • Carol Coleman I include verse numbers.
    14 hrs · Like · 2
  • Edie Pittard Edmondson I include verse numbers as well (unless I want them to read the entire chapter).
    14 hrs · Like · 1
  • 14 hrs · Like · 1
  • Fred Apelquist When I was actively writing for GQ, I would cite the verses.

    Regards,
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    14 hrs · Like · 1
  • Dwight Payne I quote the passage but then delete the individual verse numbers.
    14 hrs · Like · 2
  • Christopher Dupre HERETIC!!!!!!!!!
    14 hrs · Like · 1
  • Sarah Van Baale Dwight, that is what I started doing recently. I just wasn’t sure what the consensus was on the issue!
    14 hrs · Like · 1
  • Steve Byrd People should know the chapter and verse you are quoting. At least thats what I think.
    14 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait I do it as in your second example and delete the individual verse numbers. I think Scripture reads more fluidly without the numbers in there.
    14 hrs · Like · 6
  • Edie Pittard Edmondson No verse numbers within the quote.
    14 hrs · Like · 2
  • Elizabeth DeVore If there’s a complete reference and verse numbers, I take the verse numbers out. I think they distract from the point the Scripture is making. If the text says something like “1 Samuel 79 says…” and then the passage has verse numbers, I leave them in.
    14 hrs · Edited · Like · 3
  • Sarah Van Baale That is good to know – as a side note…that would be a lot of chapters in 1 Samuel!
    14 hrs · Like · 3
  • Evan Plante IMO, verse numbers get in the way of God’s word…but we are stuck with them. I rarely used them in the past, but I’ve found myself referring back to a single verse in a multi-verse section often enough that I now (and with some reluctance) generally include them in the citation.
    7 hrs · Like · 2
  • Vincent Trigili I tend to leave them out, but make sure to put the (John 3:16-18, NASB) reference after it. It reads smoother that way, IMO
    7 hrs · Like · 3
  • Thomas W. Peck Kind of depends. If a question is asked about a specific verse, then I put in the verses around and use the verse numbers withing the text. If I am making a point and using as a proof text, I tend to leave out because it helps with the context.
    6 hrs · Like · 1
  • Tim White I agree with those who state that there isn’t a black and white rule. That is more of a matter of personal style of the writer, which doesn’t usually matter to the style of the reader. And it gives us an opportunity to tune in to the Spirit of God for details and specifics in each situation.

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