Bible-api

Overview

Bible-api.com serves Bible verses as JSON — keyless, CORS-enabled, and dependency-free. Pass a passage reference (e.g. “John 3:16”) and get the verse text from the World English Bible (WEB) or other translations. A handy data source for verse-of-the-day widgets and scripture apps.

Quick Start

A passage (verified live):

curl "https://bible-api.com/john+3:16"

{
  "reference": "John 3:16",
  "text": "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.",
  "translation_id": "web",
  "translation_name": "World English Bible",
  "verses": [{ "book_id": "JHN", "book_name": "John", "chapter": 3, "verse": 16, "text": "For God so loved..." }]
}

Choose a translation:

curl "https://bible-api.com/john+3:16?translation=kjv"

A whole chapter:

curl "https://bible-api.com/psalm+23"

A verse range:

curl "https://bible-api.com/1+corinthians+13:4-7"

Random verse:

curl "https://bible-api.com/?random=verse"

Authentication

None — keyless.

Rate Limits & Notes

• Free; no hard documented limit — be polite.
• Default translation is WEB (World English Bible, public domain); ?translation=kjv and others available.
• References use the format book chapter:verse with spaces or + (e.g. john+3:16, 1+corinthians+13:4-7).
• CORS is enabled — browser apps work.

FAQ

Is Bible-api free? Yes — free, keyless, CORS-enabled.

Which translations? WEB by default; KJV and several others via ?translation=.

Can I get a random verse? Yes — ?random=verse.