Look up any Bible verse.
Type a reference — book chapter:verse — and read it in the ESV translation. Works for single verses (John 3:16), whole chapters (Psalm 23), or ranges (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). For other translations, every lookup includes a one-click link to Bible.com.
Type a reference above and tap "Look up". The verse appears here in the ESV translation.
How to use this tool
Type any Bible reference in the input field — the standard format is Book Chapter:Verse, like John 3:16 or 1 Corinthians 13:4. You can also look up a whole chapter (Psalm 23) or a verse range (Romans 8:28-30). Hit Enter or tap "Look up", and the verse appears in the ESV translation.
Each lookup also produces a shareable URL — the reference is encoded into the query string, so you can copy the page URL to share a direct link to that specific verse. Below the verse, a "View in other translations" link opens the same reference on Bible.com, where you can switch between dozens of other translations (NIV, KJV, NLT, NRSV, and others).
About the ESV translation
This tool uses the English Standard Version (ESV), a modern English translation first published by Crossway in 2001. The ESV is an "essentially literal" translation — it stays close to the wording and structure of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, while remaining readable in contemporary English. It sits between the more interpretive NIV/NLT and the more formal NASB/NRSV.
Kerygma uses the ESV throughout the app for verse text — the same translation you'd see beneath any trivia answer. If you prefer a different translation, the Bible.com link beneath each lookup will take you to the same reference in NIV, KJV, or whichever version you read regularly.
FAQ
What reference formats does this accept?
Standard Book Chapter:Verse: John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Psalm 23:1. Whole chapters: Psalm 23, Romans 8. Ranges with a dash: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Matthew 5:3-12. Numbered books like "1 Samuel" need the space ("1 Samuel" not "1Samuel").
What translation does this look up?
The English Standard Version (ESV). For other translations, click "View in other translations" beneath each verse — it opens the same reference on Bible.com where you can switch between NIV, KJV, NLT, NRSV, and dozens of others.
Is there a rate limit?
Yes — 20 lookups per minute and 300 per day from any single IP address. That's plenty for normal study and prevents the tool from being scraped for bulk usage.
Can I share a specific verse?
Yes — after looking up a verse, the URL updates with the reference encoded as a query parameter (for example, /tools/verse-lookup?ref=John+3%3A16). Copy that URL and the recipient will see the same verse pre-loaded.
Why does the verse text exclude verse numbers?
This tool returns the prose without verse numbers or footnotes — easier to read at a glance. If you want a side-by-side study view with verse numbers, footnotes, and cross-references, click the "View in other translations" link beneath each lookup.
Related tools
Read with a question attached.
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