Sacred Texts
The MLA Handbook does not directly address the matter of quoting from sacred texts. It does contain a list of abbreviated titles (see below) that should be used in the parenthetical citation of books of the Bible, however. This Guide for Writing Research Papers suggests that once it is clear which edition or version of the Bible (or other sacred text) you are using — which you can establish within the text of your paper, within a footnote, or in the Works Cited page (see below) — parenthetical documentation of quoted language from the scriptures needs to include the book, chapter, and verse.
For the Works Cited Page
The Holy Bible. Revised Standard Version. New York: New American Library, 1962.
Holy Qur'an. Trans. M. H. Shakir. Elmhurst, NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, n.d.
The titles of sacred scriptures are generally neither italicized nor underlined.
In-text Citation
The prophet says that good and bad measures will be dealt by God with a just hand: "For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them" (Jer. 32.42).
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars" (al-Baqarah 2:177.4).
If the book of the Bible (or other sacred text) is clear from the context, only the chapter and verse need be cited.
The MLA Handbook suggests the following abbreviations for books of the Bible.
Old Testament (OT)
Gen. Genesis Exod. Exodus Lev. Leviticus Num. Numbers Deut. Deuteronomy Josh. Joshua Judg. Judges Ruth Ruth 1 Sam. 1 Samuel 2 Sam. 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chron. 1 Chronicles 2 Chron. 2 Chronicles Ezra Ezra Neh. Nehemia Esth. Esther Job Job Ps. Psalms Prov. Proverbs Eccles. Ecclesiastes Song Sol
(also Cant.)Song of Solomon
(also Canticles)Isa. Isaiah Jer. Jeremiah Lam. Lamentations Ezek Ezekial Dan. Daniel Hos. Hosea Joel Joel Amos Amox Obad. Obadiah Jon. Jonah Mic. Micah Nah. Nahum Hab. Habakkuk Zeph. Zephaniah Hag. Haggai Zech. Zechariah Mal. Malachi
New Testament (NT)
Matt. Matthew Mark Mark Luke Luke John John Acts Acts Rom Romans 1 Cor. 1 Corinthians 2 Cor. 2 Corinthians Gal. Gatlatians Eph. Ephesians Phil. Philippians Col. Colossians 1 Thess. 1 Thessalonians 2 Thess. 2 Thessalonians 1 Tim. 1 Timothy 2 Tim. 2 Timothy Tit. Titus Philem. Philemon Heb. Hebrews Jas. James 1 Pet. 1 Peter 2 Pet. 2 Peter 1 John 1 John 2 John 2 John 3 John 3 John Jude Jude Rev.
(also Apoc.)Revelation
(also Apocalypse)