ESV-Bible

Look up and search the ESV Bible using the ESV API. Copy, paste, or browse passages and search results directly from Raycast.

Commands

Lookup Passage

Type one or more Bible references (e.g., "John 3:16", "Genesis 1:1-3") to retrieve the full passage text. Results are displayed with your chosen styling and cached for quick access.

Actions:

• Copy Styled Text
• Paste Styled Text
• Copy Plain Text
• Paste Plain Text
• Copy Reference
• Clear Previous Passages

Search Bible

Search for a word or phrase across the entire ESV (e.g., "Jesus sea of Galilee"). Results show matching references with surrounding context.

Actions:

• Open at ESV.org
• Copy Search Results
• Paste Search Results
• Clear Previous Searches

Installation

In order to call the API, you need both a free account with esv.org and permission granted to use the API with your application.

1. Go to api.esv.org, click the avatar, and choose Sign In (you can create an account if needed).
2. Click Create an API Application to request permission to use the API.
3. Provide details for your application. Depending on your needs, your application may require staff approval.
4. Once your application is approved, esv.org will provide you an API key. (Note: treat your API key like a password.)
5. If you need access to your API key in the future, you can find it by logging in, clicking the avatar, and choosing My API Applications. All your approved applications should show in the list.

Preferences

Extension Preferences

Preference	Description	Default
ESV API Token	Your API key from api.esv.org	Required
Search Mode	Live Search fires API calls as you type (debounced). Search on Enter waits until you press Enter.	Live Search
Include passage references	Show the passage reference before the text	On
Include verse numbers	Show verse numbers in the passage	On
Include first verse number	Show the verse number for the first verse of a chapter	On
Include Selahs	Show "Selah" in certain Psalms	On
Include footnotes	Show callouts to footnotes	On
Include headings	Show section headings (e.g., "The Sermon on the Mount")	On
Indent paragraphs	Indent paragraphs with two spaces	On
Indent poetry	Indent poetry lines	On
Include copyright	Full, short, or no copyright notice	Short
Tabs or Spaces	Indent with spaces or tabs	Spaces

Command Preferences

Each command has its own Default Action preference that controls which action triggers when you press Enter.

• Lookup Passage: Copy Styled Text (default), Paste Styled Text, Copy Plain Text, Paste Plain Text, or Copy Reference
• Search Bible: Open at ESV.org (default), Copy Search Results, or Paste Search Results

During each Lookup Passage query, you can also choose between predefined styling options via the dropdown.

Copyright Notice and Usage

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

Users may not copy or download more than 500 verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible. View full terms of use at https://api.esv.org/.