The Read Tab

The Read tab is where you read or listen to the Bible inside the Bible App. From here, you can look up any book, chapter, or verse of the Bible, and choose from thousands of different Bible versions, in over 1,500 languages.

Switch to a Different Bible Version or Language

Android, iOS:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top: Select the Bible Version abbreviation, next to the current Bible chapter reference.
   If you know the name or abbreviation of the Version you want, select 🔍 (top right), then start typing in the Search field.
3. If you want to switch Languages, select Language.
   Suggested shows languages you’ve used recently, and the most popular languages. All shows every language YouVersion has a Bible for, listed alphabetically.
   To go directly to a specific language, select 🔍 (top right), and start typing the language name.
4. Scroll to the Language you want, and select it.
   The Bible Versions that YouVersion offers in the language you selected are listed first by most recent, then in alphabetical order. A speaker icon indicates that Version offers audio. Download indicates that Version is available for use offline. A checkmark indicates you have already downloaded that Bible Version.
   How to Download Bible Versions
5. Select the Bible Version you want.

Bible.com:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top middle: Select the Bible Version abbreviation, next to the current Bible Chapter reference.
   The abbreviation field is a search field. If you know the name or abbreviation of the Version you want, delete the existing abbreviation, then start typing in that field.
3. If you want to switch Languages, select Change Language.
   Every language YouVersion has a Bible for is listed alphabetically.
   To go directly to a specific language, start typing the language name in the Filter Languages field.
4. Scroll to the Language you want, and select it.
   The Bible Versions that YouVersion offers in the language you selected are listed first by most recent, then in alphabetical order. A speaker icon indicates that Version offers audio.
5. Select the Bible Version you want.

Switch to a Different Book of the Bible

Android, iOS:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top: Select the current Bible Chapter reference.
3. Scroll to the Book of the Bible you want and select it.
   By default, books are listed in the order they appear in a print Bible.
   Top right: History shows the most recent passages you have visited.
   Android:
   Top right: AZ toggles between Traditional and Alphabetical sorting.
   iOS:
   Bottom: Tabs toggle between Traditional and Alphabetical sorting.
4. Select the Chapter you want within that book.
5. Android:
   Select the Verse you want within that chapter.

Bible.com:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top: Select the current Bible Chapter reference.
3. Scroll to the Book of the Bible you want and select it.
   Books are listed in the order they appear in a print Bible.
4. Select the Chapter you want within that Book.

Listen to an Audio Bible

Android, iOS:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top right: Select the Speaker Icon.
   Controls display for Play, Fast Forward, Rewind, Scrub, and more.
   If you don’t see a speaker icon, try scrolling up a little. If you still don’t see one, the Bible Version you currently have selected may not offer audio. Try switching to a different Version.
3. Select Play to listen, Pause to stop.
   To see a Play button displayed anytime audio is available, select Show Controls. (To turn off the always-on Play button, select Hide Controls.)
   Top of audio controls box: To minimize the controls, slide down the Arrow.
   Top right: To show the controls again, select the Speaker Icon again.

Bible.com:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top right: Select the Speaker Icon.
   Controls display for Play, Fast Forward, Rewind, Scrub, and more.
   If you don’t see a speaker icon, the Bible Version you currently have selected may not offer audio. Try switching to a different Version.
3. Select Play to listen, Pause to stop.
   Top right: Toggle showing or hiding the audio controls by selecting the Speaker Icon.

Download Bible Versions to Read Offline

Read the Bible wherever you are, even when you can’t get online.

YouVersion is privileged to offer thousands of Bible Versions, for free, in over 1,500 languages. Every Bible we offer is always available through an internet connection. Thanks to generous agreements from select Bible publishers, many Versions are also available for you to download to your mobile device to use offline.

Android, iOS:

1. Ensure your mobile device has a strong Internet connection.
   Wi-Fi recommended.
2. Verify you are Signed In to the app.
3. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
4. Top: Select the Bible Version abbreviation, next to the current Bible Chapter reference.
   The Bible Versions that YouVersion offers in the language you currently have selected are listed first by most recent, then in alphabetical order. Download indicates that Version is available for use offline. A checkmark indicates you have already downloaded that Bible Version.
5. Scroll to the Bible you want, then select Download next to it.
6. Follow the prompts required by the Bible’s publisher, if applicable.
7. After you have downloaded all the Bibles you want, select ← (Android) or Done (iOS).

How to Delete Downloaded Bible Versions

Delete Downloaded Bible Version(s)

Although downloaded Bible Versions are very small text files, you may occasionally want to remove one, either to free up storage space, or to troubleshoot.

Android:

1. Select More (≡), Settings, Manage Offline Versions.
   Bibles you have downloaded are listed, showing where they are saved on your device (External or Internal storage).
2. Next to the Bible you want to remove, select External or Internal, then Delete.

iOS:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top: Select the Bible Version abbreviation, next to the current Bible Chapter reference.
   The Bible Versions that YouVersion offers in the language you selected are listed first by most recent, then in alphabetical order. Checkmarks indicate Bible Version(s) you have downloaded.
3. Swipe left on the Bible you want to remove, then Delete.

Search in the Bible App

Discover. Find more of what you’re searching for.

The Discover tab lets you easily explore video clips of Bible teaching from recent Verse of the Day Stories, browse Featured Plans and videos, see trending Bible Verses and Plans, and much more. Discover also gives you full-text search across all of the content that YouVersion offers—Bible texts, Verse Images, Plan days, Bible teaching video clips, and more. Search for content from your favorite pastors and Bible teachers. Search based on keywords like emotions. Even see personalized suggestions based on the content you like the most.

Android, iOS:

1. Bottom right: Select the Discover tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top: Select the Search box.
3. Begin typing what you’re looking for.
   As you type, Discover suggests search terms and displays related content such as Bible verses, Verse Images, Bible teaching video clips, Plans, and more.
4. Finish typing exactly what you want, then select 🔍 (Android) or Search (iOS).
   OR
   You can select resulting content at any time.
   To see the most results, make sure you are Signed In with your free YouVersion Account.
   To search by Emotions, or specifically for Plans, Videos, or Verse of the Day Images, scroll to the bottom.

Bible.com:

1. Top middle: Select the Search field.
2. Type what you’re searching for, then select 🔍.
3. Left: Select from Bible text, Users, or Plans.

Compare Bible Versions or View Versions in Parallel

Looking at a Bible passage in multiple Bible Versions can help you understand it better, give you a different perspective, and even help you see things you didn’t notice before. Compare Bible Versions displays these comparisons as a list. Parallel Mode lets you see lengthier passages, two versions at a time, and compare them side by side.

Compare Bible Versions

Android, iOS:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Select each Verse you want to compare.
   Dotted underlines indicate which Verse(s) you have selected, and an options menu displays.
3. Select Compare.
   The Verse(s) you selected display in the Bible Versions you have chosen.
   From this list, you can:
   Rearrange the list order:
   1. Top right: Select the Stack icon (Android) or Edit (iOS).
   2. Long-press on a Version and drag it where you want to see it in the list.
   
   Remove Versions:
   1. Left: Select the Red Minus next to a Version.
   
   Add Versions:
   1. Bottom: Select the Plus (+) button.
4. Top right: When you finish organizing your list, select ✓ (Android) or Done (iOS).
5. Top left: To return to the Bible reader, select ← (Android) or Close (iOS).

View Versions in Parallel Mode

iPhone, iPad:

1. Set your device to Landscape Mode.
2. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
3. Top right: Select the Parallel Mode icon.
   In landscape, the icon at top right toggles between Parallel mode and single version view in the Bible reader.
   iPhone:
   You can also return to single version view by rotating your device back into the portrait position.
4. Top: Select the two Bible Versions you want to compare, one on either side of the current Bible Chapter reference.
   How to Select Bible Versions

Bible.com:

1. Select the Read tab, if it isn’t already.
2. Top right: Select Parallel.
3. Top: Select the two Bible Versions you want to compare.
   How to Select Bible Versions
4. Top right: To return to single version view, at any time simply select Exit Parallel Mode.