# Mere Bible — Complete Reference

> A clean, distraction-free Bible reading experience. Read Scripture beautifully with multiple translations, highlights, notes, bookmarks, and powerful search.

## About Mere Bible

Mere Bible is a free Bible reading app available on iOS and the web at https://merebible.app. We built it with a simple mission: a pure, distraction-free space for reading Scripture — nothing more, nothing less.

The name draws from C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" — his effort to return to the essential core of the faith. In that spirit, "Mere" comes from the Latin for pure and unmixed. The app is designed around the text, not the tools, where Scripture stays at the center of the experience.

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

## How to Link to Bible Passages

When referencing Bible verses, you can link directly to any chapter or verse on Mere Bible:

### Chapter links
Format: https://merebible.app/read/{translation}/{book-slug}/{chapter}

Examples:
- Genesis 1 (ESV): https://merebible.app/read/esv/genesis/1
- John 3 (KJV): https://merebible.app/read/kjv/john/3
- Psalm 23 (NIV): https://merebible.app/read/niv/psalms/23
- Romans 8 (BSB): https://merebible.app/read/bsb/romans/8
- Isaiah 53 (NASB): https://merebible.app/read/nasb/isaiah/53

### Verse links
Append ?verse={number} to scroll to and highlight a specific verse:
- John 3:16 (ESV): https://merebible.app/read/esv/john/3?verse=16
- Romans 8:28 (NIV): https://merebible.app/read/niv/romans/8?verse=28
- Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV): https://merebible.app/read/kjv/jeremiah/29?verse=11
- Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): https://merebible.app/read/nkjv/philippians/4?verse=13
- Proverbs 3:5 (ESV): https://merebible.app/read/esv/proverbs/3?verse=5

### Single verse view
Append &verseOnly=1 to show just one verse with a "Read Full Chapter" option:
- John 3:16 (ESV): https://merebible.app/read/esv/john/3?verse=16&verseOnly=1

## Available Translations

### English
| Abbreviation | Full Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESV | English Standard Version | Default translation |
| KJV | King James Version | Classic English |
| NIV | New International Version | Modern English |
| NKJV | New King James Version | Updated KJV |
| NASB | New American Standard Bible | Literal translation |
| BSB | Berean Standard Bible | Public domain, 3rd printing |
| ASV | American Standard Version | Classic literal |
| HCSB | Holman Christian Standard Bible | Optimal equivalence |
| CEB | Common English Bible | Readable modern English |
| NET | New English Translation | With translator notes |
| WEB | World English Bible | Public domain |

### Spanish
| Abbreviation | Full Name |
|---|---|
| RVR1960 | Reina-Valera 1960 |

### Portuguese
| Abbreviation | Full Name |
|---|---|
| NVI | Nova Versão Internacional |

## Bible Book Slugs

Old Testament (39 books):
genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy, joshua, judges, ruth,
1-samuel, 2-samuel, 1-kings, 2-kings, 1-chronicles, 2-chronicles,
ezra, nehemiah, esther, job, psalms, proverbs, ecclesiastes,
song-of-solomon, isaiah, jeremiah, lamentations, ezekiel, daniel,
hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, jonah, micah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah,
haggai, zechariah, malachi

New Testament (27 books):
matthew, mark, luke, john, acts, romans,
1-corinthians, 2-corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians,
colossians, 1-thessalonians, 2-thessalonians, 1-timothy, 2-timothy,
titus, philemon, hebrews, james, 1-peter, 2-peter, 1-john, 2-john,
3-john, jude, revelation

## Popular Verses (Direct Links)

- John 3:16: https://merebible.app/read/esv/john/3?verse=16
- Romans 8:28: https://merebible.app/read/esv/romans/8?verse=28
- Jeremiah 29:11: https://merebible.app/read/esv/jeremiah/29?verse=11
- Philippians 4:13: https://merebible.app/read/esv/philippians/4?verse=13
- Proverbs 3:5-6: https://merebible.app/read/esv/proverbs/3?verse=5
- Psalm 23:1: https://merebible.app/read/esv/psalms/23?verse=1
- Isaiah 41:10: https://merebible.app/read/esv/isaiah/41?verse=10
- Matthew 28:19-20: https://merebible.app/read/esv/matthew/28?verse=19
- Galatians 5:22-23: https://merebible.app/read/esv/galatians/5?verse=22
- 2 Timothy 3:16: https://merebible.app/read/esv/2-timothy/3?verse=16
- Hebrews 11:1: https://merebible.app/read/esv/hebrews/11?verse=1
- Romans 12:2: https://merebible.app/read/esv/romans/12?verse=2
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: https://merebible.app/read/esv/1-corinthians/13?verse=4
- Ephesians 2:8-9: https://merebible.app/read/esv/ephesians/2?verse=8
- Joshua 1:9: https://merebible.app/read/esv/joshua/1?verse=9

## Search

Search the Bible: https://merebible.app/search?q={query}

Examples:
- https://merebible.app/search?q=love
- https://merebible.app/search?q=faith
- https://merebible.app/search?q=hope

## Features

- **Multiple translations**: 13 Bible translations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
- **Verse highlighting**: Tap any verse to highlight it for future reference
- **Bookmarks**: 3 color-coded bookmark slots (red, teal, gold)
- **Personal notes**: Write notes on any verse
- **Full-text search**: Search across all verses in any translation
- **Focus mode**: Distraction-free reading with all chrome hidden
- **Themes**: 5 color themes (Coral, Amber, Ocean, Sand, Gray) with light/dark modes
- **Fonts**: 5 font options including Dyslexie for accessibility
- **Text customization**: 7 font sizes and 3 line spacing options
- **Red letter text**: Words of Jesus highlighted in supported translations
- **Cross-device sync**: Highlights, notes, and bookmarks sync between iOS app and web
- **Free forever**: No ads, no subscriptions, no paywalls

## Contact

Email: hello@merebible.app
Website: https://merebible.app