Cross Reference Syntax
Cross references are entered inline within the main scripture body text using the following general syntax. The boundaries of the cross reference text are defined by an opening and closing marker.
The individual elements which make up the cross reference content are described under the heading Cross Reference Content Elements below.
\x_
· | Beginning (opening) of the cross reference element. |
+
· | The cross reference caller, which may be one of the following three types: |
+
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— indicates that the caller should be generated automatically by the translation editor, or publishing tools.
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-
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— indicates that no caller should be generated, and is not used.
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?
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— where ? represents the character to be used for the caller. The caller is defined for the specific cross reference by the author.
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cross reference content
· | All of the text elements which make up the cross reference: |
o | special cross reference elements such as keywords or quotations |
· | Each element should be prefixed by the appropriate marker (listed below). |

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Important: See Syntax Notes for addition information on the use of endmarkers for elements within cross reference content.
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\x*
· | End (closing) of the cross reference element. |
Cross Reference Content Elements
The following markup can be included as part of the cross reference content:
\xo_##SEP##
· | Cross reference "origin" reference. |
· | "SEP" indicates where the appropriate chapter/verse separator should be used (i.e. colon ":", full stop "." etc.) |
\xk_
\xq_
· | A quotation from the scripture text. |
· | Use of a quotation would be intended to help the reader to understand the portion of text (or concept) for which the target reference(s) are being supplied. |
\xt_
· | The list of target scripture locations being provided as alternate references to the text (or concept) of the origin reference. |
· | This is a list of book name abbreviations and chapter + verse references, separated by semicolons (though there may be an alternate references format for this list in different areas and countries). |
\xot_refs...\xot*
· | References (or other text) between these markers is material to be included only in published editions that contain the Old Testament books. (optional) |
\xnt_refs...\xnt*
· | References (or other text) between these markers is material to be included only in published editions that contain the New Testament books. (optional) |
\xdc_refs...\xdc*
· | References (or other text) between these markers is material to be included only in published editions that contain the Deuterocanonical books. (optional) |
Cross Reference Examples
Text - Matthew 2.23 (GNT)
\p
\v 22 But when Joseph heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, he was afraid to go there. He was given more instructions in a dream, so he went to the province of Galilee
\v 23 \x - \xo 2.23: \xt Mrk 1.24; Luk 2.39; Jhn 1.45.\x* and made his home in a town named Nazareth. And so what the prophets had said came true: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
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Formatting Example

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Text - Mark 10.19 (GNT)
\p
\v 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.
\v 19 \x - \xo 10.19: a \xt Exo 20.13; Deu 5.17; \xo b \xt Exo 20.14; Deu 5.18; \xo c \xt Exo 20.15; Deu 5.19; \xo d \xt Exo 20.16; Deu 5.20; \xo e \xt Exo 20.12; Deu 5.16.\x* You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother.’”
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Formatting Example

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Text - 1 Corinthians 15.51-52 (GNT)
\p
\v 51-52 \x - \xo 15.51,52: \xdc 2Es 6.23; \xt 1Th 4.15-17.\x* Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed.
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Text - Genesis 1.26 (GNT)
\p
\v 26 \x - \xo 1.26: \xt \xdc Wis 2.23; Sir 17.3,4;\xdc* 1Co 11.7.\x* Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us.
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