📖 Import Bible Translations

Step-by-step guide to importing custom Bible translations into ScriptureWriter

1 Find a Bible Translation in JSON Format

The first step is to find a Bible translation in JSON format that you'd like to import. There are several sources online where you can find these files.

Search for JSON Bible Files
💡 Tip: Look for reputable sources that provide complete Bible translations. Make sure the JSON file includes book names, chapter numbers, verse numbers, and verse text.

Popular sources include:

  • GitHub repositories with Bible data
  • Bible API providers that offer downloadable files
  • Open-source Bible projects
2 Download the File to Your Device (Do NOT use Safari)

Once you've found a Bible translation you'd like to use:

  • On iPhone/iPad: Tap the download link in Chrome, Firefox, or Brave (Do NOT use Safari as it will append a .txt on the end)
  • The file will download to your device (check your Downloads folder in the Files app)
  • If prompted, choose "Save to Files" or "Download"
💡 Tip: If you're on a computer, you can download the file and then AirDrop it to your iPhone or iPad, or save it to iCloud Drive for easy access.
3 Rename the File

This is an important step! The filename determines how the translation appears in ScriptureWriter.

How to rename:

  1. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Navigate to where you saved the downloaded file (usually "Downloads" or "iCloud Drive")
  3. Tap and hold on the file until a menu appears
  4. Select "Rename"
  5. Change the name to the translation abbreviation followed by .json
⚠️ Important: Make sure to keep the .json extension at the end! If you download a .json file with Safari it will append .txt on it and you cannot remove it on your iPad.

Examples of good filenames:

  • KJV.json - King James Version
  • WEB.json - World English Bible
  • ASV.json - American Standard Version
  • YLT.json - Young's Literal Translation
4 Import into ScriptureWriter

Now you're ready to import your Bible translation!

  1. Open ScriptureWriter on your device
  2. On the home screen, tap the book icon (📖) in the top right corner
  3. The file picker will open
  4. Navigate to where you saved and renamed your JSON file
  5. Tap the file to select it
  6. The app will import the translation and show a success message
💡 Tip: After importing, your new translation will appear in the translation picker at the top of the home screen. The name that displays will match your filename (without the .json extension).
5 Start Using Your New Translation

You're all set! Your newly imported translation is now available for use.

To use your new translation:

  • Go to the home screen
  • Tap the translation picker at the top
  • Select your newly imported translation
  • Choose a book and chapter to begin handwriting Scripture
💡 Managing Your Translations: You can reorder, hide, or delete translations by going to Settings ⚙️ → Manage Translations.
✓ Troubleshooting

Import Failed? Here are some common issues:

  • File format error: Make sure the file is valid JSON. You can check by opening it in a text editor - it should contain structured data with curly braces and quotes.
  • File not appearing: Ensure the file has a .json extension.
  • Duplicate translation: If you already have a file with the same name, the app will replace it with the new one.
  • Can't access file: Make sure the file is saved in a location your device can access (not in restricted folders).
⚠️ Note: ScriptureWriter expects JSON files to follow a specific structure with book names, chapters, and verses. If your import fails, the file may not be formatted correctly for this app.