Beblia.Sharp

A C# library for parsing and loading Bible data from XML and binary formats.

Features

• XML Support: Load Bible data from XML files
• Binary Format: Efficient binary format (.beblia) for faster loading and smaller file size
• Format Auto-Detection: Automatically detects whether a file is XML or binary
• Query Methods: Easy-to-use methods to query verses, chapters, and books
• Verse Metadata: All verses include book name, book number, and chapter number metadata
• Book Name Support: Query using book names (e.g., "Genesis", "Matthew") or abbreviations (e.g., "Gen", "Jn") - case-insensitive
• Multiple Abbreviations: Each book supports multiple abbreviations (e.g., "John", "Joh", "Jhn", "Jn")
• Period-Flexible Matching: Abbreviations work with or without periods (e.g., "Gen" and "Gen." both work)
• Testament Enum: Testament type is now an enum (Old/New)
• Quick Search: Search for verses using natural reference formats like "JN 3:16" or "JOHN 3:1-5"
• Embedded Localization: Book names and abbreviations are embedded in binary files and loaded automatically
• Editable Localization: Load custom book names and abbreviations from a text file
• Converter Tool: Command-line tool to convert XML Bibles to binary format

Projects

Beblia.Sharp

The core library that provides Bible parsing and loading functionality.

Beblia.Converter

A command-line tool to convert XML Bible files to the binary .beblia format.

ConsoleSample

A sample application demonstrating how to use the library.

Usage

Loading a Bible (XML or Binary)

using Beblia.Sharp;

// Load from XML
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJV.xml");

// Load from binary - same API!
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJV.beblia");

// Load with custom localization file
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJV.beblia", "localization.txt");

// The format is auto-detected

Querying Verses

// Get verse by book number
var verse = bible.GetVerse(1, 1, 1); // Genesis 1:1
Console.WriteLine(verse?.Text);

// Get verse by book name (case-insensitive)
var verse = bible.GetVerse("Genesis", 1, 1);
var verse2 = bible.GetVerse("genesis", 1, 1); // Also works
Console.WriteLine(verse?.Text);

// Get verse by abbreviation (case-insensitive)
var verse3 = bible.GetVerse("Gen", 1, 1);
var verse4 = bible.GetVerse("GEN", 1, 1); // Also works

// Quick search with reference string
var verses = bible.Get("JN 3:16"); // Single verse
var verses2 = bible.Get("JOHN 3:1-2"); // Verse range
var verses3 = bible.Get("JN 3:1,4,5-6"); // Multiple verses and ranges

// Verses returned include book and chapter metadata
foreach (var verse in verses)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{verse.BookName} {verse.ChapterNumber}:{verse.Number}");
    Console.WriteLine($"Book #{verse.BookNumber}: {verse.Text}");
}

// Get a chapter
var chapter = bible.GetChapter("John", 3);

// Get a book
var book = bible.GetBook("Romans");

Getting Books, Chapters, and Verses

// Get all books in the Bible (returns list without nested chapters/verses)
var allBooks = bible.GetBooks();
Console.WriteLine($"Total books: {allBooks.Count}");
foreach (var book in allBooks)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{book.Number}. {book.Name} ({book.Abbreviation})");
}

// Get books by testament
var oldTestamentBooks = bible.GetBooks(Testament.Old);
var newTestamentBooks = bible.GetBooks(Testament.New);

// Get all chapters in a book (returns list without nested verses)
var genesis = bible.GetBook(1);
var chapters = bible.GetChapters(genesis);

// Get all verses in a chapter (with text)
var genesis1 = bible.GetChapter(1, 1);
var verses = bible.GetVerses(genesis1);

Custom Localization

New in v2: Localization data is now automatically embedded in binary .beblia files and loaded automatically. Each book supports multiple abbreviations, and abbreviations work with or without periods (e.g., both "Gen." and "Gen" work).

Localization is managed per Bible instance and can be customized in two ways:

1. Load a custom localization file when loading the Bible:

// Load Bible with custom localization
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJBible.beblia", "localization.txt");

2. Load custom localization on an existing Bible instance:

// Load Bible
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJBible.beblia");

// Load custom localization
bible.Localization.LoadFromFile("localization.txt");

Localization file format (one book per line, with multiple comma-separated abbreviations):

# Format: number fullname abbreviation1, abbreviation2, abbreviation3, ...
1 Genesis Gen., Ge., Gn.
2 Exodus Ex., Exod., Exo.
...
43 John John, Joh, Jhn, Jn
...

Features:

• Multiple abbreviations per book (e.g., John supports "John", "Joh", "Jhn", "Jn")
• Abbreviations work with or without periods (e.g., "Gen" and "Gen." both work)
• Case-insensitive matching (e.g., "GEN", "Gen", "gen" all work)
• Localization automatically embedded in .beblia files (v2 format)
• Each Bible instance has its own localization settings

Saving to Binary Format

// Load from XML
var bible = BibleParser.Load("EnglishKJV.xml");

// Save to binary format
bible.SaveBinary("EnglishKJV.beblia");

Using the Converter Tool

Convert a single XML file to binary:

dotnet run --project Beblia.Converter -- EnglishKJV.xml
# Creates EnglishKJV.beblia

Specify output filename:

dotnet run --project Beblia.Converter -- EnglishKJV.xml KJV.beblia

Convert multiple files:

dotnet run --project Beblia.Converter -- Bible1.xml Bible2.xml Bible3.xml
# Creates Bible1.beblia, Bible2.beblia, Bible3.beblia

Binary Format (.beblia)

The binary format offers several advantages:

• Smaller file size: Typically 15-20% smaller than XML
• Faster loading: Binary parsing is faster than XML parsing
• Same functionality: All API methods work identically with both formats
• Embedded localization: v2 format includes book names and abbreviations (automatically loaded)
• Backward compatible: v1 binary files still work with default localization

The format includes:

• Magic header for format detection
• Version number for future compatibility (currently v1 and v2)
• Length-prefixed strings for efficient storage
• Embedded localization data (v2 only)
• Nested structure preserving testament → book → chapter → verse hierarchy

Note: When converting XML to binary, the current localization settings are embedded into the file. This means the .beblia file will automatically use those book names and abbreviations when loaded, without requiring a separate localization file.

Building

dotnet build

Running the Sample

dotnet run --project ConsoleSample

License

This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain. See the LICENSE.md file for details.

Permission Statement: There is no need for permission to use this software as long as it is used for the Glorification of Christ alone. Soli Deo Gloria.

Attribution

This library uses Bible data in XML format from the Beblia Holy-Bible-XML-Format project:

Bible in XML

Welcome. Here you will find XML Bibles from various languages, created from the past 15 years. 200+ Languages and 1000+ Bible Versions. Any questions or comments: andrey@beblia.com

Use at your own discretion, no need to ask for permission, no warranty's.

Author: Proud Slave of Christ

Visit our site: https://beblia.com

God Bless. Thank you.

We are grateful for their work in making these Bible texts available.