---
title: "Search scripture"
description: "Search by reference, words or meaning in the World English Bible."
generated: true
---

# Search scripture

`POST /v1/search` takes a few words, a feeling or a reference, and returns passages: two to six verses each, with a context line saying where they sit and who is speaking.

```
curl https://play.fellowverse.app/v1/search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KEY" -H 'content-type: application/json' \
  -d '{"query": "something for fear", "limit": 5}'
```

```json
{
  "kind": "search",
  "method": "rrf",
  "results": [
    {
      "id": "psg_...",
      "reference": "1 John 4:18-21",
      "book": "1 John",
      "chapter": 4,
      "firstVerse": 18,
      "lastVerse": 21,
      "heroVerse": 18,
      "contextLine": "...",
      "verses": [{ "verse": 18, "text": "There is no fear in love..." }],
      "reason": "..."
    }
  ],
  "translation": "World English Bible (public domain)"
}
```

A reference such as "Psalm 23" or "John 3:16" returns that passage and the rest of its chapter, with `"kind": "reference"`. `limit` is 1 to 50, 20 by default. Billed per request.

See the [request and response fields](/api/search).