logos

In principio erat Verbum — Jn 1:1 (Vulgate)

A minimalist terminal Bible reader. It needs a one time setup, then you can use it without internet. Never needs accounts, and no tracking, ads or subscriptions. Just you and the Word.

Why this exists

Most Bible software wants something from you. An account. Permission to watch what you read and when. Some of it even locks translations behind paywalls, scripture has always been in the public domain for centuries, but now is shamelessly gated.

logos is built against all of that. The Bible belongs to everyone and your reading is your own business. This program will never phone home, ask you to sign in, or tell anyone what you read.

It runs in your terminal. It works offline. You own it.

What it is

• Single Python file handles main program, seperate fetcher program to save data. No dependencies beyond the standard library.
• Works on Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD.
• Multiple translations: KJV, WEB, ASV, Douay-Rheims, Vulgate (Latin), Septuagint (Greek), Synodal (Russian), Luther (German), Segond (French), Reina-Valera (Spanish), and more.
• Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox canons supported.
• Fully offline after setup.

Getting started

Step 1 — fetch your translations (one time only):

pip install requests
python logos-fetch-data.py

logos-fetch-data.py uses the requests library to download public domain translation data into the data/ folder. This is the only time an internet connection is needed, and the only external dependency in the entire project.

Step 2 — run the reader:

python logos.py

You can also jump straight to a passage:

python logos.py John 3:16
python logos.py Gen 1
python logos.py Rom 8:28-39

Keys

Key	Action
j / k	Scroll down / up
n / p	Next / previous chapter
/ or r	Go to any passage
b	Book browser
f	Search within chapter
a	Enter cursor mode
Space	Anchor selection
y	Copy selection
s / S	Save to file / choose directory
m	Bookmark
W	Bookmark browser
t	Switch translation
?	Help
q	Quit

Philosophy

Built in the spirit of free software and by the idea that a person should be able to read scripture on their own machine, in their own terminal, without asking anyone's permission and without being watched.

The translations are also in the public domain.