diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3cb49db..d7033ef 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ header text is **exactly** the release tag (no leading `v`).
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- The "Open Bible" command (and ribbon icon) now opens the chosen chapter in a new tab
+  instead of replacing the note you were reading
+
+## 1.14.0
+
 - Adds verse selection: tap verses in a rendered passage to select them (shift-click or
   long-press-drag for a range), then copy or insert them as an inline reference, a `bible`
   code block, or a blockquote of the verse text. A floating action bar (docked at the
diff --git a/src/components/OpenBibleModal.ts b/src/components/OpenBibleModal.ts
index b7766de..3a85224 100644
--- a/src/components/OpenBibleModal.ts
+++ b/src/components/OpenBibleModal.ts
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export class OpenBibleModal extends SuggestModal<BibleTarget> {
 			if (chapterCount === 1) {
 				// Single-chapter book, open directly
 				const loadingNotice = new Notice("Loading chapter...", 0);
-				await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, 1));
+				await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, 1), true);
 				loadingNotice.hide();
 			} else {
 				// Reopen for chapter selection
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ export class OpenBibleModal extends SuggestModal<BibleTarget> {
 			}
 		} else {
 			const loadingNotice = new Notice("Loading chapter...", 0);
-			await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, item.chapter));
+			await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, item.chapter), true);
 			loadingNotice.hide();
 		}
 	}
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class OpenBibleChapterModal extends SuggestModal<BibleTarget> {
 
 	private async openChapter(item: BibleTarget): Promise<void> {
 		const loadingNotice = new Notice("Loading chapter...", 0);
-		await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, item.chapter));
+		await this.bibleFiles.openChapterNote(new BibleReference(item.book, item.chapter), true);
 		loadingNotice.hide();
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/services/BibleFiles.ts b/src/services/BibleFiles.ts
index 48b7cd4..654ec20 100644
--- a/src/services/BibleFiles.ts
+++ b/src/services/BibleFiles.ts
@@ -67,8 +67,12 @@ export class BibleFiles {
 	 * Open a chapter note for the given reference, creating it from the API first
 	 * if it isn't on disk yet. If the reference includes a verse, the note is
 	 * scrolled to that verse once it renders.
+	 *
+	 * Pass `openInNewTab` to open the chapter in a fresh tab instead of reusing
+	 * the active leaf (used by the "Open Bible" command so it never replaces the
+	 * note the user is reading).
 	 */
-	public async openChapterNote(reference: BibleReference): Promise<void> {
+	public async openChapterNote(reference: BibleReference, openInNewTab = false): Promise<void> {
 		try {
 			const chapterPath = BibleFiles.pathForPassage(reference, this.plugin);
 			if (!BibleFiles.fileExistsForPassage(reference, this.plugin)) {
@@ -89,7 +93,7 @@ export class BibleFiles {
 
 			const passageNoteFile = BibleFiles.getFileForPassage(reference, this.plugin);
 			if (passageNoteFile instanceof TFile) {
-				const leaf = this.plugin.app.workspace.getLeaf(false);
+				const leaf = this.plugin.app.workspace.getLeaf(openInNewTab ? 'tab' : false);
 				await leaf.openFile(passageNoteFile);
 
 				// If there's a specific verse, scroll to it once it has rendered