Day 8: Bible Translation

The heart language.

It’s the language you speak. It’s the language you know, communicate with, express your emotions through, and use with your family and friends. 

What if God’s Word was not available in your heart language—English? Can you imagine your life if you had never heard of Jesus—if His words, His teachings, and His message of salvation were not accessible to you? 

A new vision began with William Cameron Townsend, a man selling Spanish Bibles in Guatemala in 1917. He discovered that the majority of the people he met did not understand Spanish. Neither did they have a written form of their own beautiful language, Cakchiquel. Townsend abandoned his attempts to sell Bibles and worked with the Cakchiquel until he had translated the New Testament into their language. After this, he was resolved that every man, woman, and child should be able to read God’s Word in their own language. 

“Uncle Cam” Townsend founded Wycliffe in 1942 after running a linguistics training camp for about eight years. Wycliffe’s vision was, and still is, to see Scripture become accessible to all people in a language that speaks to their heart. 

Today, Bible translation is accomplished by teams of people working together. It’s the process of drafting, checking, polishing, and producing a final version of vernacular Scriptures for publication. Because we are working with the Bible, which is inspired and holy, adherence to the original meaning of the text is crucial. A translation must be accurate, reproducing as exactly as possible the meaning of the source text. It must also be natural and readily understandable to the local speakers. 

Bible translation is a broad and technical process. Computers, specialized software, and digital technology have greatly impacted the work, and as a result the pace of translation has quickened. Greater numbers of translations are starting and finishing than ever before, yet more than 340 million people are still waiting for God’s Word in their own language. 

This work must continue until all have read, seen, or heard the Scriptures in their heart language.

• Pray that individuals, communities, and nations would be transformed through God’s love and Word expressed in their languages and cultures.
• So many people still do not know of the need for Bible translation. Pray that this vision and mission will continue to spread and gain support.
• Ask God to provide all that translators need—for strength and clarity in drafting the translation; for accuracy in checking and revising; for endurance through the publication process; and for God’s direction and guidance through it all.

See why Bible translation is important.