EMPTY HANDS
BIBLE POVERTY
EMPTY HEARTS
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
EMPTY MINDS
BIBLE LITERACY
Our BIBLE TRANsLATION vision Is Bold
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
Inspired by the Great Commission, The United Bible Societies has the ambitious vision to complete 1,200 Bible Translations by 2038 which will make the Word of God accessible to 600 million People
When you make a gift towards The Bible Translation Roadmap, you will be supporting the Bible translation projects we support each year, which enable people to engage with the life-changing Word of God in their own heart language!
Bible Poverty Still Exists
Today, the Bible is available in more languages than ever before. Thanks to the efforts of Bible Societies and other Bible translation agencies, the full Bible is available in 733 languages spoken by 5.9 billion people, as of the start of 2023. Over 70% of these were translated by the United Bible Societies Fellowship, which Bible Society NZ is a member. Yet there are still over 200 million people worldwide unable to access the Word of God in their own heart language!
of the world’s languages have no Scripture at all
A total of 3,776 languages used by 201 million people still have no Scripture at all.
of the world’s Population don't have the full Bible
1.5 billion people around the world still do not have the full Bible in their heart language.
Making the bible accessible to everyone, Everywhere
Jesus calls the global Church to make the Gospel available to people in every nation, tribe, and language on earth. The Bible Translation Roadmap is the United Bible Societies powerful response to this Great Commission.
The Bible Translation Roadmap
In 2018, the United Bible Societies Fellowship (which Bible Society New Zealand is a member) developed a bold 20 year vision – to complete 1,200 Scripture translations by 2038. Of those, 880 are first translations, and another 320 are new or revised translations. At a cost of about $500 million USD, The Bible Translation Roadmap will open the Word of God to 600 million people worldwide – many for the first time!
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Join us in answering Jesus’ call by supporting The Bible Translation Roadmap so together, we can bring the Word of God to the 201 million people who still have no Scripture in their heart language!
January 2023
Progress Dashboard
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We have started the journey. Will you help us reach our destination?
LATEST First Bible Translations
A first translation is the first time that Scripture is made available in a language
First full Bible for Vietnam’s second-largest people
The Tày people are the second-largest ethnic group in Vietnam with a population of over 1.8 million. There was a great need for the Tày Bible among the Tày Christian communities who had a deep desire to learn the Word of God and share the Gospel in their heart language. The first Tày Bible, published at the end of 2022, is the answer to their prayers.
Okun speakers welcome their first Bible
Okun Bible, the fastest global translation project, was dedicated by The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) at The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Agirigbon, Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State on Thursday November 3, 2022. It took a record time of five years to complete the translation project.
First New Testament for Umbangala speakers
With the launch of their first New Testament midway through 2022, Umbangala speakers in Angola , of which there are about 400,000, are now able to read God’s Word in their language for the first time.
Experience the launch of the Umbangala New Testament
Umbangala speakers in Angola, of which there are about 400,000, are Dancing for Joy because they can now Engage with God’s Word in their own language for the first time
Making dreams come true
In 2022, United Bible Societies assisted in the completion of translations in 81 languages used by 723 million people
“We will no longer need to use the Bible in a language that does not touch our hearts, and where we go to evangelise we will have no more difficulties.”
Cristina BartolomeuUmbangala New Testament 
"I went to church but I felt something was missing inside me – I lacked this Word.
I have dreamed of this day for years!”
Rosa MiudoUmbangala New Testament I have dreamed of this day for years!”
"When you present the Gospel in the language of the people you are preaching to, it is more impactful. It will bring about a total transformation...in the lives of the people."
Evangelist Omolara TheophelusOkun New Testament 
“I have since been consistently reading the Word of God which has helped me to do away with the bad things I was doing before. I have learnt that to be like Christ, one must be humble.”
Olorundare Ayodele Okun New Testament 
"This Bible is a magnificent and vital treasure that will help us in our lives as human beings, and in our spiritual lives. Through this Bible, the San people are blessed with a library of more than 70 books in their mother tongue."
Monsignor Boniface KYBurkina Faso: First San Bible 
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It's a matter of Justice
God speaks to us all and hears our prayers in the languages of our hearts, not only the languages of power
Translation frees people to explore the Bible for themselves. No one should have to depend on others to interpret God’s Word for them.
Enable God to speak through more of the world's languages
Can you imagine not being able to engage with the Bible because it isn’t available in your language? Not being able to access the hope, comfort, guidance and unconditional love contained in His Word?
Unfortunately, over 50% of the world’s languages still have no Scripture at all, and 1.5 billion people still don’t have the full Bible available in their own heart language.
To enable God to reach more lives with His Word in a language that speaks to them, simply make a one time or monthly gift towards The Bible Translation Roadmap today.
Bible Translation Projects for 2023
When you give to The Bible Translation Roadmap, your gift goes towards the translation projects on the Roadmap which Bible Society NEW ZEALAND supports each year.
“We will no longer need to use the Bible in a language that does not touch our hearts, and where we go to evangelise we will have no more difficulties.”
Cristina BartolomeuUmbangala New Testament
"I went to church but I felt something was missing inside me – I lacked this Word.
I have dreamed of this day for years!”
Rosa MiudoUmbangala New Testament I have dreamed of this day for years!”
"When you present the Gospel in the language of the people you are preaching to, it is more impactful. It will bring about a total transformation...in the lives of the people."
Evangelist Omolara TheophelusOkun New Testament
“I have since been consistently reading the Word of God which has helped me to do away with the bad things I was doing before. I have learnt that to be like Christ, one must be humble.”
Olorundare Ayodele Okun New Testament
"This Bible is a magnificent and vital treasure that will help us in our lives as human beings, and in our spiritual lives. Through this Bible, the San people are blessed with a library of more than 70 books in their mother tongue."
Monsignor Boniface KYBurkina Faso: First San Bible
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"So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ." - Romans 10:17 (NIV)
When you give to The Bible Translation Roadmap, your gift goes towards the translation projects on the Roadmap which Bible Society NEW ZEALAND supports each year.
By making a gift towards The Bible Translation Roadmap, you will be supporting the 1,200 Bible translations projects bringing the life-changing Word of God to 600 million people in their own heart language.
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Yes, I would like to help support The Bible Translation Roadmap by making a one-time or monthly recurring gift!
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