Accurate, Clear and Contemporary
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5, NIV
Biblica has sponsored translations in over 100 major languages since 1810. In the 1960s, in response to the evangelical Church’s concern that archaic language in older Bible versions was creating a barrier to people’s acceptance of God’s Word, we committed our resources to sponsoring the New International Version® (NIV) Bible, the world’s leading contemporary English translation. Since then, almost half a billion copies have reached people all over the globe.
Biblica sponsors the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), consisting of evangelical Bible scholars from various denominations and from some of the finest academic institutions around the world. The CBT meets annually to review, maintain, and strengthen the NIV’s ability to accurately and clearly render God’s unchanging Word in modern English. The committee’s goal is to translate the original text so people might hear God’s Word the way it was written and understand God’s Word the way it was meant.
Biblica has also sponsored translations in over 100 major languages. We translate the full Bible into languages spoken by 1 million plus speakers, with a focus on accuracy, faithfulness to the original Greek and Hebrew texts, and clarity to the reader.
Our passion is to share the gospel with people around the world in their own languages. Like the NIV, all our translations strive to clearly and accurately present God’s Word in contemporary language so people may easily understand it and be transformed by its truth.
A Sacred Trust
With a large staff of full-time translators, sufficient funding, and minimal social, political and economic difficulties, you might complete a translation in a few years. But that scenario is rare. Usually a full Bible takes a decade or longer to complete. Translators often hold full-time jobs as professors or pastors. Translations are delayed when funding is unavailable. Funding relies on donors’ commitment to support a multi-year process. In-country crises also can create obstacles to progress.
Yet no matter what the delays may be, shortcuts can’t be taken in the precise and detailed work of Bible translation. Many steps are required to produce an excellent translation. Here are some of the most common.
Producing a Translation
Assess needs: Determine the need; define the audience and format. Estimate costs.
Train and equip: Provide training for translators continuing their education in biblical studies, language, translation, and the use of reference works and technology.
Write and review: Write first draft of each book of the Bible and footnotes. Check initial drafts for accuracy, clarity, and potential omissions.
Test with the intended audience: Solicit feedback by Bible users including church leaders.
Review changes: Read the text again for accuracy and clarity, making revisions as necessary.
Conduct outside review: Connect with outside specialists to thoroughly review and proofread the translation.
Check mechanics: Closely check consistency in chapter and verse numbering, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, quotation marks, proper names, key terms, parallel passages, section heads, footnotes, etc. Computer programs are used when available to help speed the process.
Prepare for publication: Prepare the final copy for typesetting and/or production of print, audio, video and/or electronic editions.
Launch new translation: Biblica holds a celebration in the country of the new translation and presents local churches, ministry partners, and community leaders with the long-awaited Bibles in their language.
Archives
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Accurate, Clear and Contemporary
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January 26, 2012 |
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Challenged to Life Transformation
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January 13, 2012 |
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Reaching People In Times of Critical Need
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December 28, 2011 |
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InterVarsity Press Acquires Biblica Books
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November 17, 2011 |
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God's Promises for Moulay
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September 14, 2011 |
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Committed to Spreading the Word
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September 7, 2011 |
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Beacons of God's Love and Righteousness
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August 31, 2011 |
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Freedom to Worship
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August 24, 2011 |
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Streams in the Desert
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August 9, 2011 |
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Difficulty, Danger, and God's Word
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August 3, 2011 |
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Biblica’s Community Bible Experience Ignites a Renewal of Bible Reading in Churches
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July 27, 2011 |
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Engraved In Stone
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July 20, 2011 |
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Building Strong Foundations
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June 27, 2011 |
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Chinese Tourist Ministry
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June 27, 2011 |
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Rescuing Children from an Early Grave
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June 27, 2011 |
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Biblica Brings the Hope of God’s Word to Tornado Survivors
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May 5, 2011 |
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When Lives are Shattered, God’s Word Provides Hope in an Unshakable God
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March 18, 2011 |
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Reaching Japan Devastated by Quake/Tsunami
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March 11, 2011 |
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Scripture for Heroes
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March 10, 2011 |
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Where do you turn when your whole world changes?
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March 7, 2011 |
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Community Bible Experience
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February 28, 2011 |
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Bring hope to New Zealand
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February 25, 2011 |
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"Freedom" coming to the Middle East, but are they truly free?
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February 22, 2011 |
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Criminals Transformed Into Men of Peace
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February 16, 2011 |
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Biblica, Zondervan and YouVersion Team Up to Give Away 1 Million NIV Digital Bibles in 400 Hours
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February 11, 2011 |
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Updated NIV Bible eBook Hits Bestseller Lists
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January 10, 2011 |
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Hope for Sudan
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January 4, 2011 |
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Biblica Embarks Upon New Year with Launch of Chinese Contemporary Bible
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January 4, 2011 |
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Worth the Wait: Philippines Celebrates New Tagalog Bible
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December 13, 2010 |
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Thai NIV Study Bible Available
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December 1, 2010 |
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Operation World Launches Global Prayer Movement
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November 19, 2010 |
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Operation World sells 90,000 copies in first month
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November 19, 2010 |
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Updated NIV Bible Text Released Today for Viewing Online
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November 1, 2010 |
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Updated NIV Text Available for Online Viewing November 1
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October 18, 2010 |
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From a Handful of Women to a Global Bible Study Movement
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September 22, 2010 |
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Sin or Genetics? Making Sense of the Dark Side of Humanity
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September 13, 2010 |
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Biblica Celebrates 200th Anniversary in Bogotá, Colombia
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July 21, 2010 |
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Ghana-U.S. Match Mirrored in Youth Tournaments
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June 25, 2010 |
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Writers from 30 Chinese Provinces Join Philip Yancey for Biblica Workshop
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June 7, 2010 |
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New Bible Translations Clear Up Confusion in Philippines
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May 17, 2010 |
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Biblica Celebrates Ministry Milestone in Asia with Philip Yancey Tour
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May 5, 2010 |
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Biblica and Thriving Churches International form Ministry Partnership
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April 27, 2010 |
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Authentic, Paternoster Imprints Transition to Biblica Publishing
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April 14, 2010 |
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Incan Descendants Gather to Celebrate Modern Scripture Translation
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March 3, 2010 |
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Congressman Commends Biblica on 200 Years of Contributions to U.S.
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January 12, 2010 |
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Smallest Nation Gets Help in Fighting AIDS
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January 6, 2010 |
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Biblica Celebrates 200 Years of Bible Outreach
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December 24, 2009 |
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No Boundaries
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October 8, 2009 |
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Biblica Romania Creates Unique Gift for Bucharest's 550th Birthday
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September 28, 2009 |
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Biblica Offers Free Downloadable Resources for Unemployed
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September 14, 2009 |
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