Imagine being in rural Kenya last March, where the Upper Pokomo people gathered in eager anticipation. After years of waiting, a joyous procession arrived carrying boxes wrapped like precious gifts. Inside lay something more valuable than gold: the New Testament in the Upper Pokomo language.
As the packages were opened, singing and dancing broke out. Then, for the very first time, God’s word was read aloud in the Upper Pokomo language. The moment was unforgettable. The Scriptures were no longer distant for the Upper Pokomo people, but they could finally hear God speak directly to them in the language they dream in, laugh in, and cry in.
This powerful scene is just one example of what has been an extraordinary year for Bible translation worldwide. Across the world, more people than ever now have access to Scripture in the language that speaks to their hearts.
Unprecedented momentum
According to the “State of the Bible” report, the pace of translation has accelerated dramatically. This progress is dismantling one of the greatest barriers to world mission: the absence of Scripture in people’s own languages.
Over the last year:
● The highest ever number of Bibles and New Testaments launched was reached. There were 118 – almost one every three days.
● There are 197 million people who have the whole Bible in their language for the first time. That’s almost equivalent to the population of Brazil.
● A further 54million people have the New Testament in their language for the first time. That’s nearly the population of England (57million).
● One new language programme was launched every 19 hours. That means work started for people speaking 461 languages.
The day when all people have Scripture in their language is getting much closer. “We live in extraordinary times,” James Poole, the Executive Director of Wycliffe comments. “This is incredible progress! These advances are not isolated successes but part of a global acceleration, as translation teams, churches, and mission agencies work in partnership to transform lives through Scripture. The work of the local church, as well as many other mission agencies, is built on the foundation of Bible translation. We know that where the Bible has been translated into people’s languages the church grows, people understand the gospel and come to know Jesus, and those who already know Jesus grow more deeply in their faith and discipleship.”
The Bible changes lives
But there is still more to be done. For many people the message of hope, love, and salvation found in the Bible remains out of reach simply because it is not available in a language they understand.
A Label woman in Papua New Guinea reads the New Testament in her language for the first time.
Even with the remarkable progress this year, over 1.5 billion people are still waiting for the Bible in their language. That means for one in five people today the word of God remains trapped in a language they can’t understand well.
Bible translators are working with urgency all around the world to change this. For Bible translation is much more than producing words on a page; it is about unlocking eternal hope and giving people the opportunity to hear God speak directly to them in their language.
The Upper Pokomo Treasure
The launch of the Upper Pokomo New Testament brought this reality home in moving ways. Where once churches relied on using other languages, they can now read, preach, and sing in their own. It is a transformation that will shape generations to come.
Upper Pokomo church leader Douglas Machafu, speaking at the launch, summed up the day’s joy: ‘The Upper Pokomo people have been using foreign languages However, today, a precious gift has been unveiled. My people will hold it like a treasure in our community.’
As celebrations like these ripple across the globe, one truth rings clear: this is a historic moment. The vision of a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible is no longer a distant dream, but a rapidly approaching reality.
Wycliffe Bible Translators State of the Bible report full of statistics and stories from the past year is available here.
