New translation is a success
from north to south

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Launching a new Bible translation to an audience in the fifth-largest country in the world is no small undertaking, as the launch of the new Bible translation in Brazil in the latter part of last year showed.

The Bible Society of Brazil (BSB) launched the New Translation in Today’s Language (NTTL) between October and December, holding a total of 18 meetings in different regions.

Gathering

Each gathering brought together pastors, church leaders, and staff and students of theological colleges and on each occasion Dr Rudi Zimmer, co-ordinator of the BSB’s Translation, Revision and Consultancy Commission, gave a talk entitled The Bible: the most translated book in the world.

Couched in language specially meant for new Bible readers, the NTTL has already earned a reputation as the favoured version for evangelism. Churches have been buying it by the boxful and in its first five months it sold 210,000 copies.

Reactions

The reactions of two pastors in Belém, Pará, were typical. “I have no doubt at all that this will become the most read and the most sought-after version in the country,” said Pastor Samuel Câmara.

“Before, it was always necessary to have a biblical encyclopaedia – a key to the Bible – in order to understand the Bible,” added Pastor Josué Bengston. “The great advantage of the NTTL is that it provides all this in a simplified form.” (WR 365/9 - 12.01)