A broken life, an uncertain future, an encounter with the Bible, a new hope. 

A Personal God

 

The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) was founded in Sweden in 1973 with the aim of meeting the needs of 85 million Bibleless non-Slavic people living in the former Soviet Union. Since 1990, the time of "perestroika," IBT has been working in Russia. In 2002, the operational center of IBT was transferred from Stockholm to Moscow (IBT Russia/CIS).

IBT's goal is to provide accurate and faithful translations that reveal the message of the Bible to modern readers. IBT translates, publishes and distributes the Bible or portions of it in the languages of the non-Slavic peoples living in Russia and Central Asia. Together these peoples, speaking some 130 different languages represent a diversity of culture and religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and shamanism/animism).

IBT has translated and published the Bible or portions of it in 72 languages, including 3 full Bibles and 21 New Testaments. IBT has also produced audio recordings of the Bible texts in 7 languages and a Children's Bible in Russian and in more than 30 other languages, as well as Bible reference works and scientific materials related to the receptor languages.

By 2010 IBT aims to complete and publish the full Bible in 5 languages (Chechen, Tajik revision, Tatar, Tuvin, Uzbek) and the New Testament in another 7 languages (Avar, Buryat, Gagauzi, Chuvash, Khakas, Kumyk, Tabassaran). Work is proceeding well and with the help of donors, prayer partners and translation partners (UBS, Wycliffe/SIL and PBT), IBT is confident that this goal will be reached. In addition to these 12 languages come the individual project goals for yet another 48 languages in which IBT is serving.

At Christmas 2000 IBT published a unique volume containing the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke in 80 languages. It is a truly a pioneering work in that in 32 of these languages the wonderful words "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men," are appearing in print for the first time. In 23 of them it is the first portion of the Bible ever printed!

For more information about the Institute for Bible Translation Russia/CIS please visit www.ibt.org.ru