This Saturday, September 30, is International Translation Day. And there’s a great deal to celebrate on this day. Thanks to centuries of translation work, God’s Word is now in 3,000 languages, reaching 6 billion people.

For centuries, translators have endured difficult living conditions and impossible work environments for the great cause of sharing the good news of Christ. We honor them. With them, we yearn for a world where all people—from the coast of Chile to the mountains of China—have access to the life-changing message of God’s Word.

This work is not complete. More than 1,700 languages have absolutely no access to Scripture. That means an approximate 165 million people have never heard or read one verse of the Bible. They go through their day-to-day lives, never hearing Christ’s words, “ You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, GNTD).

Fewer than 600 languages out of 7,000 have the entire Bible. That means less than 9% of the people in the world have the full Bible in the language in which they say, I love you. People in some of the hardest to reach areas are desperate to know the fullness of God.

The Bible – 聖經 – ʻo ka Baibala – la Bible – الكتاب المقدس – Bibilia

American Bible Society works so that every person on earth has access to God’s Word in their heart language. That’s why we’ve linked arms with organizations like Wycliffe, Biblica, Seed Company, SIL and set an audacious goal: to have Scripture in 100% of the world’s languages by 2026. Just 10 years from now, God’s Word could be in every living language.

This coalition is accelerating Bible translation projects by partnering with local Bible translators around the world. In the 1980s, a full Bible translation took some 35 years to finish; now that same work can be completed in just 12 years. By training translators, providing technology, and removing barriers to effective work, we help locals quickly and accurately bring God’s Word to their communities.

Can you imagine it? People everywhere on earth—including those in the darkest and hardest places—knowing that Jesus loves them, died for them, and offers them hope.

That’s why we believe International Translation Day is worth celebrating.

Prayer is the foundation of this mission, and our dedicated prayer partners faithfully pray for Bible ministry around the world. Will you join us in praying for current and ongoing translation needs?