On December 21, 2019, hundreds gathered to celebrate the launch of the Xironga Bible. A moment that was 43 years in the making!

The celebration was met with tears of joy as many rejoiced that the Ronga people of Mozambique now have access to the full Bible in their native language, Xironga.

The first CEO of Bible Society in Mozambique and the one who commissioned this Bible translation years ago, the Rev. Amos Baltazar Zitha remarked, “Today we are here to celebrate this achievement by bringing the Word of God to Ronga’s speakers. It is a great joy to me, but not only me, but to all of us.”

Eagerly Awaiting the Full Bible

The Xironga Bible translation was launched in 1976 right after the founding of Bible Society in Mozambique. It was one of the first projects undertaken in the hopes of making God’s Word available to more than 702,000 Ronga speakers living in Southern Mozambique.

However, translation work was stalled by a 16-year civil war and changes to the language’s orthography. These changes meant the language could no longer be read or understood by younger generations of Ronga speakers. When the war ended, and an orthography was standardized by Mozambique’s government, Bible translation work resumed.

In 2002, the New Testament was published. And shortly afterward, translation work began on the Old Testament.

Today the Bible is complete and Ronga speakers are engaging with its powerful truths that transform lives.

Will you join us in thanking God for making his Word available to the Ronga people of Mozambique?

Let’s Pray Together

God, thank you for guiding this Bible translation project for the last 43 years so that the Ronga people could access your Word. We pray that you will speak to them, revealing your great love for them and hope for their future.