Source: United Bible Societies, June 28, 2013
Sunday, June 30 [saw] the dedication of the modern translation of the Sango Bible in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, three months later than planned due to the coup that ousted the country’s president in March.
The country has been wracked by political instability over the last 50 years, leaving both economic and social scars. It is one of the least developed countries in the world and its communities are deeply divided.
Today, around half of its five million people are Christians, while 35 percent hold indigenous beliefs and 15 percent are Muslims. French is the official language, but the lingua franca is Sango (or Sangho).
The first Sango Bible was translated by missionaries and published in 1966. Nearly 15 years later the churches felt the need for a completely new translation using modern Sango [and] taking an easier to understand approach.
“God gave us the Bible to transform us, not just to inform us,” says Bible Society General Secretary Sylvain Ndjendolé. “His Word should transform our heart and not only our intellect.”
His prayer, and that of many others in the country, is that this translation of the Bible will help people understand more clearly than ever before the Bible’s teaching on forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, unity, and treating others with love and respect. Please join them in this prayer.
» See how the book of Luke in the Chrambo language transformed hearts in Cameroon, enabling them to forgive those who burned their village (YouTube video, Wycliffe Bible Translators) and read about another new African Bible translation, this one in Yoruba (Mission Network News).
Hello,
I live in France and I would like to buy the modern translation of the Sango Bible. Thank you.
Ivan, thanks for writing. I suggest you contact the Alliance Biblique Francaise and see if they can help you with this. http://www.la-bible.net/