UNDERSTANDING CHANGES LIVES
Why does Bible translation matter?
Imagine receiving the most important message in the world but never fully understanding it.
Today, more people than ever are engaging with God’s Word, and as Bible translation continues, communities have the opportunity to encounter Him through Scripture in ways that are clear and meaningful.
Bible translation helps make it possible for people to:
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Understand who God is
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Encounter Jesus through His Word
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Grow in their faith, both individually and as a community
When people engage with God’s Word in a way they clearly understand, they begin to see who God is and respond to His love for them.
A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
What is happening in Bible translation today?
Around the world, approximately 7,400 known spoken and signed languages are in use by more than 8 billion people. Bible translation is part of a global movement led by local churches and supported by partners around the world to ensure that each one of these people has God’s Word.
To this end, Wycliffe USA is engaged in translation projects with more than 2,800 language communities, working alongside local churches and partners, so that people can experience the full story of Scripture.
THE IMPACT OF SCRIPTURE
What happens when Bible translation begins?
Bible translation is about so much more than the technical work of translating words. It’s about people encountering God through His Word.
As Scripture becomes available:
People Understand God
People begin to understand more about the God who created them and His love for them.
Identity Is Restored
Communities experience a renewed sense of identity and worth as people realize God sees them, knows them and speaks their language.
Churches Are Equipped
Churches are equipped for evangelism, discipleship, church planting and more.
People Encounter Jesus
Communities encounter Jesus in ways that are clear and personal.
Even early portions of Scripture can begin shaping lives as people hear, read or see God’s Word in a language they understand.
Step into stories of lives that have been changed >
TAKE A DEEPER LOOK
Frequently Asked Questions
You can read, listen to and watch the Bible in many languages online through digital Scripture platforms.
Explore Bible translations in different languages >
These resources include written translations, audio Bibles and video Scripture, making it possible to experience God’s Word in multiple languages and formats.
Some Bibles are also available in print, but many translations are shared digitally — especially in communities where physical copies are harder to access.
Bible translation is still necessary because right now, there are men, women and children around the world who don't have access to Scripture in a way that is clear, personal and meaningful to them.
In Revelation 7:9, we get a glimpse of a future in which people from every language and nation are worshipping before God's throne together.
This isn’t just a distant vision — it’s a promise. And it’s why we continue to be part of this work, so that all people can encounter God through His Word in a language and format they clearly understand.
No, the Bible has not been translated into every language. In fact, some language communities are still waiting for Bible translation work to begin.
Explore how Bible translation is progressing around the world, including how many languages have Scripture and where work is still underway.
While the Bible is available in most major and majority languages, Scripture is clearer and more meaningful when it’s translated into a language that people use every day.
Many communities:
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Speak minority or local languages
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Only have portions of the Bible
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Need Scripture in audio or visual formats
The goal is to ensure that all people can experience the full story of God’s Word in a language and format they clearly understand.
Wycliffe and our partners are committed to seeing Scripture made available for every heart, everywhere, so that all people can understand how much God loves them.
Sign languages are completely different from written and spoken languages, with their own grammar, structure and visual way of expressing meaning through movement, facial expression and body language.
Because of this, reading the Bible in a written language can feel to a Deaf person like engaging with the Bible in a second language. That’s why many Deaf communities understand Scripture most clearly when it’s translated into sign language and presented visually — allowing them to encounter God’s Word in a language and format that resonates with their hearts.
Want to go deeper? See how sign language Bible translation is helping Deaf communities encounter God’s Word, and step into these stories through immersive storytelling and firsthand accounts.
Today there are 514* known languages that still need Bible translation to begin.
Back in 1999, Wycliffe and our partners set a bold goal to see Bible translation started in every language still needing it by the year 2025. We called it Vision 2025.
At the time, it was estimated that around 3,000 languages needed translation. As research improved and understanding of global languages grew, that number was later revised to approximately 4,500-5,000 languages.
Since then, significant translation progress has been made, with more people than ever having access to God’s Word in their language.
*As of April 1, 2026. See the latest updates at wycliffe.org/progress.
Historically, it could take 20-40 years for a New Testament to be translated. But today, that’s changing! Through modern technology, AI tools and local language partnerships, a New Testament translation can be completed in four to eight years, depending on the language and resources available.
Factors include the size of the language community, whether a writing system exists, the technology available and how much support the project receives from the local community.
Technology helps accelerate Bible translation so more people can encounter God’s Word in a language and format they clearly understand.
Tools like artificial intelligence (AI) support translation teams by improving efficiency, accuracy and collaboration, allowing Scripture to become available more quickly in many languages.
For example, technology can:
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Help generate a first draft of Scripture using existing translations
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Identify errors or unclear wording in seconds
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Process language data to support translation in communities with little or no written Scripture
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Assist in developing writing systems for languages without an established alphabet
While technology can support the work, people remain at the center. Translators, consultants and community leaders help ensure that God’s Word is clear, natural and faithful to the original message.
EXPLORE BIBLE TRANSLATION
Where do you want to go next?
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
— Isaiah 55:11 (NLT)
