The Persian (Farsi) Old Testament

Persian, also known as Farsi, belongs to the Iranian branch of the Indo‐Iranian subdivision of
the Indo‐European languages. Persian is predominantly spoken and used officially within Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan in three mutually intelligible standard varieties: Persian, Dari, and Tajik. Thus, we are delighted that the online edition of the TBS Persian New Testament is being accessed from Afghanistan as well as Iran and other countries where Persian speakers reside. The entire New Testament in Persian is available at tbsonlinebible.com/#fa.

Notwithstanding many competing calls on our main reviser’s time—including a busy pastorate as well as a wider ministry to Iranian Christians—he continues to revise the Old Testament text of the 1895 Persian Bible. It is hoped that the Old Testament revision work can be completed next year, with the aim of publishing the whole Bible in 2024, God willing. Following the publication of the revised Persian New Testament in 2019, a second printing of 5,000 copies has recently been completed by BPS of Milford, Ohio funded by firstBible International. In addition, the Society plans a third printing of 7,500 copies at a European printer.

Use of the New Testament text (in part or in whole) has been granted to several other organisations, who are preparing or have prepared their own printings of various portions of the text. This includes a printing of the Gospel according to John undertaken in Iran.