Swahili Bible Translation

Swahili is the most widely spoken African language in sub-Saharan Africa—this includes the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Spoken by about 80 million people, Swahili has about fifteen dialects and borrows vocabulary from Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, English, Hindustani, and German. The TBS Swahili translation aims to be widely understood by many of the dialects. While originally written in Arabic script, today it is written in Latin script.

English is spoken in many African countries where Swahili is spoken, however, TBS desires for everyone to read the Scriptures in their own heart language. In the more rural areas of Kenya there is a great need for a sound edition of the Swahili Scriptures as so few know English well.

The Swahili translation project commenced in early 2021 and has progressed well. The Gospel according to John has been approved by the General Committee for publication and it has been typeset and the online edition of it has also been prepared for publication. The translation team is now reviewing both of these. Lord willing, we hope that the Gospel according to John in both print and digital formats will be published this autumn.

Please pray for the Swahili project as the final review of the Gospel according to John comes to completion and for its impending publication.