Tedim Zomi Bible Translation Project

Tedim Zomi is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in northwestern Myanmar (Burma) and in the states of Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram in northern India. It is estimated that there are 257,000 Tedim Zomi speakers. 

On their 2023 visit to India, our Editorial Director and Senior Editorial Consultant (Projects) were able to meet with a gentleman who has translated the Bible from the Authorised Version into Tedim Zomi. There is another Bible in this language, but it is based on the Good News Bible. At the meeting, time was spent understanding the background of his work and how the language in India differed from the closely related Zokam language spoken over the border in Myanmar. As always in such initial meetings, the principles and practices of the Society were explained in some detail; we were happy to find that these were agreeable to him.

Since that meeting, we have undertaken considerable work with him, and at the July 2023 General Committee meeting his translation of the Gospel according to John was approved for publication, and permission was given to continue working with him as he reviews and refines his translation. We are now in the process of preparing the Gospel of John for digital and print publication.

‘Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me’ (John 5.39).

How to pray for the project:

• For the translator as he does his final review of the Gospel according to John, and as he continues to work on refining the translation of the Bible.
• For the printing and online publication processes to go smoothly and quickly.
• That the Gospel according to John would be used for the salvation of Tedim Zomi speakers throughout Myanmar and India.