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1,000 Bible Versions: See the Bigger Picture

If you use the Bible App, then you’re an important part of a global milestone:

YouVersion now offers more than 1,000 Bible versions,
in more than 700 languages.

Imagine millions of people all over the world, gathering together in unity around God’s Word. But even that offers just a glimpse of all that this milestone could mean. So we’ve put together this special infographic for you, to help give context for this genuinely historic event:

See what 1000 Bible versions could mean (infographic)

The 1,000th version is Deftera Lfida Dzratawi (XEDNT), the first digital translation of the New Testament into Hdi (pronounced huh-DEE). Read on our blog about how its translators discovered a lost Hdi word that perfectly describes God’s love!

 

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And the 1,000th Bible Version is…

The YouVersion community has now reached a truly global milestone: The Bible App just added its 1,000th Bible version! With Bibles available in more than 700 languages, that means that millions of people are now reading God’s Word in the language of their hearts, together.

Version number 1,000 is Deftera Lfida Dzratawi (XEDNT), the first digital translation of the New Testament into Hdi (pronounced huh-DEE), a language spoken mostly in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. Generously provided to the YouVersion community by Wycliffe, this Bible’s translation is an incredible story of perseverance and love decades in the making…

Completed Deftera Lfida Dzratawi NT, delivered to Hdi in late 2013

The Deftera Lfida Dzratawi is Living and Active

A seed planted. In the 1970’s, John† was a Christian from the Mafa language group who felt God calling him to move his family to live among the Hdi people in the mountains of Cameroon. Together, John and his family lived out his vision to learn Hdi and to share the Gospel with its people, eventually leading a small group of 12- and 13-year-old boys to a relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.

The faithful continue watering. In 1987, Beth Gathman and Cindy Langermann came to live among the Hdi people, hoping to lay the groundwork for an eventual Hdi language Bible. By that time, two of the boys from John’s original small group, Philip† and Steven†, had grown into young men. These first generation Hdi Christians taught Beth and Cindy how to speak the language, then continued working with them to analyze and document its various structures.

When Beth and Cindy moved on to other careers in 1995, Lee and Tammi Bramlett moved their family to Cameroon to continue the work. And Philip and Steven were right there to welcome them, determined to help see the translation through, so that the nearly 45,000 Hdi speakers in Cameroon and Nigeria could  have a Bible that was truly their own.

In Hdi: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)

The harvest realized. Translators completed the Hdi text in partnership with SIL International and the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, and in September 2012, the Deftera Lfida Dzratawi was typeset. After printing and shipping, the final XEDNT was joyfully delivered to the Hdi people in a special dedication ceremony in December 2013.

Hdi hold the NT, translated into their own language, for the 1st time

A New Kind of Love

The Hdi people deeply value humility, hospitality, and love. But the Hdi who assisted in the translation were surprised to discover a new way to apply a word that was known but rarely used. Hdi had a word for love, dvi, that means you once felt love for someone, but that love had faded over time. Hdi also had another, more common word for love, dva, that means you love someone because they do things for you. But when the Hdi reexamined a word seldom used in their language, dvu, which means to love someone unconditionally, no matter who they are or what they do, they discovered a whole new way they could apply it to their lives: recognizing it as the way that God loves them. Now the Hdi are convinced that dvu has the power to transform their entire culture.

Hdi reach toward the Deftera Lfida Dzratawi as they pray at its dedication

†Names changed to protect the privacy of these individuals.

Did you know…

  • 87% of Christians with Internet access can read or listen to the Bible in their own language on the Bible App?
  • The Bible App offers text in more languages than any other app?
  • If you stacked 1,000 Bibles on top of each other, they’d be as tall as Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue?

See the full infographic…

Click to see more

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Fresh Starts: Not Just for New Year’s

In a few days, 2014 will be half over. That means the second half of 2014 is just beginning! You don’t have to wait until January to begin or re-begin a daily practice of spending time in the Bible.

Kick off Your Half-Year Resolution on July 1

1. Pick a Bible Plan
Plans come in all shapes and sizes—more than 800 options from topical to devotional, and a few days to a few months in length. Search for one you’re really interested in and make sure it’s a goal you think you can achieve. How about a short Plan to get things rolling? Or, have you ever tried a video Plan? Find your Plan and start on July 1.

2. Put the App to Work for You
You’ll find lots of features to help you stick with your goal: Set a reminder in the app to help you stay on track. Listen to your daily selections with an audio Bible. And don’t be shy about using the “Catch Me Up” button if you fall behind!

3. Include Your Friends
People are more successful starting new habits with the support of friends. Make sure you’ve added your friends in Bible App 5 and start sharing what you’re bookmarking, highlighting, and noting each day. You can even do the same Plan together.

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4. Let’s do this together!
Use the hashtag #HalfYearResolution on Facebook and Twitter to share what you’re starting on July 1. It would be great to see the YouVersion community inspiring people all over the world toward a new beginning!

 
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Bible App 5 is Now Available for Kindle Fire

Bible App 5 is our biggest update ever, and we’re thrilled to announce it’s now available for Kindle Fire! People around the world are seeing Scripture in a new way as they explore the Bible with their closest friends.

ba5 kindle fire

Conversations About the Bible

Now, highlights, bookmarks, and notes are a way to share what you’re discovering with people you care about. Meaningful conversations about the Bible become part of your daily life as you ask questions, offer encouragement, and learn together.

Verse of the Day

One of the YouVersion Community’s favorite features gets a prime spot in Bible App 5. View today’s, yesterday’s, or even last week’s Verse of the Day right from the Home screen as a daily reminder of God’s truth and love.

Bible App for Kindle Fire

 Find out more about Bible App 5 from our announcement in April. Update the Bible App on your Kindle Fire today and start having meaningful conversations about God’s Word.

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New Bible Plans from All Sons & Daughters, Beating Burnout, Family, & More

Reading (and listening or watching) the Bible every day, even if it’s only a little bit each time, impacts how you see life. When you subscribe to a Bible Plan, you’re a part of a worldwide community seeking God daily. Find these Plans and more by viewing the Featured category under Plans.

All Sons & Daughters – Devotional
All Sons & Daughter, 7 Days
All Sons & Daughters, the worship duo from Journey Church in Tennessee, focus on Jesus while embracing the tension of the Christian walk. In this seven-day devotional, learn to rely on Him and His truths as you walk a Christian life.

Journey to Change
NewSpring Church, 21 Days
From the minute we accept Jesus into our heart, our life is forever changed. In this Plan, NewSpring Church shares stories from 21 people who met Jesus and will never be the same. Learn how life changing a relationship with Christ can be!

31 Days of Building Your Family’s Values
Family ID, 31 Days
The first step to determining the legacy you want to leave behind is establishing strong values that are important to pass on. Strong family values prepare you for the future and help make daily decisions. As a family, explore 31 values that you can pray through together.

Beating Burnout: Finding Hope and Health
Anne Marie Miller, 3 Days
Feeling tired? Burned out? It’s easy to take on more than you can handle and become burned out. Join Anne Marie Miller in this daily guide and learn how to avoid burnout. Focus your energy on rest, holistic health, and the power of prayer.

YouVersion Community Favorites

Looking for more Bible Plans? Bible readers around the world recommend these noteworthy favorites. This month, we’re highlighting Plans about Pentecost and the early church, as well as family and parenting.

 

Bible Plans with Friends

By changing your Plan settings to “Friends,” your friends can see your daily progress and add comments of encouragement. They might even be inspired by your choice or progress and start the Plan themselves. If you haven’t already, update to Bible App 5 and add friends to start sharing the Bible together. Update to Bible App 5 now.

Tip: Use a Plan for Group Study

Does your group want to study the Bible together? Plans to the rescue! Choose a Plan, start on the same day, and see how you can bring additional insights to each other. Read each day’s content, bookmark Scripture that speaks to you, and share notes.