Pure joy.

Pure joy describes the response of the Epie people in Nigeria who received the New Testament in their heart language last year at a special dedication event.

“As I receive this Bible today, I am the happiest person,” says Iwo Samson Famous. “I feel so good because, for a long time, we have been struggling with the English Bible. We thank God that anyone who reads the Epie Bible now will understand it.”

Miss Abraham Montgomery exclaims, “I have been praying and expecting this day. It is no longer a wish or a dream, but a reality.”

In a nation where 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, the messages of encouragement and inspiration found in God’s Word give people hope.

Juliet Clarkson held up her Bible, declaring, “It will make evangelism easier. When we go out to preach to people, they do not understand the English Bible. But now, we will be reading the Bible and preaching in the Epie language.”

Reverend Joshua Wilson explains, “We have been looking forward to this. I am going to use the Bible to preach to them. God will be speaking to them directly in their language.”

Reverend Father Joseph Opelema agrees. “This Bible will bring people closer to God because they will be able to read and understand it. This Epie Bible — the people will see it as their own.”

Nigeria has a huge population of over 200 million people, and over 500 languages! Of those 500 languages, only 30 have a full Bible translation. The need is still urgent for Scripture in Nigerian heart languages!

We are so thankful to our partners for taking up the critical mission of Bible translation for language groups across Nigeria and around the world.