THE BIBLE SOCIETY OF TANZANIA
“GOD’S WORD OPEN FOR ALL”
Our Vision
Our vision is to see that every person in Tanzania has access to Scriptures.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make available and encourage the use of Holy Scriptures to every person in a language each can understand and in an appropriate format at a price they can afford and in partnership with the Church and other stakeholders.
Our Story
The history of Bible work in Tanzania dates back to 1868 when the first translation of parts of the Bible into Swahili was accomplished with a complete New Testament translation completed in 1879. A translation of the whole Bible was completed in 1890. Since that time the Society has undertaken several translations into different dialects of Swahili as spoken in different regions of East Africa. These include the Union translation published by the Bible Society of Tanzania in 1950, the Swahili Common Language Version which was published in 1977, and Biblia Habari Njema (a modern translation) first published in 1996. The Bible Society became a full member of the United Bible Societies (UBS) in 1988. UBS is a Worldwide Fellowship of the Bible Societies and the membership has given BST official recognition by the Churches as the organisation responsible for translation, production and supply of Scripture in Tanzania. Even though there are a number of agencies involved in Bible work in Tanzania; the task of translation of the Bible into Kiswahili and other local languages has been carried largely by BST.
What we Do
BIBLE TRANSLATION
We translate the Holy Scriptures into various local languages of Tanzania. Currently, 8 complete local language Bibles have been translated and 41 others have New Testament Bibles.
Translation is done in cooperation with the church.
To ensure accuracy and faithfulness to the original text, translation is done by a minimum of two translators, trained in theology and possessing working knowledge of of Hebrew and Greek languages. This team is then assigned a Translation consultant with wide experience in translation and trained in theology or Bible studies and linguistics.
The work done by the translators is subjected to rigorous review by a committee composed of members recommended by the Church.
This whole process is tedious and costly, requiring large sums of money over a long period of time.
BIBLE PRODUCTION
We publish scriptures in various formats including print, audio, visual and braille in order to meet the needs of all kinds of people. Since the scriptures are mostly used on a daily basis, we make sure the quality is top. This therefore dictates where production is done. Most of our production is done abroad and this comes at a high cost.
BIBLE DISTRIBUTION
For effective distribution of scriptures, we use various channels.
This includes;
- The Bible shop at Bible House,
- Distribution vans
- Social media
- Online catalogue/shop
- Church Book stalls
- Volunteers
A commission or discount is given to all distributors who purchase Scriptures from us of value above Tsh. 200,000. We do ship or dispatch Purchased Scriptures up to a Regional town at our cost.
|
|
Value in Tsh |
Discount |
|
1. |
0 – 200,0000 |
0% |
|
2. |
200,001 – 1,000,000 |
10% |
|
3. |
1,000,001 – 10,000,000 |
15% |
|
4. |
10,000,001 – 30,000,000 |
20% |
|
5. |
30,000,001 – and above |
25% |
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
To help people engage with the scriptures, we design and implement various programs such as;
- Trauma healing.
- Faith Comes by Hearing.
- Providing Scriptures for People with Visual Disability, and
- Deaf Bible opportunity Tanzania.
- Literacy
You can’t read the Bible if you can’t read.
Our literacy training helps around 500 people across the people in Morogoro of the two district (Gairo and Kilosa) Tanzania every year to learn basic reading and writing skills.
This helps people not only to thrive in life, but also to engage directly with Scriptures.
WHAT WE ARE
We are Christians who spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by translating, producing, distributing and encouraging the people to use the Scriptures in their day-to-day lives.
Prayer binds us together.
Wherever we live we can pray for the work for God’s Kingdom all over Tanzania. Join us as we focus on the prayer requests of each week. In the course of a year, prayers are said for every region and territory in which Bible work takes place.
Sponsor Program
We are keen to welcome and work with people who feel they might have something to offer in making our mission a reality. If you feel you might be able to strengthen the work of our Bible Society and bring your experience or passion to help us achieve our vision, then we’d love to hear from you.
Charity Fund
We believe the Bible is for everyone. We believe that it contains the truth about God’s love for humanity, and that without that truth people can’t live to their full potential. That is why we are working tirelessly, in 31 Region of Tanzania, to make the Bible available and understood and to help people release its power into their lives.
Support us
You can make an incredible difference…
Children in Tanzania Need you
Children are a gift from God. It is our responsibility as family, community and the church as a whole to feed them spiritually until they are older and can fend for themselves.
Your support today, will ensure that children in Tanzania experience the transformation that comes from reading the word of God.
Please help us to make this a reality by donating now.
Free Bibles for Prisoners in Tanzania
You donation will help prisoners in Tanzania as follows:-
- There will be positive behavior change among inmates.
- Reduction of chaos in the prisons.
- Inmates will gain direction and meaning for their life while in prison.
- It will help inmates to have peace of mind especially those serving long sentence.
Become a BST Member Today
Your Support is needed. Become a member today by joining a dedicated community of well-wishers who are helping us to fulfill our mission.
News & Updates
Uzinduzi wa sehemu ya Biblia (portion) kwa lugha ya Kiha.
Uzinduzi wa sehemu ya Biblia (portion) kwa lugha ya Kiha.Mahali: Kijiji cha Nyakimwe, Wilaya ya Buhigwe Dhehebu: Kanisa la Anglican Maelezo ya Meneja wa Tafsiri, Leah Kiloba Leah Kiloba alielezea maendeleo ya mradi huu, akisisitiza kuwa Chama cha Biblia kinaendelea...
KILELE CHA MAADHIMISHO YA JUMA LA BIBLIA MKOANI DODOMA
KILELE CHA MAADHIMISHO YA JUMA LA BIBLIA MKOANI DODOMADodoma, 03 Novemba 2024 – Maadhimisho ya kilele cha Juma la Biblia mwaka huu yamefanyika kwa mafanikio makubwa mkoani Dodoma, katika Uwanja wa Mashujaa. Maadhimisho hayo yaliyoanza na maandamano ya amani kutoka...
UZINDUZI WA SEHEMU YA BIBLIA KWA LUGHA YA KINYIHA WAFANYIKA KANISA LA MORAVIAN, MBOZI
UZINDUZI WA SEHEMU YA BIBLIA KWA LUGHA YA KINYIHA WAFANYIKA KANISA LA MORAVIAN, MBOZIJimbo la Mbozi, Kanisa la Moravian Ushirika wa Igamba – 27 Oktoba 2024Tukio la kihistoria la uzinduzi wa vitabu vya Biblia vilivyotafsiriwa kwa lugha ya Kinyiha vitabu vya Ruthu, 1...
Wito wa Chama
Chama kinatoa wito kwa wakristo wote, mmoja mmoja na makanisa yote kujiunga na kuwa mwanachama wa Chama cha Biblia cha Tanzania na kuchangia Chama kama fedha, mawazo nguvu kazi na maombi ili kukiwezesha kuendesha kazi zake za Kutafsiri, Kuchapisha na Kueneza Maandiko Matakatifu kwa watu wote Tanzania.
HELP US TO IMPACT CHILDREN’S LIVES IN TANZANIA
Children are a gift from God. It is our responsibility as family, community and the church as a whole to feed them spiritually until they are older and can fend for themselves.
Your support today, will ensure that children in Tanzania experience the transformation that comes from reading the word of God. Please help us to make this a reality by donating now.
MAKING THE BIBLE AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE
Changing lives through translation, trauma healing, and Scripture engagement.
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
People are at the heart of what we do.