Jude, “a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1:1a, NLT) wrote the second last book of the Bible – a short and forceful letter warning against ungodly people who have wormed their way in. (Jude 1:4). His epistle is an exhortation unlike any others; it is a call to fight for the faith by delighting in God through love and mercy.
But Jude’s appeal to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3) rings hollow for Christians from minority language groups in linguistically rich regions like Southeast Asia. Without Scripture accessible in their native tongues, what verses are they going to use to build themselves up in faith?
Jude also confronted false teachings in his time. Many Southeast Asian Christians, living in the shadows of another dominant religion, become increasingly susceptible to syncretism and misinterpretations when they lack God’s Word in their own language. Jude’s exhortation — “build“ yourselves up in the most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20b, NLT) — is hampered when the foundational messages of faith are linguistically barricaded. How can one “keep yourselves safe in God’s love” (Jude 1:21b, NLT) when verses remain distant echoes?
If you have ever seen an ethnic minority Christian fleeing conflict or natural disaster, clutching a battered Bible in an unfamiliar mainstream language, unable to fully grasp the nuances of God’s Word, yet unwilling to give it up… it is one individual too many deserving of Scripture in his or her native tongue.
Will you give a verse today to ensure that the “faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 1:3, NLT) is understood by all of God’s children in the language God Himself gifted them?
Mother Tongue Translators’ Earnest Sharing
Two mother tongue translators (MTTs) on the Dumas* translation team recently shared their thoughts about the project and its impact.
The first MTT reflected: “The experience of translating the Old Testament has helped me to study God’s Word in a much deeper way. I reflect on the stories I read and learn to apply in life the messages they carry.”
They continued with hope for their community: “I pray that the Dumas people who are animists will turn to Jesus as their Saviour after listening to the Gospel of Luke in their local language. Reaching out to them in their mother tongue will be effective because it removes the language barrier.”
The second MTT added: “The Dumas people will appreciate a Bible which they can read on their own and understand. Their faith in God will be strengthened. As for me, I am able to comprehend the Scriptures as it is in my own language.”
Your gift during our 1-for-1 matching challenge will be doubled, bringing Scripture to communities like the Dumas people in the language that speaks directly to their hearts.