Last Friday I got a new Bible

« This is why I work for Wycliffe Bible Translators

Last Friday I got a new Bible

September 24, 2013 by John Hamilton

About 10 or 11 years ago, I helped some people to make contacts with colleagues in Wycliffe Bible Translators. These people, in N. Ireland and Bosnia, set out on a dream. Yesterday I held the fruit of that dream in my hands.

Back then, linguistic wisdom declared that Bosnians, Serbs and Croats could all understand the Bible in Serbo-Croat. Even today, The Ethnologue references to Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian all state – Bible: 1804–1968. In other words, there was a Bible developed over that time span that is mutually understandable to all three language groups.

However the Bosnian conflict of the 1990s, and the subsequent independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina, has resulted in a nationalisation of all three languages.

While linguistically, there was no pressing reason for a translation of the Bible into Bosnian, there were very strong socio-linguistic reasons for doing so. Bosnian Christians, with clear memories of Serbian war crimes, wanted a Bible of their own.

The Bible in modern Bosnian is now complete. The translation was done by a group of Bosniak scholars in Sarajevo with supervision from an experienced Bible translator.

Last Friday I went to the Europa Hotel in Belfast, not to met Richard Haass and his team, but to catch up with two men who were instrumental in raising funds in N. Ireland to finance the project.

The English translation of the Introduction to the Bible says:

It is our prayer that God Almighty would speak through the pages of this translation and bless everyone who reads it, whatever religion they belong to.

And that’s how I now have the Bosnian Bible that you see in the photo above.

This is another reason why I work for Wycliffe Translators

Posted in Bible translation, languages, Wycliffe Bible Translators | Tagged Bible translation, Bosnia, languages, The Story everybody needs, wycliffe bible translators | 52 Comments

52 Responses

on October 30, 2013 at 3:02 am | Reply Dzenita

Hey John,

Is this bible translation available for sale online somewhere? I am from North Carolina and have been searching for this for quite a while.
- on October 30, 2013 at 9:08 am | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Dzenita
  I have passed you message on to someone who will be in touch.
  God bless, John
  - on September 6, 2015 at 3:07 am Sharon O
    
    Please, John, i am not sure i am doing this correctly, but i too am trying to get some friends a Bible in Bosian. Thank you.
on November 10, 2013 at 11:18 pm | Reply Ana C. Melecio

I too want to know where I can get a copy of the Bosnian Bible. I need to get a copy to give it as a gift to a Bosnian friend. It would be a beautiful thing if you could get in touch with Bible.Is to have the Bosnian language included in this website. Congratulations on this so needed wonderful Bible project.
- on November 11, 2013 at 2:31 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Ana,
  I have passed your message on to someone who will be in touch.
  God bless, John
on November 18, 2013 at 3:10 pm | Reply Cindy Asche

Hi John,
If this Bible is available for sale, it would be a huge answer to prayer. We have Bosnian friends that escaped the war in the 90’s and came to the US as refugees. I would love to be able to give them a Bible in their own language. Could you let me know where to find it?

Blessings!
on November 18, 2013 at 4:19 pm | Reply John Hamilton

Hi Cindy!
I have passed this on to someone who can help you.
God bless,
John
on November 25, 2013 at 9:29 pm | Reply Jenny Kehner

I also would like to purchase a Bosnian Bible. I have a friend from Bosnia who I have shared Scripture with, but I think it would be so much easier for him to not only have his own Bible, but one in his language. I really want to give it as a Christmas gift. Please pass my information on to someone who can help me.

God bless,
Jenny
on November 28, 2013 at 9:53 am | Reply John Hamilton

Dear Jenny,
I have passed your message on to someone who will be able to help you.
God bless, John
on December 5, 2013 at 10:20 pm | Reply steven beeman

John! I have just befriended a young bosnian man at college. I was hoping to give him a Bosnia Bible for Christmas this year. My name is Steven.my number is 515-360-9748. Please help! sb
- on December 5, 2013 at 10:47 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Steven! I have passed your message on to someone who will be able to help you. Hopefully it can be organised by Christmas. Postage is a problem, I believe. The Bosnian Bible is a weighty book, but my friends can advise.
  Happy Christmas
  God bless, John
  - on December 7, 2013 at 1:29 am steven beeman
    
    I wanted to clarify with my friend… he does read Bosnian. Will your friends be calling me or contacting me through email?? Thanks John!
  - on December 8, 2013 at 9:35 am John Hamilton
    
    Steven
    I passed on your request above and this e-mail address sbeeman@desmoinesfirst.org. I expect that they will contact you via e-mail. John
on December 5, 2013 at 10:50 pm | Reply John Hamilton

I’m hoping all you folks above requesting a Bosnian Bible will let me know what happens. There must be another blog post in here somewhere. John
on March 5, 2014 at 4:22 pm | Reply Jon

I would really like to get a copy of the bible in Bosnian for my wife as a gift. Bosnian is her native language. Please help!
- on March 5, 2014 at 4:56 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Thank you, Jon, for your message.
  Please send me an e-mail address and I can put you in touch with the right person to help you.
  God bless,
  john
on April 20, 2014 at 3:18 am | Reply Anita

I would also love a copy of the Bosnian Bible! I’m originally from Bosnia and was saved at the age of 18. My family aren’t Believers but I have spoken to them about the Lord Jesus and continue to pray for them and the Bosnian people.
- on April 28, 2014 at 3:18 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Anita! Great to hear your story. If you send me your e-mail address, I can pass it on to someone who can help you get a Bosnian Bible.
  God bless, John
  PS Please let me know what happens
  - on May 1, 2014 at 2:06 pm John Hamilton
    
    Anita, I have passed on your request for a Bosnian Bible. God bless, John
on April 20, 2014 at 3:31 am | Reply Brad

Hi John, it is pretty awesome to see all these people that also want a bible in Bosnian. I have neighbors who are from Bosnia and would also love it if you could pass my email address along to the right person that would be great!! remade4areason@gmail.com
Thanks!
Brad
on May 1, 2014 at 6:08 am | Reply charissapal

Hello, could you also send me any information you have on getting a Bosnian Bible? Thank you so much
- on May 1, 2014 at 2:06 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  charissapal, I have passed on your request. Someone should be in touch soon by e-mail. God bless, John
on May 12, 2014 at 2:12 am | Reply Brad Johnson

Hi John, can you pass on my request for a Bosnian bible as well? I appreciate your help!
on June 20, 2014 at 1:36 pm | Reply Crystal Davidson

John,
Thank you for the work that you do. I as well would like information on purchasing a Bosnian Bible. God Bless you.
- on June 20, 2014 at 1:55 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Crystal! let me have your e-mail address and I’ll pass on your request. John
on October 4, 2014 at 1:52 am | Reply Andrew Moore

Hi John,
It’s great so many people want this Bible. I would like to buy one as well for a Bosnian co-worker. My email is andrew_moore1@hotmail.com. THanks!
- on October 4, 2014 at 4:03 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Andrew, I’ll be in touch next week re your request for a Bosnian Bible.
  John
on October 19, 2014 at 10:27 pm | Reply Dustin Richards

Hi John, I’m doing a seminary project on the unreached people group of Bosniaks. I would love more information on how the translation of the Bible into Bosnian transpired, who did the work and how long it took. I would also love contact info for people looking to purchase a Bosnian Bible. Please e-mail me at Dmanofgod1@yahoo.com.

I would love to hear from you.
Dustin
on January 4, 2015 at 7:32 pm | Reply ED WALKWITZ

Hey thanks for the news. I work with Bosnians and am learning the language. Could I buy a few copies?
- on January 4, 2015 at 9:53 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Ed!
  Tell me some more about your work.
  Let me have your e-mail address and I can put you in touch with sopmeone who can supply Bosnian Bibles for you.
  John
on May 1, 2015 at 8:55 pm | Reply Vitaliy

Can I please have a Bosnian Bible? I have a relative who reads and speaks Boznian and I would love to give them one. Please email me as to how I could acquire this!

God bless you,

Vitaliy
- on May 5, 2015 at 8:53 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Vitaliy
  Please respond with your e-mail address and I can put you in touch.
  God bless,
  John
on May 16, 2015 at 5:19 pm | Reply Jenny McGhee

I have a friend from Bosnia whom I would like to purchase a Bosnian Bible for. Can you please help me?
- on May 26, 2015 at 7:30 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Jenny
  I’ll need an e-mail address from you
  - on May 26, 2015 at 8:40 pm Proudgrandma20110@Yahoo.com
    
    My e-mail address is Proudgrandma20110@Yahoo.com
on June 3, 2015 at 3:06 am | Reply farocastiglo

Also looking for a Bosnian Bible. My email is jdcool88@Gmail.com
Thanks!
on June 8, 2015 at 2:52 am | Reply farocastiglo

I also am interested in a Bosnian Bible, for a co-worker. My email is jdcool88@Gmail.com

Thanks!
on June 30, 2015 at 7:19 pm | Reply Geneva

I’m also interested in the Bosnian Bible. Thank you
- on July 1, 2015 at 7:44 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Hi Geneva!
  I’ll need an email address for you
  John
on November 12, 2015 at 8:14 pm | Reply Joanna Verbanac

Hi John,
I’d like to buy a Bosnian Bible for friend.
I appreciate your help!
My email address is: joanna.verbanac@gmail.com
God Bless you!
on February 7, 2016 at 3:54 pm | Reply Robin Talbott

Hi John
I need a Bosnian bible for a co worker who is interested in spiritual renewal.
Please send me the information for purchase. Thank you for all you do.
Robin My email is momasyta@aol.com
- on February 8, 2016 at 1:08 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Robin, I’d be delighted to do so. However it would help to know more about you especially since you e-mail address seems to bear little relevance to your name.
  Just being careful 🙂
  John
on March 30, 2016 at 1:57 pm | Reply Dayanna

Hi John,

Is it a catholic bible or Protestant?
Please send me email with more information as I am interested to purchase a bible for my husband.
Thank you
on March 30, 2016 at 2:03 pm | Reply Dayanna H

Can you please send me more information on my e-mail:dayannahazbic@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you
God bless
- on April 6, 2016 at 3:15 pm | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Dear Dayanna,
  I have just e-mailed you.
  God bless you,
  John
on April 28, 2016 at 11:49 pm | Reply Brian Rodgers

I am interested in getting a Bosnian Bible for a co-worker. I did not know they were so hard to come by, your article is very insightful. Please email information about how I can get one.
Thank you
- on April 29, 2016 at 8:50 am | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Dear Brian, You have not supplied an email address…
  John
on May 23, 2016 at 4:03 am | Reply Evangeline NAST

I have a friend who needs a Bosnian Bible. Please tell me how I can purchase one.
Evangelinenast@hotmail.com
- on May 24, 2016 at 9:48 am | Reply John Hamilton
  
  Evangeline, I have e-mailed you
on June 2, 2016 at 1:37 pm | Reply I’m needing another Bosnian Bible! | John 20:21

[…] Ireland and Bosnia, set out on a dream. Read the story of the fulfilment of that dream in my blog here and find out why we have a copy in our Belfast […]
on October 17, 2016 at 12:16 pm | Reply John Hamilton

I hope all the people above requesting a Bosnian Bible have been successful in getting one. I just learned today that Bosnian Bibles can be ordered online at http://www.bosnianbible.com God bless, John
on October 19, 2016 at 2:03 pm | Reply Bosnian Bible available online! | John 20:21

[…] 24 September 2013 I wrote a post telling the story of my tiny involvement in the story of the translation of the full Bible into the […]