BandiOld Testament Translation

Support the Bandi team’s work to bring God’s Word to the remote Lofa County region in northern Liberia.

Bible Translation

Country

  • Liberia

Region

  • West Africa

Language Population

149,000

bandi churches await the full bible

The New Testament is available to Bandi speakers, but that is only half of the Bible–only half the story of God’s Word.

People cannot understand the New Testament fully without the books of the Old Testament (OT) in their language. The English version of the OT is available, but most do not understand it well. 

Church leaders want their communities to have access to the full account of God’s plan. The complete translation of the Bible equips communities to read, study, understand and share God’s Word.

Empower Local Leaders

We believe that every community should have the chance to read the Bible in the language they know best, led by people they trust and respect. Your financial gifts and prayers help leaders in Liberia translate the Bible into the Bandi language.

Annual Goals

  1. Goal for drafting: 4,500 Old Testament verses. Individual translators draft assigned books.
  2. 1,200 copies of Scripture portions will be printed and distributed to reviewers and other stakeholders for feedback.
  3. Goal for consultant checking: 5,887 verses. Books ready: Genesis, Ezra, Joel, Numbers, 1 & 2 Kings, Daniel, and Deuteronomy.

Bandi Old Testament Translation Program Plan

Step 1

Individuals translate an assigned book.

Step 2

Book drafts are team checked and consultant checked.

Step 3

Drafts are finalized and prepared for publishing.

Meet the Local Team

Partner Organizations

Honoring the Language

Bandi is a Mande language that belongs to the Niger-Congo language family.

Most speakers live in remote parts of northern Liberia, though they also live in Guinea.

The people of this community are subsistence farmers.

Program Progress

The Bandi Old Testament Translation effort is underway, with new translators joining the effort to bring the Bible to Bandi speakers. 

  • The Old Testament is over 47% complete. 
  • Two new translators have been added to the team, and both have gone through Paratext and Translation training. 

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