Crossway and Bible Society Expand Long-Term Agreement
(Wheaton, IL; Swindon, England)—July 15, 2008—Crossway Books and Bibles and The British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) announce an expanded long-term agreement for international publication and distribution of the ESV Bible (English Standard Version). The new agreement enables BFBS and its affiliates to publish and distribute special editions of Crossway’s more than 120 current ESV text Bibles and future text editions in the countries where they operate around the world.
BFBS will continue to champion the ESV as its primary essentially literal Bible translation throughout the worldwide network of Bible Societies. Director of Resources Derek Hill explains, “We want to see the Bible’s life-changing message known and loved by people everywhere, and this agreement will mean many more people have access to the ESV’s clear, contemporary translation.”
This partnership has already produced the Chinese government approved bilingual Chinese (CUV)-English (ESV) Bible. “I can think of no better way for the next generation of leaders who want to learn English—in China and other countries—than to do so by using a bilingual Bible,” comments Crossway president Dr. Lane Dennis. Spanish, Thai, Khmer, and Swahili diglots are already completed; and Russian, German, Tamil, Telugu, Malayam, and others are currently in process.
Bible distribution projects are a vital component of the partnership, which recently facilitated the printing and distribution of over 14,000 ESV Bibles throughout remote parts of Tanzania. Other distribution projects are planned, focusing on regions of the world where English is spoken, Bibles are scarce, and resources are limited.
