An estimated 6.2 billion people can now read the word of God in their native tongue, after the Bible has been translated into its 800th language.

Wycliffe Bible Translators is celebrating the milestone, but have reiterated there is still more to do as one in five people are waiting for a text in their own language. 

Some of the most recent versions being worked on include Weh and Mokpe (both spoken in Cameroon), Ifè (spoken in Togo and Benin), Koma (a language in Ghana), and Shor (in Siberia)

The number of languages that have had the complete Bible translated has doubled since 1998. More than 100 translations have completed in the past six years, giving a further 500 million people access to the word of God. 

The translators believe it shows a team effort between local translation teams, their communities, supporters and outside agencies, helped by technological advancements.

James Poole, Wycliffe’s executive director, said: “This is an extraordinary time for world mission. Over recent decades we have seen remarkable progress, with translation work accelerating in many parts of the world. Communities are receiving the Bible far sooner than would have seemed possible only a generation ago.

“That matters because it means people are gaining access to God’s word in languages they understand deeply and naturally. As churches engage with the Scriptures in their own languages, they are better equipped for evangelism, discipleship and ministry. God is at work, and we have the privilege of being part of this historic moment.”

He added that there is a “sense of urgency” to ensure all have access to the Bible, as “every language represents people whom God loves”.