The Holy Bible has been translated into the Pazande language which is spoken in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.
This event instills joy and exhilaration in the people living in these countries, as they will be able to be familiarized with "the Word of God" which calls for love and peace.
The translation of the Holy Bible into the Pazande language, in the first place, is in line with the teaching of Lord Jesus Christ who urged His disciples to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature.
"Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they[will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16; 14-18)
This step is of great importance as such an edition of Sacred Scripture will cover more than four million faithful who speak the Pazande language in these African countries.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSLATING THE HOLY BIBLE INTO THE PAZANDE LANGUAGE?
With the Bible, ''the Word of God'' serving as the pivot of all aspects of life, it has become a necessity for Africa. The continent of Africa has recently become a source of concern to the entire world as repeated attacks on people based on their religious or ethnic affiliations is carried out on daily bases. With the Bible teachings instilled in the society, with reference to Lord Jesus teachings of love compassion, and mercy, then the Bible will definitely make radical changes in various parts of the African continent. It will replace violence with peace, hatred with love, and bloodbaths into rosy orchards of common living.
In this regard, an example of the sermon of Lord Jesus on the Mount further explains this point namely:
Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."
It is also hoped that the Bible will become a vital reference point for the life of every faithful. It is important to celebrate, read, pray and share the Word of God by referring all the time to this first version of the Pazande Bible by these African peoples.
Furthermore, it is important to urge people in other parts of the world who have the Holy Bible translated into their own languages to read parts of it on daily bases so as to be as close as possible to Lord Jesus, enjoy His love and compassion. When reading the Bible, God opens our spiritual eyes and shows us the glimpses of His glory which we cannot see by ourselves. As the Holy Bible says, "We ask God to open our spiritual eyes to show us the glimpses of glory we cannot see by ourselves. Without his help, we are simply 'natural' persons with natural eyes. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand [see] them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Read the Holy Bible and have genuine spiritual nourishment.
