Translation Notes
Open-licensed exegetical notes that provide historical, cultural, and linguistic information for every verse of the Bible. They supply translators and checkers with pertinent, just-in-time information to guide translation decisions.
Figures of speech
Explanations of metaphors, similes, metonymy, irony, and other rhetorical devices found in the biblical text.
Cultural & historical context
Background information the original audience would have understood but modern translators may not.
Alternate translations
Suggested wordings for passages that are difficult to render in other languages.
Translation Words
A Bible lexicon built for translators. Clear, concise definitions and translation suggestions for every important word in the Bible.
Key biblical terms
Words like “grace,” “covenant,” “redeem,” and “righteous” with clear definitions written for non-specialists.
Names & places
Important people and places in the Bible with pronunciation guidance and contextual information.
Translation suggestions
Practical guidance on how to render each term accurately in other languages.
Translation Academy
A modular, self-paced training manual that equips translators with the skills and knowledge they need to produce high-quality Bible translations.
Translation process
Step-by-step guidance on how to form a team, draft, check, and publish a translation using the unfoldingWord methodology.
Translation principles
Core concepts like meaning-based translation, natural language, and accuracy that underpin every good translation.
Checking manual
Clear criteria and reproducible procedures for community checking, peer review, and consultant checking.
Source Texts
Two complementary English Bibles designed as translation tools. Used side by side, they give translators a three-dimensional view of the text.
Literal Text (ULT)
A form-centric version that adheres closely to the word order and grammatical structure of the original biblical languages. It lets translators “see through” the English to the forms of the source text.
- Retains original language structures and word order
- Preserves figures of speech and idioms intact
- Every word aligned to Hebrew or Greek
Simplified Text (UST)
A meaning-centric version that deliberately avoids figures of speech, idioms, abstract nouns, and complex grammatical forms. It expresses the meaning as clearly and explicitly as possible.
- No figures of speech — plain meaning only
- Abstract nouns rephrased as verbs or clauses
- Explicit participants and natural word order
Translation Questions
Comprehension and theological questions for each chapter of the Bible. A simple, reproducible way to test whether a translation communicates clearly to its audience.
- Read the passage aloud. A checker reads the translated passage to a native speaker who has not seen the text.
- Ask the questions. The checker asks the Translation Questions for that chapter.
- Evaluate the answers. If the listener answers correctly based solely on what they heard, the translation is communicating clearly. If not, it may need revision.
A complete translation toolkit
No single resource stands alone. Each one fills a specific role in helping translation teams produce accurate, clear, and natural Bible translations.
- Start with the source texts. The ULT shows translators the form of the original languages; the UST shows them the meaning. Together they give a three-dimensional view.
- Check with Translation Notes. For difficult passages, the notes provide historical, cultural, and linguistic context to guide translation decisions.
- Verify key terms with Translation Words. The lexicon ensures that important biblical vocabulary is rendered accurately and consistently.
- Test with Translation Questions. Community checking confirms that the final translation communicates clearly to its audience.
- Manage it all in translationCore®. The desktop application brings all resources together in a single checking environment, tracking progress and enabling systematic quality assurance.
Explore these resources with BT Servant
BT Servant is an AI-powered assistant that helps you engage with translation notes, words, and source texts interactively. Ask questions, get explanations, and deepen your understanding of the resources.
Open and unrestricted
Every resource is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0. The global Church can freely use, translate, adapt, and redistribute them.