About us
Purpose statement
The Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) is a Russian scholarly organisation engaged in translating, publishing and distributing the Bible in the languages of non-Slavic peoples living in Russia and neighbouring countries.
According to the Strategy of State National Policy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025, Russia is home to 193 peoples of different religions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, shamanism). They use about 277 languages and dialects. 105 of those languages are used in the public education system, 24 as languages of instruction and 81 as subjects of study. The number of speakers of some of these languages is in the millions, while others are spoken by only a few thousand or even hundreds of people. Some languages have a long literary tradition, while others have only recently been written.
IBT's goal is to produce accurate and theologically sound translations that make the content of the Bible available to modern readers in their own language.
IBT Russia/CIS office in Moscow
The office of IBT Russia/CIS is located in St. Andrew's Monastery in Moscow (also the location of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Library), on the banks of the Moscow River next to the new building of the Russian Academy of Sciences Presidium. IBT is a non-profit scholarly organization with staff from different Christian traditions and denominations.
Partnership
IBT is a member of the International Forum of Bible Agencies (IFOBA). In some translation projects IBT partners with other international Bible translation agencies, such as United Bible Societies (UBS), SIL International, and the Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT). In the countries of its activity IBT works in cooperation with churches and religious organizations of all Christian denominations, national Bible Societies, scientific institutions and with the state authorities.
Bible Translation
IBT strives to make accurate and faithful translations which reveal the message of the Bible to modern readers in their own languages. IBT’s office in Moscow coordinates the work of 65 translation projects. Translation team members live in different cities and countries, but at certain stages of their work it is necessary for them to meet and work together. In addition to coordinating and administering the work of Bible translation, the office also holds seminars for translators and exegetical advisers. There are usually three such seminars each year. In addition to its Bible publications, IBT also produces Scripture books for children, Bible reference works and scientific materials related to the receptor languages.
Publishing
IBT publishes quality editions appropriate for a book’s content and readers’ expectations. The Moscow office prepares the translated Bible texts for publishing. The staff is involved in typesetting, illustrations, maps and cover design. In addition, technical assistance, such as computer hardware and software support, font problems, etc., is provided by Moscow office staff to translators in the field. IBT maintains contacts with printing houses in Russia and abroad.
Distribution, Information and PR
IBT coordinates the distribution of the published editions through cooperation with distribution partners - churches of all denominations, libraries, educational and scientific institutions, IBT organizes presentations of its publications, issues a Newsletter in English and German and publishes the "News of Bible Translation" information bulletin in Russian.
Funding
IBT Russia/CIS is a non-profit organization financed through charity donations and contributions from individuals, organizations & foundations.