A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

The World's Most Widely Distributed Book

First, the Bible deserves consideration because it is by far the most widely circulated and widely translated book in all human history.  Over 500  years  ago, the first edition printed from movable type came off Johannes Gutenberg's printing press.   Since then, an estimated four billion Bibles,in whole or in part, have been printed.  By 1996 the complete Bible or portions of it had been translated into 2,167 languages and dialects.  More than 90 percent of the human family have access to at least part of the Bible in their own language.  No other book-religious or otherwise-even comes close!

Statistics alone do not prove that the Bible is God's Word.   However, we should certainly expect a written record that is inspired of God to be accessible to people the world over.  After all, the Bible itself tells us that "God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."  (Acts 10:34, 35) Like no other book, the Bible has crossed national boundaries and has overcome racial and ethnic barriers.  Truly, the Bible is a book for all people!

Next time: A Unique Record of Preservation

Watchtower, 1998