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Long awaited Thanksgiving and Dedication of Myanmar Bible in Common Launguage was held in "Karen Centenary Church", Insein on January 12, 2006. More than 200 church leaders attended at the service from different denominations. The thankgiving and dedication service order was led by Rev Khoi Lam Thang (Translation Officer: BSM), the openning prayer was said by Bishop Zothan Mawia (Lower Methodist), Archbishop Samuel Mann San Si Htay (Chairman of Bible Society of Myanmar) and Rev Arun Suk Hnep (Program Consultant of UBS) said Greetings. The brief history of the Bible was presented by Saramu Aye Aye Chit (Translation Secretary: BSM), Rev Myo Chit (General Superintendant of General Council of Assemblies of God in Myanmar) led the dedication Prayer, Rev Dr Simon Pau Khan En (Professor at Myanmar Institute of Theology and Senior Pastor of Tedim Baptist Church) brought a challenging message. Honoring certificates were given away to those who have contributed their best to this Common Language Bible, Rev Saw Mar Gay Gyi (General Secretary of Bible Society of Myanmar) said Word of Thanks and Rev Aung Than (the retired General Secretary of Bible Society of Myanmar 1964-1985) said benediction. Young group from Assemblies of God Church sang a inspireful choir and the quarttett from Seventh day advantists Church was so harmonious. It is the historic dedication of Bible in the History of Christian church in Myanmar. The service started at 1:00 pm and ended at 3:00 pm.
Brief history of Myanmar Bible in Common language
The first Holy Bible in Myanmar language was translated by Adoniram Judson, an American Baptist Missionary over 170 years ago. The contribution of Judson Bible towards the life of Christians in Myanmar and the field of Myanmar literature is immeasurably immense. This Bible had transformed the life of many people. Christians read it for nearly two centuries. Besides, this Bible has been highly appreciated as one of classic pieces and stands as one of the landmarks of Myanmar literature. The language level is high and beautiful.
The language changes as the years passed by. The meanings of some words used in Judson Bible are no longer the same today. Many terminologies became archaic. A lot of phrasal expressions are hard to understand for modern Myanmar speakers. For such reasons, the Christian leaders were convinced to translate the Bible in Myanmar language for the common and modern people.
In the year 1966, the translation project of Myanmar Common Language was started. The Translation Supervising Committee was formed with Rev Dr U Ba Han, Rev U Ba Hmyin, Rev U Aung Than, Archbishop Francis Ah Mya, and Dr Hla Phu. Soon as the translation project was started, Rev Dr Ba Han and Dr Hla Phu passed away. Archbishop Francis Ah Mya resigned due to health complaint. Rev Pe Thwin (Thanlin Pe Thwin) was later appointed to be a member of Translation Supervising Committee.
U Sein Pe, headmaster of Mission schools, well known teacher and State Education Officer was appointed to be translator. He was competent in both languages: Burmese and English. At the early stage of the translation project, Saya Chit Lwin (San Toe: Sapyi Beihman, a member of Kamayut Baptist Church) helped to translate the book of Proverbs; Sayama Gyi Daw Hnit (a member of Kyimindaing Baptist Church) helped to translate the book of Ruth.
Not long after, they could no longer help any further due to their ill
health. Thus, Sayagyi Sein Pe had to translate the rest of the books by himself. He started in November 1966 and finished the whole Bible in February 1981. He was closely assisted by Dr. H. K. Molton and Norman Mundhank, who were well versed in original Biblical languages.
As to the process of Myanmar Common Language Bible translation, Good News Bible was the based text, which is in common English and translated from the original Hebrew and Greek texts. The translation drafts were checked by Rev Dr Stephen Hre Kio and Rev Dr Gam Seng Shae, the native Myanmar and UBS translation consultants.
In 1984, the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs in Myanmar Common Language was published for the first time. Then, correction of spelling mistakes and further checking were done by Revision Committee under the leadership of Rev U Aung Than, the former General Secretary of Bible Society of Myanmar. Upon the completion, the second edition was published in 2001.
The translation drafts of the whole Bible were thoroughly read and checked by Rev U Tha Din, Rev U Aung Khin, Sayama Gyi Daw Myat Yin, Rev Moh Moh Ei, Bishop U Mya Thaung, Sayama Daw Kyu Kyu Win, Rev Samo Aung Saw and Rev Mahn Kya Lun, and completed in November 1999. As a result of their hard work and cooperative effort of the interdenominational leaders, the first publication of 5000 copies of Myanmar Bible in Common Language was completed in 2005 for the first time in history.
At this auspicious occasion of thanksgiving and dedication service, we recognize and pay our deep homage to all who had contributed their best for this Bible. Most of them have passed away to be with the LORD, and a few of them can join with us in thanking God today. We acknowledge their hard labour, great skill and spirit of cooperation. We can not but would like to say "Thank you very much" to all of them.
At last, but not the least, we give all glory and honor to our Almighty God. It is He, who enables us to complete this great project and allows us to have this celebration. We now with thanks giving, dedicate the Myanmar Common Language Bible back to our God, for effective use of His Word for the furtherance of His Kingdom in Myanmar.
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Archbishop Samuel Mann San Si Htay (Chairman of Bible Society of Myanmar) presenting honoring certificates
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Message by Rev Dr Simon Pau Khan En (Professor of MIT)
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Rev Myo Chit (General Superintendant of General Council of Assemblies of God in Myanmar) said Dedication Prayer
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Word of thanks (Rev Mar Gay Gyi-General Secretary)
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