‘Iaith Sir Benfro’ has its own Bible

A translation of the four Gospels into the dialect of the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire was recently published. National media covered the story.

Evangelical Focus

18 AUGUST 2026 · 12:26 CET

The Four Gospels in Pembrokeshire Welsh are now available in text and audio formats. / <a target="_blank" href="https://vimeo.com/user168932634">Screenshot Annibynwyr Cymraeg video</a>,
The Four Gospels in Pembrokeshire Welsh are now available in text and audio formats. / Screenshot Annibynwyr Cymraeg video

A translation of the four Gospels into the dialect spoken in the north of the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire is now available in both text and audio formats.

The translation was carried out by a late local vicar, Rev Lyn Lewis Dafis, who studied Welsh Language and Literature at Aberystwyth University, was appointed Welsh Language Officer for the Diocese of St David’s, and in 2021 became a member of the Church in Wales’ Welsh Language committee.

He based his translation on the Beibl Cymraeg Newydd (New Welsh Bible). Although he finished the work around the year 2000, it remained unpublished when he died aged 61 in 2022.

All Evangelical Focus news and opinion, on your WhatsApp

After receiving permission from his family, the translation was published online under the title Y Beder Ifengyl von iaith Sir Benfro (The Four Gospels in Pembrokeshire Welsh).

 

Audio format

Earlier this year, the UK Bible Society requested an audio recording of the translation from Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg (the Union of Welsh Independents), who undertook the project in partnership with Llyfrau Llafar Cymru (Talking Books Wales), with the help of volunteers from across Pembrokeshire.

The launching of the audio edition as part of the Ap Beibl (Welsh Bible) app took place on 6 August 2026 at the Eisteddfod, a major Welsh cultural event and one of the largest in Europe.

It was presented by Sian Rees of the Bible Society, and included a tribute to Reverend Dafis.

The project also appeared on the BBC Cymru Welsh-language television programme Dechrau canu dechrau canmol on 31 May 2026 and was featured on the BBC Cymru website.

Do you see a need for this kind of journalism?
Evangelical Focus is a network of many people in Europe and beyond who strive to bring a uniquely Christian perspective to the big issues of conversation.

Through news, interviews, opinion and analysis, we seek to build bridges between evangelical churches and the societies in which they live.

As a non-profit entity, the big challenge is to be sustainable, month by month. We invite you to make a difference! Join the readers who make Evangelical Focus possible.

Published in: Evangelical Focus - culture - ‘Iaith Sir Benfro’ has its own Bible