For the first time since 1937, a New Testament in Faroese, produced by the Faroese Bible Society, has been launched.

United Bible Societies (UBS) explained that former Lutheran Bishop Hans Jacob Joensen led the ecumenical translation project, along with representatives from the Lutheran state church and the Free churches.

“The New Testament translation reflects Faroese liturgical customs and vocabulary, rooted in the islands' rich tradition”, they said in a statement on social media.

Furthermore, “it features footnotes, glossaries, and maps, with thoughtful attention to readability through its layout, design, and colour choices”.

Almost 90 years after the last translation, “the story isn't over”; the Psalms are to be published, and “work is already well underway, bringing the vision of a completely updated Faroese Bible one step closer to reality”, the UBS added.

A Bible for all

“The goal is an attempt to create a Bible translation that reaches today’s generation of young people, and one that all Christians in the Faroe Islands can come together around”, Jenis Rana, an evangelical politician in the Faroe Islands, told Christian Daily International.

The Faroese language is spoken by around 70,000 people in the Faroe Islands and in Faroese communities abroad.

Rana underlined that “the translation is from the original language into modern Faroese. Attention is paid to words that have deep roots in the Faroese people, and emphasis is placed on preserving a rich imagery”.

Moreover, “the Bible translation sticks to theological core concepts with strong meaningful value”.