Ewé Contemporary Version (EWEECV)
Overview
The Ewé Contemporary Version, known in Ewe as Agbenya La ("Book of Life"), is a full Bible translation in the Ewe language begun in 1976 by Living Bibles International (LBI) with the purpose of providing Ewe speakers an accurate, easy-to-read Bible in contemporary language. [1] The translation philosophy drew on the New Living Translation and the New International Version (NIV), using the Biblia Hebraica and UBS Greek New Testament as source texts. [1] The New Testament was first published in 1986, and the full Bible was completed in 2006 after thirty years of work. [1] However, the 2006 edition contained formatting issues, and a new Ewe orthography was adopted shortly after its publication, prompting the Biblica Ghana office to commission a revision. [1] In May 2012, a revision team led by Rev. Samuel K. Ntumy began updating the text to conform to the new orthography, completing the work in December 2020. [1] [2] The revised Bible was launched on July 9, 2021, at the Dela Cathedral of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, alongside an audio version — the first time the Ewe Bible was available in both print and audio formats. [2] Seven translators received plaque awards at the launch ceremony. [1]
Language and People
Ewe (ISO 639-3: ewe) is spoken by approximately 4,965,300 people in Ghana. [Glottolog: togo1251]
Publishing and Organizations
Published by Biblica (formerly Living Bibles International, which merged with the International Bible Society in 1992). [3]
References
- [1] The Ewe Bible Launch (archived) - Biblica Africa. History of the Agbenya La translation project, revision details, and launch.
- [2] Biblica to launch Ewe Bible in Ho (archived) - News Ghana. Launch event details and Rev. Samuel K. Ntumy's role.
- [3] Living Bibles International - Wikipedia. LBI history and merger with IBS to form Biblica.
- The Holy Bible in Ewe (NT) - Internet Archive. Scanned Ewe New Testament.
- Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.
- ebible.org entry - ebible.org.