Migration Bible

14 October 2023, Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands – United Bible Societies and Bible Society of the Netherlands and Flanders have jointly launched the International Migration Bible.

The Migration Bible allows readers to discover that in God’s story with humanity, migration is a recurring theme. This Bible also builds a connection between migrants and non-migrants by highlighting themes such as hospitality. Portraits of migrants and Bible reading plans on topics such as “resilience” and “hope” aim to encourage the reader.

Published in English, the Migration Bible is intended for migrants and their pastors, caregivers and contacts, and for those who encounter migrants in their personal or professional lives. It contains the Good News Translation supplemented with 17 themed articles, 15 portraits of contemporary migrants and 22 reading plans. The theme articles are written by migrants and experts from all over the world, including John Jusu (Elijah’s Migration Story), Samuel Lee (Five Principles for Christian migrants), Ruth Padilla DeBorst (Climate Change and Migration), and Carolina Pineda (How the Bible can help deal with trauma).
The presentation of the Migration Bible took place during the UBS World Assembly in Egmond aan Zee. “The Bible is full of stories about migration,” BSNF General Secretary Rieuwerd Buitenwerf said on this occasion. “Just think of the story of Ruth and Naomi, or the calling of Abraham. It is also a theme in the Bible that all Christians are described as migrants. After all, they are – says 1 Peter 2:11 – strangers in this world. This Bible release is very relevant, especially now that migration is a hotly debated topic. That is why we highlight what the Bible says about it in this issue.”