600 million pieces of Scripture distributed annually

The Bible - in its complete form or portions of it - is available in 2 - 233 languages - according to the Scripture Language Report issued by the United Bible Societies. And although never quoted in best-seller lists, the Bible has been the world's best-selling book for decades.

The first Bible Society was founded 1804 - named the British and Foreign Bible Society Mission. The United Bible Societies was founded in 1946 at conference in Haywards Heath - England. It 127 member Bible Societies work in more than 200 countries and territories. They are currently involved in projects in 685 languages - in which a part of the Bible is being translated for the first time in 468 languages.

During 1998 worldwide distribution through National Societies totalled 20.8 million complete Bibles - 20.1 million New Testaments - 19.4 million Portions (at least one book of the Bible) - 16.5 million New Reader Portions - 35.5 million New Reader Selections - and an amazing 472.7 million Selections (less than one book of the Bible). Distribution in China rose to almost 2.4 million Bibles. Distribution in the Middle East also saw an increase. In all, Bible Societies around the world distributed almost 600 million pieces of Scripture annually. No, that is not a typo: that' is almosty 600 million pieces of Scripture.

The above figures represent distribution by Bible Societies and Bible Society Offices that together form the United Bible Societies - they do not include distribution by other publishers.

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