Aboriginal Bibles

11/05/2026

Imagine getting Scripture in your own language for the first time!

See what speakers of Indigenous Australian languages got up to at a Bible translation workshop in Darwin in November.Video was recorded by Deb Fox (Wycliffe)...

15/04/2026

Frequently in translation we come across words that do not occur in the language we are working in.
On either side of Easter, a Mawng workshop translating 1 Thessalonians and an Iwaidja workshop (pictured) translating the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2 were held in Darwin. In 1 Thessalonians, the team worked on how to express concepts like hope, joy and glory, and in Luke 2 it was words from the story like sheep and shepherds. Both groups were faced with the need to find creative solutions.
The conversations within the team and with helpers showed how important teamwork is for translation.
Please pray for ongoing work in these two languages as they continue checking their drafts so that they can share them with the community.

25/03/2026

Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia recently shared an article about some of the work of AuSIL. Rob and Lisa travel to remote communities to share Bible books, posters, and audio materials. You can read more at

How did a school in France help a music teacher move from life in the classroom to sharing Scripture resources in the Aussie Outback? God often has unusual ways of calling people to serve him. That has been Rob Clements’ experience.

12/12/2025

The Australian Society for Indigenous Languages, a partner of Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia, is seeking a dedicated Office and Bookshop Administrator. This role offers a flexible work schedule and the opportunity to tailor responsibilities to suit your strengths and interests.

Apply online: https://www.christianjobs.com.au/jobs/478748871-office-and-bookshop-administrator-at-australian-society-for-indigenous-languages

03/12/2025

“Don’t be frightened. You are looking for the body of Jesus, the man from Nazareth that they killed on a cross. God made him alive again. He isn’t here. Look, see this place just here. They put his body here, but it isn’t here now.” (Mark 16:6)

Though cyclone Fina cut our time short, we are thanking God for a wonderful Bible translation workshop with 19 translators across 7 Aboriginal languages. Together we reflected on the powerful story of the empty tomb.
Here is a short video created by the Na-kara translators during the workshop.

Mark 16 vs 2-6

25/11/2025

Language speaks to the heart—and this story proves it…
Mayalil and Tanya travelled from Yirrkala to attend two Scripture workshops—one in July and one that just wrapped up. During the sessions, they read Jesus’ words in English: “You must be born again.” At first, the meaning didn’t quite land.
But when they read the same words in Dhuwaya, they were stunned. The message hit deeply—suddenly alive, powerful, and personal. It made them stop and truly reflect.
It was a great workshop, and we’re thrilled to share that booklets of John 3 and 4 in Dhuwaya are published and available in Yirrkala!
We’re praying for another workshop —this time to record an audio version of these powerful chapters, so more people can hear the words of Jesus in the language that speaks to their soul.

14/11/2025

Reflections from the Road…
Rob Clements recaps his Bible distribution adventures for us in the latest AuSIL newsletter, but we thought the extended version deserves a spot on our social media as well. Rob travels Central Australia with scripture resources, visiting communities in remote NT that would otherwise not have access to the AuSIL bookshop and takes the opportunity to read scripture in local language with people he meets.
Rob explains: “There are 4 distribution runs in Central Australia. They all form an arc around Alice Springs about 1,000ks long.
The Southwest run extends to Warburton in WA (Ngaanyatjarra and some Pitjantjatjarra) in the Southern Gibson Desert.
The Western run goes out as far as Kiwirrkurra also in WA (Pintubi-Luritja and some Western Arrernte).
The Northwest Warlpiri run covers the entire Tanami Desert from Yuendumu to Lajamanu and down the highway touching Waramungu, Ketetye and Anmatyerr - this also reaches into Sandover country and Barkly shire.
The Northeast run extends out to Lake Nash (Alyawarr).

We visited 30 communities this year and covered about 24,000 linear kilometres. This takes in 10 language groups, all of which I need to be able to competently read, but not necessarily speak.
A beautiful young 6yo Aboriginal girl with a walking disability looked up at me rapt when I sang her the Apenteyel Song in Alyawarr (Following Jesus Song). She then started singing it and walked around "following" Jesus. I teared up.
I asked a bloke at Lajamanu if my reading of Scripture was clear and he got very excited telling me he could hear God's Word burning into his heart. That one conversation made the hundreds of hours of study well worth it!
I have learned that reading language is the Second Key to cross-cultural work. Hearing God's word in heart language is quite exhilarating to see and be a part of. Our Aboriginal brothers and sisters are acutely aware of the spiritual world and are very attentive to the internal motions of the Holy Spirit who does as He pleases in His own good time.
Who can limit what God is capable of when He applies his Word directly in our hearts and minds and when we apply ourselves directly to his Word?
It is a great blessing and privilege to be out here doing this sort of work.

08/10/2025

30/09/2025

Happy Bible Translation Day!
Pray with us that more and more Indigenous Australians will have access to God's word. May God use his word to continue bringing new life.

16/09/2025

Mawng – Jesus stopped the storm – Mark 4:35-41

Jesus atilakujpan ta marlu la marrngarla pa angpung mapurlarr tuka wurl ta karrkpinMark 4:35-41 in Mawng/Maung