USA (MNN) — Bible publisher Zondervan is auctioning off a
handwritten copy of the Bible on E-bay.
This copy is one of two original versions of the
handwritten "Bible Across America."
It is the first ever completely handwritten copy of the New International
Version (NIV) Bible translation.
Over 31,000 Americans participated in "Bible Across
America" — a 2009 project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the New
International Version translation.
It took a nine-month
cross-country tour covering 22,579 miles, 90 cities and 40 states to complete
the project. The finished copy is three volumes of the 2,200, 11
x 17 pages, bound in leather.
Lynn Waalkes with
Biblica (formerly International Bible Society-Send The
Light) says, "There's just a sense of ownership and
involvement, being able to do something so tactile and personal as being able
to be involved in a production of a Bible."
Biblica's connection was as the translation sponsor for the
New International Version, however, "When it came time to do the Old Testament, our funding ran out.
But Zondervan funded the rest of the translation. So together, we've worked to
make sure that people had access to this very readable translation."
Since the 1800s, Biblica
has been committed to transforming lives through God's Word by translating,
producing, and distributing Bibles, Scripture materials, and other Christian
resources. They work through ministry,
distribution, and retail channels around the world.
Waalkes says the auction proceeds will help their
translation work continue to move forward. "We have translations going on
in 27 different languages. We also have Bibles that have been completed, but
the funding is needed to distribute them."
As of Monday afternoon, the bids were over $5,000 USD. The auction closes on November 22, 2009. For more details, click here.
