God's Word Translation (GW)

The God's Word Translation (GW) is an English translation of the Bible. God's Word to the Nations Mission Society managed and funded the translation. The God's Word produced the God's Word Translation of the Bible to the Nations Bible Mission Society in Cleveland, Ohio. GW began with a New Testament translation titled The New Testament in the Language of Today: An American Translation, published in 1963 by LCMS pastor and seminary professor William F. Beck (1904–1966). In 1978, it was decided that Beck's translation would be revised. Revision work began in 1982. In early 1992, the Society abandoned all the earlier New Testament work. An entirely new Bible translation based on the best Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek texts, using the translation principle "closest natural equivalence"—beginning with the Old Testament—was re-translated entirely by the Society's five scholars, 17 technical reviewers, and 4 English reviewers. In early 1994, the translation was renamed GOD'S WORD. In January 2016, God's Word to the Nations Mission Society ended its publishing arrangement with Baker Publishing Group. It began to market and make the God's Word Translation available for licensing and custom Bible, evangelism, and mission resources to ministries and parachurch organizations.

Quotations from the GW text may be used without prior permission for personal study, devotional materials, and use in worship materials. For all other uses, including commercial use and publication, permission must be obtained from God's Word to the Nations Mission Society.

When quoting from the GW, proper attribution should be given as follows:

GOD'S WORD® Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. Used by permission.

Reproduction or republication of the God's Word Translation text for commercial purposes or profit is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of God's Word to the Nations Mission Society.

GOD'S WORD® is a registered trademark of God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission.