Translators and Reading Group Leaders

To avoid sectarian bias, more than 500 persons from 24 faith traditions participated in the development of the CEB translation, which includes 120 translators, 10 editors, and 77 reading group leaders. They communicated together efficiently through a project website. The translation work began in 2008 and was completed in 2011.

A lead translator prepared the first draft of the translation. A co-translator made revisions and raised issues for further research. A reading group commented on the second draft. A readability editor then applied rigorous comments about style and grammar. An Old Testament, New Testament, or Apocrypha editor reviewed all changes for each book and made final revisions. The editorial board met in person and through conferencing technology to address issues of consistency or to resolve controversial matters. Then a stylist and copyeditor checked the text.

Reading groups, consisting of 5 to 10 persons, were located in churches, youth groups, colleges, seminaries, and a retirement community. The participants in the reading groups worship among 13 distinct denominations. Each group was assigned a book of the Bible. They read the text aloud to each other and commented on unclear or awkward phrasing.