Simplified versions of Scripture

This page also includes information on translations into vernacular translations.

Directive from the Six Year Plan for simplified translations into vernacular languages

"Set out below are suggestions for possible ways of achieving the above objectives {of the Six Year Plan including "carrying the healing Message of Bahá'u'lláh to the generality of mankind...a worldwide increase in the translation, production, distribution and we of Bahá'í literature;...a wider extension of Bahá'í education to children and youth and the strengthening of Bahá'í family life; and the pursuit of projects of social and economic development in well-established Bahá'í communities."} to act as a basis for consultation and a stimulus for thinking."

" 2. Greater involvement of the Faith in the life of human society

"Produce, where required for translations into vernacular languages, simplified versions of the Sacred Scriptures, the writings of the Guardian and the statements of the Universal House of Justice."

(Universal House of Justice, Six-Year Plan, p. 15)

Proliferate literature in vernacular languages

"What specific actions, you may well ask, would indicate that you are fulfilling the basic requirement of the Plan in Africa? A reply would include mention of the following...Proliferate the publication of Bahá'í literature and audio-cassette tapes, especially in vernacular languages."

(Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153 to Africa, par. 12)

Material in Teaching Institutes to be presented in simple language and translated into the vernacular

"The material to be taught is prepared ahead of time, presented in simple language, and translated into the vernacular.

"The subjects taught usually consist of Bahá'í History, Laws and Teachings and the Administrative Order. Special emphasis is laid upon living the Bahá'í life, the importance of teaching, prayer, fasting, Nineteen Day Feasts, Bahá'í elections, and contribution to the Fund.

(Prepared for inclusion with a letter dated 24 December 1964 written by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala; in Centres of Bahá'í Learning, no. 45)

"Translation of Baha'i Literature into Everyday Language-- Simplifications and Paraphrasing Not to be Published as Scripture"

"The Universal House of Justice, in response to your letter of 20 April concerning translations into French or Creole using simpler words than the original text, has requested us to send the following three quotations. These make it clear that a quotation in English may be rendered into simple English in order to facilitate its translation into another language or dialect. However, it is not permissible to publish simplifications and paraphrased extracts of Baha'i Writings as Baha'i Scripture.

"'We have noticed a tendency in a number of countries to attempt to translate Baha'i literature into the current, easy, everyday language of the country. This, however, should not be an overriding consideration. Many of the Tablets of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha are in exalted and highly poetic language in the original Persian and Arabic and you will see, for example, that when translating Baha'u'llah's Writings into English the beloved Guardian did not use present-day colloquial English but evolved a highly poetic and beautiful style, using numbers of archaic expressions reminiscent of the translations of the Bible.'

(From a letter dated 7 October 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

"'Obviously teaching literature and books about the Faith can be written in simple English. However, we feel that when the Sacred Writings are published the standard English translation should be used, but there would be no objection to printing alongside it the translation into simple English which should be described as a paraphrase of the Holy Word. Thus, for the people of ... who have difficulty in comprehending standard English, the simple English version would be in the nature of an explanation of the Writings which they could understand. In the case of teaching literature in which quotations from the Writings appear, these could either be paraphrased or a simple English version could be used with the standard version printed as a footnote. This method would also provide a means whereby the people of ... could improve their knowledge and understanding of the English language.'

(From a letter dated 20 September 1973 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

"'It is, of course, permissible to translate Baha'i Writings into other languages and dialects of languages. It is also possible to simplify or paraphrase the Baha'i Writings in order to facilitate their translation into languages and dialects having small vocabularies. However, it is not permissible to publish simplifications and paraphrases of Baha'i Writings as Baha'i Scripture.'"

(From a letter dated 13 March 1969 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the Spiritual Assembly of Guadeloupe, May 13, 1986; quoted in Lights of Guidance, pp. 108-109, no. 370)

See also

• provisional translations
• Reasons for the elevated style in the Bahá'í Writings