New Finnish and Swedish Bible Translations for Our Time
Exactly 500 years ago, during the reign of King Gustav Vasa, the first Swedish-language New Testament was published. Now, in this anniversary year, the Swedish Bible Society will launch a new translation of the New Testament (NT2026) at the Gothenburg Book Fair on 24–27 September 2026.
At the same time, a major translation project is underway in Finland. A large team of translators is working on Bible 2028, a new Finnish translation of the Bible. The complete Bible will be finished in 2028, but new translations of the books of Isaiah, Ruth, Esther, and Jonah will be published already in October. Previously released portions (NT2020, Psalms, Genesis, and Job) can be read at raamattu.fi.
Linus Stråhlman, a member of the board of the Finnish Bible Society, has had the opportunity to follow both translation projects from a unique vantage point. The board of the Finnish Bible Society approves the new Finnish Bible translation, which means that Stråhlman reviews the texts in advance.
“The reading experience has been very pleasant. The text is easy to follow, and the word choices work well,” says Stråhlman, who serves as a notary in the Diocese of Porvoo.
Stråhlman has also been able to review draft translations of the Swedish New Testament while leading a reference group that provided feedback throughout the process.
“We brought a Finland-Swedish perspective to the discussion, as some expressions mean different things in Finland than they do in Sweden,” Stråhlman explains. “We received sample texts along with related questions, and we were also free to provide general feedback. The group included members from different church traditions, which brought a broad range of perspectives to the discussion.”
Finnish and Swedish Translations Meet at the Book Fair
The Swedish Bible Society’s new New Testament translation, NT2026, will also be featured at the Helsinki Book Fair in October. The Finnish Bible Society will additionally publish a parallel edition in which the Swedish NT2026 and the Finnish NT2020 appear side by side. The newly published Finnish translations will also be discussed on the fair’s programme stage.
“An interview hosted by Anna-Stiina Nykänen will focus on the books of Jonah, Ruth, and Esther. These novella-like narratives raise timeless, archetypal questions about power, otherness, and heroism,” says Terhi Huovari, Director of the Bible 2028 translation project.
Why Is the Bible Re-translated?
New translations often raise the question: why does the same text need to be translated again?
“The Bible brings God’s grace and love into our own time. As the world and language change, the text must be interpreted anew for every generation,” Stråhlman replies. “When the language is easier to understand, the message becomes clearer as well. Perhaps then people can encounter God in a more personal way.”
Further Information
- The Finnish Bible Society’s new translations within the Bible 2028 project, including Isaiah, Ruth, Esther, and Jonah, will be featured at the Helsinki Book Fair on 22–25 October 2026. They will be published on raamattu.fi and in the Piplia app just before the fair opens.
- Visitors to the fair will also find the new Swedish-language New Testament NT2026 and the newly published parallel edition from the Finnish Bible Society featuring NT2026 and NT2020 side by side.
Text: Hanna Paavilainen, The Finnish Bible Society
Translation of this article was assisted by artificial intelligence.