For centuries, the mission to bring God’s Word to every language has been a cornerstone of Christian outreach. As the global community becomes more interconnected, the need for accurate and accessible Bible translations grows ever more critical. Enter Paratext—the flagship software that has revolutionized the field of Bible translation. By providing over 14,000 users—including translators, consultants, technical supporters, proofreaders, project managers, and more—with advanced tools and collaborative capabilities, Paratext has significantly accelerated the pace at which the Scriptures are being made available to people in their primary languages.
The journey of Paratext began in 1985 with Reinier de Blois, a passionate linguist and translator. While attending a beginner’s computer course at Taylor University, taught by Karen and Alan Buseman, Reinier discovered the transformative potential of technology in linguistic work. It was during this course that he met Doug Trick, who introduced him to Gary Simons’ book, Powerful Ideas for Text Processing. This book introduced Reinier to the PTP language and ignited his interest in programming, revealing how computers could revolutionize text processing and translation tasks.
Nearly a decade later, in 1994, Reinier had developed an exegesis tool tailored for his own translation work. Recognizing its potential benefit to others involved in Bible translation projects, he shared an early version of Paratext with colleague Katy Barnwell. As she introduced the tool to others, it sparked growing interest, leading Reinier to switch to Visual Basic and make informal releases of versions 2 and 3 among colleagues and a circle of trusted friends. This modest distribution marked the humble beginnings of Paratext. The software rapidly gained popularity among those eager for tools to streamline their work, setting the stage for what would become a transformational resource in Bible translation efforts worldwide.
As Paratext’s popularity grew, so did the need for further development and support. Reinier passed the torch to Nathan Miles, a skilled developer with a heart for the mission of Bible translation. Nathan’s technical expertise and vision for the software propelled Paratext into its next phase of innovation.
In May 1997, Paratext 4 was officially introduced at the United Bible Societies (UBS) Consultant gathering in Mérida, Mexico. Nathan vividly recalls this event, not just for its professional significance but also for the extreme temperatures—110 degrees Fahrenheit outside and a chilly 60 degrees inside the venue. This contrast was a metaphor for the leaps Paratext was making: bridging gaps and bringing comfort to those laboring in the often challenging field of Bible translation.
Building on the foundation laid by previous versions, Paratext 5 introduced the formatted view—a feature anticipated to be a game-changer for users. This new mode allowed users to see text with formatting similar to published Bibles, aiding in visualizing the final product. However, user feedback revealed that the “standard” editing mode—a hybrid of formatted and unformatted views—was more aligned with their workflows. This insight underscored the importance of adaptability and user-centered design in software development, leading to adjustments that better served the needs of the Bible translation community.
Released in July 2003, Paratext 6 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Bible translation software. This version was still built on Visual Basic and introduced two major innovations that would have a lasting impact on the translation community: the implementation of a Unicode editor and the adoption of Unified Standard Format Markers (USFM).
The introduction of the Unicode editor was critical, especially for those working with minority languages. Unicode provided a standardized way to encode and display characters from virtually all writing systems around the world. This allowed users to accurately represent the unique scripts and characters of their target languages without the limitations imposed by previous encoding systems. Supporting Unicode meant that Paratext could handle texts in any language, facilitating the global mission of making God’s Word accessible to all people.
Equally transformative was the implementation of USFM—the Unified Standard Format Markers. Before USFM, there was no consistent standard for encoding the features of biblical texts beyond basic chapter and verse markers. Each organization or user might use their own markup system, leading to compatibility issues and complicating the publishing process. By adopting USFM, Paratext provided a unified markup language that standardized how textual elements like headings, footnotes, and paragraph styles were encoded.
This standardization was a game-changer for both Scripture checking and publishing. The software could now more effectively validate texts, check for consistency, and facilitate collaboration among translators, consultants, and publishers. Publishers no longer had to learn and adapt to different markup systems from various teams. Instead, they could rely on a consistent format, which not only streamlined the workflow but also reduced potential errors during the transition from translation to publication. In addition to these innovations, Paratext 6 required program registration and introduced encrypted resource texts, enhancing security and allowing quality resources to be bundled with the software.
Paratext 6 was a collaborative effort, reflecting Paratext’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements to serve the needs of the Bible translation community. Its release announcement expressed gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose collective contributions brought the project to fruition. This version set new standards for Bible translation, empowering efforts worldwide with a template to carry out this vital work effectively.
Paratext 7 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the software, representing a complete rewrite using C# and the .NET framework. This significant overhaul was primarily developed by Nathan Miles and Clayton Grassick, whose combined expertise and vision were instrumental in bringing this version to life. Released initially in 2007, Paratext 7 set the stage for transformative advancements in Bible translation software.
One of the most impactful features introduced was the Send/Receive synchronization. This functionality allowed multiple team members—including translators, consultants, and support staff—to synchronize their work on the same project, tracking and merging changes efficiently. It even introduced Paratext Live, allowing simultaneous editing during a consultant checking session. Team members could interact around the text through a new notes facility, allowing direct communication within the software and encouraging feedback and discussion. These collaboration tools were truly cutting-edge, as even regions with limited internet access could participate by syncing with a thumb drive, connecting remote participants in a way nobody thought possible. As a result, the use of Paratext surged, with more translation teams and organizations adopting the software than ever before.
Paratext 7 also unified the editing environment by merging the formatted and unformatted views, simplifying the user experience. Customizable desktop views and the introduction of the Text Collection window enabled users to compare more texts at once—a feature that significantly improved accuracy and efficiency across various roles involved in the translation process. The development of Paratext 7 was underpinned by financial support from the Canadian Bible Society, whose investment was crucial in realizing the project’s goals. Their support facilitated the technological advancements and empowered the development team to enhance the software’s capabilities significantly.
In 2009, the success of Paratext 7 caught the attention of SIL Global, whose equivalent Bible translation tool was struggling. UBS and SIL formed the Paratext Alliance, agreeing to collaborate together on the development of Paratext beginning with version 7.2 in 2010. The pooling of their resources and expertise further enhanced the software’s impact in subsequent versions.
With the release of Paratext 8, the software embraced the digital age by implementing online user and project registration systems. This decentralizing shift transferred the responsibility for licensing and project management to the participating organizations. Now, the translation communities themselves vetted their own members, allowing for better support and resource allocation. By enabling resources to be shared with teams directly from the Digital Bible Library, the available reference languages and texts began multiplying at a dramatic rate. This integration ensured that all project participants had the most up-to-date and accurate resources at their fingertips.
Paratext 8 also introduced major improvements in tracking project progress. Automated basic checks helped maintain high-quality standards, while the ability to assign tasks and monitor completion rates streamlined team management. These features empowered project administrators, managers, and team leaders to oversee complex translation efforts more effectively.
Improvements to the Wordlist and Morphology tools enhanced spell-checking capabilities, a vital aspect of producing error-free translations. Enhancements to the Biblical Terms tool and Verse History functionality provided deeper insights and control over the translation process for all involved.
Upgrades to the notes system and Send/Receive functionalities further improved teamwork. By facilitating better communication and data synchronization, Paratext 8 helped teams overcome geographical and logistical barriers, uniting them in their shared mission.
Under the leadership of Glenn Pruitt, Paratext 9 represented a significant leap with a complete overhaul of the user interface. Improved menus and flexible window layouts made the software more intuitive and adaptable to individual workflows. Support for multiple screens catered to the needs of modern users who often work with extensive resources simultaneously.
The introduction of enhanced resources in multiple languages allowed direct access to source texts, dictionaries, and reference materials. This feature enriched the toolkit of all team members, enabling deeper engagement with the original languages and contexts of the Scriptures.
Transitioning to a 64-bit architecture, Paratext 9 offered enhanced performance and stability. This upgrade ensured that the software could handle larger projects and more complex tasks without compromising speed or reliability.
Recognizing the diverse needs of its users, Paratext 9 included improvements for Study Bible authoring, catering to those producing study aids alongside translations. The Paratext Plugin API 2.0 opened doors for developers to create plugins, extending the software’s functionality in innovative ways.
From its humble beginnings as an exegesis tool developed by Reinier de Blois, Paratext has grown into an indispensable asset for Bible translation globally, being used by more than 400 organizations and church groups. Each major release built upon the last, incorporating user feedback and technological advancements to better serve the mission of bringing God’s Word to every language.
Paratext has not only streamlined the translation process but also fostered a sense of community among all those involved. By enabling collaboration across continents and denominations, it has embodied the unity and purpose that define the Great Commission. As of 2024, Paratext has been used in projects translating God’s Word into over 3,220 languages!
As we look to the future, the continued innovation of Paratext promises to further accelerate Bible translation efforts. With the ongoing contributions of many dedicated developers from SIL and UBS, and the active participation of translators, consultants, technical support staff, project managers, and more, the vision of making God’s Word accessible to all people draws ever closer. Let us pray for wisdom, unity, and perseverance for all those involved in this vital work.
Through the evolution of Paratext, we witness a testament to what can be achieved when faith meets innovation. As technology advances, so does our capacity to fulfill the call to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). May tools like Paratext continue to equip and empower those committed to sharing the eternal message of the Gospel with every tribe, tongue, and nation.
