New Poverty Bible Zeroes in on Social Justice Verses
Newly released The Poverty and Justice Bible highlights more than 2,000 verses that refer to poverty and social justice in Scripture.
Published by the American Bible Society, the Poverty Bible is not a new translation – it uses the Contemporary English Version – but rather serves to help users more easily find verses on issues of poverty and justice. Verses on the issues are highlighted in bright orange.
"Nearly every page of the Bible includes a message about poverty or justice," said R. Lamar Vest, president of American Bible Society, in a statement Monday. "The Poverty and Justice Bible acts as God's megaphone revealing that, from Genesis to Revelation, concerns for justice are never far from the heart of God and the minds of biblical writers."
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The new Bible is the first of its kind in the United States and includes an integrated study guide that offers practical ideas for how readers can help alleviate poverty and injustice in their communities and beyond.
ABS noted that the Poverty Bible is especially relevant given the state of the economy in the United States and around the world. There are nearly 40 million Americans living in poverty, and the new poverty Bible helps people know what God has to say about the issue.
"In North American, Europe and among the affluent world, the issue of poverty and justice has become front and center. It's what we're increasingly talking about," said Richard Stearns, president of the Christian relief and development charity World Vision, a collaborator on the project. "The Poverty and Justice Bible demonstrates that, when it comes to today's most pressing social issues, God got there first."
A few weeks ago, the British and Australian versions of The Poverty and Justice Bible were launched. Australian Member of Parliament Andy Reed commented, "This is the Bible I've been wanting for a long time…It's vital for us in the public square because it shows God's heart for tackling poverty and establishing justice."
The Poverty and Justice Bible is available at the American Bible Society bookstore in Manhattan and some online retailers starting Nov. 9.
