Shan Missions
CHAPTER FIVE
SHAN BIBLE
Rev. Nathan Brown started translating few Bible verses from Old Testament into Khamti Shan language in 1836 when he was in Assam, India. That was the first translation to Shan. In 1863 Rev. Bixby started a Theological class in Toungoo with ten students who were planning to become pastors and teachers. In addition to the Church and school work the missionaries translated four tracts into Shan and prepared a spelling book and vocabulary. New typewriter had to be designed for printing Shan script. In 1864 one manuscript, spelling book and one vocabulary were written in Shan, Shan-English and Burmese-Shan. Religious books and tracts such as “The Catechism and View”, “The Golden Balance”, “The Way to Heaven”, “The Investigator and Glad Tiding” were all translated into Shan in 1864. It was reported in 1869 that some tracts had been translated during the year. Two “Catechism” and the “Call” had been printed and a third “Catechism and View of the Christian Religion” was passing to the press. For the first time in Burma a tract had been printed in Shan language.
New Testament
In 1881 Rev. Cushing reported that he had translated the “Epistles” and book of “Revelation” and had thus completed the New Testament in Shan. He hoped, next year after revision, to see the Epistles printed and bound with the Gospels. The New Testament was completed in 1882 and passing to a second edition in 1887 and to a third edition in 1903.[1]
We don’t know when Rev. Cushing started doing Bible translation. However we’ve learned that it takes 11 years to get the New Testament printed after printing gospel of Matthew. According to Cushing’s report in 1893, the Gospel of Matthew and a Grammar of the Shan Language were published in November 1871.
Old Testament
The Old Testament translation first appeared in 1891.[2] In 1893, Dr. Kirkpatrick reported from HsiPaw, “We are very glad to get the Shan Bible. All of our Christian workers are eagerly studying the Old Testament. We give each of the preachers a copy for a Christmas present. One man who has been a Christian for many years and doing good work as an assistant preacher never owned even a New Testament until he came here a few months ago.”[3] This indicates that the whole Bible in Shan language was finished in 1891 and published in 1892. According to report by Ai Lun and Sowards in 1963, Shwe Wa from KengTung helped Rev. Cushing in Bible translation. Shwe Wa was baptized in 1882. He resigned from government job from which he earned 100 Kyat per month and came to help Cushing in Bible translation with 30 Kyat per month only. He was very good at Burmese as well as Shan. Ai Ku from Toungoo also helped Cushing in Bible translation.
Rev. Cushing passed away on May 17, 1905 in United States. Mrs. Cushing came back to Burma and worked on editing the Bible with Mrs. Muldah Mix in Insein. Rev. R.B. Buker and Mrs. Henderson also helped in editing the Bible.
We do not know the procedure in his Bible translation process at that time. I doubt that Rev. Cushing had Bible Translation Consultants, Translation Committee, and Reviewer Committee etc. like we have today. Cushing might have been working and translating the Bible alone with the help of Shwe Wa and Ai Ku in Shan language. Nevertheless there are very few mistakes in his translation except in Psalm 66:3, one word (q0fj) was (accidentally) left out and it gives the meaning “our deeds” ([0f;) instead of “your deeds” (q0fj[0f;)?
Spelling mistake in index (xrfbrMU7Mbqif0mif) instead of (xrfbrMU7Mbq0mif)/
Exodus 29:22 and 29:28 (=0frM) instead of (=0fcM) giving the meaning as “dog head” instead of “thigh”. It might be reprinting error.
Numbers 18:3, the NIV text says, “They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the Tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die.” But Cushing translated as “They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the Tent, but they and you must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die.”
Deuteronomy 28:54&56, the NIV says, “gentle and sensitive men” “gentle and sensitive women”, but Cushing translated as “men who have young, soft and tender flesh” “women who have young, soft and tender flesh.”
Shan Bible Centenary Celebration
Shan Bible centenary celebration, NamKham – 1985
By His wonderful grace, Shan people have received New Testament in 1882, the Holy Bible in 1892 in their own language. Shan Bible Centenary Celebration was held in NamKham from December 28-29, 1985 organized by ShweLi Shan Baptist Mission. The preparation committee for celebration was formed on March 4, 1979.
Chairman; Saya Aung Htun Shwe
Vice-chairman; Saya Kham Ye
Secretary; Saya Nyunt Tha
Vice-secretary; Saya Po Maung
Treasurer; Daw Martha
Auditors; San Lwin, Thein Aung Kham
All the committee members were from ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission. Shan Churches from Eastern Shan State and Southern Shan State were not invited to participate in preparatory committee. Shan Churches from Eastern Shan State however celebrated Shan Bible Centenary Celebration in MuongYawng, Eastern Shan State, by themselves from April 11-14, 1985. None from ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission attended that celebration. The celebration in NamKham was held concurrently with Burma Baptist Convention 111th Annual General Meeting together with Christmas Celebration from December 25-29. It was very confusing to differentiate whether the people were celebrating Shan Bible Centenary or BBC annual general meeting or Christmas festival.
Special songs commemorating Shan Bible Centenary was produced on cassette tape and sold as fund raising item. That was the first Christian music produced by ShweLi Shan Baptist Mission in 92 years history since Baptist Missions was opened in ShweLi in 1893. The songs were mixed up with Shan, Kachin and Burmese languages. Even though it would be better in Shan to celebrate Shan Bible, one of the organizers explained that there was no market in Shan Churches if they produce in Shan language alone. They expected better market in Kachin and other Churches so that they had to produce in Burmese, Kachin and Shan language mixed up in one cassette.
The celebration started with ten thousand people wearing Shan costume, marching up from downtown NamKham to the hill of NongSanKone where ShweLi Baptist Mission first began, accompanied by Shan musical gong-mong and noke dancing. In fact gong and mong were never allowed to be used in Christian gathering because Shan pastors and leaders considered such musical instruments as Buddhist instrument. Since Shan Bible Centenary was the biggest celebration in Shan Christian history young people from ShweLi Valley Baptist Mission threatened to take legal action against pastors and leaders if the Church did not allow them to play gong and mong musical instrument during celebration. Below is a letter from youth department. (Translated from Burmese)
From Youth Dept. to Chairman,
NongSanKone Shan Baptist Church, NamKham. 22 May 1983.
Subject: To buy and use Shan Kong-mong
On behalf of Shan Christian Youth may I submit this letter.
According to the Law of Myanma Socialist Government, 2-1/2, all the nationality can enjoy freedom of worship according to their faith and maintain all their culture. According to our young people desire, we want to maintain our Shan culture, unite our young people, abandon the misunderstanding of cultural and religious conflict, cultural, political and economical conflict. Maintain that culture is only related to social and all people should keep their culture. According to the Law, Shan gong-mong is a cultural thing and will not be harmful to others. That is why we, youth group from the Church, will buy a set of gong-mong and use it.
Signed/ Sai Ba Tin, Youth Representative,
Cc. Chairman, ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission,
Chairman, Village Council, NongSanKone, NamKham.
Finally the Shan pastors and leaders gave in and allowed them to buy a set of Shan kong-mong and use it during celebration.
Members of the Churches donated money, rice, pigs, cows and chickens for the occasion. About Kyat 50,000 was raised before the event. However because of currency devaluation the money, which had been collected for years, had lost all value. By the decision of the committee, Rev. Sai Nyunt Tha was sent to BBC to borrow money Kyat 100,000 for the event. In the beginning, BBC refused to lend the money. After much strong debate, Sai Nyunt Tha declared, “If God’s willing for us to celebrate He will provide. It doesn’t matter whether you lend us money or not we will go ahead and celebrate.” Then BBC backed down and lent the money to them on condition that ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission would pay back the money at the end of January, immediately after the celebration. After the celebration, offering meals twice a day to more than ten thousand people for five days, donation received from Churches and individuals amounted to about Kyat 300,000. The debt to BBC Kyat 100,000 was paid back immediately. There was even surplus after celebration. However regrettable thing happened. The surplus money Kyat 50,000 was kept in the locker at secretary’s house before putting into the bank. The lock was seen broken down and half of the money was missing. There was some suspicion on the leader who kept the money.[4] (The money Kyat 50,000 was missing when responsible leaders took the money to the bank)[5]
On December 28 there was an opening ceremony of Cushing Memorial Hall at MyoMa Church. There was an honoring program for 58 pastors, 103 people who have achieved higher education and 23 people who have higher position in civil services. 273 people baptized during this occasion. Such mass baptism only happens at such special occasion.
New Shan Bible Translation
The Shan literature and writing system used hundred years ago is not easy to read, pronounce and get the correct meaning. Shan language is a tonal language. Different tone from the same word may give different meaning. Shan language has six tones apart from other special sounds. As mentioned on page 10, in old writing system, one word can give six to ten different meanings depend on the tone make on that word. Rev. Cushing used this Shan writing in translating Shan Bible one hundred years ago. It is therefore difficult to read Shan Bible, understand and get correct meaning in one reading. A reader has to read again and again for a few time to get the right tone and right meaning. The reader may not understand and get the right meaning in first reading. That is why many Shan are trying to read Burmese or other Bible, which is easier to understand, instead of Shan. Shan literary committee in Burma has modified the old and invented new Shan writing system in 1958, which can be used in writing, reading and getting the correct meaning without difficulty and mistake. It is more accurate.
Beginning of New Shan Bible Translation
Burma Bible Society in 1968 had appointed Aung Htun Shwe and Myint Lay to do new translation on New Testament with new Shan writing. Myint Lay stopped doing translation after a few years because of drug addiction. After 15 years of hard work Aung Htun Shwe completed the new translation on New Testament by himself. When his new translation was about to be published many Shan Christian leaders did not agree with his translation. Finally his new translation was abandoned.
Shan Bible Translation Workshop
Some participants in Bible Translation Workshop in 1985, Thailand
United Bible Societies organized a “Shan Bible Translation Workshop” in HangNam, Northern Thailand, from July 1 to 11, 1985. Dr. David J. Clark was acting as translation consultant for Shan Bible Translation. During translation workshop discussions were held for future Shan Bible Translation work.
The attendances at the workshop were;
1. Dr. David Clark 2. Dr. Stephen Hre Kio 3. Dr. J. Webb 4. Dr. Sai Htwe Maung 5. Rev. Aung Htun Shwe 6. Myint Lay 7. Miss. Judy Crossman 8. Harn Yaunghwe 9. Suchart and some Shan believers from Maehongson.
During translation workshop the participants were divided into four groups and were asked to try to translate the Bible verses into Shan language by their own effort without looking at Cushing’s translation. To our amazement we all discovered that our translations were not as good as Cushing’s translation. At the end of workshop the final decisions were made as follow:
1. The new translation will base on Rev. Josiah Nelson Cushing’s translation.
2. Revised Standard Version (English) will be used as a reference in translation because it is the closest translation to original Greek and Hebrew.
3. All agree that Rev. Aung Htun Shwe will be a full-time translator and Harn Yaunghwe will be a part-time translator. (Harn Yaunghwe was a full-time worker in United Bible Societies as a management consultant).
4. The reviewers of Shan Bible Translation are;
Dr. Sai Htwe Maung (Hong Kong),
Dr. J. Webb (U.K),
Miss. Judy Crossman (MaeHongSon),
Mr. Suchart (Chiangmai),
Rev. Sai Stephen (Burma),
Rev. Sai Nyunt Tha (Burma),
Sai Myint Lay (Burma),
U Kyaw Hla (Burma).
5. The rule is set up that the full-time translator must be paid by United Bible Societies. He must not accept any other paid work. He can do Church work on Sunday on volunteer basis.
6. The translation procedures are as follows;
(1) Translators will send their first draft to reviewers.
(2) Reviewers will check and make recommendation and send back to translators.
(3) Translators will look at the reviewers’ comment and make correction and send back to reviewers’ second draft.
(4) Reviewers will check and make comment on second draft and send back to translators.
(5) Translators will read and make correction and send back to reviewers the third draft.
(6) The reviewers will read and make final recommendation.
(7) The consultant will be consulted in difficult problems.
New Bible Translation began in January 1986. Aung Htun Shwe started with RUTH and GENESIS.
Harn Yaunghwe started with JONAH and PROVERBS.
Disagreement and resignation
After reviewing RUTH and GENESIS translated by Aung Htun Shwe, I made some comments and suggestions on his translation and sent back to translator. Like wise other reviewers also made their comments and suggestions and sent back to him. However the translator ignored the reviewers’ opinions and kept on translating using the same words and the same phrases those were being objected by reviewers. The translation was also completely new. It did not follow the agreement made at HangNam. It was not based on Cushing’s translation as agreed. RSV was not taken as reference. Instead translator used Good News Bible and translated directly from Good News. The names of the people were also changed by adding Shan prefix such as Sai, Nang, Saya etc. New words and new terms which were not common, not heard of, not found in Shan dictionary, were also created and added. It broke the agreement we made at translation workshop.
These disappointments were expressed to translation consultant David Clerk on August 4, 1987. However David Clerk did not seemed to understand the importance and significance of the Shan words and phrases in Shan language used in the new translation. He assumed that Aung Htun Shwe’s translation was correct.
Comments on Genesis
1. Deviation from the original text.
2. Using the words never exist in the Shan language.
3. Exaggeration by adding extra words.
4. Changing the names of the persons, cities and towns.
5. Wrong translation that may affect the Biblical Truth.
6. Inconsistency in translating the word.
7. Using the language that never used in written form.
8. Invention of new words. (new Shan words being created that cannot be found in dictionary or never heard of)
9. Not translating the word but explaining the meaning.
10. Some sentences are left out from original text.
11. Using Buddhist term that is against Christian faith.
12. Poor composition leading to no meaning.
Despite the recommendation made to translator again and again there were no improvements or changes seen. As translator continued doing translation on MATTHEW, the same problems were found. Despite correction, recommendation and advice given, translator kept on ignoring the comments and advice. I was very disappointed. I regretfully resigned from the board of reviewers on August 25, 1987 amid frustration and sadness.
Harn Yaunghwe completed JONAH and stopped doing translation. He also resigned from United Bible Societies Shan Bible Translation Project on March 14, 1988.
(Copy of letter of Mr. Harn’s resignation.)
To. Dr. Daniel Arichea, RECTO-Asia Pacific,
United Bible Societies, Hong Kong.
Subject: Resignation from UBS Shan Bible Translation Project.
Dear Danny,
Technically this letter should be addressed to David Clark in Bangkok since he is the Translation Consultant for the Shan Project. However you are next door and we have already discussed some aspects of the project, so I thought I might as well write to you. After thinking through various options relating to the project, I feel that it would be best if I resigned from UBS Shan Project. This is because Saya Aung Htun Shwe’s translation style cannot be reconciled with mine and the principles agreed at Hang Nam in Thailand in 1985. It may also be viewed that I have undue influence because of my status as a UBS management consultant.
By resigning from UBS and from the Shan project it will remove any questions about a possible conflict of interest and give you and David Clark a free hand to decide on the best course of action. When I return to Canada in August 1988 I shall take up the translation of the Shan Bible full-time at my own expense. However I would like to have access to UBS technical help and I would also appreciate it if the current reviewers would continue to review my work. This way UBS can be assured of the quality of my output and Saya Aung Htun Shwe in Burma could also continue his work on the UBS Shan project without undue interference. At a later date portions of both versions can be tested and the Shan Churches in Burma and Thailand can decide on what they prefer. I feel this is the best solution and trust you will concur.
Serving Christ,
Signed/ Harn Yaunghwe.
U Kyaw Hla, a member of reviewing committee also resigned from Bible translation work in July 1989 citing health reason.
New Translation published in 1994
The new translation on New Testament including Psalms and Proverbs translated by Aung Htun Shwe and team was published by Myanmar Bible Society in 1994. It was completely new and different from Cushing’s translation.
What is new in New Translation?
For examples;
* Fisherman was translated as “Kunnalum” (ulef;vMjerfh) instead of original common Shan language “Dumnga” (wrfbiMj). The word Kunnalum cannot be found in Cushing’s Shan dictionary or new Shan dictionary. It is completely a new term. Most of the Shan never use it or never heard of this term or understand it.
* “Jesus turns water to wine” in John 2:3-10, was translated as “Jesus turns water to alcohol” (v0fj) (it bears the meaning of intoxicating liquor). (Cushing translated it as “grape juice”) (erfhqydwfh). Drinking alcohol (v0fj) is considered culturally as bad character and condemned by Shan people. The Buddhism teaches to avoid drinking alcohol. How come Jesus makes alcohol for the people to drink! Shan people may question. This will bring a big question from non-Christians and Christians alike on Christianity and conduct of Jesus Christ in turning water to alcohol and feeding the people.
* The whole scripture verse was missed out in John 6:61.
* John 7:28 says, “I have not come on my own authority.” But the new translation says “I have not become on my own authority” The word “come” and “become” does not have the same meaning.
* Matthew 3:16 says, “He came out of the water.” But the new translation gives the meaning “Water came out from Him.” How can water come out from Jesus?
* Matthew 6:11 says, “give us today.” But the new translation says “give us one day.” Is today and one day the same?
* Matthew 18:29 says, “fell down and begged him.” The new translation says, “fell down and worshiped him.” “Beg” and “worship” are different.
There are many more problems in the whole book of NT.
On January 18, 1997 I expressed my concern to Dr. Stephen Hre Kio who was the then a new translation consultant for Shan Bible Translation. Stephen Hre Kio replied on September 25, 1997 saying, “Thank you for your letter dated January 18, 1997. I also want to thank you for sending me your comments on the Shan NT books of Matthew and John. I discussed some of the comments you made with the committee members when we met in Maesai for a week. Their reactions to your comments could be classified in three categories: some of them we accept, others we are reconsidering and most of them we disagree...”
YWAM Thailand expressed in their website, “TaiYai (Shan) Bible 1892, using an old form of the language, which only a few can understand. New version of the NT, Psalms and Proverbs released in 1994. While easier to understand, this version is not true to the conventions of the Shan language.”[6]
After New Translation on New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs was published, Aung Htun Shwe continued doing translation on Old Testament. But before he finished OT translation he passed away in 1996. Rev. Sai Stephen was selected to continue doing OT translation. Sai Stephen passed away in July 2000 before Old Testament was published.
New Shan Bible published in 2002
The Holy Bible (OT & NT) in new translation was jointly published by Thailand Bible Society, Bangkok and Myanmar Bible Society, Yangon, in 2002 with some corrections in New Testament published in 1994. However there are still some problems in this new translation. For example; some of the names of the women in the Bible are given Shan racial prefix Nang, e.g. Nang Ruth, Nang Tamar (Matthew 1:3) (however Tamar in Genesis 38:6 is not given the same prefix Nang), making them look like Shan tribe by giving them Shan name, but not all women are given such prefix. Some names of the men are also given title such as Saya, e.g. Saya John, Saya Matthew, Saya Paul etc. but not always, not all the men are given the title. The translation is in fact inconsistent.
Concerns
The following are some concerns in new translation published in 2002.
NIV = New International Version
GN = Good News Bible
NST = New Shan Translation (Translator used Good News Bible as reference)
Genesis 2:23
She was taken out of man. (NIV)
She was taken out of man. (GN)
She was taken out of human (NST)
Genesis 3:9
Man (NIV)
Man (GN)
Human (NST)
Genesis 3:20
She would become the mother of all the living (NIV)
She was the mother of all human being (GN)
She is the mother of all the living human being (NST)
Genesis 3:24
To guard the way to the tree of life (NIV)
Keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life (GN)
To guard the way of the tree of life (NST) * of and to denotes different meaning.
Genesis 4:7
It desires to have you (NIV)
It wants to rule you (GN)
It wants to stimulate you (NST)
Genesis 7:8
Creatures that move along the ground (NIV)
Every kind of animals (GN)
Creatures that crawl (NST)
Genesis 9:26
Bless be the Lord, the God of Shem (NIV)
Give praise to the Lord, the God of Shem (GN)
May eternal God bless Shem (NST)
Genesis 26:29
Use the Buddhist term (odifjumrfb), which literally means ‘finish fate’, only used in the death of Buddhist monk. (Christians do not believe in fate)
Genesis 15:17
Use the word (wM0ef;) which never used in Shan language.
Genesis 17:18
If Ishmael may live under your blessing (NIV)
Why not let Ishmael be my heir? (GN)
May Ishmael live in front of you (NST)
Genesis 18:25
Use the word (cMjqfg) which is very uncommon in Shan language.
Genesis 19:15
Use the word (=0frldif;ofg) which is not commonly used in Shan.
Genesis 19:32-34
‘wine’ is translated as ‘intoxicating grape juice’ in 32&33, but it is translated as ‘ordinary grape juice’ in 34. (erfhv0fjrmufbqydwfh) (erfhrmufbqydwfh)
(Inconsistent translation.)
Genesis 21:16
I cannot watch the boy die (NIV)
I can’t bear to see my child die (GN)
I do not want to see my child who was dead (NST)
Genesis 21:20, 25:27
Use the word (vMjxldefb) which never exist in Shan language and cannot be found in dictionary. The common Shan language is (rl;old0f;)
Proverbs 5:15-16
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? (NIV)
Be faithful to your own wife and give your love to her alone. Children that you have by other women will do you no good. (GN)
Translated exactly from GN and completely different from Cushing’s translation.
Matthew 1:19 the ‘Holy Spirit’ is translated ‘Holy Spirit’, in 1:21 it is translated ‘Spirit that is Holy’, in 28:19 it is translated ‘Spirit of God that is Holy.’
Inconsistence translation.
Matthew 3:5, Mark 1:9
Jordan is translated ‘Jordan Water’ (erfha,M;wmefb) instead of ‘Jordan River.’ (erfh+ifja,M;wmefb)
Matthew 5:5-10
The word ‘for’ has been left out all over the phrases.
Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt…you are the light (NIV)
You are like salt… you are like light (GN)
Translated as GN.
Matthew 6:17
Your Father who is unseen (NIV)
Your Father who is unseen (GN)
Your Father who is in hidden place (NST)
Matthew 7:3
Look at the speck (NIV)
Look at the speck (GN)
Ask to see the speck (NST)
Matthew 8:6
Paralyzed (NIV)
Unable to move (GN)
Hemiplegic (NST)
Matthew 10:35
I come to give suffering (NST)
*** no such phrase in original text
Matthew 11:19
Drinking (NIV)
Drank (GN)
Drunkard (NST)
Matthew 13:55
Created new word, which never exist in Shan language. (qmifjrBh)
The common Shan language is (vmufjorM;)
Matthew 18:24
Ten thousand talents (NIV)
Millions of pounds (GN)
One hundred thousand (NST)
Matthew 18:29
Begged him (NIV)
Begged him (GN)
Worshipped him (NST)
Matthew 20:23
Is not for me to grant (NIV)
I do not have the right (GN)
I do not have the right (NST)
Matthew 26:41
(qfg0dpdpfb[Fif;aqbweMbaoauMj)
has no meaning.
Mark 1:4
Repent (NIV)
Turn away from your sin (GN)
Change your heart (NST)
Mark 1:17
Fishers of men (NIV)
To catch men (GN)
Searcher of men (NST)
Mark 7:12
Spelling mistake denotes the meaning as ‘wife’ instead of ‘mother’
Mark 8:35
Save his life (NIV)
Save his own life (GN)
Save himself (NST)
Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26
The son of man will be ashamed of him (NIV)
The son of man will be ashamed of him (GN)
The son of man will be ashamed because of him (NST)
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin (NIV)
It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin (GN)
It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and thrown into the sea than the one who cause one of these little ones to sin (NST)
Luke 18:22
You will have treasure in heaven (NIV)
You will have riches in heaven (GN)
You will be rich in heaven (NST)
Luke 19:8
I give half of my possessions (NIV)
I give half of my belongings (GN)
I will give half of my belongings (NST)
Luke 19:40
If you keep quiet (NIV)
If they keep quiet (GN)
If you quiet down (NST)
Luke 22:37
He was numbered with transgressors (NIV)
He shared the fates of criminals (GN)
They were numbered with criminals (NST)
John 1:12
He gave the right (NIV)
He gave them the right (GN)
He gave the right and power (NST) *** the extra word power is added
John 7:28
I am not here on my own (NIV)
I have not come on my own authority (GN)
I become not according to my own wish (NST)
John 8:42
I come from God (NIV)
I came from God (GN)
I appeared from God (NST)
John 9:33
If this man were not from God (NIV)
Unless this man came from God (GN)
Unless this man became from God (NST)
John 12:29
Jesus found a donkey (NIV)
Jesus found a donkey (GN)
Jesus met a donkey (NST)
John 16:30
The word (oyfhaybpkwMUpmefb) is only used to describe the knowledge of Buddha.
It is a Buddhist term.
John 17:9-11
The word ‘world’ is translated to two different words as (ulef;avM;uDb) and (avM;uMU)
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week (NIV)
On Saturday evening (GN)
On Saturday evening (NST)
Romans 11:18
Do not boast over those branches (NIV)
You must not despite those who were broken off like branches (GN)
Do not despite those God has broken off like branches (NST)
Hebrews 3:18
Of those who disobeyed (NIV)
Of those who rebelled (GN)
Of those who do not believe (NST)
Hebrews 6:1
Teaching about Christ (NIV)
Lessons of Christian message (GN)
Basis Christian religion (NST)
1 John 1:1
Word of life (NIV)
Word of life (GN)
The word that is living (NST)
1 John 3:16
We ought to lay down (NIV)
Ought to give our lives (GN)
Have to lay down our lives (NST)
Psalms 2:2
Wrongly spelled word (cFif) gives the meaning ‘hard’ instead of ‘against’ (cAifb)
Psalms 65:11
The word (zBmj) can give the meaning of defecation (evacuation from intestine). It seldom use to indicate ‘go’ or ‘step.’ It gives the meaning of ‘wherever you evacuate your intestine there is plenty.’
Revelation 3:1
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (NIV)
I know what you are doing. I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! (GN)
I know what you are doing. Even though you are dead, I know that you are still having reputation and alive. (New Translation)
I know what you are doing. I know even though you have reputation that you are alive, you were dead. (New Translation published in 1994)
Rev. 22:15
Outside are the dogs those who practice magic arts (NIV)
But outside the city are the perverts and those who practice magic (GN)
The word ‘dogs’ was not included in NST.
Rewriting Cushing’s Shan Bible
We have discovered at Bible Translation Workshop that Cushing’s translation is better and more accurate than our own translation. We all agreed to do new translation base on Cushing’ translation. But our new translator failed to follow. We have to remember that Rev. Cushing was the expert in Hebrew and Greek.
I have been preaching and producing Shan radio program every day since 1989 for Far East Broadcasting Company. I have to read Bible in Shan and preach in Shan. I find it quite difficult to read and understand Cushing’s Shan Bible because of old writing system. I have to read other Bible first to understand it and then translate to my own language when I do radio broadcasting. I really need good Shan Bible, which I can read well, understand well and preach well to Shan listeners so that they will also understand well. The New Shan Bible published by Myanmar Bible Society in 1994 is easy to read but there are problems in wording, term and theological meaning. I am very burdened not only for myself but also for all Shan Christians and non-Christian alike to have good Bible in Shan language.
In July 1996 when my family and I were on a visit to Burma, I met my old friend on the bus on our way back from Mandalay to Rangoon. He was a former chairman of Shan cultural and literary committee of all Universities. He kindly introduced me to the Shan literature experts in Rangoon for my plan of rewriting Cushing’s Bible into new Shan writing. I met with the leaders of Shan literature and cultural committee and asked them for their help to rewrite Cushing’s Shan Bible into ‘New Shan Writing System’ without changing a single original word or phrase from Cushing. They were willing to help. I happily paid them for their labor. By the help of Sai Myat the whole Cushing’s Shan Bible has been re-written into new Shan writing system without changing a single word or phrase from Cushing’s original Shan Bible. I then check, edit and restructure the grammar in new Shan writing system so that the people can read and understand more easily. Basically nothing has been changed from Cushing’s Shan Bible. We can call it ‘Revised Cushing Shan Bible in New Shan Writing.’
After fourteen years of hard work my new ‘New Testament & Psalms’ in new Shan writing was finished and printed in Burma in the year 2000 by sponsorship of Asian Outreach and Bible League. So far I have not received a single negative comment from reader, any organization or any Church. However some leaders from Myanmar Bible Society and Shan Churches do not encourage Shan Churches to use this new translation by giving reason that it is not the product of Myanmar Bible Society. They only recommended Churches to use what Myanmar Bible Society produced. Nevertheless some Shan Churches in Burma, Thailand and individuals are using it. The paper and binding quality are not as good as foreign press. Editing and restructuring of Old Testament is under way.
Shan Hymnbook
It was reported that a small Hymnbook in Shan was printed in November 1879. This small Hymnbook was no longer available in 1970s. In some Churches people have to make hand copies. It was reported that in ’50s and ’60s the only hymn that many local Christians learned to sing were set in Western-style music that was utterly alien to the local population. Ray Buker had translated a number of hymns into various languages in Burma and some had been set to native tune. But we don’t know which songs were translated by Ray Buker in native tune. In 1976 copy of small Hymnbook was reproduced in bigger size by Burma Baptist Press in Rangoon. However there were many mistakes in spelling, setting and also some verses were missing. It was difficult to type set with Burmese typewriter to print into Shan words since Shan typewriter was not available. The quality of the paper and binding was so poor that it was torn apart in a few months. It is no longer used in Shan Churches.
Because of the need of Shan Hymnal in Shan Churches I produced new Shan Hymnbook with addition of some new songs and musical notes in new Shan writing system with computer fonts in 1993. It was printed in Northern Thailand and sent to Shan Churches in Burma. This is the first Shan Hymnal to be produced with musical note in new Shan writing with computer fonts. New Shan Hymnbook in new Shan writing with computer fonts without musical note was also produced by OMF, Thailand, in 1995. Shan Hymnal with staff notes written by hand in old Shan writing was also produced by MuSe Church in the year 2000. It is interesting to see MuSe Church to produce Shan Hymnbook with old Shan in hand writing while almost all Shan people all over the country are using new Shan writing in computer fonts. The writer of this Hymnbook, my cousin, explained to me that it was published just for fund raising purpose. The publisher reduced the size of the book and making the letters become too small to read.
Shan Gospel Radio Broadcast
5 million Shan live in Shan States and other parts Myanmar. Almost all Shan are Buddhist. About 0.2% are Christian according to report in 1990. Most of the Shan have never heard the Gospel. There are several reasons for not being able to hear the Gospel.
1. Not enough preachers preaching gospel to the Shan.
2. Preachers are not eager to preach gospel to the Shan Buddhist.
3. Difficult access to the Shan living in remote high mountains.
4. Expensive traveling cost.
5. Shan Churches do not have priority in preaching to Shan Buddhists.
Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
Radio Gospel Broadcasting in Shan language was first started by a missionary from Holland, Miss. Anna Capon, in 1987. It was broadcasting from Far East Broadcasting Company, Manila, Philippines every morning for 15 minutes. Because of lack of resources Miss. Anna Capon was not able to produce the program and had to stop broadcasting in 1989. I was then introduced to Mr. Frank Gray, the Executive Director of Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) by Miss. Anna Capon when I was attending World Evangelization Congress, Laussan II, in Manila in July 1989. Frank Gray asked me, “Can you produce Shan program for us?” Actually this is what I’ve been praying for ten years since I come to Hong Kong in 1979. I don’t have money to pay for airtime. Frank Gray said, ‘Don’t worry about money. God will provide. Please produce Shan program for us if you can.’ After returning from congress hall to hotel room in Manila, I was filled with joy. Mr. Robert Morse, a missionary to Lahu, Northern Thailand, who was my room-mate, and I were on our knees praying together and giving thanks to God for such a wonderful opportunity to preach gospel to Shan through radio. My prayer answered. It is worth of waiting for ten years.
Letter from Roy J.B. Alvarez, IODM, Far East Broadcasting Co.(Philippines) Inc, Manila, Philippines to Dr. Sai Htwe Maung, Hong Kong.
25th August 1989
Dear Dr. Sai Htwe Maung,
Our General Program Director, Frank Gray, forwarded to me the proposals regarding the Shan broadcast reached in your conversation with him and Sis. Anna Capon during breaks at the Lausanne II Conference. We will carry on the present frequency of 11650 KHz. On October 16 we will start testing new frequency in the 19-meter band.
Thank you for your continuing interest to reach the Shan people for the Lord.
Roy J. B. Alvarez.
Letter from Mr. Ronnie Tin Maung Htun, General Director, Myanmar Program, Rangoon, Burma December 8, 1989 to Mr. Frank Gray,
General Program Director, Far East Broadcasting Company, Philippines.
My Dear Frank,
The test broadcast for the Shan program is coming in beautifully. We are receiving quite an encouraging report from the listeners. Please convey this news to Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
Signed\ Ronnie (Tin Maung Tun)
Before I left Burma to Hong Kong on April 9, 1979, we had a special prayer meeting at our home. One of my nieces asked me, “Uncle Htwe, how will you help our Shan people if you go to Hong Kong?” I then said, “I don’t know. May be I’ll preach gospel to our Shan people from Radio.” At that time there was no gospel preached in radio in Shan language. That was my wish and prayer. I kept on praying and asking God to give me opportunity to reach my people from abroad with gospel of Jesus. After ten years God answers my prayer. I can now preach gospel to millions of Shan people not only in Burma but also in Thailand and Southwest China through radio broadcast. God has His own time. Ten years is not a waste. Praise God for my first Shan gospel song recorded in Burma in 1978. During ten years time between 1979 and 1989 I have opportunity of writing and recording more Shan gospel songs and music in Shan at my home with my guitar and small portable keyboard without knowing that it will be of great use in my future radio programs. By the time I start doing radio program in 1989 I realize that I have good enough Shan gospel music and songs ready to be used. At that time not a single gospel music in Shan has been produced by any Shan Church.
15 Minutes to 45 minutes daily
I start daily 15 minutes program on October 16, 1989. I start doing recording in my bedroom with small portable cassette recorder. After doing it for three months I felt that it was too short. I wanted to have 30 minutes. I asked Mr. Frank Gray. He graciously gave me 30 minutes every morning. After one year of daily 30 minutes I wanted to have 45 minutes because I thought 45 minutes would be good enough for me to have music, preaching, replying listeners’ questions and play special music at their request. Again Frank Gray graciously gave me 45 minutes every morning. This Shan gospel radio broadcast is the first and only broadcast in the world, preaching gospel in Shan language.
I cannot afford to have a well-equipped recording studio. Even though I may have a free studio, in that situation, I may not have time to go to studio every day to do recording because I am a full-time medical doctor working in a hospital. I can only do recording in my own available time especially at night. I do my recording in my bedroom. I use to do recording at night after coming back from hospital work. My family members are very understanding and co-operative. They refrain from making a loud noise. Nevertheless sometimes I can still hear my little girls’ voice in my recording. Since the room is not a soundproof it requires a special technique to reduce the volume control and speak closer to the microphone so that the external noise will not get into the microphone. Even though the room is not soundproof-studio the quality of the sound is acceptable as informed by FEBC. I do not have recorder such as professional open reel recorder. But I do have a small Cassette Deck that I can play music and record. In the beginning I only have two small cassette decks. One is for playing music or song and one is for recording. Mixer is absolutely necessary because it can allow you to mix your music and your voice. Background music is also important to keep the listeners from boring. Gospel songs, hymns, local pop songs and traditional music are also used in the program. In the beginning I use C60 (60 minutes) tape. Later I use C90 when I start doing 45 minutes program. I do not keep master tape. I do not keep the copy. After recording and completing the tapes I sent them to Manila by post in package. I do not have technician to help me out in controlling the recording amplifier, mixer and recorder. I have to learn and manage by myself through experiencing the result. Listening to my own program in the air in the morning is helpful for me to adjust, change and improve the quality.
Time is the most important factor. Doing two jobs at the same time is not easy. I have to work in hospital because it is my only source of income to feed and support my family and myself. Producing this radio program is self-supporting ministry. I wish I could have forty-eight-hours a day. If I work in hospital at night I do recording at day. If I work in hospital at day I do my recording at night. If I have missed one recording today I have to do two recordings tomorrow. Public holiday is my greatest opportunity of doing more recording from 8 AM to 12 midnight, no shopping. I sometimes skip my lunch because I was too absorbed into my work. Some listeners ask, “How many of you are doing this radio program?” My answer is, “Four.” “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and I.” I believe knowledge, wisdom, authority and power come from The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Programming
When I first start in October 1989 fifteen minutes seemed to be very long. It takes me about three hours to complete one 15 minutes program. After three months I have received letters from listeners asking for more time.
My daily program is as follows;
Monday to Saturday is gospel program targeting non-believers.
Sunday is Praise & Worship program and Church service program for Christians. Program begins with gong-mong Shan traditional music and greetings followed by local popular songs, scripture reading, gospel song, preaching gospel, gospel song, announcement, answer to listeners’ questions, music at listener’s request and end of 45 minutes program with benediction. The program is broadcasting from Far East Broadcasting Company, Manila, Philippine at 19 meter band 15440 KHz from 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM Burma standard time in common Shan language.
Chinese-Shan (DaiMao) Program
I visited China, Yunnan province, in 1997. I met Shan people who listened to my broadcast. My elder brother in MuSe said to me, “Many DaiMao (Chinese-Shan) are listening to your program. Why don’t you preach in DaiMao dialect? You are DaiMao and your DaiMao dialect is perfect.” I came back to Hong Kong and asked Frank Gray if I could have a time slot for DaiMao program. He graciously gave me 15 minutes extra every morning for DaiMao (Chinese-Shan) program. Praise the Lord! Starting from December 1997, 15 minutes in DaiMao is on the air. I have invited pastors and preachers from ShweLi Shan Baptist Mission as they are DaiMao to preach in DaiMao so that I can use it in our DaiMao program. But no one has taken this opportunity until today. In common Shan language program, late Rev. Sai Stephen had contributed fifty sermons for my radio program when he was attending conference in Hong Kong in 1997. He was the only one who contributed with some sermons.
Khamti Shan Program
Khamti Shan are another Tai group who speak different dialect. A Khamti Shan pastor, Sao Noi Man Han, came to meet me in Yangon in the year 2000 when I was in Burma. He is one of the twenty believers among Khamti Shan. He is a son of Khamti chief. He is very concern about his own people group. He wants to preach gospel in radio in his own dialect. Starting from 2001 there is a 15 minutes Khamti Shan program every week on Sunday replacing DaiMao program on Sunday. There are about five hundred thousand Khamti Shan in Burma. Many Khamti Shan are in Assam, India.
Effectiveness
How can we assess the effectiveness of our Shan gospel radio broadcast? Some of the methods are assessing letters received from listeners, hearing testimonies from listeners and meeting people who are listening to the program. Many Shan people from different part of Burma, Northern Thailand and Southwest China are listening. 90% of letters received from listeners are from Buddhist Monks asking many interesting questions such as “How can a dead wood give a green leave, how can all get clean if only one take bath, how can one hundred people get full if only one eat, how can we say God is loving and kind by allowing people to be poor, suffering and die,” etc. Some express their belief in Jesus Christ. Some accept Jesus Christ and baptized, some are saved from committing murder, some released from addiction because of the message preached in the radio. Some people have their life changed and some people rededicated their life to the Lord. Some gospel tracts and books are produced to give it to the listeners as a follow up tool.
Testimonies from listeners
When we were conducting training in MayMyo in 1997 I met a man who wrote to me a year ago. He was from MuSe, Northern Shan State. He said, “Thanks for changing my life. I was drifted away from Church many years doing sinful things. I was not only selling liquor but also drinking when I heard your message in radio. After hearing the message my life has been changed. I now have dedicated my life to God and serving as full-time evangelist in a village. I am now pastoring a Church.”
A man from NamKham, Northern Shan State said, “Thanks for saving me. One day in the early morning I took a knife from my kitchen to go and kill a man who had cheated me one million Kyat. But before I left home I tuned in to your program. I heard your message, ‘Forgive your enemy and pray for them. God will take care of you.’ Then I dropped my knife. I abandoned my plan. Otherwise I would have been in jail by now. Thanks for saving me.”
When I was in Northern Thailand in 2001 a man came to me and said, “After listening to gospel message you preached in radio for three years I believed that Jesus Christ is the only Savior. I wanted to be baptized and become a Christian. But there was no Christian and no Church in this area. I started to look for a Church. Finally I found a Lahu Church on the mountain. I went to that Church and told the pastor about my faith. And I got baptized in that Lahu Church.”
When we were on short-term mission trip to Northern Thailand with medical and dental team we met a blind woman. She was smiling so sweetly and dressed with a flower in her hair. When asked why did she seem to be very happy, she said, “Because of Christ.” How did you know Christ? “I have listened to gospel message from radio.”
I did not expect that Buddhist monks would listen to the gospel. But it is amazing. I have received many letters from Buddhist monks from different places all over Burma. Some have expressed their beliefs in Jesus Christ, some have expressed their interest and wish to know more, some have requested for Bibles and some have asked intellectual and theological questions. About four hundred letters were received in 1996. Most of the letters are from Burma, Shan State, and Central Myanmar such as Bagu, Sagaing, Pyinmana, Mon State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Rakhine State, Chin State, Yangon Division and some from Thailand. The questions in all letters are answered during the radio program to enable all listeners to hear and know the questions and answers. I have received a letter from a prisoner in Thailand saying that the message he had heard in the radio was a blessing for him even though he was in prison for five years. He asked for a Bible so that he could read the words of God every day in prison. I have received a letter from Buddhist monk from Burma saying that he never knew that someone died for the sins of the people. He wanted to follow Jesus so that he would be free. In 2001, I have received a call from our evangelist telling me that Shan people in golden triangle have been listening to the gospel in radio for years. Now the son of the head of the village has accepted the Lord. They want me to go there and preach the gospel to them. (As I am writing this book we have planted the first Shan Church in Golden Triangle in 2002)
It was reported from Mission Network News, “Missionary radio broadcasters are seeing success in reaching out to Buddhist monks in China, Myanmar and Thailand. Jim Bowman, president of Far East Broadcasting Company, told Mission Network News, the company’s Shan language broadcast resulted in more than 1,000 responses in 1997. There’s a lot of terminology in other religions than Christianity that sounds the same as Christianity,’ said Bowman. ‘For example, Buddhists are looking for salvation. And, when they hear we’re talking about salvation or when we use the term God, they have a concept of God but it’s not the same as the God that stands outside and loves us.’ Bowman says the Shan broadcast has been on the air for some time. ‘People are attracted to it because it’s in their language and the broadcaster learns more and more about the skill of broadcasting,’ Bowman observed. He continued, ‘We’ve noticed... a remarkable change in the response in our listeners on almost all fronts. And I’d have to give the credit to the Holy Spirit.”
It was reported from Northern Thailand, “How did you come to put your trust in Christ?” I asked. “The Lisu people shared the Gospel with us and when I heard the Shan FEBC radio broadcast, it confirmed what the Lisu had been sharing and so I prayed to receive Christ.” Sai has been a believer for about five years; he has a passion for the Word of God, and is now a leader in a Shan-Tai Church of about 50 Shan-Tai people. Isn’t it wonderful when Christian ministries compliment each other and testify to the truth of the Gospel. To God be the Glory! Pray for the Shan FEBC radio broadcast, pray for freshness and creativity, and pray for it to be used to see many new Churches planted throughout the Shan State. Pray for people groups like the Lisu and the Kachin. Thank God that He has been using tribal Christians to bring the message of God’s love to the Shan-Tai people in some very remote places. Pray for God’s blessing to be upon the Lisu and Kachin and pray that God would bring unity to their Churches. Pray for the fruit of outreach to the Shan. Pray that it would be a pure and holy offering to the Lord and that Shan-Tai Christians would be compelled by the love of Christ to reach their own people.[7]
The seeds have been sown for fifteen years through radio broadcast. Now is a time to reap. We need more workers for the harvest.
Audio and Visual Production
All along for more than one hundred years Shan believers and Churches only sing songs from Baptist Hymnal. In 1978 I first wrote Shan modern gospel songs to be sung during open-air gospel crusade rally in Northern Shan State. I then recorded it in Rangoon at Rev. Myo Chit’s home studio. This is the first modern Shan gospel song to be recorded on tape. Later I am able to produce more Shan modern gospel songs on cassette tapes altogether ten series.
MuSe Shan Baptist Church produced one cassette tape, MyoMa Shan Baptist Church produced one, ShweLi Valley Shan Baptist Mission produced one for Bible Centenary in 1985 and one for Mission Centenary in 1993 and Eastern Shan Baptist Churches produced one for ESSBM centenary. I have translated some modern Praise and Worship songs into Shan language. But most of the Shan Baptist Churches do not sing these modern praise and worship songs in their worship service. Sometimes they sing it in the Church as introduction to worship or as entertainment to the people in the Church. They think that such praise and worship songs are not Baptist. Young people love singing modern praise and worship songs at their informal fellowships.
Only about twenty musical cassette tapes were produced during 140 years of Christian missions among the Shan. There are many good singers and musicians in Shan Churches but they do not sing and produce Shan gospel songs and music. About eight years ago Shan Churches from Eastern Shan State were able to dub Jesus film into Shan language. No other video production done. No VCD or DVD has been produced up until 2001.
Shan Christian Literature and Publication
Very few Christian literatures are produced and published in Shan language. The following are some publications in Shan. Most of them are in small booklets or tracts.
Some Christian literatures produced by OMF, Thailand are:
1. Does our culture get us there?
2. Prodigal son
3. Who is Jesus?
4. Tabernacle
5. Ten Questions
6. Building Disciples
7. Church Planting Movements
8. Wholeness through Christ
9. Song Book
10. The plan of God
11. The Savior
12. Tiger/ Crocodile
13. Victory over death
14. Ten Prophecies
15. Road to life
16. Creation picture tract
17. Following God
18. Faith in God
19. Guides to the Old Testament
20. Chronological teaching
Christian literatures produced by others are:
1. Jesus Christ comic tract (Bible Art Series, The Standard Publishing Co. USA)
2. Shan Choir Book, By Sai Htun Shwe @ Sai Beaun Kham
3. Eternal God who has power and authority booklet. By H. Yawnghwe, 1987
4. Our daily life. By SGM, UK.
5. Savior. By SGM, UK.
6. Stronger and newer every day. By SGM, UK.
7. Jesus Christ is Savior. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
8. Our Daily Bread in Shan Language. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
9. Four Gospel in one book with illustrations. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung
10. The Book of Psalms in large bold letters. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
11. Our belief in Eternal God. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
12. About Eternal God. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
13. About God Jesus Christ. By Dr. Sai Htwe Maung.
14. Gospel of Luke in handwriting published in 1979 by unknown publisher.
15. Shan Choir Book By Sai Hla Kyan 1999.
Apart from Bible, no other Christian books are translated.
[1] Rev. Dr. Cushing, Josiah Nelson. D. D, Ph. D., By Henry Melville King, American Baptist Publication Society, 1907, p15
[2] Ibid
[3] 79th Annual Report, 1893. American Baptist Missionary Union
[4] As interviewed with Rev. Sai Nyunt Tha on March 3, 2003. ThaCheLeik.
[5] As interviewed with U Kyaw Hla on March 16, 2003. LaShio.
[6] http://www.ywam.no/shan/eng/i_evange.html December 12, 2005
[7] http://www.infomekong.com/prayer_shan_050915.htm December 12, 2005