- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

HCSB signs licensing agreement with American Bible Society

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Broadman & Holman Publishers announced July 26 that it has signed a 15-year agreement with the American Bible Society for distribution of products containing the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) translation by the ABS and the United Bible Societies.

The agreement allows the ABS to produce, market and sell Bibles containing the Holman CSB to individuals, churches, para-church organizations, members and affiliates of the United Bible Societies and ministries worldwide and international bookstores and distributors.

“Teaming with the American Bible Society provides a vast array of opportunities for the Holman Christian Standard translation,” said Ken Stephens, president of Broadman & Holman Publishers, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“The American Bible Society’s relationships both domestically and internationally will allow us increased exposure and outlets in bringing the Holman CSB to developing countries in Africa and Asia Pacific as well as raise awareness and distribution of the Holman CSB anywhere a more literal English language translation is preferred,” said Stephens, who signed the agreement in behalf of B&H.

The American Bible Society distributed more than 3.5 million Bibles in 2004. While principally focused on the United States, the ABS extends its outreach internationally through the United Bible Societies. Begun in 1946 with 12 member societies, the UBS has grown to now include 140 national Bible societies that cooperate with Christian churches and church-related organizations for Bible outreach in more than 200 countries and territories.

“We are very excited about featuring the Holman Christian Standard Bible in our products,” said John Cruz, vice president of the American Bible Society, who signed the agreement on behalf of ABS. “The Holman CSB translation has experienced astronomical growth in its first full year on the marketplace and offers readers a literal translation in readable, contemporary language -– both features that make this translation appealing.”

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The Holman CSB translation, which debuted in April 2004, has consistently been ranked in the top five most popular Bible translations with more than 2 million copies already sold.
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