HOUSTON, TEXAS—August 16, 2019— A momentous event took place on July 19, 2019, with the release of the revised edition of the New World Translation in Spanish at the “Love Never Fails”! International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Madrid, Spain. The revised edition in English was released earlier in 2013 and more languages are being worked on for the future. This Spanish language edition of the Bible is a welcome gift to many living in the culturally rich city of Houston.

Houston is recognized as one of the most diverse cities in America, and boasts a vibrant Spanish culture. Even though millions speak Spanish, vast linguistic differences exist, depending on what part of the Hispanic world a person originates from. Therefore, the need existed for a universal Spanish translation that maintains the integrity of the Bible’s original message in a modern language.

“It allows me to understand the main concepts clearly because it uses language that speaks to my heart,” says Evelyn Nevarez, 37, from Midwest Houston. “I can get more out of the time I spend reading, rather than having to look up words that are not commonly used. I also love the additional references included that provide a broader picture of what I’m reading.”

That sentiment is shared by more than 5,500 visitors from 23 countries that will visit Houston for the second of two international conventions. Many of these visitors will be arriving from South America, Central America, and Spain. They will spend a week exploring the city and enjoying three days of Bible instruction at the last of the global international convention series to be held in the United States.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses have a well-established and long tradition of Bible printing and translation,” said James Gianopoulos, local spokesman of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our interest is to reach everyone in the language of their heart.” Additionally, Jehovah’s Witnesses produce bible-based publications in hundreds of languages. Currently, the jw.org website is available in 984 languages.