What is MaiBible?
MaiBible is an open Bible translation project. It translates the biblical texts from the oldest available sources — Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek — into clear, contemporary language. The decisive difference: the translation follows an open, exchangeable context document that makes the underlying theological understanding transparent.
A small revolution
When Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in 1522, he put the Bible into the hands of millions for the first time — they were no longer dependent on other people's interpretation. AI can bring about a comparable shift today: not a new authoritative translation, but the possibility that every person can have their own translation made — on the basis of their own theological understanding.
That understanding is recorded in a context document: What are your basic assumptions about God? How do you understand guilt, forgiveness, sin? How should YHWH be translated? Which terms matter to you? Out of this context a consistent translation emerges — one you can share, compare with others, and develop further.
What you will find here
- Project translation: the ongoing translation following Andreas Stoll's master context document — with notes, original terms and theological placement.
- Context wizard: build your own context document step by step, download it as a file and keep working with it.
- Translation comparison: upload two different context documents and compare how the same biblical text sounds under different premises.
- Forum: (in preparation) exchange about passages, terms, understandings — and about the contexts themselves.
What matters to us
- Transparency — the theological framework is always visible.
- Closeness to the original — context does not replace the text, it opens it.
- Invitation rather than mission — we address everyone, not only the churchgoing.
- Data protection — no trackers, EU hosting, minimal data collection.
About the languages
The project translation is produced in German first. The context document is also available in English and French — as standalone versions from which translations in the respective language are produced. The German version remains the authoritative source for the theological terminology; the English and French context documents are translations of it and follow its convictions.
Download the context document
This project's context document is open and freely usable. It sets out the theological principles and translation policies from which the project translation emerges — from how God is spoken of, through the handling of guilt and forgiveness, to gender-inclusive language.
You can use it as a starting point for your own document, upload it directly in the translation comparison, or create your own version with the context wizard.