Estimates tell us that there are approximately 6500 – 7000 languages in the world.  As a result, when missionaries go to another continent or country to share the Gospel, chances are they will first have to learn a new language before they can begin to communicate the truth of God’s love.

In the spirit of this very real discipline, every year in Passport, we learn John 3:16 in one of the primary languages of the continent we are studying.  Russian is a prominent language in Europe, as it is the language of the largest country in Eastern Europe – Russia.

This one is a bit difficult, so let’s get started!

This is a look at the verse phonetically (ie. sounding it out with comparable English sounds):

{Note:  Accent is placed on the red sound/syllable of the word; Scroll to end for audio version}

For God so loved the world,

Ибо      так    возлюбил     Бог    мир,

Ee-bo    tak    voz-lu-beel     Bog    meer,

 

That he gave his only son, 

что    отдал   Сына    Своего        Единородного,

shto   otdal     sin-a     svoy-ye-vo   ye-deeno-rod-novo,

 

That whoever believes in him 

дабы      всякий      верующий      в    Него,

da-bee    vsya-kee    ver-yoo-shee   v    nye-vo

 

Should not perish, but have eternal life.

не   погиб,     но    имел     жизнь      вечную.

ne   pog-eeb   no   ee-mel   zhee-zin   vechno.

 

John 3:16 {Russian Synodal Version (RUSV)}

 

 

A video of a native speaker saying John 3:16 in Russian is provided to assist in learning John 3:16 in Russia, as well as an audio version of the same verse.

Video:

Audio: