Give us today our daily bread…”Amchee rojchee bhakar aaj amhala de…” (Matthew 6:11 from the New Testament translated into Marathi by R H Kelkar)

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Forgive one another…”Ekmekanchi kshama kara…” (Colossians 3:12-13)

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Set your minds on things above…”Varchya goshteenvar man theva…” (Colossians 3:2)

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My grace is sufficient for you…”Mazhi krupa tula pure ahe…” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

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If God be with us, who can be against us…”jar dev aplya bajoola ahe tar…” (Romans 8:31)

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Who can separate us from the love of Christ?…”Khristachya preeteepasoon kon aplyala vegale kareel?” (Romans 8:35)

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My peace I give unto you…”Mee mazhi shanti tumhala deto…” (John 14:27)

Photo credit: NOAA Photo Library

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Peace of God that transcends all understanding…”Sarva buddhechya palikade aslelee devachee shantee…” (Philippians 4:7)

Photo credit: NOAA Photo Library

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Come unto me all you whose work is hard…”Aho tumhee kashta karnare…” (Matthew 11:28)

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Photo taken by Tuhina Kelkar at Chennai beach.

The Marathi Bible site was launched by me on 22 June 2008, the 107th birth anniversary of my father, R. H. Kelkar. The purpose was to provide Marathi-knowing people worldwide an easy access to the New Testament translated by him from Greek to Marathi. Since then, I have been making regular additions to its content, posting a new Bible passage every day and occasionally designing a wallpaper. The Marathi Bible site has grown steadily in popularity and today, the hit counter has crossed the 10,000 mark. Praise be to God!

The Bible tells us that God does not change and that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus himself said that even heaven and earth may pass away but his words will be there. However, it is we who are changing all the time. The languages that we use to communicate with our fellow human beings and with God are continuously evolving. That is why the Word of God needs to be re-translated again and again so that it remains clear and meaningful to an ever-changing world. This is what R. H. Kelkar did for the Marathi New Testament.

It is amazing to see how God chooses people to do his work and drives them to accomplish his purpose. William Carey who translated the first Marathi Bible at Serampore two centuries ago, had the initial training of a shoemaker. My father, R. H. Kelkar, worked for the Indian postal service. I am a retired meteorologist with no theological or literary background, but God has been leading me to use my little knowledge of computers and internet for creating and maintaining this Marathi Bible site. Like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, someone sows a seed, another waters the plant, but God makes it grow.

In Isaiah 55, God explains the power of his word using simple imagery, that is particularly familiar to me as a meteorologist: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Hebrews 4 adds this: “For the word of God is living and active…Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” But following this chilling description, is a reassurance that God’s overriding grace is always there: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

It is my primary aim that visitors to the Marathi Bible site find in it the information they are looking for, quickly and conveniently. It is also my hope that the word of God may offer them help and guidance in real life situations. And it is my prayer that by reading the word of God and contemplating upon it, they may come closer to the true God, and receive his comfort, peace, grace and mercy.

R. R. Kelkar

28 March 2009