"Bible group spreads word by SMS"

[GreenPartyVoter]

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) -- "In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth," according to a new version of the Bible translated into the text message language of cell phone users.

The Bible Society in Australia launched on Thursday its translation of all 31,173 verses of the Bible in the modern, abbreviated language of text messages, or SMS.

The verses can be accessed over the Internet for free so that the word of God can be spread by cell phone to family and friends, said society spokesman Michael Chant.

"The old days when the Bible was only available within a somber black cover with a cross on it are long gone," Chant said.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/10/06/text.bible.ap/index.html