Publication of Bible translations began as early as the seventeenth century although there is evidence that the Jesuit missionary, Francis Xavier, translated religious texts that included Bible verses into Malay as early as the sixteenth century. In fact, Francis Xavier devoted much of his life to missions in just four main centres, Malacca, Amboina and Ternate, Japan and China, two of those were within Malay speaking realm.
Bible translations began in the 17th century, although there is evidence that Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier translated religious texts into Malay as early as the 16th century.  Francis Xavier dedicated much of his life to missions in Malacca, Amboina and Ternate, Japan and China, two of which were within the Malay-speaking region.