The translation project was called The Wartburg Project and the group of translators consisted of pastors, professors, and teachers from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), both based in the United States.

Many members of the WELS and ELS had concerns about the accuracy of the newer translation; however, the older version was no longer being printed.

[5] In their 2013 biennial synod convention, a committee established by the WELS to evaluate Bible translations and give suggestions to their translators advised the use of the NIV 2011, Holman Christian Standard Bible, and English Standard Version in their publications, considering which would most accurately fit the needs of each publication.

The Wartburg Project began their work in September 2013 under the leadership of John F. Brug, a professor-emeritus of systematic theology and the Old Testament at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and Brian R. Keller, a WELS pastor.

[3] Over 100 volunteers have joined the project, including professors and pastors from the WELS and ELS as well as laypeople to help in other areas such as proofreading.

In addition, they are using other English translations and commentaries to help them develop this historical context and to help them preserve heritage terms.

[19] They have also published an exposition of Luther's Small Catechism, which was released in the fall of 2019, and a study bible in both electronic and hardcover forms.