ADVERTISEMENT.

THIS Volume contains, in parallel columns, the two English Versions which were published in 1611 and 1881 respectively.

The left hand column contains the Authorised Version, with its Marginal Notes. This Version has been reproduced, substantially, as it was first given to the public, no notice having been taken of the changes which were made from time to time (without known authority) in subsequent Editions. Typographical errors, and false references, have, however, been corrected. Italics have been used for the words which were printed in small type in 1611, and for these only. Inconsistencies in the employment of capital letters in the Edition of 1611 have sometimes been removed when they seemed likely to perplex the reader. The punctuation of 1611 has been generally followed: in a few instances, in which it was inconsistent, or tended to obscure the sense, it has been altered. The spelling has been generally conformed to modern usage.

The right hand column contains the Revised Version of 1881, with its Marginal Notes. The Revisers' Preface, and the list of readings and renderings preferred by the American Committee and recorded at their desire, are also contained in this Volume.

REVISERS' PREFACE.

THE English Version of the New Testament here presented to the reader is a Revision of the Translation published in the year of Our Lord 1611, and commonly known by the name of the Authorised Version.

That Translation was the work of many hands and of several generations. The foundation was laid by William Tyndale. His translation of the New Testament was the true primary Version. The Versions that followed were either substantially reproductions of Tyndale's translation in its final shape, or revisions of Versions that had been themselves almost entirely based on it. Three successive stages may be recognised in this continuous work of authoritative revision: first, the publication of the Great Bible of 1539-41 in the reign of Henry VIII; next, the publication of the Bishops' Bible of 1568 and 1572 in the reign of Elizabeth; and lastly, the publication of the King's Bible of 1611 in the reign of James I. Besides these, the Genevan Version of 1560, itself founded on Tyndale's translation, must here be named; which, though not put forth by authority, was widely circulated in this country, and largely used by King James' Translators. Thus the form in which the English New Testament has now been read for 270 years was the result of various revisions made between 1525 and 1611; and the present Revision is an attempt, after a long interval, to follow the example set by a succession of honoured predecessors.

I. Of the many points of interest connected with the Translation of 1611, two require special notice; first, the Greek Text which it appears to have represented; and secondly, the character of the Translation itself.

1. With regard to the Greek Text, it would appear that, if to some extent the Translators exercised an independent judgement, it was mainly in choosing amongst readings contained in the principal editions of the Greek Text that had appeared in the sixteenth century.