w M^ PRINCETON, N. J. Shelf Division \ Section .....v. Number / THE HOLY BIBLE CONTAINING THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS: TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINAL TONGUES ; AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED, BY HIS MAJESTY'S SPECIAL COMMAND. '-:•.-'". EDITED WITH Unrious 3JUnden's College, Oxford. % Rev. W. SAX DAY, M.A., D.D., LL.D. Dean Ireland's Professor of Exegesis, Oxford ; Fellow of Exeter College. TRADE 3E.&Sb. MARK jY R E AN I) S POTT I S Woo D B, Printers to the Queen's mosl Excellent Majesty. LOND ST— aEEAT NEW STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C. .I'lNi.i 1:1.11. GHLASGOW, MELBOURNE, AND SYDNEY, / BBW YORK-COOPER UNION, FOURTB \\l.\ll' AnTHomsF.r Vtn-i Variorum ftcfrrrnct IE/ u (CopTTlnht. \ ®ft£ Uariorttm fteftttnte Bible. This Volume combines the Reference Bible with the "Variorum Bible or the Authorised Version edited with Various Renderings and Readings from the best Authorities, 187G." Tn the Variorum foot-notes, which distinguish this edition from other Reference Bibles, the method of the notes in the margin has been extended until a digest of the best accredited Various Readings and Renderings of the Texts, or, in other words, a cons/ ectils of the really tenable opinions upon difficult or imperfectly translated passages in the Authorised Version — whether due to the incorrectness of the Hebrew or Greek Text used, or to inaccurate translation of a text correct in itself — is laid before the English reader. The Authorised Version and the chief materials for its revision are thus presented at one view, and while comparison is thus made easy, the degree of authority attaching to each of the selected Various Readings and Renderings is discriminated and (except where a general consent can be alleged) authenticated by the names of the authorities by which it is supported. So that even if compared with the Westminster Revision, which work it will be found to have largely anticipated, the Variorum Bible is of general and permanent use; for while that Revision gives results only, this work indicates the places of the Authorised Version in which the important changes are to be found, gives briefly and concisely the authority for the changes adopted, and calls attention to the balance of opinion upon disputed points. To the general reader, the Variorum notes will often render other note or comment needless, and suggest the full meaning of a familiar passage. To the clergyman, the teacher, and even the private student, who frequently cannot consult an elaborate commentary, this summary of the results of an extensive literature will shew at a glance the passages about which no question arises, and an outline of the authorities that support each construction of the passages which are capable of different interpretation. The professed student will find his attention called to the lesser or greater deviations from accuracy, while he is provided with a carefully sifted digest of opinions, and. par- ticularly in the Old Testament, with a more convenient and complete selection of critical data and authorities than is elsewhere accessible. EYRE & SPOTTISAVOODE. Her Majesty's Printing Office, London, E.G. Jtrcfacc to tf\e Second ^Edition. The present Edition of the Variorum Reference Bible has, in addition to the largeness of its type, the following special features: — 1. All the best critical Editions and Translations, including the "Westminster Revision, are, in the Variorum notes, collated to date. 2. The brief explanatory notes are increased. 3. The poetieal portions of the text are set out as in a Paragraph Bible. PREFACE. THE object of the notes in the present edition of the Bible (which appeared originally in 1876, and afterwards, in an improved form, in 1880) is to put the reader in possession of the main facts relative to the text of the Authorised Version. They are designed not merely to correct some of the more important mistranslations, but to supply the means of estimating the authority by which the proposed corrections are supported. They appeal at once to the ordinary Bible reader, whose, chief difficulties they endeavour to meet, and to the special or professional student, who will find, it is hoped, particularly in the Old Testament, a more careful selection of critical data and authorities than is elsewhere accessible. It is this twofold character which constitutes the special feature of the present work, and distinguishes it from the more complete revision undertaken by the Company of scholars appointed by Convocation in 1870, and brought to a successful close in 1885. The need of such a book has been sufficiently proved by experience; and it is now re-issued after a careful and comprehensive revision. Among the new features which will at once strike the reader is the arrangement of the more obviously poetical portions in lines, in order to show the parallelism (or " thought-rhythm " as it has been called) which is characteristic of Hebrew poetry, and throws great light on the meaning. This applies both to the Old and to the New Testament. In the former part it will be observed that a few notes have been omitted, which, however, have been more than compensated for by the incorporation of new matter. The Revised Version has supplied some excellent renderings, the number of which might easily have been increased, had it been designed to offer more than select specimens of its method and principles in their application (mostly) to passages of some special interest. Many other new works bearing on Old Testament interpretation have also appeared since the previous edition of 1880, which have enriched the notes with not a little fresh material ; and since the most accurate renderings are sometimes obscure without comment, very brief explana- tory notes have from time to time been introduced. The notes range themselves under two heads, Variations of Rendering, and Variations of Beading. The former are those cases where the Authorised Version has been thought not to represent the original fairly — these are indicated by figures consecutive through the diopter as reference-marks ; the latter, where the text which the Authorised Version translates has been supposed to be either incorrect or doubtful — these are specified by the earlier letters of the Greek alphabet in each verse. The reference-marks are placed before the words of the text that are referred to, but where it might be doubtful how many words were referred to they have also been repeated after them. The names of authorities stand immediately after the words in whose support they are quoted. No new rendering is introduced on the private authority of the editors ; where the names of the editors themselves are quoted, their own published writings are referred to. As a rule, if a Various Rendering has no name appended to it, or is cited simply with k, it is to be understood that it has the general verdict of scholars in its favour. With regard to the English of the notes, it has been the endeavour of the editors to keep it as far as possible in harmony with that of our present Bible. An exception must, of course, be made in the rase of matter introduced as paraphrase or explanation, where the language of the Authorised Version has become antiquated, or where (especially in the New Testament) it has seemed liable to V misunderstood. Completeness in the explanation of archaisms has, however, not been aimed at. It should likewise be mentioned that, where several authorities substantially agree, the editors have ventured to combine them by selecting some one English word whieli seemed fairly to express their meaning. (1) With regard to the Various Renderings, it was obviously necessary to limit them to those (or some of those) which appeared sensibly to affect the meaning. A very Blighi ohange in the English has sometimes been found sufficient. Where, for instance, the thought, or the colouring of the thought, was perceptibly modified by the presence or absence of the definite article, or PREFACE. where the distinctions of tenses seemed of great importance to the sense or consecntiveness of a passage, such points have been noticed. But, though the claims of exact scholarship have not been disregarded, alterations in these respects have not generally been made in the interest of mere grammatical accuracy. A great source of obscurity in the Authorised Version is the use of different English words for one word of the original, even in the same context. In such cases, one uniform rendering has frequently been adopted, with the result, not merely of clearing up the context, but of suggesting an unexpected parallelism between different parts of the Bible. (2) With regard to the Various Readings, it is necessary to remind the reader that the text from which the Authorised Version of the New Testament is translated is substantially identical with that of the first edition of the Greek text published by Erasmus in 1516, an edition based upon not more than five MSS., and those chosen almost at random without any regard to their intrinsic value. The discovery of some of the most ancient and valuable MSS. of the New Testament, and the systematic use of others, both ancient and valuable, which, though known in Western Europe in the 16th century, were scarcely used, and, in general, a more comprehensive study of MSS. and ancient Versions, has shewn that this " Received Text," as it is called, labours under manifold corruptions. A succession of scholars has now been at work, partly collecting materials, and partly digesting and utilising the materials collected. Prominent among them are the names of Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, and Westcott and Hort, who have made the whole New Testament the subject of elaborate reconstructive criticism. Some other scholars have paid special attention to the text of particular books, as Dr. B. Weiss in Germany to that of the Gospels and the Epistle to the Romans, and Bishops Lightfoot and Ellicott in our own country to some of the Pauline Epistles. Besides these, it was thought well in 1880 to note the readings adopted in a carefully revised translation of the Gospels by the Rev. J. B. McClellan. As Mr. McClellan represents principles of criticism which were not entirely those of the dominant school, it was thought that additional confidence would be felt where he was in agreement with the other editors. The Hebrew text of the Old Testament stands upon a somewhat different footing. The form in which it apjDears in the printed Bibles is that in which it has been fixed by the Jews themselves for centuries. But a close examination reveals the fact that, jealously guarded as it thus has been, there must have been an earlier period in its transmission, during which errors and altera- tions crept in. The existence of such errors may be easily shewn, without passing beyond the limits of the Hebrew text itself, by a comparison of the corresponding chapters in the Books of Samuel and Kings on the one hand, and in the Chronicles on the other. Of the MSS. which have as yet been examined, but few date back as far as the 10th century a.d., and these few contain only portions of the Bible. But the ancient Versions at once carry us back to a period from 500 to 1000 years anterior to this : they thus reflect, with more or less exactness, a text far older than that represented by the earliest Hebrew MSS. Certainly, to classify and account for all the divergences which they exhibit is a problem of extreme complexity, and perhaps insoluble : but, if used with tact and sobriety, the ancient Versions afford invaluable aid in restoring order and sequence where the Hebrew, as we possess it, appears involved in much confusion. A com- parison of the present edition with that of 1880, and indeed with the earlier Commentaries generally, will, it is believed, make it probable that the gain from this source is still far from exhausted. Cases, however, occur in which a suspicion of corruption attaches to the text, which even a comparison of the Versions does not avail to remove. Here, then, nothing remains but to make a temperate use of critical emendation. However reluctant we may be to admit the principle of conjecture, an exceptional application of it is justified in the case of the Old Testament (1) by the long interval which elapsed between the composition of most of the books and the earliest date to which we can trace them, and (2) by the nature of the Hebrew characters, which, in every phase through which the alphabet has passed, arc very liable to be confounded. Purely arbitrary emendations are, of course, inadmissible; but there are many passages which become at once intelligible on a slight alteration in the form of one or two of the letters. Changes of the vowel-points are also occasionally of service, but these do not in the same sense fall under the head of conjecture, for the vowel-points merely represent a valuable, but still PREFACE. post-Christian, exegetical tradition. It should perhaps be added with regard to the Various Readings generally, that none have been admitted which do not appear, in the editors' judg- ment, to be either actually preferable to the Hebrew text, or to possess a claim to consideration beside it. The editors of the New Testament cannot forget the special obligation which they were under to Drs. Westcott and Hort, who allowed them to make use of their revised text — the fruit of thirty years of labour— before its publication, which took place in 1881. They would also wish to repeat their acknowledgments for helpful criticism when the work first appeared to Mr. S. Bloxsidge, formerly of Exeter College, and others. In the present edition their task has consisted chiefly in the addition of new collations, of the Revised Version throughout, of Godet on St. Luke, St. John, and Romans, of some of the most valuable parts of the Speaker's Commentary, such as Clifford on Romans, Evans on 1 Corinthians (and on isolated passages in other books), Waite on 2 Corinthians, Scott on St. James, of Holtzmann and Weiss on the Pastoral Epistles, and Westcott on the Epistles of St. John. A few notes have been introduced occasionally from other sources, especially from the late Dr. Field's Otium Norvicense, Part IV. It would have been easy to increase the number of these additions, but the editors were unwilling to do this where the notes were already heavily weighted with references. The Various Readings introduced for the first time are those of the Revised Version, and of Weiss on St. John and Romans. It has also been sought to make the notes more useful to the general reader by omitting some which turned on minor details of scholarship, and by the extended use of brief explanations. The editors of the Old Testament, Drs. Cheyne and Driver, have remained the same through- out. The New Testament was originally entrusted to the Rev. R. L. Clarke, Fellow of Queen's College, and Mr. Alfred Goodwin, at that time Fellow of Balliol College, and now Professor of Greek in University College, London. In the revision of 1880 Dr. Sanday, then Principal of Bishop Hatfield's Hall, Durham, and now Dean Ireland's Professor at Oxford, was associated with Mr. Clarke; and the same two editors undertook the revision of the present year. This had been completed and the sheets sent to press, when, on June 13th, Mr. Clarke, who had been for some time in a precarious state of health, died. His career at Oxford had been that of a distinguished scholar, and his modest and self-depreciating character could not hide his real abilities. His loss is deeply felt by his colleagues. T. K. CHEYNE. September 1888. S. R. DRIVER, W. SANDAY. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. I.— (Dli Testament* 1. NAMES OF COMMENTATORS, etc. AE.—Ahen Ezra, Rabbi (died about 1175). A W— Abu'l Walid, Jewish lexicographer (bora 985). Ba. — Baebmanu, Dr. J. (died 1888). Ba.— Bahr, Dr. K. C. (died 1S74). Be— Berthean, Dr. Ernst (died 1888). Bi— Bickell, Dr. Gustav. Bl.— Bleek, Dr. Friedrich (died 1S59). Bo. — Bochart, Samuel (died 1GC"). Bo.— Bottcher, Dr. J. F. (died 18G3). Br. — Bredeukamp, Dr. C. J. Ca. — Caspari, Dr. C. P. Ch.— Cheyne, Rev. Dr. T. K. CI— Clark, Rev. Samuel (died 1875). Co. — Cornill, Dr. Carl Heinrich. Ba. — Davidson, Rev. Dr. A. B. Be. — Delitzsch, Dr. Franz. De W.— DeWette, Dr. W. M. L. (died 1S49). Bi. — Dillmann, Dr. August. Boor. — Doorninck, Dr. A. van. Br— Driver, Rev. Dr. S. R. By. — Dyserinck, Dr. Job. Ew — Ewald, Dr. Heinrich (died 1875). I'D.— Delitzsch, Dr. Friedrich. [(died 1888). Fl. — Fleischer, Dr. H. L. (quoted from Delitzscb) Ge.— Gesenius, Dr. W. (died 1842). Gei. — Geiger, Dr. Abraham (died 1875). Ci.— Ginsburg, Rev. Dr. C. D. dr.— Grdtz, Dr. IT. //a. -11 aver.iiek, Dr. U. A. C. (died 1845). He.— Hengstenberg, Dr. E. W. (died 1869). Her.— Herrfeld, Dr. L. Hi — Hitzig, Dr. F. (died 1875). Hoff— Hoffmann, Dr. G. Houb.- Honbigant, C. F. (died 1783). Hu.— Ilupfeld, Dr. II. (died 18GG). Jer.— Jerome, St. (died 420). Ka.~ Kalisch, Dr. M. M. (died 1885). Kamp.- Kamphausen, Dr. A. II. IT. Kc.— Keil, Dr. C. F. (died 1888). Kenn.— Kennicott, Rev. Dr. B. (died 1783). h'i.— Kiincbi, Rabbi David (died about 1240). Kl— Kloinert, Dr. Paul. Ktie.— LKHefoth, Dr. Tb. Klo. — Klostermann, Dr. August. Xn.— Knobel, Dr. A. (died In;:1,). K'6. — Kohler, Dr. August. Kp. — Kirkpatrick, Rev. Prof. A. F. Ku— Kurtz, Dr. J. H. Kue. — Kuenen, Dr. A. La. — Lagarde, Dr. Paul de. ho— Lowth, Right Rev. Dr. R. (died 1787). Loe. — Loewenstein, L. H. Luz. — Luzzatto, Samuel David (died 18G5). Me.— Merx, Dr. Adalbert. Mich.— Michaelis, Dr. J. D. (died 1791). M o.— Movers, Dr. F. E. (died 1850). Naeg.— Naegelsbacb, Dr. C. W. E. (died 1880). No. — Noldeke, Dr. Theodor. Noiv. — Nowack, Dr. Wilhelm. Oeh. — Oehler, Dr. G. F. (died 1872). 01.— Olshausen, Dr. Justus (died 1882). PS.— Payne Smith, Very Rev. Dr. R, Be.— Perowne, Very Rev. Dr. J. J. S. Pu— Pusey, Rev. Dr. E. B. (died 1882). Ra. — Rasbi, Jewisb commentator (died 1105). Re. — Renan, M. Ernest. Rei. — Reinke, Dr. Laurenz. Rie— Riehm, Dr. Eduard (died 1888). Rb— Rodiger, Dr. Emil (died 1874). Roo. — Roorda, Dr. T. RS.— Robertson Smith, Dr. W. Ry. — Ryssel, Dr. Victor. Sch.— Scbnlti, Dr. F. W. (died 1888). $cM— Scblofctmann, Dr. Const, (died 1887). Schr. — Scbrader, Dr. Eberhard. ScKro— Schroder, Dr. F. W. J. Schu. — Schultens, Dr. Albert (died 1750). St. — Simson, Dr. August. Sm— Smend, Dr. Rudolf. Sta. — Stade, Dr. Bernhard. St.— Stanley, Very Rev. Dr. A. P. (died 1881). Th.— Tbeuius, Dr. Otto. Thr.— Thrupp, Rev. J. P. (died 1807). Tu— Tuch, Dr. Friedrich (died 1807). Vaih. — Vaibinger, Dr. J. G. Vo.— Volok, Dr. Wilhelm. TFe.— Wellhansen, Dr. Julius. Wr. — Wright, Dr. Charles Henry Hamilton. Wit. — Wunsche, Dr. August. Z'6.— Zockler, Dr. Otto. l'i addition to the above, a certain number of critics (principally those cited but rarely) are referred to under their full surnames, for example, Bow, Oust., Briggs, Rev. Dr. 0. A., Budde, Dr. Karl, Clarice, Rev. Dr. A. (died L832), Dathe, Dr. J. A. (died 1791), Graf, K. II. (died L869), Himt, Rev. Br. T. (died 1774), Kay, Rev. Dr. II'. (died L886), Seeker, Most Rev. Dr. T. (died L768), Weir, Rev. /'/-. (died 1876), Wright, W. A. The names of authorities are usually cited in chronological order. Fo' rplanations of the method of reference, see p. xiii. ABBREVIATIONS, etc. 2. NAMES OP TRANSLATOKS, etc. Aq. — Aquila, a Jewish proselyte of Sinope in Pontus ; his work, which is in Greek and painfully lite- ral, is only extant in the fragments of Origen's Hexapla. Date, about middle of second century A.D. Jer. — St. Jerome's Latin translation of the Psalms, made directly from the Hebrew. The Vulgate version of the Psalms is St. Jerome's revision of the Old Latin Psalter, which was based upon the Septuagint. Jerus., Px.-Jon. — The Jerusalem Targum (i.e. inter- pretation, translation, viz. in Chaldee or West Aramaic) of the Pentateuch. Extant in two recensions ; the one, sometimes called the Tar- gum of Pseudo- Jonathan, entire, and belonging to the seventh century A.D. ; the other frag- mentary, and considerably earlier. Jos. — Josephus, Jewish historian (died A.D. 95). Onk.- — The Chaldee (rather, West Aramaic) Targum or translation of the Pentateuch, ascribed to Onkelos. Thrown into its present form about end of third centux-y A.D. on the basis of an ancient Palestinian Targum, by learned men at Babylon. Very literal, except in poetical pas- sages. Pesh. — The Peshitto, i.e. ' simple ' or faithful ; a Syriac (rather, East Aramaic) version, made for Christian readers from the Hebrew, though in- fluenced frequently by Jewish exegesis, and in parts (e.g. in the Psalms) by the Septuagint. Date, not later than second or third century. R. — Revised Version of 1885. R marg.— Margin of do. Saad. — Rabbi Saadyah Gaon (died 942 A.D.). Arabic translation of most of the Old Testament, of which, however, only the Pentateuch, Song of Songs, Isaiah, and parts of Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, have been published. Sam.— The Hebrew Pentateuch as read by the Sama- ritans. In character, its text agrees with that used by the Septuagint. Sept. — The Septuagint. An aggregate of Greek trans- lations made in Egypt by Hellenistic Jews. The oldest and best is that of the Pentateuch (third century B.C.) ; the latest, those of the Hagio- grapha (mostly finished before 130 B.C.). More valuable for criticism of the text than for inter- pretation. Symm. — Symmachus, probably a Hellenistic Jew. Date, close of second century a.d. More ele- gant in style than Aquila ; fragmentary. Targ. — Various Targums, or Chaldee versions, par- ticularly that of the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and the Prophets (except Daniel), ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Thrown into its present form in Babylon— probably some fame after the Targum of the Pentateuch (see ' Onk.'). In style, paraphrastic. The Targums of the other books are of late and uncertain date, and of in- ferior value. Theod. — Theodotion, a Jewish proselyte of Ephesus. His Greek version of Daniel was (according to a common opinion) substituted by the Christians for that given by the Septuagint, as being more accurate. The rest of his translation (which seems to have been based on the Septuagint) is only extant in the fragments of Origen's Hexapla. Date, probably not later than Aquila. Vulg. — The Vulgate, or Latin translation of the Bible by St. Jerome. The Old Testament was done in the main from the Hebrew; date of its comple- tion, 405 a.d. Note 1. Notes of the form Vulg. (MSS.), Sept. (Cod. Al.), mean that the reading or rendering is not found in the ordinary texts of the Vulgate or Sep- tuagint, but is supported by particular MSS., or by the MS. cited. The abbreviation MSS. is sometimes used to indicate a small number of MSS. 2. (On notes of the form Heb. marg.) There is a certain number of places in the Old Testament in which Jewish tradition itself has introduced what may be termed an ' authorised correction ' of the text, noting the alteration in the margin, and direct- ing the reader to substitute it for what he finds in the text. These marginal corrections are found in all MSS. and Hebrew Bibles. They are by no means always critically preferable ; sometimes they merely attempt to obviate an unusual, but quite defensible, grammatical form. 3. When (I.) is appended to a Various Reading, it means that the proposed correction differs from the ordinary reading only in the form of one or two letters, which may have been mistaken by the scribe. On the contrary; (pt.) or (pts.) signifies that the cor- rection does not differ in the letters, but only in one or more of the vowel-points attached to them. 4. The readings of the Hebrew MSS. are as a rule cited from De Rossi's Variae Lectiones Veteris Testa- ment i (Parma, 1784 — 1788), and his Scholia Critica (Parma, 1798) ; those of the St. Petersburg MS. of a.d. 910 (containing Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 Minor Prophets) from the facsimile published by Dr. Hermann Strack in 1876. 5. The Septuagint is cited, except where stated otherwise, from Tischendorf's edition; Dr. Swete's edition (vol. I. as far as 2 Kings) arriving too late to be generally used : the variations which it exhibits from Tischendorf's text, however, are rarely of a character to affect quotations such as those in the present volume. Lucian's recension of the Septuagint, published (as far as Esther) by Lagarde (Gottingen, liss.'i), is referred to as Sept. (Luc.). The Peshitto is cited from the edition of Dr. Lee, the Targums from Walton, Berliner, and Lagarde, the Vulgate partly from Heyse's edition of the Codex Amiatinus, partly from the Clementine text, and Aq. Symm. Theod. from Dr. Field's Oxford edition of the Hexapla. ABBREVIATIONS, etc. II. — Hero l&cstnmimt* AUTHORITIES CITED FOR VARIOUS RENDERINGS AND READIXGS. 1. NAMES OF MODERN COMMENTATORS. Ah— Alford, Very Rev. Dr. H. (died 1870). Baur, Dr. F. Ch. (died 1860). Beet, Rev. J. A. Be.— Bengel, Dr. J. A. (died 1752). Bentley, Dr. R. (died 1742). Bl — Bleek, Dr. Friedrich (died 1859). Bou. — Bouman, Dr. H. Bruckner, Dr. B. Bu. — Buttmann, Dr. Alexander. Cnlvin, John (died 1564). Co. — Conybeare, Rev. W. J. (died 1875), and How- son, Very Rev. Dr. J. S. (died 1885). Da. — Davidson, Rev. Dr. Samuel. Del. — Delitzsch, Dr. Franz. De W.— De Wette, Dr. W. M. L. (died 1849). Dil. — Diisterdieck, Dr. Friedrich. Eb.— Ebrard, Dr. J. H. A. El. or Ell— Ellicott, Right Rev. Dr. C. J. Erasmus, Desiderius (died 1536). Ev.— Evans, Rev. Dr. T. S. En-. — Ewald, Dr. Heinrich (died 1875). Farrar, Rev. Dr. F. W. Field, Rev. Dr. F. (died 1885). Fri — Fritzsche, Dr. C. F. A. Gi — Gifford, Ven. Dr. E. H. Go.— Godet, Dr. F. Grimm, Dr. C. L. W. Ho, — Harless, Dr. J. C. A. von. Heinrich, Dr. J. H. Hitzig, Dr. F. (died 1875). Ho. — Holtzmaun, Dr. J. H. Ha — Huther, Dr. J. E. Je.— Jelf, Rev. W. E. (died 1875). Jo. — Jowett, Rev. B. Ke.— Kern, Dr. F. H. Lam.— Lange, Dr. J. P. (died 1884). Li— Lightfoot, Right Rev. Dr. J. B. Lit. — Liinemann, Dr. G. Luther, Martin (died 1546). Mack, Dr. Martin. Mel.— M'Clellan, Rev. J. B. Me.— Meyer, Dr. H. A. W. (died 1873). Mow.— Moult on, Rev. Dr. W. F. 01. or Ols.— Olshausen, Dr. Hermann (died 1839). Paley, Dr. F. A. Renan, M. Ernest. Reuss, Dr. E. Bit — Ruckert, Dr. L. J. (died 1871). Schiirer, Dr. Emil. 8c— Scott, Very Rev. Dr. R. (died 1887). St.— Stier, Dr. Rudolph (died 1862) . Sta.— Stanley, Very Rev. Dr. A. P. (died 1881). Tho.— Tholuck, Dr. August (died 1877). Trench, Most Rev. Dr. R. C. (died 1886). Fa. — Vaughan, Very Rev. Dr. C. J. VH.— Van Hengel, Dr. W. A. (died 1870). TTa. — Waite, Rev. Dr. Joseph. We. or Weiss. — Weiss, Dr. Bernhard. W.— Westcott, Rev. Dr. B. F. Wetsteiu, Dr. J. J. (died 1754). Wi — Winer, Dr. G. B. (died 1858). Wie. — Wiesinger, Dr. A. Wo— Wordsworth, Right Rev. Dr. Chr. (diedl885). Zu — Ziillig, Dr. F. J. 2. NAMES OF ANCIENT COMMENTATORS OCCASIONALLY QUOTED. Iren. — Irenseus, Bishop of Lyons, 178. Jer. — Jerome, flourished 378 — 420. Orig. — Origen (died 254). Aug. — Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 395 — 430. Bas. — Basil, Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, 370 —379. Chrys. — Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, 397 —407. Clem. Alex. — Clement of Alexandria, flourished 194. Cypr— Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 248—258. Eus. — Bnsebins, Bishop of Caesarea, 315 — 339 or 40. Hil— Hilary, Bishop of Poictiers, 353—368. Hipp.— Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome (?), 200—236 or 7. Orig'"'.— The same as represented by an ancient Latin translation. Tert — Tertullian, flourished 200—230. Theod. Mops. — Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia, 399 — 428. Theod. (in 1 Timothy— Titus) .— Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus (died 457). Latin. OL — Tin' Old Litin Translation, mado in the 2nd century \.i>., and existing in various forms; the oldest MSS. belong to the 1th and 6th centuries. Vulg. — The Old Latin as revised by Jerome with tin help of- Greek MSS., a.i>. 383—5; the oldest .MS. was written before 546 A.D. fltyi ioc. Cnr. — The Curctonian Syriao. Probably an oil form of the Syriac Version made in the 2nd centnrj ; considerable fragments exist in a MS. of the 5th century. 3. VERSIONS. Syriac — continued. Peak. — The Peshitto Syriac, Apparently a i form of the above; exists in many old .MSS.. the oldest of the 5th century. Egyptian. Memph.—The Memphitic Version. In the dialed of Lower Egypt ; made probably not later than the 3rd century. Tlirh. The Thebaic Version. In the dialect of Upper Egypt; about the same date as the Memphitio; sane MSS. attributed to the 1th century, but probably somewhat later. b2 4. MANUSCRIPTS. Note.— In the citation of the MSS., and the several handwritings ia them, Teschendorf's notation has been followed. The citations of MSS. have been taken from the editions of Tisehendorf, Tregelles, and Alford ; usually the first: the accounts of the MSS., from Tisehendorf and Scrivener. N (i.e. Aleph, first letter of Hebrew alphabet) . Codex Sinaiticus, now at St. Petersburg ; discovered by Tisehendorf in 1859 in the Convent of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai. Contains a large part of the Septuagint and the whole New Testament. Written, in Tischendorf's judgment, about the middle of the 4th century a.d. and at Alexandria, others have thought at Caesarea in Palestine. Corrected in some places by later hands, N", of the 4th century, N4, about the 6th century, Nc or Hc", early in the 7th century, Me*;bf the 7th century. The first hand is denoted by K or N*. (See note below). A Codex Alexandrinus, in the British Museum ; pre- sented to Charles I. in 1628 by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch first of Alexandria, then of Constanti- nople. Contains the Septuagint almost complete, the whole New Testament, except St. Matthew i. —xxv. 6, St. John vi. 50— viii. 52, and 2 Cor. iv. 13 — xii. 6. Date (first hand denoted by A or A*) , middle of the 5th century or earlier, corrected in a few places by later hands (A- and A3); corrections which may probably have been made by the original scribe himself are denoted by A**. May have been written at Alexandria, but " it exhibits, especially in the Gospels, a text more nearly approaching that found in later copies than is found in most of its high antiquity." — Scrivener. B Codex Vaticanns, in the Vatican Library at Rome. Contains nearly all the Septuagint and all the New Testament except Hebrews ix. 14 to end, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Revelation ; the missing parts of Hebrews and Revelation have been supplied by a late hand, probably of the 15th century. First hand (B or B*) of the 4th cen- tury. Tisehendorf thinks that the copyist who wrote out this MS. was one of the two scribes who produced the original Sinaitic MS. of the New Testament. Ceriani and Dr. Hort think that it was written in Italy, De Rossi that it was written in the East, and several scholars have supposed that this MS., like the Sinaitic, was written at Caesarea in Palestine. Corrected in some places by Later hands, B2, of the 4th or 5th century, B3, of the 101 h or 11th century. B (Revelation). Also in the Vatican. Contains Revelation. About 800 a.d. C Codex Bphraemi Syri Etesoriptus. So called be- cause certain tracts by St. Ephraem the Syrian had been copied upon it above the old writing. Nowin the National Library at Paris. Mutilated, containing about half the New Testament, no single honk being entire. First hand (C or C*) of the 5th century, Alexandrine, or at least Egyptian, Tisehendorf thinks; later hands, C-, of the . The Greek New Testament edited from ancient authorities, with the Latin version of Jerome from the Codex Amiatinus. London, 1857 — 1871. We.— Weiss, Dr. B. The Gospel of St. Mark, Berlin, 1872. The Gospel of St. Matthew, Halle, L876. Also in Meyer's Commentary, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John, and Romans, 0th edition. WH.— Westcott, Rev. Dr. B. F., and Iiort, Rev. Dr. F. J. A. The New Testament in the Original Greek. Cambridge and Loudon, 1881. Edd.— This abbreviation = (Gospels) La. Ti. Tr. Mcl. We. WH. r. = (Acts) La. Ti. Tr. WH. R. = (Romans) La. Ti. Tr. We. WH. a. = (I and 2 Corinthians) La. Ti. Tr. WH. B. = (Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon) La. Ti. Tr. El Li. WH. R. = (Ephesians, 1 Thessalouians — Titus) /.". Ti. Tr. El. WH. R. = (Hebrews— Revelation) La. Ti. Tr. WH. R. NOTE. — There are many passages in which a critical editor does not satisfy himself that ■ ne of two rival readings is confidently to be preferred to the other, the evidence being divided. In su<-h cases a figure (1, -) has been appended to the name of the editor hi question ; tin1 former showing that the reading is judged on the whole the more probably correct by the editor, the latter that it is judged the less probable by him. It should be said, however, that the prefer- ence thus indicated is in Borne cases more decided than in others. The readings which Drs. Westcott and llort prim in their margin within the signs H r , are not as such noticed in this edition. It is expressly stated that these readings, t bough mentioned as containing matter of interest and as possibly derived " from some extra- neous source," are not considered to possess any claim to admission into the text, and therefore fchej are not true alternatives. The important readings which the same editors enclose in double brackets are regarded by them as interpolations which, though added to the text at a very early date, did not originally form part of it, holars who support the Authorised Version in a passage are introduced by the word of the note upon the passage. When an alt. ration is introduced by the word 'Or,' The names of the schc 'So' at the beginning of the note upon the passage. it implies that the rendering of Authorised Version appears defensible, though the alternative rendering has been adopted by the Bcholars mentioned. 'Alt.' signifies that the rendering in question is given as an alternative by the authority cited. 'Omit,' followed by the name of a critic, denotes that the editor in question judges that the words referred to did not form pari of the original text of the Bible. In the Various Readings, notes of the form ' Or. (after Sept.)' imply that the leading in question has been suggested to the critic nai 1 by the Version thai is cited, but is not the reading actually expressed by it. The words 'So,' 'Omit,' and in general explanatory words, are printed in italics; those which are given as substitutes or alternatives for something in the text, are printed in Roman type. Renderings are indicated by consecutive figwres throughout a chapter as referen marks. Readings are specified by the early letters of the Creek alphabet (£7 5 0- These reference-marks are so arranged that they may lie worked forward or backwards, i.e., from the let to the footnotes, or from the footnotes to the text. TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE JAMES, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &e. The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord. GREAT and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty's Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk ; and that it should hardly he known, who was to direct the unsettled State ; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort ; especially when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad. But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God's sacred Word among us ; which is that inestimable treasure, which excclleth all the riches of the earth ; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in Heaven. Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty's loyal and religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them : their eye doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person, who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healod,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a mo I tender and loving nursing Father. There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us. there should be one more exact Translation of the Holy Scriptures into the English Tongue ; Four Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter of such importance might justly require. And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby : we hold it our duty to oner it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make Coil's holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people. whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by Selfconceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil ; we may rest secure, supported within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord : and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty's grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endeavours against hitter censures and uncharitable imputations. The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great COD, and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour. THE TRANSLATORS TO THE READER. ZEAL to promote the common good, whether it lie by devising any thing ourselves, 01 revising that which bath been laboured by others, deserveth certainly much respect and esteem, but yet tindeth but cold entertain- ment in the world. It is welcomed with suspicion instead of love, and with emulation instead of thanks : and if there be any hole left for cavil to enter, (and cavil, if it do not find an hole, will make one,) it is sure to be mis- construed, and in danger to be condemned. This will easily he granted by as- many as know story, or have any experience. For was there ever any thing projected, that savoured any way of newness or renewing, but the same endured many a storm of gainsaying or opposition? A man would think that civility, wholesome laws, learning and eloquence, synods, and Churchmaintcnance, (that we speak of no more things of this kind,) should he as safe as a sanctuary, and out of shot, as they say, that no man would lift up his heel, no, nor dog move his tongue against the motioners of them. For by the first we are distin- guished from brute beasts led with sensuality : by the second we are bridled and restrained from outrageous behaviour, and from doing of injuries, whether by fraud or by violence : by the third we are enabled to inform and reform others by the light and feeling that we have at- tained unto ourselves: briefly, by the fourth, being brought together to a parley face to face, we sooner compose our differences, than by writings, which are endless: and lastly, that the Church he sufficiently provided for is so agreeable to good reason and conscience, that those mothers are holden to be less cruel, that kill their chil- dren as soon as they are born, than those nursing fathers and mothers (wheresoever they he) that withdraw from them who hang upon their breasts (and upon whose breasts again themselves do hang to receive the spiritual and sincere milk of the word) livelihood and support fit for their estates. Thus it is apparent, that these things which we speak of are of most necessary use, and there- fore that none, either without absurdity can speak against them, or without note of wickedness can spurn against them. Yet for all that, the learned know, that certain worthy men have been brought to untimely death for none other fault, but for seeking to reduce their countrymen to good order and discipline : And that in some Commonweals it was made a capital crime, once to motion the making of anew law for the abrogating of an old, though the same wire most pernicious: And that certain, which would he counted pillars of the State, and patterns of virtue and prudence, could not be brought for a long time to give way to good letters and refined speech; but bare them- selves as averse from them, as from rocks or boxes of poison: Ami fourthly, that he was no babe, but a great (Ink, that gave forth, 'and in writing to remain to pos- terity,) in passion pvi adventure, but yet he gave forth. That be had not seen any profit to come by any synod or meeting of the Clergy, but rather the contrary : And lastly, against Churchmaintenanee and allowance, in such sort as the ambassadors and messengers of the great Kini_r of kings should be furnished, it is not unknown what a fiction or fable (so it is esteemed, ami for no better by the reporter himself, though superstitious) was devised : name- ly, That at such time as the professors anil teachers of < 'hristianity in the ( 'hurch of Rome, then a true ( 'hurch, were liberally endowed, a voice forsooth was heard from heaven, Baying. Now is poison poured down into the Church, &c. Thus not only as oft as we speak, as one saith, but also as oft as we do any thing of note or conse- quence, we subject ourselves to every one's censure, and nappy is he that is least tossed upon toucues ; for Utterly to escape the snatch of them it is i in possible. If any man conceit, that this is the lot ami portion of tin- meaner sort only, .and thai Princes arc privileged by then' nigh estate, he is deceived. As the sword devoureth as well "»' as another, as it is in Samuel; nay, as the great com- mander charged his soldiers in a certain battle to strike at no part of the enemy, but at the face : and as (In Syria commanded his chief captains to flghi neither with Kmall nor great, s,ur only against the king of Israel: so d is too true, that envy striketh most spitefully at the fair- est, and the chiefest. Ixniil was a worthy prince, and no man to be compared to him for his first deeds ; and yet for as worthy an act as ever he did, even for bringing back the ark of (bid in solemnity, he was scorned ami scoffed at by his own wife. Solomon was greater than Dor,,/, though not in virtue, yet in power ; and by his power and wisdom he built a temple to the Lord, such an one as was the glory of the land of Israel, and the wonder of the whole wmld. But was that his magnificence liked of by all.' We doubt of it. Otherwise why do they lay it in his own son's dish, and call unto him for easing of the burden ! Make, say they, the grievous servitude of thy father, and his son- yoke, lighter. Belike he had charged them with some levies, and troubled them with some carriages; hereupon they raise up a tragedy, and wish in their heart the temple had never been built. So hard a thing is it to please all, even when we please (bid best, and do seek to approve ourselves to every one's conscience. If we will descend to latter times, we shall find many the like examples of such kind, or rather unkind, accept- ance. The first Roman Emperor did never do a more pleasing deed to the learned, nor more profitable to pos- terity, for conserving the record of times in true supputa- tion, than when be corrected the Calendar, and ordered the year according to the course of the sun : and yet this was imputed to him for novelty, and arrogance, and pro- cured to him great obloquy. So the first Christened Emperor (at the least wise, that openly professed the faith himself, and allowed others to do the like,) for strengthening the empire at his great charges, and pro- viding for the Church, as he did, got for his labour the name Pupittus, as who would say, a wasteful Prince, that had need of a guardian or overseer. So the best Christened Emperor, for the love that he bare unto peace, thereby to enrich both himself and his subjects, and because he did not seek war, but find it, was judged to be no man at arms, (though indeed he excelled in feats of chivalry, and shewed so much when he was pro- voked,) and condemned for giving himself to his case. and to his pleasure. To lie short, the most learned Em- peror of former times, (at the least, the greatest politi- cian,) what thanks had he for cutting off the superfluities of the laws, and digesting them into some order and method ' This, that he hath been blotted by some to be an Epitomist, that is, one that extinguished worth] whole volumes, to bring his abridgments into request. This is the measure that hath been rendered to excellent Princes in former times, eu/m bene faeerent, male tun/ire, for their good deeds to be evil spoken <>f. Neither is there any likelihood that envy and malignity died and were buried with the ancient. No, no, the reproof of Moses taketh hold of most ages. Yeate risen up in your fathers' stead, on increase of sinful men. What is that that hath been done} that which shall lit' done: and there is no new thing under the sun, saith the wise man. And St. Stephen, As your fathers did, so do ye. This, and more to this purpose, his Majesty that now rcigneth (and long, and long, max he reign, and his offspring for ever, H and children, and children's children always!) knew full well, according to the singular wisdom given unto him b\ Qod) and the rare learning and experience that he hath attained unto; namely, Th at whosoever aueinpteth any thing for the publick, (especially if it pertain to re- ligion, and to the opening and clearing of the word of i bid, i the same settetli himself upon a stage to be gloutcd upon by every evil eye : yea, he casteth himself headlong upon pikes, to be gored by every sharp tongue, for he thai meddleth with men's religion in any part meddleth with their custom, nay, with their freehold: and though tbe\ find no content in that which thej have, yet they cannot abide to hear of altering. Notwithstanding his ro\al heart was not daunted or discouraged for this or that colour, but stood resolute, as n statue immoveable, and on anvil not easy to be beat* n into plate*, as one saith; In' knew who had chosen him to be a soldier, or rather a captain; and being assured that the COUI86 which he intended made much for the glory "f God, and the THE TRANSLATORS TO THE READER. building up of his Church, he would not suffer it to be broken off for whatsoever speeches or practices. It doth certainly belong unto kings, yea, it doth specially be- long unto them, to have care of religion, yea, to know it aright, yea, to profess it zealously, yea, to promote it to the uttermost of their power. This is their glory be- fore all nations which mean well, and this will bring unto them a far more excellent weight of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus. For the Scripture saith not in vain, Them that honour me I will honour: neither was it a vain word that Eusebius delivered long ago, That piety toward God was the weapon, and the only weapon, that both preserved Constantine' s person, and avenged him of his enemies. But now what piety without truth ? What truth, what saving truth, without the word of God? What word of God, whereof we may be sure, without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are commanded to search, John 5. 39 ; /.«?'. 8. 20. They are commended that searched and studied them, Act* 17. 11, and 8. 28, 29. They are reproved that were unskilful in them, or slow to believe them, Matt. 22. 29 ; Luke 24. 25. They can make us wise unto salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 15. If we be ignorant, they .?ill in- struct us ; if out of the way, they will bring us home ; if out of order, they will reform us ; if in heaviness, com- fort us ; if dull, quicken us ; if cold, inflame us. Tolle, lege ; tolle, lege ; Take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures, (for unto them was the direction,) it was said unto St. Augustine by a supernatural voice. Whatsoever is in the Scriptures, believe me, saith the same St. Augus- tine, is high and divine ; there is verily truth, and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing and renewing of mens minds, and truly so tempered, that every one may draw from thence that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a devout and pious mind, as true religion requireth. Thus St. Augustine. And St. Hierome, Ama Scripturas, el amabit te sapientia, &c. Love the Scriptures, and wis- dom will love thee. And St. Cyrill against Julian, Even boys that are bred up in the Scriptures become most religious, &c. But what mention we three or four uses of the Scripture, whereas whatsoever is to be believed, or practised, or hoped for. is contained in them ? or three or four sentences of the Fathers, since whosoever is wor- thy the name of a Father, from Christ's time downward, hath likewise written not only of the riches, but also of the perfection of the Scripture ? I adore the fulness of the Scripture, saith Tertullian against Hermogenes. And again, to Apelles an heretick of the like stamp he saith, I do not admit that which thou bringest in (or concludest) of thine mi', i head or store, de tuo) without Scripture. So St. Justin Martyr before him ; We must know by all means (saith be) that it is not lawful (or possible) to learn (any thing) of God or of right piety, save only out of the Pro- phets, who teach us by divine inspiration. So St. Basil after Tertullian, It is a manifest falling away from the faith, ami a fault of presumption, either to reject any of those things that are written, or to bring in (upon the head of them, inmerayelv) an// of those things that are nut icritten. We omit to cite to the same effect St. Cy- rill Bishop of Jerusalem in his 4 Catech. St. Hierome against Helvidius, St. Augustine in his third book against the letters of Petition, and in very many other places of his works. Also we forbear to descend to later Fathers, because we will not weary the reader. The Scriptures then being acknowledged to be so full and so perfect, how can we excuse ourselves of negligence, if we do not study them? of curiosity, if we lie not content with them? Men talk much of eipeo-iwi^, how many sweet and goodly things it had hanging on it; of the Philoso- phers stone, that it burnetii copper into gold; of Cornu- copia, that it had. all things necessary for food in it; of I'amiees the herb, that it was good for all diseases; of Catholieon the drug, that it is instead of all purges; of Vulcan's armour, that it was an armour or proof against all thrusts and all blows, &c. Well, that which they falsely or vainly attributed to these things for bodily good, we may justly ami with full measure ascribe unto the Scripture for spiritual. It is not only an armour, but also a whole armoury of weapons, both offensive and defensive ; whereby we may save ourselves, and put the enemy tonight. It is not an herb, but a tree, or rather a whole paradise of trees of life, which bring forth fruit every month, and the fruit thereof is for meat, and the leaves for medicine. It is not a pot of Ma una, or a cruse of oil, which were for memory only, or for a meal's meat or two ; but as it were, a shower of heavenly bread sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great, and, as it were, a whole cellar full of oil vessels ; whereby all our necessities may be provided for, and our debts dis- charged. In a word, it is a panary of wholesome food against fenowed traditions ; a physician's shop (as St. Basil calls it) of preservatives against poisoned heresies; a pandect of profitable laws against rebellious spirits ; a treasury of most costly jewels against beggarly rudi- ments ; finally, a fountain of most pure water springing up unto everlasting life. And what marvel ? the ori- ginal thereof being from heaven, not from earth ; the author being God, not man ; the inditer, the Holy Spirit, not the wit of the Apostles or Prophets ; the penmen, such as were sanctified from the womb, and endued with a principal portion of God's Spirit ; the matter, verity, piety, purity, uprightness ; the form, God's word, God's testimony, Gods oracles, the word of truth, the word of salvation, &c. ; the effects, light of understanding, stable- ness of persuasion, repentance from dead works, new- ness of life, holiness, peace, joy in the Holy ({host; lastly, the end and reward of the study thereof, fellowship with the saints, participation of the heavenly nature, fruition of an inheritance immortal, undefiled, and that never shall fade away. Happy is the man that delighteth in the Scripture, and thrice happy that meditateth in it day and night. But how shall men meditate in that which they cannot understand ? How shall they understand that "which is kept close in an unknown tongue ? as it is written, Except I know the power of the voice, J shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian to me. The Apostle excepteth no tongue ; not Hebrew the ancientest, not Gi-eek the most copious, not Latin the finest. Nature taught a natural man to confess, that all of us in those tongues which we do not understand are plainly deaf ; we may turn the deaf ear unto them. The Scythian counted the Athenian, whom he did not under- stand, barbarous : so the Roman did the Syrian, and the Jew : (even St. Hierome himself calleth the Hebrew tongue barbarous ; belike, because it was strange to so many :) so the Emperor of Constantinople calleth the Latin tongue barbarous, though Pope Nicolas do storm at it: so the Jews long before Christ called all other nations Lognasim, which is little better than barbarous. Therefore as one complaineth that always in the Senate of Rome there was one or other that called for an interpreter ; so lest the Church be driven to the like exigent, it is necessary to have translations in a readiness. Translation it is that openeth the window, to let in the light; that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel ; that putteth aside the curtain, that we may look into the most holy place; that removeth the cover of the well, that we may come by the water ; even as Jacob rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, by which means the flocks of Laban were watered. Indeed without translation into the vulgar tongue, the unlearned are but like children at Jacob's well (which was deep) without a bucket or something to draw with: or as that person mentioned by Esay, to whom when a sealed book was delivered with this motion, Read this, I pray thee, he was fain to make this answer, I can- not, for it is sealed. While God would be known only in Jacob, and have his name great in Israel, and in none other place ; while the dew lay on Gideon's fleece only, and all the earth besides was dry ; then for one and the same people, which spake all of them the language of Canaan, that is, Hebrew, one and the same original in Hebrew was sufficient. But when the fulness of time drew near, that the Sun of righteous- ness, the Son of God, should come into the world, whom God ordained to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood, not of the Jew only, but also of the Greek, yea, of all them that were scattered abroad ; then, lo, it pleased the Lord to stir up the spirit of a Greek prince, Uli eek for descent and language,) even of Ptolemy Philadelph king of Egypt, to procure the translating of the book of Cod out OX Hebrew into Creek. This is the translation of the Seventy interpreters, commonly so called, which prepared the way for our Saviour among the Gentiles by written preaching, as St. John Baptist did among the Jews, by vocal. For the Grecians, being desirous of learning, wen: not wont to sutler books of worth to lie moulding in kings' libraries, but had many of their servants, ready scribes, to copy them out, and SO they were dispersed and made common. Again the Greek tongue was well known and made Familiar to most inhabitants in Asia by reason of the conquests that there the Grecians had made, as also by the colonics which thither they had sent. For the same causes also it was well understood in many places of Europe, yea, and of A/rick too. Therefore the wind of God, being set forth in Greek, becometh hereby like a candle set upon a candlestick, which giveth light to all that are in the bouse; or like a proclamation Bounded forth in the marketplace, which must men presently take knowledge of; and therefore that language was fittest to contain the Scriptures, both fur the first preachers Of (lie Gospel to appeal unto for witness, and for the learners also lit' those times to make search and trial by. It is certain, that that translation was nut so sound and so perfect, but that it needed in many places correction: and who bad been so sufficient for this work as the Apostles or apostolick men? Yet it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to them to take that which they found, (the same being for the greatest part true and sufficient,) rather than by making a new, in that new world and green age of the Church, to expose themselves to many exceptions and cav illations, as though they made a translation to serve their own turn ; and therefore bearing witness to them- selves, their witness not to he regarded. This may be supposed to be some cause, why the translation of the Seventy was allowed to pass for current. Notwithstand- ing, though it was commended generally, yet it did not fully content the learned, no not of the Jews. For not long after Christy Aquila fell in hand with a new transla- tion, and after him Theodotion, and after him Symmachus: yea, there was a fifth, and a sixth edition, the authors whereof were not known. These with the Seventy made up the Hexapla, and were worthily and to great purpose compiled together by Origen, Bowbeit the edition of the Seventy went away with the credit, and therefore not only was placed in the midst by Origen, (for the worth and excellency thereof above the rest, as Epiphanms gathereth,) but also was used by the Greek Fathers for the ground ami foundation of their commentaries. Yea, Epiphanius abovenamed doth attribute so much unto it, that he holdeth the authors thereof not only for inter- preters, but also for prophets in some respect: and Jus- tinian the Emperor, injoining the Jews his subjects to use especially the translation of the Seventy, rendereth this reason thereof, Because they were, as it were, enlightened with prophetical grace. Yet for all that, as the Egyptians are said of the Prophet to be men and not God, and their horses flesh and not spirit : so it is evident, (and St. Hierome aflirmeth as much,) that the Seventy were interpreters, they were not prophets. They did many things well, as learned men ; but yet as men they stum- bled and fell, one while through oversight, another while through ignorance ; yea, sometimes they may be noted to add to ibe original, and sometimes to take from it : which made the Apostles to leave them many times, when they left the Hebrew, and to deliver the sense thereof according to the truth of the word, as the Spirit gave them utterance. This may suffice touching the Greek translations of the Old Testament. There were also within a few hundred years after Christ translations many into the Latin tongue: for this tongue also was very fit to convey the Law and the Gospel by, because in those times very many countries of the West, yea of the South, East, and North, spake or understood Latin, being made provinces to the Romans. Hut now the Latin translations were too many to be all good: for they were infinite ; (Latimi interpretes nnllo modo numerari possunt, saith St. Augustine.) Again, they were not out of the Hebrew fountain, (we speak of the Latin translations of the Old Testament,) but out of the Greek stream; there- fore the Greek being not altogether clear, the Latin derived from it must, needs be muddy. This moved St. Hierome, a most learned father, and the best linguist without con- troversy of his age, or of any other that went before him, to undertake the translating of the Old Testament out of the \it\ fountains themselves; which he performed with thai evidence of great learning, judgment, industry, and faithfulness, that be hath for ever bound the ( 'liureh unto him in a debt of special remembrance and thankfulness. Now though the ( 'bureh were thus furnished with Greek and Latin translations, even before the faith of Christ was generally embraced in the Empire : (for the learned know that even in St. Hierome's time the Consul of Rome and bis wife were both Ethnicks. and about the same time the greatest part of the Senate also :) yet for all that the godly learned were not content to have the Scriptures in the language which themselves understood, Greek and Latin, tas tbi' good lepers were not content to fare well them- selves, but acquainted their neighbours with the store that God had sent, that they also might provide for them- selves ;) but also for the behoof and edifying of the un- learned, which hungered and thirsted after righteousness. and bad souls to be saved as well as they, they provided translations into the vulgar for their countrymen, inso- much that most nations under heaven did shortly after then- conversion hear Christ speaking unto them in their mother tongue, not by the voice of their minister only. but also by the written word translated. If any doubt hereof, he may be satisfied by examples enough, if enough will serve the turn. First, St. Hierome saith. Multarwm gentium Unguis Scriptura ante translate ,!■■ qua add&a sunt,