PREFACE
To trouble the reader with any lengthy remarks on the
important advantage to be derived from a new translation of the Sacred Writings
is deemed altogether unnecessary. Much information on this point has been given
by others who have published modern versions of the New Testament, with the
reasons which have induced them to do so. Those reasons will serve in a great
measure also for this. It is generally admitted by all critics that the
Authorized or Common version of the Scriptures absolutely needs revision.
Obsolete words, uncouth phrases, bad grammar and punctuation, etc., all require
alteration. But this is not all. There are errors of a more serious nature
which need correction. The translators of the Common version were circumscribed
and trammeled by royal mandate; they were required to retain certain old
ecclesiastical words which, accordingly, were left untranslated. Thus the minds
of many who had no means of knowing the meaning of the original words have been
misled and confused.
Biblical criticism, however, during the last two hundred
years, has done much to open up and elucidate the Word of God, by discovering
many things which were unknown to the old translators, making great
improvements in the text, detecting numerous interpolations and errors, and
suggesting far better renderings of many passages. Many modern versions have
availed themselves of this valuable assistance, and it is believed they have
thereby been enabled to give the English reader a better understanding of what
was originally written.
Without presuming to claim any superiority for this, as a
translation of the New Testament, over any other modern version, it is thought
that the present Work presents certain valuable features not found elsewhere,
and which will be of real practical utility to every one who wishes to read the
books of the evangelists and apostles as they were written under the guidance
and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These features are:--An approved Greek
text, with the various Readings of the
The intelligent reader will at once perceive the utility and
importance of this arrangement. Readers who are familiar with the original
tongue obtain in this Work one of the best Greek Testaments, with important
ancient readings, well worthy of their attention; and, it is presumed, there
are even few Greek scholars who are so far advanced but may derive some help
from the translation given. Those who have only a little or no knowledge of the
Greek may, by careful reading and a little attention to the Interlineary
translation, soon become familiar with it. This Work, in fact, places in the hands
of the intelligent English reader the means of knowing and appropriating for
his own benefit, with but little labor on his part, what has cost others years
of study and severe toil to acquire.
Scrupulous fidelity has been maintained throughout this
version in giving the true rendering of the original text into English; no
regard whatever being paid to the prevailing doctrines or prejudices of sects,
of the peculiar tenets of theologians. To the divine authority of the original
Scriptures alone has there been the most humble and unbiased submission. In the
preparation of this work for the press, all available help to be derived from
the labors of great and learned men has been obtained and appropriated.
Lexicons, Grammars, ancient and modern Versions, Commentaries, critical and
explanatory, Cyclopedias, Bible and other Dictionaries, etc., have been
consulted and culled from. Also, the suggestions, opinions and criticism of
friends, on words, phrases and passages, have been duly considered, and sometimes
adopted. It is not presumed that this work is free from faults or errors.
Infallibility is left for others to claim. Great care however, has been
exercised to make it as correct as possible.
The Work is now sent forth to the public, to stand or fall on
its own merits. True, it cannot boast of being the production of a council of
learned men, as King James’ version; but let it be remembered that TYNDALE
alone, under very disadvantageous circumstances, did far more for the English
Bible than that learned body, for they only followed in the wake of his labors.
This Volume, principally designed for the instruction and
advantage of others, is now reverently committed to the blessing of our Father
in the heavens, with an earnest and sincere desire that many of those who
peruse its pages may be led by the knowledge, faith and obedience inculcated
therein to obtain an inheritance in the aionian
B.
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