not find the words 'at Ephesus' in his copy. The same is true of Origen (A. D. 185-254); and Basil the Great (who died A. D. 379), affirmed that those words were wanting in old copies. And this omission accords very well with the encyclical or general character of the epistle. At the present day, our ancient Greek MSS., and all ancient versions, contain the words 'at Ephesus;' yea, even Jerome knew no copy with a different reading. Now, only the Sinaitic and the Vatican correspond with the old copies of Basil, and those of Origen and Marcion.

To these examples, others might be added: thus Origen says on John 1, 4, that in some copies it was written, 'in Him is life,' for 'in Him was life.' This is a reading which we find in sundry quotations before the time of Origen; but now, among all known Greek MSS. it is only in the Sinaitic, and the famous old Codex Beza, a copy of the Gospels at Cambridge; yet it is also found in most of the early Latin versions, in the most ancient Syriac, and in the oldest Coptic. Again, in Matt. XIII, 35, Jerome observes that in the third century Porphyry, the antagonist of Christianity, had found fault with the Evangelist Matthew for having said, 'which was spoken by the prophet Esaias.' A writing of the second century had already witnessed to the same reading; but Jerome adds further that well-informed men had long ago removed the name of Esaias. Among all our MSS. of a thousand years old and upwards, there is not a solitary example containing the name of Esaias in the text referred to, except the Sinaitic, to which a few of less than a thousand years old may be added. Once more, Origen quotes John XIII, 10 six times; but only the Sinaitic and several ancient Latin MSS. read it the same as Origen: 'He that is washed needeth not to wash, but is clean every, whit.' In John VI, 51, also, where the reading is very difficult to settle, the Sinaitic is alone among all Greek copies indubitably correct, and Tertullian, at the end of the second century, confirms the Sinaitic reading: 'If any man eat of my bread, he shall live for ever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.' We omit to indicate further illustrations of this kind, although there are many others like them.

In a plate engraved on steel we have exhibited to the eyes of our readers the peculiar writing of our three important MSS. Initial letters, such as are displayed by the Alexandrian Codex, are altogether wanting in the Sinaitic and in the Vatican, which, in this respect, correspond with the documents of the first century found at Herculaneum.

While the text of the English Authorised Version is faithfully represented in this edition, such readings as differ from it in the three great authorities are indicated in the notes. The letter S means the Sinaitic MS., V the Vatican, and A the Alexandrian. S*, V*, A* point out any reading of S, V, or A, which has been altered by some later hand; though we give the original and not the altered reading in such cases. When we give an altered reading, it is marked S2, V2, or A2; but as a rule, only original readings are noted, and reference is made but seldom to changes introduced by ancient correctors. The abbreviation 'om.' signifies the omission of the word or words to which it refers; 'adds' or 'add,' point to the omission of a word or words in one or more of our MSS. If two or more notes belong to the same words of the Text, they are divided by a comma, and not by a semicolon. If words of the Text itself are quoted, they have after them the sign :, and then follow the readings of the Codices. Sundry manifest slips of the pen which occur in the MSS., especially in those of the Alexandrian scribes, have been passed over in silence. Yet there are some which have been noted which are to be regarded as erroneous, even if not pointed out by the words 'an error,' or 'a mere error.' I have no doubt that in the very earliest ages after our Holy Scriptures were written, and before the authority of the Church protected them, wilful alterations, and especially additions, were made in them. Many various readings consist only in the forms of words and their arrangement, and are of small import. Many others did not at all require to be noticed here, because they merely relate to the Greek idiom. In some cases I have allowed myself to indicate an inaccurate or unsuitable rendering of the Greek, prefixing 'translate,' or 'all MSS.' Distinguished scholars, such as Trench, Scrivener, and Alford, whom I have usually followed in these cases, know how to

supply still more of these rectifications; but a larger introduction of them was not in accordance with the plan of this work.

In conclusion I have to record that my learned friend Mr. B. Harris Cowper has lent a helping hand in this undertaking.

For no single book of classic Greek antiquity is it possible to summon three primitive witnesses comparable to the Sinaitic, the Vatican, and the Alexandrian codices, for the confirmation and rectifiIcation of its text. That we can manifestly do this in the case of the most holy and influential Book which the world possesses, calls for our profoundest gratitude to the Lord our God.

Leipzig, Christmas, 1868.

Constantine Tischendorf.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

S. MATTHEW.

CHAPTER I.

II And Josias begat Jechonias and THE book of the generation of his brethren, about the time they

Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

were carried away to Babylon:

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 17 So all the generations from Abra7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

ham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and generations; and from the carrying Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10 And Ezekias - begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being

Title: SV After Matthew. 1,3 V Zare 5 SV Boes; SV Iobed 6 SV and David (om. the king) begat 7 SV Asaph 8 SV Asaph 10 SV Amos 12 V Selathiel 14 S* Sadoch

a just man, and not willing to make chief priests and scribes of the people her a publick example, was minded together, he demanded of them where to put her away privily. Christ should be born.

20 But while he thought on these 5 And they said unto him, In Beththings, behold, the angel of the Lord lehem of Judæa: for thus it is written appeared unto him in a dream, say-by the prophet,

ing, Joseph, thou son of David, fear 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: of Juda, art not the least among the for that which is conceived in her is princes of Juda: for out of thee shall of the Holy Ghost. come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Now

CHAPTER II.

OW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

II And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and

25 SV had brought forth a son 2,3 SV the king Herod 6 S om. for