6 JULY 1878, Page 25

We have to notice a Revised English Bible. (Printed for

the Editor, by Messrs. Eyre and Spottiswoode.)--It is, of course, impossible to enter upon the almost numberless questions which are suggested by the word "revision," or to estimate the answers which are offered by this volume. It "does not profess to be a complete revision of the Authorised Version," but seeks "to correct indisputable errors and inadequate renderings in our present English Bible ; and in the New Testament to give also the most important emendations of the text which have been adopted by the best editors of the Greek Testament. "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you" (Gal. vi., 11), for instance, is changed into, "See in what large letters I have written unto you." In ii., 11, of the same epistle, "ho was to be blamed "is very properly strengthened into "he was evidently to blame," as a bettor equivalent for uarryvcscralvos (condemned). In iv., 9, " elements " gives place to "rudiments." In Phil. ii., 6," thought it not robbery to be equal with God,' the alternative translation, "thought not his being equal with God a thing to be hold fast," is given in the margin. It will be seen, then, that the revisers do not err on the side of rashness. The Authorised Version's rendering here has scarcely anything beyond " possession " on its side. The famous passage in I. John, ii., 7-8, disappears, and in I. Tim., iii., 16, the revisers read Ss for the eetis of the received text. In the same Epistle (ii., 15), "she shall be saved through the childbearing" is another obvious amendment. When we add that great pains have been taken "not to impair the charms of style and language of our highly venerated version," it will be seen that this is a really useful and judicious work, which may be welcomed as a valuable precursor of the thorough revision by the " Companies " which we are now expecting.