Page:The New Testament in the original Greek - 1881.djvu/661

 NOTATION

Alternative Readings

it has been found impossible to decide that one of two or more various readings is certainly right, alternative readings are given : and no alternative reading is given which does not appear to have a reasonable probability of being the true reading. The primary place in the text itself is assigned to those readings which on the whole are the more probable, or in cases of equal probability the better attested (see Introduction § 377). The other alternative readings occupy a secondary place, with a notation which varies according as they differ from the primary readings by Omission, by Addition, or by Substitution.

A secondary reading consisting in the Omission of words retained in the primary reading is marked by simple brackets [ ] in the text. Thus in Matt. vii 24 is the primary reading,  without  the secondary reading.

A secondary reading consisting in the Addition of words omitted in the primary reading is printed in the margin without any accom- panying marks, the place of insertion being indicated by the mark T in the text. Thus in Matt. xxiii 38 without  is the primary reading,   the secondary reading. A secondary reading consisting in the Substitution of other words for the words of the primary reading is printed in the margin with- out any accompanying mark, the words of the primary reading being included within the marks ⸢ ⸣ in the text. Thus in Matt, xvi 30 is the primary reading, the secondary reading. The notation for substitution is employed for the sake of convenience in a few cases that fall in strictness under the two former heads.