Page:The New Testament in the original Greek - 1881.djvu/96



The notation adopted in this work is used to draw attention to three classes of passages:

(1.) Passages where it has been found impossible to decide which of two or more various readings is certainly right.

(2.) Passages containing readings in regard to which some suspicion is entertained by the editors.

(3.) Passages where interpolations of special interest occur in certain documents.

In connection with all passages of the first class, alternative readings are given, which have a reasonable probability of being genuine. Of these alternative readings, those which on the whole are the more probable, or the better attested, are printed in the text as the primary readings; the secondary readings being distinguished by a notation which varies according as they differ from the primary readings by omission, addition, or substitution.

(2.) Accompanied by the marks ⸡ ⸠ in the margin, it indicates that certain 'Western' documents contain, in places thus distinguished, interpolations embracing some apparently fresh or distinctive matter, but having no sufficient