This version in the Northern Dialect is also known asMemphitic or Bohairic. The work was undertaken at the suggestion of Dr.Wallis Budge, Keeper of the Egyptian Department of the British Museum.The original idea was to ascertain the character of the MSS., and to printa text with various readings of ten or twelve authorities. The processof collating MSS. began in 1890. Printing began in 1894.

The object of the translation was to supply the Englishreader with some knowledge of the Greek text which was translated by theEgyptians of the North-Western province, whose dialect had survived tothe time of this work in the liturgical books of the Coptic church. Thisbeing the main object, it was also intended by literal treatment to givean idea of the peculiarities of the language and the method of the version.

Care has been taken with the vocabulary, yet no claimis made to secure and fix absolutely the best meaning of Coptic words inEnglish. The translated word must be regarded as a token for a Greek word.The Revised Version was used at times as an aid.

The preface gives details of the collating of the manuscripts.The introduction gives details of the text, the translation, and the descriptionof the manuscripts. Both the Coptic and the English have been printed.

Coptic is the Hamitic language of the Copts, the latestform of the ancient Egyptian: a dead language since 1500 but still theliturgical language of the Coptic Church. (Standard Dictionary of theEnglish Language, vol. 1. Page 287.)

It contains the New Testament in four volumes.

Oxford University Press (1898)

[Bridwell Library, Perkins Schoolof Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas]