I. We begin then with the Revised Version of the Old Testament, and naturally turn for general guidance to the Preface of those who were engaged in the long, diversified, and responsible work. Their general principles as to departures from the Authorised Version would appear to be included in the following clearly-specified particulars. They departed from the Authorised Version (_a_) where they did not agree with it as to the meaning or construction of a word or sentence; (_b_) where it was necessary, for the sake of uniformity, to render such parallel passages as were identical in Hebrew by the same English words; (_c_) where the English of the Authorised Version was liable to be misunderstood by reason of its being archaic or obscure; (_d_) where the rendering of an earlier English version seemed preferable; and (_e_) where, by an apparently slight change, it was possible to bring out more fully the meaning of a passage of which the translation was substantially accurate. These principles, which I have been careful to specify in the exact words of the Revisers, will appear to every impartial reader to be fully in harmony with the principle of faithfulness; and will be found--if an outsider may presume to make a passing comment--to have been carried out with pervasive consistency and uniformity. The Revisers further notice certain particulars of which the general reader should take full note, so much of the random criticisms of the revised text (especially in the New Testament) having been due to a complete disregard in each case of the Preface, and of the reasons given for changes which long experience had shown to be both reasonable and necessary.