II. VERSIONS

1. Latin Versions. These are two in number, (a) the so-called Old Latin Version (L1), which exists in about twenty manuscripts, the mutual relation of which has not yet been made quite clear. From this version Faber Stapulensis published his editio princeps in 1513. (b) The Palatine Version (L2), found in one manuscript of the fourteenth century, and in 1857 published in full by Dressel. Both these versions give us the text virtually complete.

2. Æthiopic Version (E). This exists in a manuscript discovered in 1847 in the monastery of Guindaguinde by A. d’Abbadie, who procured a transcript, but did not realise the full importance of his discovery. At length at Dillmann’s earnest request he published the text with a Latin translation in 1860. This version likewise contains the Pastor complete.

The mutual relations and comparative value of our authorities are matters of considerable dispute; but a comparison of the early chapters, where the Greek of the Sinaitic MS exists, shows us that א generally agrees with L1 L2 against AE, the close connexion of this latter pair of authorities being noticeable throughout. Again, within these groups, L2 appears to preserve a purer text than L1, and E than A.