Luther's solemn request that his translation should on no account be
altered, accompanies most of the earlier editions of the N.T. I find it
on the reverse of the title-page of the edition in 8vo. printed at
Wittemberg by Hans Lufft in 1537, thus:--
"I request all my friends and enemies, my master printer, and
reader, will let this New Testament be mine; and, if they have
fault to find with it, that they make one of their own. I know
well what I do, and see well what others do; but this Testament
shall be Luther's German Testament; for carping and cavilling is
now without measure or end. And be every one cautioned against
other copies, for I have already experienced how negligently and
falsely others reprint us."[1]
The disputed verse (1 John, v. 7.) is omitted in all the editions
printed under Luther's eye or sanction in his lifetime; but it has not,
I think, been remarked that in verse 8. the words _auf erde_, found in
later editions, are wanting. The passage stands:--
"Denn drey sind die da zeugen, der Geist, und das Wasser, und
das Blut, und die drey sind beysamen."
In the first edition of the Saxon (Düdesche version of Luther's Bible,
by Jo. Heddersen, printed in a magnificent volume at Lubeck, by Lo.
Dietz, in 1533-4), the verse stands thus:--
"Wente dre synt dede tüchinisse geven, de Geist unde dat Water,
unde dat Bloth, unde de dre synt by emander."