logos
λόγοςG3056Word, discourse. The word can mean a spoken word, a discourse or a line of reasoning. In John 1, its scope is to be read alongside what the prologue affirms of the Word.
1535 · A foundational French Bible
Read the words.
Understand their history.
In 1535, Olivétan published the first complete French Bible based on Hebrew and Greek. He translated the Old Testament from Hebrew and revised Lefèvre d’Étaples’s French New Testament against the Greek. Read the French of 1535 alongside English renderings and see how a translator’s choices shape a passage.
One passage in the French of 1535 and 1910
« Car Dieu a tellement ayme le monde; quil a donne son seul seul filz: affin que quiconque croit en luy; ne perisse: mais quil ayt vie eternelle. »Segond 1910
Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu’il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu’il ait la vie éternelle.
English rendering of both French textsFor God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.
One BibleThe French of 1535
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Biblical text
Read a version and identify its edition.
Documented fact
Identify the book, its date and the document that supports it.
A reading from a religious tradition
Find out who interpreted the passage and when.
Choices and limits
Distinguish translation, commentary and transcription.
The text, the document and the readings are kept distinct throughout the guide.
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Step 1 · Place the book in contextThe essentials
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Step 1 of 6 · Place the book in context
Who made this Bible, and for whom?
In 1535 Pierre Robert, known as Olivétan, published a complete Bible in French based on Hebrew and Greek. Its story begins with the people who commissioned it, the translator at work and the book that came off the press.
1532 · The project
At the Synod of Chanforan, the Waldensians backed the plan for a French Bible and paid for its printing.
1535 · The book
Pierre de Vingle printed the work in Neuchâtel. The completion date given is 4 June 1535.
A collective effort
Olivétan did the translating. Readers, proofreaders and a printer helped bring the book into print. Calvin contributed to its prefaces.
Earlier French Bibles already existed. What distinguished this complete Bible was Olivétan’s use of Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament.
Understand · The context
Who could read a Bible in 1535?
The Waldensians predated the Reformation. Their meetings with reformers, including Guillaume Farel, led them to take new religious commitments and to back this publishing project. Printing in French meant the book could reach readers beyond the Waldensian valleys.
The large folio format, the price and the Gothic type limited its circulation. People could also hear the text when it was read aloud to a group.
Go deeper · The document
Documented fact · 1535What the printed copy shows
The title announces a French translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew and of the New from Greek. The work sets out the text in two columns, with marginal aids. It does not use our modern verse numbering: the numbers added in this guide make comparison easier.
This book is a major landmark in the history of French-speaking Protestantism. It does not, however, predate all Protestant confessions: the Augsburg Confession already dates from 1530.
See 1535 facsimile, Bibliothèque de Genève · Musée protestant, the Waldensians and the Reformation.
Step 2 of 6 · Read eight passages
Hear the French of 1535.
Read how Olivétan puts a passage, then compare Segond’s column. Some French words are still familiar today. Others have shifted in meaning. Which differences affect how you read the passage?
Olivétan’s French is presented in reading transcriptions. These expand abbreviations and normalise letter forms. Each French passage is followed by an English rendering prepared for this guide. Select an underlined French word for its meaning, or a reference or verse number to open the reader.
Show
John 1:1–5 · The Word5 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
John’s prologue introduces the Word, its relationship to God, life and light.
Au commencement estoit la parolle; et la parolle estoit avec Dieu: et Dieu estoit la parolle.English rendering: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Au commencement était la Parole, et la Parole était avec Dieu, et la Parole était Dieu.English rendering: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
estoit au commencement avec Dieu.English rendering: The Word was with God in the beginning.
Elle était au commencement avec Dieu.English rendering: The Word was with God in the beginning.
Toutes choses ont este faictes par : et sans rien na este faict; de ce qui est faict.English rendering: All things were made through the Word. Of all that was made, nothing was made without the Word.
Toutes choses ont été faites par elle, et rien de ce qui a été fait n’a été fait sans elle.English rendering: All things were made through the Word, and nothing that was made was made without the Word.
En estoit la vie: et la vie estoit la lumiere des hommes;English rendering: In the Word was life, and that life was the light of humankind.
En elle était la vie, et la vie était la lumière des hommes.English rendering: In the Word was life, and that life was the light of humankind.
& la lumiere luyt es tenebres; et les tenebres ne lont pas English rendering: And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not grasped it.
La lumière luit dans les ténèbres, et les ténèbres ne l’ont point reçue.English rendering: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not received it.
A closer look Icelle is an old feminine pronoun referring to la parolle (“the Word”). In verse 1 Olivétan places Dieu first in et Dieu estoit la parolle. The English rendering keeps “the Word” as the subject. In verse 5, comprinse suggests “grasped”. The Greek verb can evoke grasping, understanding or overpowering. The context helps determine its sense here.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
John 3:16–17 · The gift of the Son2 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
Read verses 16 and 17 together to follow the movement from love to gift to salvation.
Car Dieu a tellement ayme le monde; quil a donne son seul seul filz: affin que quiconque croit en luy; ne perisse: mais quil ayt vie eternelle.English rendering: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.
Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu’il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu’il ait la vie éternelle.English rendering: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.
Car Dieu na pas envoye son filz au monde; pour condemner le monde: mais affin que le monde soit par luy sauve.English rendering: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.
Dieu, en effet, n’a pas envoyé son Fils dans le monde pour qu’il juge le monde, mais pour que le monde soit sauvé par lui.English rendering: Indeed, God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.
A closer look The transcription retains the repeated seul in seul seul filz. The source reports checking this wording against the 1535 scan. The Greek word monogenēs describes the only Son. The reason for the repetition in French remains unknown.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel. See the printed page.
Matthew 5:3–10 · The Beatitudes8 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
The Sermon on the Mount opens with eight blessings.
Bienheureux sont les paovres desperit; car le royaume des cieulx est a eulx.English rendering: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Heureux les pauvres en esprit, car le royaume des cieux est à eux!English rendering: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Bienheureux sont ceulx qui pleurent; car ilz seront consolez.English rendering: Blessed are those who weep, for they will be comforted.
Heureux les affligés, car ils seront consolés!English rendering: Blessed are those who grieve, for they will be comforted!
Bienheureux sont les ; car ilz possederont la terre.English rendering: Blessed are the meek, for they will possess the earth.
Heureux les débonnaires, car ils hériteront la terre!English rendering: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth!
Bienheureux sont ceulx qui ont faim et soif de justice; car ilz seront .English rendering: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will have their fill.
Heureux ceux qui ont faim et soif de la justice, car ils seront rassasiés!English rendering: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied!
Bienheureux sont les misericordieux; car ilz obtiendront misericorde.English rendering: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Heureux les miséricordieux, car ils obtiendront miséricorde!English rendering: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy!
Bienheureux sont ceulx qui sont de coeur; car ilz verront Dieu.English rendering: Blessed are those who are clean in heart, for they will see God.
Heureux ceux qui ont le cœur pur, car ils verront Dieu!English rendering: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God!
Bienheureux sont les ; car ilz seront appellez filz de Dieu.English rendering: Blessed are the peaceable, for they will be called sons of God.
Heureux ceux qui procurent la paix, car ils seront appelés fils de Dieu!English rendering: Blessed are those who make peace, for they will be called sons of God!
Bienheureux sont ceulx qui souffrent persecution pour justice; car le royaume des cieulx est a eulx.English rendering: Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Heureux ceux qui sont persécutés pour la justice, car le royaume des cieux est à eux!English rendering: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
A closer look Saoulez means “satisfied” and netz de coeur means “pure in heart”. In verse 9 the Greek eirēnopoios means a person who makes peace. It helps explain Olivétan’s paisibles, rendered here as “the peaceable”.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Matthew 6:9–13 · The Lord's Prayer5 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
The prayer taught by Jesus brings together God's name, bread, forgiveness and deliverance.
Vous donc priez ainsi: Nostre pere qui es es cieulx; ton nom soit sanctifie.English rendering: Pray, then, in this way. Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed.
Voici donc comment vous devez prier: Notre Père qui es aux cieux! Que ton nom soit sanctifié;English rendering: This, then, is how you should pray. Our Father in heaven! May your name be hallowed.
Ton royaume advienne. Ta volunte soit faicte; ainsi en la terre comme au ciel.English rendering: May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
que ton règne vienne; que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel.English rendering: May your reign come. May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Donne nous nostre pain quotidien.English rendering: Give us today our daily bread.
Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain quotidien;English rendering: Give us today our daily bread.
Et nous noz ; comme aussi nous a ceulx qui nous .English rendering: And forgive us our debts, as we too forgive those who owe us.
pardonne-nous nos offenses, comme nous aussi nous pardonnons à ceux qui nous ont offensés;English rendering: Forgive us our offences, as we too forgive those who have offended us.
Et ne nous induitz point en tentation: mais delivre nous du . Car a toy est le royaume; & la puissance; & la gloire; a . Amen.English rendering: And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.
ne nous induis pas en tentation, mais délivre-nous du malin. Car c’est à toi qu’appartiennent, dans tous les siècles, le règne, la puissance et la gloire. Amen!English rendering: Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For the reign, the power and the glory are yours for all ages. Amen!
A closer look Quicte noz debtes means “forgive us our debts”. Olivétan keeps the Greek image of a debt. Segond uses offenses, rendered here as “offences”. Both French versions include the liturgical ending of verse 13. The Greek edition in the Original tab omits it. Here the editions themselves differ.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Luke 2:8–14 · The announcement to the shepherds7 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
The account takes the shepherds from fear to the announcement of a great joy.
Et les pasteurs en ceste mesme region estoient veillans & gardans gardans les veilles de la nuict sus leur troppeau.English rendering: And in that same region shepherds were keeping watch over their flock through the watches of the night.
Il y avait, dans cette même contrée, des bergers qui passaient dans les champs les veilles de la nuit pour garder leurs troupeaux.English rendering: In that same region there were shepherds in the fields through the watches of the night, guarding their flocks.
Et voicy; lange du Seigneur qui sarresta aupres de eulx: & la clarte de Dieu resplendit autour de eulx; & craingnirent de grand crainte.English rendering: And look, the angel of the Lord stood beside them. The brightness of God shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
Et voici, un ange du Seigneur leur apparut, et la gloire du Seigneur resplendit autour d’eux. Ils furent saisis d’une grande frayeur.English rendering: And look, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified.
Lange leur dist: Ne craignez point: car voicy je vous annonce grand joye; laquelle sera a tout le peuple:English rendering: The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy for all the people.
Mais l’ange leur dit: Ne craignez point; car je vous annonce une bonne nouvelle, qui sera pour tout le peuple le sujet d’une grande joie:English rendering: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will be a source of great joy for all the people.
car au vous est nay le sauveur qui est Christ le Seigneur; en la cite de David.English rendering: For today in the city of David the Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.
c’est qu’aujourd’hui, dans la ville de David, il vous est né un Sauveur, qui est le Christ, le Seigneur.English rendering: Today in the city of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Christ, the Lord.
Et ce vous sera pour signe: vous trouverez ung enfant enuelloppe de ; & mis en la .English rendering: And this will be your sign. You will find a child wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in the manger.”
Et voici à quel signe vous le reconnaîtrez: vous trouverez un enfant emmailloté et couché dans une crèche.English rendering: And this is how you will recognise him. You will find a child swaddled and lying in a manger.”
Et avec lange fut une multitude de cheualerie celeste louans Dieu; & disans:English rendering: At once a multitude of the heavenly host was there with the angel, praising God and saying,
Et soudain il se joignit à l’ange une multitude de l’armée céleste, louant Dieu et disant:English rendering: Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host joined the angel, praising God and saying,
Gloire soit a Dieu es lieux : & en terre paix; aux hommes bonne volunte.English rendering: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards humankind.”
Gloire à Dieu dans les lieux très hauts, Et paix sur la terre parmi les hommes qu’il agrée!English rendering: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among those with whom he is pleased!”
A closer look Chevalerie celeste means the heavenly host, and incontinent means “at once”. In verse 14 a difference in the Greek manuscripts helps explain why one French version speaks of goodwill towards humankind and another of people with whom God is pleased.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Luke 15:17–24 · The son's return8 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
The son returns; the father welcomes him and calls for rejoicing. The scene is best read as a whole.
Dont estant reuenu a soymesme; dist: Combien de y a il en la maison de mon pere qui ont abondance de pains; & moy je de faim?English rendering: Then he came to his senses and said, “How many hired workers in my father’s house have bread in abundance, while I am dying of hunger?
Étant rentré en lui-même, il se dit: Combien de mercenaires chez mon père ont du pain en abondance, et moi, ici, je meurs de faim!English rendering: When he came to his senses, he said to himself, “How many of my father’s hired workers have bread in abundance, while here I am dying of hunger!
Je me leueray; & men iray a mon pere; & luy diray: Mon pere jay peche au ciel & devant toy:English rendering: I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
Je me lèverai, j’irai vers mon père, et je lui dirai: Mon père, j’ai péché contre le ciel et contre toi,English rendering: I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
& ne suis point maintenant digne destre appelle ton filz: fais moy comme ung de tes .English rendering: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.’”
je ne suis plus digne d’être appelé ton fils; traite-moi comme l’un de tes mercenaires.English rendering: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired workers.’”
Lors se leva; & vint a son pere. Et comme il estoit encore loing; son pere le veit: & fut de conpassion: & accouru & sur le ; & le baisa.English rendering: Then he got up and went to his father. While he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He ran up, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.
Et il se leva, et alla vers son père. Comme il était encore loin, son père le vit et fut ému de compassion, il courut se jeter à son cou et le baisa.English rendering: He got up and went to his father. While he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He ran to embrace him and kissed him.
Et le filz luy dist: Mon pere jay peche contre le ciel & devant toy: & ne suis point maintenant digne destre appelle ton filz.English rendering: The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Le fils lui dit: Mon père, j’ai péché contre le ciel et contre toi, je ne suis plus digne d’être appelé ton fils.English rendering: The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Et le pere dist a ses serviteurs: Apportez la longue premiere; & le vestez: & luy donnez ung en sa main; & des souliers en ses piedz.English rendering: The father said to his servants, “Bring the best long robe and dress him in it. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
Mais le père dit à ses serviteurs: Apportez vite la plus belle robe, et l’en revêtez; mettez-lui un anneau au doigt, et des souliers aux pieds.English rendering: But the father said to his servants, “Quickly bring the finest robe and dress him in it. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet.
Et amenez ung veau gras; & le tuez; & le mangeons & menons joye:English rendering: Bring a fattened calf and slaughter it. Let us eat it and celebrate,
Amenez le veau gras, et tuez-le. Mangeons et réjouissons-nous;English rendering: Bring the fattened calf and slaughter it. Let us eat and rejoice,
car mon filz estoit mort; & est retourne a vie: il estoit perdu; mais il est retrouve. Et commencerent a mener joye.English rendering: for this son of mine was dead and has returned to life. He was lost but has been found.” And they began to celebrate.
car mon fils que voici était mort, et il est revenu à la vie; il était perdu, et il est retrouvé. Et ils commencèrent à se réjouir.English rendering: for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and has been found.” And they began to rejoice.
A closer look The mercenaires are hired workers. Cheut sur le col diceluy describes the father throwing his arms around his son’s neck. Menons joye means “let us celebrate”.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Romans 3:21–24 · Justified freely4 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
Paul links together sin, the righteousness of God, faith and grace.
Et maintenant la justice de Dieu est manifestee sans la loy: tesmoingnee par la loy & par les prophetes.English rendering: And now the righteousness of God has been revealed apart from the law. The law and the prophets bear witness to it.
Mais maintenant, sans la loi est manifestée la justice de Dieu, à laquelle rendent témoignage la loi et les prophètes,English rendering: But now the righteousness of God has been revealed apart from the law. The law and the prophets bear witness to it,
Et la iustice de Dieu; est par la foy de Jesus christ a tous; & sur tous qui croyent. Certes il nya nulle difference:English rendering: And the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ, for all and upon all who believe. Indeed, there is no difference,
justice de Dieu par la foi en Jésus-Christ pour tous ceux qui croient. Il n’y a point de distinction.English rendering: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. There is no distinction.
car tous ont peche; & ont besoing de la gloire de Dieu;English rendering: for all have sinned and lack the glory of God,
Car tous ont péché et sont privés de la gloire de Dieu;English rendering: For all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God,
justifiez ; par la grace : par la redenption; laquelle est en Jesus Christ:English rendering: and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
et ils sont gratuitement justifiés par sa grâce, par le moyen de la rédemption qui est en Jésus-Christ.English rendering: and they are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
A closer look Liberalement here means “freely”. Olivétan’s la foy de Jesus christ follows the Greek construction closely, “the faith of Jesus Christ”. Segond chooses “faith in Jesus Christ”. Interpreters debate how the two nouns in the Greek are related.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Ephesians 2:8–10 · Grace and works3 verses · Olivétan and Segond side by side
Read all three verses together. Verses 8 and 9 describe salvation as a gift, and verse 10 turns to the good works for which believers are created.
Certes vous estes sauvez de grace; par la foy; & ce non point de vous. Ce est don de Dieu;English rendering: Indeed, you are saved by grace, through faith. This does not come from you. It is God’s gift,
Car c’est par la grâce que vous êtes sauvés, par le moyen de la foi. Et cela ne vient pas de vous, c’est le don de Dieu.English rendering: For it is by grace that you are saved, through faith. This does not come from you. It is God’s gift.
non point par oeuvres; affin que nul ne se glorifie.English rendering: not by works, so that no one may boast.
Ce n’est point par les œuvres, afin que personne ne se glorifie.English rendering: It is not by works, so that no one may boast.
Car nous sommes son oeuvre creez en Jesus Christ; a bonnes oeuvres; lesquelles Dieu a prepare; affin que nous cheminions en .English rendering: For we are his work, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared so that we might walk in them.
Car nous sommes son ouvrage, ayant été créés en Jésus-Christ pour de bonnes œuvres, que Dieu a préparées d’avance, afin que nous les pratiquions.English rendering: For we are his handiwork, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to practise.
A closer look Cheminions en icelles (“that we might walk in them”) keeps the Greek image of walking. Segond uses pratiquions to describe doing these works. Verse 10 completes the thought begun in verses 8 and 9.
OLIV1535 transcription and Segond 1910 reviewed on the Bible server. Darby and the Greek are available in the reading panel.
Go deeper · Reading with the biblical languages
Biblical text · GreekA word takes its meaning from its passage
Logos can denote a word, a discourse or a line of reasoning. In , one must also read what is affirmed of the Word. A list of possible meanings is no substitute for that reading.
Likewise, charis here denotes grace and dōrean points to a gift freely given. See . The lexicon helps in understanding the vocabulary; it does not, on its own, settle every theological debate.
Texts and Strong's entries consulted on the Bible server. The nine words studied are gathered in the Greek and Hebrew glossary. The Greek study text is Tischendorf's, from the nineteenth century, and not a reproduction of the edition used in 1535.
Step 3 of 6 · Understand the translators’ choices
To translate is to make choices.
Olivétan works from the biblical languages and from translations that already exist. His book does not come out of nowhere: it takes up an inheritance while revising it.
For the New Testament, he relies in particular on Lefèvre d’Étaples’s version and checks it against the Greek. The Old Testament, translated from the Hebrew, is a particularly important contribution.
The words
An expression may be kept close to its Greek form, like the ‘debtes’ (‘debts’) of the Lord’s Prayer, or rendered by a more explicit French word.
The arrangement
The books called ‘apocryphal’ in the Protestant tradition are included, but grouped separately.
Aids for the reader
Prefaces, marginal notes and cross-references accompany the translation and make certain choices visible.
Understand · Why translations differ
Three questions before drawing a conclusion
- Has French changed? ‘Incontinent’ here means ‘aussitôt’ (‘at once’); the ‘mercenaires’ of Luke 15 are hired workers.
- Has the translator chosen a different expression? In , ‘debtes’ (‘debts’) preserves the Greek image, whereas Segond uses ‘offenses’ (‘offences’).
- Does the source text differ? In , a Greek variant contributes to the difference between ‘aux hommes bonne volunte’ (‘good will to men’) and ‘parmi les hommes qu’il agrée’ (‘among the men with whom he is pleased’). Spelling alone is therefore not enough to explain the whole difference.
Proper names, the way the divine name is rendered and the marginal notes likewise call for a passage-by-passage comparison. Psalm 91 provides a concrete example at step 5.
Go deeper · A Christian witness
A reading from the Reformed tradition · Belgic Confession, 1561Books read without being given the same status
Article 6 of the Belgic Confession distinguishes the canonical books from the apocryphal ones. It permits the reading of the latter and the learning that may be drawn from them, while denying them the same authority for establishing an article of faith.
This Reformed witness, later than Olivétan, helps us to understand a confessional distinction. It does not describe all Protestant editorial practices: depending on the period and the edition, these books are included separately or omitted. The Catholic tradition and the Orthodox traditions do not define their status in the same way.
The French guide summarised this article from the text available through TheologAI. Read the Belgic Confession, Article 6. This is a later witness, not a cause of the 1535 project.
Step 4 of 6 · Trace the translations
One inheritance, several paths.
The Olivétan Bible stands at the origin of a great line of Genevan revisions. But not every French Protestant Bible is a mere revision of its text.
1535 · Olivétan
The Neuchâtel book opens the line studied here.
1540–1588 · Genevan revisions
The ‘Sword Bible’ (Bible de l’Épée), and then other editions, rework the translation and its presentation.
1707 · Martin · 1744 · Ostervald
These revisions carry forward the inheritance of the Bibles of Geneva.
Louis Segond’s new translation
Segond’s Old Testament bears the date 1874, and his complete Bible appeared in 1880. The 1910 edition used in this guide revises his translation.
Segond shares a Protestant tradition of reading, but his translation is not simply the last link in an Olivétan → Martin → Ostervald chain.
Understand · What is passed on
Inheriting a vocabulary does not mean copying a text
Words such as 'grâce' (grace), 'rédemption' (redemption) or 'Parole' (Word) run through the translations. This continuity of vocabulary does not prove direct dependence for every sentence.
The presentation of the book changes too. Roman type makes the 1540 edition easier to read. In the sixteenth century, Robert Estienne played a major role in spreading the modern numbering of the New Testament: Greek edition in 1551, French Bible in 1553. These reference points make cross-referencing easier; Bible study and divisions of the text existed before then.
Musée protestant, translations and revisions · Alliance biblique française, Biblioscope 30, pp. 5–7.
Go deeper · A Christian witness
A reading from the Reformed tradition · Westminster, seventeenth centuryWhy translate into the language of the readers?
The Westminster Confession, chapter I, paragraph 8, affirms the importance of Hebrew and Greek while calling for Scripture to be translated into the languages of the peoples, since not all readers know these ancient languages.
This wording, dating from 1646–1647, is later than Olivétan's Bible. It expresses a confessional principle of dissemination and reading; it proves neither a textual line of descent between two translations nor any influence on the 1535 project.
Passage consulted with TheologAI and checked against the Confession as published by the OPC, I.8. The summary here is translated from the French guide.
Step 5 of 6 · Decipher the printed page
Finding the words beneath the letters.
The French of 1535 becomes more accessible once a few writing habits are recognised. Let us begin with some simple signs, then read Psalm 91.
ſ · The long s
'Eſperance' is read as 'esperance' (hope).
u / v · i / j
The distribution of these letters differs from our own usage: 'couurira' corresponds to 'couvrira' (will cover).
ẽ · ã · õ
The tilde may indicate an omitted letter: 'hõme' is expanded to 'homme' (man).
/ · Punctuation
The oblique stroke often marks a break that we would render with a comma.
'Dongeon' means fortress; the 'veneur' is a hunter. These images evoke a refuge and tangible dangers.
Psalm 91:1–16 · A song of trust16 verses · See the note on the French transcription
Psalm 91 uses the images of the refuge, the wings and the shield.
Celuy qui habite es lieux secretz du , et demeure en l'ombre du ,English rendering: The one who dwells in the secret places of the Most High and remains in the shadow of the Almighty
Celui qui demeure sous l’abri du Très-Haut Repose à l’ombre du Tout-Puissant.English rendering: The one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High rests in the shadow of the Almighty.
il dit au Seigneur : mon Dieu est mon esperance et mon , je me confieray en luy.English rendering: says to the Lord, “My God is my hope and my fortress. I will put my trust in him.”
Je dis à l’Éternel: Mon refuge et ma forteresse, Mon Dieu en qui je me confie!English rendering: I say to the Eternal One, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!”
Car te delivrera du du , et de la peste dangereuse.English rendering: For he will deliver you from the hunter’s snare and from the deadly plague.
Car c’est lui qui te délivre du filet de l’oiseleur, De la peste et de ses ravages.English rendering: For he is the one who delivers you from the birdcatcher’s net and from the plague and its ravages.
Il te couvrira de ses plumes, et seras asseuré soubz ses aisles ; duquel la fidelité est comme ung et une .English rendering: He will cover you with his feathers, and you will be safe under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield and a small round buckler.
Il te couvrira de ses plumes, Et tu trouveras un refuge sous ses ailes; Sa fidélité est un bouclier et une cuirasse.English rendering: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness is a shield and a breastplate.
Tu ne craindras point ce qui espouante de nuict, ne la flesche volante de jour,English rendering: You will not fear what terrifies by night, or the arrow that flies by day,
Tu ne craindras ni les terreurs de la nuit, Ni la flèche qui vole de jour,English rendering: You will fear neither the terrors of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
ne la peste cheminant en l'obscurité, ne la maladie soubdaine qui degaste au midy.English rendering: or the plague that walks in darkness, or the sudden illness that lays waste at noon.
Ni la peste qui marche dans les ténèbres, Ni la contagion qui frappe en plein midi.English rendering: nor the plague that walks in darkness, nor the contagion that strikes at midday.
Mille cherront a ton costé , et dix mille a ta , affin qu'on ne puisse approcher jusque a toy.English rendering: A thousand will fall on your left and ten thousand on your right, so that no one can come near you.
Que mille tombent à ton côté, Et dix mille à ta droite, Tu ne seras pas atteint;English rendering: Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, you will not be struck.
Mais tu contempleras de tes yeulx, et regarderas la retribution des meschans.English rendering: But you will look with your own eyes and see how the wicked are repaid.
De tes yeux seulement tu regarderas, Et tu verras la rétribution des méchants.English rendering: You have only to look with your own eyes to see how the wicked are repaid.
Car, Seigneur, tu es mon esperance ; tu as mis ton hault pour ta .English rendering: For you, Lord, are my hope. You have made your dwelling on high your refuge.
Car tu es mon refuge, ô Éternel! Tu fais du Très-Haut ta retraite.English rendering: For you are my refuge, O Eternal One! You make the Most High your shelter.
Mal ne te adviendra point, et playe ne se approchera point de ton tabernacle.English rendering: no evil will befall you, and no plague will come near your dwelling.
Aucun malheur ne t’arrivera, Aucun fléau n’approchera de ta tente.English rendering: No misfortune will befall you, and no scourge will come near your tent.
Car il a commandé a ses anges de te garder en toutes tes voyes.English rendering: For he has commanded his angels to guard you in all your ways.
Car il ordonnera à ses anges De te garder dans toutes tes voies;English rendering: For he will order his angels to guard you in all your ways.
Ilz te porteront en leurs mains, affin que tu ne hurte ton pied contre la pierre.English rendering: They will carry you in their hands so that you do not strike your foot against the stone.
Ils te porteront sur les mains, De peur que ton pied ne heurte contre une pierre.English rendering: They will carry you on their hands, lest your foot strike a stone.
Tu marcheras sur le lyon et l'aspic, et foulleras le et le dragon.English rendering: You will tread on the lion and the viper, and trample the young lion and the dragon.
Tu marcheras sur le lion et sur l’aspic, Tu fouleras le lionceau et le dragon.English rendering: You will tread on the lion and the viper. You will trample the young lion and the dragon.
Car il a mis son amour en moy, et pource je le delivreray et le deffendray, car il a congneu mon nom.English rendering: “Because he has set his love on me, I will deliver him and defend him, for he has known my name.
Puisqu’il m’aime, je le délivrerai; Je le protégerai, puisqu’il connaît mon nom.English rendering: “Because he loves me, I will deliver him. I will protect him, for he knows my name.
Il me appellera et je luy respondray ; je seray avec luy en tribulation ; je le secoureray et glorifieray.English rendering: He will call to me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will come to his aid and give him glory.
Il m’invoquera, et je lui répondrai; Je serai avec lui dans la détresse, Je le délivrerai et je le glorifierai.English rendering: He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in distress. I will deliver him and give him glory.
Je le rempliray de longue vie, et luy monstreray mon salut.English rendering: I will fill him with long life and show him my salvation.”
Je le rassasierai de longs jours, Et je lui ferai voir mon salut.English rendering: I will satisfy him with length of days and let him see my salvation.”
A closer look 'Dongeon' denotes the fortress; 'lacz du veneur', the hunter's snare. Rashi's commentary and the comparison with Matthew 4 are offered at the Go deeper level.
The French guide retained its supplied transcription of Psalm 91 without checking it in full against the facsimile. The editors consulted Segond, Darby and the Hebrew on the Bible server.
Understand · Checking a transcription
Automated reading can distort words
The large initial, the Gothic type and the abbreviations make automatic recognition more difficult. A plausible sentence is not proof: one must go back to the printed page and keep a record of the corrections.
See an example of OCR preserved from the original guide
This sample of optical character recognition (OCR) comes from the original guide. It shows the kinds of errors the software can make.
Pſalme. vcj.
£lupå habtte es lieup ſecretz du Treſſou
uetain / x demenre en födre du Toutput
gt dit au Seigmõ Dien eft mö efperäce
c mon dõgeon / ie me confierap en ſup.
Car tcelup te deſturera du lacz du veneur / et de la
peſte dangereuſe.
t te couuxira de ſes plumes / et ſeras aſſeure ſoubʒ
fee aiſles / duquel la fidelite eſt comme vng eſcuſſon et
Ine rondelle.
Psalme xcj.
Celuy qui habite es lieux secretz du Tressouverain, et demeure en l’ombre du Toutpuissant, il dit au Seigneur : mon Dieu est mon esperance et mon dongeon, je me confieray en luy. Car iceluy te delivrera du lacz du veneur, et de la peste dangereuse. Il te couvrira de ses plumes, et seras asseuré soubz ses aisles ; duquel la fidelité est comme ung escusson et une rondelle.
English rendering of the reading transcriptionThe one who dwells in the secret places of the Most High and remains in the shadow of the Almighty says to the Lord, “My God is my hope and my fortress. I will put my trust in him.” For he will deliver you from the hunter’s snare and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with his feathers, and you will be safe under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield and a small round buckler.
To cite precisely, give the edition and the page or folio. The revised edition of 1540 helps with comparison, but cannot on its own guarantee what was printed in 1535.
Go deeper · Jewish and Christian witnesses
Jewish reading · Rashi on Psalm 91Fortress, wings and shield
In his commentary on verse 2, Rashi presents the declaration of trust as a saying from which others can learn. At verse 4, he explains the image of a shield that surrounds and protects.
This medieval Jewish reading sheds light on the Hebrew images. It is not proof that Olivétan used this commentary. In the glossary, metsoudah refers to the fortress; its precise meaning depends on how it is used in .
Commentaries consulted via Sefaria, English translation by A. J. Rosenberg/Judaica Press, summarised here: Rashi on 91:2 and 91:4. The editors also consulted the dictionaries on Sefaria and Strong’s lexicon.
Biblical parallel · Matthew 4A promise to be read in its context
In the temptation narrative, the devil quotes the protection of the angels promised in the psalm. Jesus replies that one must not put God to the test. The parallel invites us to distinguish between trust and deliberately putting oneself in danger.
The editors consulted these passages on the Bible server. This Christian reading of the psalm is presented separately from Rashi’s commentary.
Step 6 of 6 · Check the sources
Knowing which text you are reading.
A page printed in 1535, its digital transcription and a more recent French translation are three different documents. Telling them apart makes it possible to read with confidence, without crediting the guide with a precision it does not have.
- The 1535 facsimile shows the historical object. It is the point to return to for an exact quotation.
- The reading transcription makes the text available for consultation and comparison. It involves normalisation choices and may still contain errors.
- The comparison translations shed light on the reading. Segond or Darby are not there to reconstruct Olivétan's words mechanically.
Understand · What has been checked
The New Testament and Psalm 91 do not have the same provenance
The New Testament passages have been reread using the OLIV1535 corpus on the Bible server, derived from the transcription of the “nouveautestament” project (2022). The server indicates limited proofreading and a corrections log; it does not present this corpus as a critical edition.
The French transcription of Psalm 91 comes from the source files of this guide. OLIV1535 covers the New Testament. For the September revision, the editors added Segond, Darby and the Hebrew to the psalm. They did not check the 1535 transcription in full against the facsimile.
The comparison texts, Greek and Hebrew are built into this page and can be read offline.
Go deeper · The method
Documentary limit · Transcription and editionWhat this version guarantees
The consultation of 25 September 2026 found the 27 books of the New Testament in the OLIV1535 corpus. Its accompanying note mentions 442 corrections recorded during a review in September 2026, chiefly obvious errors of transcription and alignment.
This information describes the work reported on the corpus. It does not mean that every verse has been rechecked against the printed edition for this site. For John 3:16, the server reports a spot check of the double 'seul' ('only') on a page linked directly.
The 'Original' tab offers a Tischendorf Greek text and a WLC Hebrew text. These are identified study aids, not the biblical autographs or Olivétan's working copies. Strong's numbers are dictionary reference points, not theological proofs.
Transcription project · John 3:16 page · sources and editions for this guide.
Five key points
What to look for as you read.
- A 'first' that needs qualifying.French Bibles existed before 1535. Olivétan's mark on history is a complete Bible translated from Hebrew and Greek.
- Words that have changed.Some words have changed meaning. Explaining them makes reading accessible without erasing the old language.
- Choices to compare.A difference may come from the French, from the translator's interpretation or from a variant in the source text.
- Several paths of transmission.Genevan revisions, Martin and Ostervald continued a lineage. Segond undertook a new work of translation.
- A source to identify.The transcription helps you read the words. The facsimile lets you check what was printed. When reading a commentary, identify its author.
Frequently asked questions
Going a little further.
Is this the first Bible in French?
Earlier French Bibles include Lefèvre d’Étaples’s complete Bible of 1530. Olivétan’s Bible is generally described as the first complete French Bible based on Hebrew and Greek. He translated the Old Testament from Hebrew and revised Lefèvre’s French New Testament against the Greek.
Is Segond a revision of Olivétan?
No. Olivétan began a line of Genevan revisions, continued notably by Martin and Ostervald. Segond carried out a new work of translation in the nineteenth century. The 1910 version, for its part, is a revision of Segond.
Why a transcription rather than an image of each page?
The transcription makes it possible to search for a word, enlarge the text and compare versions. The facsimile preserves the original typography and layout. The two meet different needs; a link to the printed edition is provided in the sources.
Why is Psalm 91 flagged separately?
Its transcription of the old text comes from the guide as supplied, whereas the New Testament passages have been checked against OLIV1535. The corpus does not contain the Old Testament. The provenance and the check carried out are therefore indicated separately.
Is the old text always more faithful?
The age of a translation does not guarantee that it renders every passage better. A serious comparison examines the source text, the French language of the period, the whole sentence and the translator's choices.
Why does 'Original' sometimes differ from the translation?
Greek editions do not always reproduce the same manuscript reading. The study text offered here is Tischendorf's, published in the nineteenth century. It should not be presented as the copy used by Olivétan in 1535.
Do Rashi's commentaries and the confessions explain Olivétan's intentions?
They shed light on readings and traditions, but their presence here does not prove that Olivétan knew or followed them. Rashi predates him; the Belgic and Westminster Confessions are later. The dates and the nature of each comparison are specified.
How should the three levels be used?
All six steps are available at every level. Explore gives the essentials, Understand adds context, and Go deeper introduces historical witnesses and the limits of the evidence. Changing level keeps you on the same step.
Can every verse be compared?
Yes, the verses built into the guide offer Olivétan, Segond and Darby in the Compare tab, as well as the Greek or the Hebrew in Original. For Psalm 91, the column for the old text carries its own particular note of provenance. This reader contains the passages in this guide, not the whole Bible.
Words in the guide
The French of 1535.
Explore 174 French words and spellings with their English meanings. Context matters. In Luke 15, for instance, mercenaires means hired workers.
174 of 174 words
- abondance
- plenty, abundance
- accouru
- ran up
- advienne
- may it come
- affin
- so that
- aisles
- wings
- aneau
- ring
- appellez
- called
- aspic
- asp, viper
- asseure
- safe, secure
- aujourdhuy
- today
- ayme
- loved
- bendelettes
- strips of cloth for swaddling
- besoing
- need, lack
- bonne
- good, as in bonne volunte (“goodwill”)
- ce
- this, that
- certes
- indeed, truly
- ceste
- this
- cestuy
- this one
- ceulx
- those
- cheminions
- that we might walk
- cherront
- will fall (the future tense of choir)
- cheut
- fell
- chevalerie
- an army, here the heavenly host
- cieulx
- heavens
- cite
- city
- clarte
- brightness, glory
- coeur
- heart
- col
- neck
- commencerent
- began
- comprinse
- grasped, understood
- condemner
- to condemn
- congneu
- known
- conpassion
- compassion
- consolez
- comforted
- coste
- side
- craingnirent
- they feared, were afraid
- creez
- created
- creiche
- manger, feeding trough
- croyent
- they believe
- debonnaires
- gentle, meek
- debtes
- debts
- deffendray
- I will defend
- degaste
- lays waste
- destre
- to be (modern French d’être)
- dextre
- right side, right hand
- diceluy
- of this one, of him
- difference
- difference, distinction
- diray
- I will say
- disans
- saying
- dist
- said
- doibvent
- owe
- dongeon
- a castle keep, a fortress
- enuelloppe
- wrapped
- envoye
- sent
- es
- in the (plural)
- escusson
- a shield
- esperance
- hope
- espouante
- frightens, terrifies
- este
- been
- estoient
- they were
- estoit
- was
- eulx
- them
- faict
- made, done
- faicte
- made, done (feminine singular)
- faictes
- made, done (feminine plural)
- fidelite
- faithfulness
- filz
- son, sons
- flesche
- arrow
- foulleras
- you will trample
- foy
- faith
- gardans
- keeping, guarding
- glorifie
- boasts, takes pride (in se glorifier)
- glorifieray
- I will glorify, give honour to
- grace
- grace, favour
- hault
- high
- hurte
- strike, hit against
- icelle
- this one, it (an old feminine pronoun)
- icelles
- these, them (feminine plural)
- iceluy
- this one, that one, he (an old masculine pronoun)
- ilz
- they
- incontinent
- at once, immediately
- induitz
- lead, bring into
- iray
- I will go
- jay
- I have
- jourdhuy
- today (in au jourdhuy)
- joye
- joy
- justifiez
- justified
- lacz
- snare, net, trap
- lange
- the angel
- leonceau
- lion cub, young lion
- leveray
- I will rise (with me)
- liberalement
- freely, out of generosity
- loing
- far away
- lont
- have it (modern French l’ont)
- louans
- praising
- loy
- law
- lumiere
- light
- luyt
- shines
- lyon
- lion
- manifestee
- revealed, made known
- manoir
- dwelling
- mauvais
- the evil one (in du mauvais)
- mener
- in mener joye, to celebrate
- menons
- in menons joye, “let us celebrate”
- mercenaires
- hired workers, here people paid for their labour
- meschans
- the wicked
- mesme
- same
- meu
- moved, stirred
- midy
- noon
- misericordieux
- merciful
- monstreray
- I will show
- moult
- much, a great deal
- na
- has (in a negative construction, modern French n’a)
- nay
- born
- netz
- clean, pure
- nostre
- our
- noz
- our (before a plural noun)
- nuict
- night
- nul
- no one
- nya
- there is (in a negative construction, modern French n’y a)
- obscurite
- darkness
- oeuvres
- works, deeds
- pains
- bread, loaves
- paisibles
- peaceable people, those who make peace
- paovres
- poor
- parolle
- word
- peche
- sin, or “sinned” in ont peche
- perisse
- perish
- pery
- I perish, I am dying
- piedz
- feet
- playe
- plague, affliction
- prepare
- prepared
- quiconque
- whoever
- quicte
- forgive, remit (a debt)
- quictons
- we forgive, we remit (a debt)
- quil
- that he, that it
- redenption
- redemption
- region
- region, countryside
- rempliray
- I will fill
- respondray
- I will answer
- retraicte
- refuge
- retrouve
- found again
- robbe
- robe
- rondelle
- a small round shield, a buckler
- sanctifie
- hallowed, made holy
- saoulez
- satisfied, given their fill
- sarresta
- stopped, stood
- sauve
- saved
- sauveur
- saviour
- sauvez
- saved (plural)
- secoureray
- I will come to his aid
- senestre
- left side
- seras
- you will be
- seray
- I will be
- seul
- only, sole (seul seul filz means “only Son”)
- soubdaine
- sudden
- soymesme
- oneself, himself
- sus
- on, over
- tabernacle
- tent, dwelling
- tenebres
- darkness
- tesmoingnee
- attested, borne witness to
- tousjoursmais
- for ever
- toutpuissant
- Almighty
- treshaultz
- very high, highest
- tressouverain
- the Most High
- troppeau
- flock
- ung
- one, a
- veillans
- keeping watch
- veit
- saw
- veneur
- hunter
- vestez
- clothe, dress
- voicy
- look, behold
- volunte
- will
- voyes
- ways, paths
Hebrew and Greek · Nine words studied
Nine words in Hebrew and Greek.
Strong's numbers are used to look words up in a dictionary. The definition offers possible meanings; the sentence and the context determine which one fits.
monogenēs
μονογενήςG3439Only, unique. Here it describes the only Son. The lexical entry sheds light on the term; its theological use is to be understood within the passage.
charis
χάριςG5485Grace, favour. Favour, goodwill or grace, depending on the context. In the passages from Paul read here, the word contributes to the vocabulary of gift.
dōrean
δωρεάνG1432Freely. An adverb meaning “freely” or “without payment”. In other contexts it can mean “without cause”. Here Olivétan’s liberalement describes a gift freely given.
opheilēma
ὀφείλημαG3783Debt. That which is owed. The Lord's Prayer uses the image of debts for the petition for forgiveness.
eirēnopoios
εἰρηνοποιόςG1518Peacemaker. One who makes peace. The word helps to clarify the 'paisibles' ('peaceable') of the old translation.
peripateō
περιπατέωG4043To walk, to conduct oneself. To walk; figuratively, to lead one's life. 'Cheminions' (from cheminer, 'to walk, to journey') and 'pratiquions' (from pratiquer, 'to practise') show two ways of rendering this image.
matsoud / metsoudah
מָצוּדH4686Fortress, refuge. The Strong's number groups related forms together. In Psalm 91:2, the image is that of the protective fortress: 'dongeon' (a keep or stronghold; modern French 'donjon').
soḥerah
סֹחֵרָהH5507Protection, shield. A rare term in Psalm 91:4, associated with a shield. Rashi's commentary stresses a protection that surrounds.
Sources and method
Check the sources for yourself.
The historical documents
- La Bible, Neuchâtel, Pierre de Vingle, 1535, e-rara facsimile, Bibliothèque de Genève, shelfmark Bb 542. Go directly to the page with John 3:16.
- Catalogue record and digitised copy on Gallica, Bibliothèque nationale de France. The digitised copies are to be identified separately.
- Bible de l'Épée, Geneva, 1540, Internet Archive/Digital Bible Society: revised edition, useful for comparison; it is no substitute for the 1535 printed text.
- The “nouveautestament” project, the 2022 digital transcription used for OLIV1535. The Bible server reports partial proofreading and records corrections.
Historical background
- Musée protestant: Olivétan, the Waldensians and the Reformation, translations and revisions.
- French Bible Society (Alliance biblique française), Biblioscope no. 30, December 2024, pp. 5–7, Frédéric Amsler’s account of Louis Segond and his work as a translator.
Texts and witnesses consulted
- Bible server: The guide includes 61 distinct verses, with 45 New Testament verses from OLIV1535. All 61 include the French texts of Segond and Darby and either Tischendorf’s Greek or the WLC Hebrew. Nine glossary entries use Strong’s numbers. The French comparison texts are in the public domain. The source data label the French Darby text “Darby 1890”. Its exact French printing has not been established. Each English rendering was prepared from the French for this guide.
- TheologAI: Article 6 of the Belgic Confession and chapter I, paragraph 8 of the Westminster Confession. The French guide summarised the texts in its local collection. The service does not identify the exact editions. Read the Belgic Confession and Westminster.
- Sefaria: Rashi on Psalm 91:2 and 91:4, in A. J. Rosenberg’s English translation for Judaica Press. The French guide summarised the commentary and consulted the BDB, Klein and Jastrow dictionaries. These comparisons do not establish a historical influence on Olivétan.
Source checks for the French edition, 25 September 2026. The New Testament passages, Segond, Darby and the biblical languages were consulted using the Bible server. The old transcription of Psalm 91 has been kept from the guide as supplied and is flagged as such. The commentaries and summaries are no substitute for the sources.
To continue exploring