Sufficiently plain and easy of transmission as it is, this verse of Scripture is observed to exhibit perturbations which are even extraordinary.

Irenaeus once writes [Greek: ho] [ ?] [Greek: monogenes uios]: once, [Greek: ho] [ ?] [Greek: monogenes uios Theos]: once, [Greek: ho monogenes uios Theou][514]: Clemens Alex., [Greek: ho monogenes uios Theos monos][515]; which must be very nearly the reading of the Codex from which the text of the Vercelli Copy of the Old Latin was derived[516].

Eusebius four times writes [Greek: ho monogenes uios][517]: twice, [Greek: monogenes Theos][518]: and on one occasion gives his reader the choice of either expression, explaining why both may stand[519].

Gregory Nyss.[520] and Basil[521], though they recognize the usual reading of the place, are evidently vastly more familiar with the reading [Greek: ho monogenes Theos][522]: for Basil adopts the expression thrice[523], and Gregory nearly thirty-three times as often[524].

This was also the reading of Cyril Alex.[525], whose usual phrase however is [Greek: ho monogenes tou Theou logos][526].