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23. Compare Parallel Passages

Introduction There are thousands of passages in the NT where either the same event is being described or where another verse is being quoted from the Old or New Testament. These verses need to be compared to make sure they are consistent.

Before you start Normally you will have translated and checked the text of both books with a consultant first before comparing the texts. Though there are times that you will want to compare the other verses before you translate the second passage.

Why this is important The parallel passages need to be consistent but they do not always need to be exactly the same. The Parallel Passages tool displays the various passages and highlights the text which is the same. But it is the meaning (not necessarily the form) that is important.

Normally you would make the comparisons after you have translated the passage because you don’t want to be influenced by what could be a bad earlier translation. But there are times when you will want to be able to see a second passage while you are translating.

What you are going to do

  • use the Parallel Passages tool to compare the verses.
  • use the checkboxes to tell Paratext that you have checked the passages
  • filter for any changed verses
  • open a quick reference window in Paratext to see another passage while you are translating.
  • open a third passage in a window.

23.1 Open the Parallel passages window​

  1. Navigate to the desired chapter and verse.
  2. ≡ Tab, under Tools > Parallel passages
    • A window is displayed showing a list and parallel passages.

23.2 Display source texts​

  1. Click the dropdown arrow beside the source text options

  2. Choose as appropriate

    • The display changes to show the source language text at the top of the table.
tip

In Paratext 9.3 you can reduce or expand the Greek / Hebrew by clicking the little arrow.

23.3 Select comparative texts​

  1. Click the Comparative texts button
  2. Click a resource (on the left)
  3. Click the right arrow
  4. Repeat as necessary
  5. Click OK

23.4 Filters​

  • Choose the filters as desired: [e.g. All references, Current book, Synoptic gospels]

23.5 Compare the passages​

  • Click on a line of references in the top pane.
    • The texts are displayed in the bottom pane.
info
  • Text is shown in grey in a project (or green in source texts) when the text is exactly the same as in the other passage.
  • Text is shown in yellow (in source texts) when it has the same meaning (or thought) even though it is not exactly the same as in the other passage.
  • For many people the grey is very hard to see. You can make this darker by going to the main Paratext Settings and changing the highlight to Bright. This will also affect highlights in the text and menus.
tip

If the text is green in Greek, then your text should also be the same (but darker green). Normally, if the text is different in the Greek than it should be different in your text, but not always.

23.6 To correct the text​

  1. Click the blue link Edit
  2. Make the corrections.
  3. Click OK.

23.7 Copying a text​

tip

If two passage need to be the same, you should choose one (normally your later translation) and copy it over the other.

Copy

  1. Click the blue link Edit
  2. Select the text
  3. Copy (Ctrl+C)
  4. Click OK.

Paste

  1. Click blue link for the other text
  2. Select the text
  3. Paste (Ctrl+V)
  4. Click OK.
caution

Be careful when there is more than one verse. You don’t want to paste the \v.

23.8 Mark the passage as checked​

  • Click the check box beside the reference.
    • The set of references are approved.

Three modes for approving​

In this version of Paratext there are three modes for approving.

  1. Open the menu for the window.
  2. Under View you can choose between
    • Approve Sets of Parallels - which is the default
    • Approve Passages individually individual checkboxes
    • Approve by Set or Individually, which allows you to switch back and forth between modes.

To change from set to individually​

  1. Open the menu for the window.
  2. Under View, choose Approve by Set or Individually.
    • Initially, a checkbox for the entire set is shown in the Status column.
  3. Hover the mouse over the lower checkbox for the set
  4. A pencil icon is shown.
  5. Click the pencil
    • The checkboxes move to the other mode but only for this set of passages.

23.9 Passages which have changed​

Identify the passages which have been changed since they were marked as finished

  1. In the Parallel passage tool

  2. Change the passage filter to Changed Text

  3. Click ab icon under the passage reference.

    • A comparison window is displayed in Paratext.

  4. Change the text as necessary.

  5. Return to the Parallel passages tool (using the task bar icons)

  6. Click the check box to mark it as finished.

23.10 Compare the text as you translate​

  1. Click in your project.
  2. ≡ Tab, under Tools > Quick reference (Ctrl+q)
    • A floating window opens with the scroll group set to none.
  3. Change the reference to the other passage.

23.11 To see a third passage​

  1. Open you project a second time [≡ Paratext > Paratext > Open and double-click your project]

  2. Change the scroll group from [A] to None.

  3. Change the reference to the other passage.