January 25, 1528.
We, George by the Grace of God, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Margrave of Meissen, do hereby publicly declare and confess before all men. After 2) we have long since decreed that the New Testament be printed according to the interpretation and interpretation of the proven old texts, doctors and teachers, and now, to the praise of God, the same copies have almost all expired, we have caused the same New Testament to be printed, but with a noticeable improvement elsewhere, and in a smaller and more convenient form.
2) We have deleted "and" after "after" because it seemed too much; it is not in the Wittenberg edition either.
2. However, because those who have undertaken to present such things, 3) are also worthy of a pardon and freedom for the realization of their applied work and presentation, and so that not many heretical interpretations and additions may be imagined under a uniform title and heading (as we otherwise find to be the case), and additions may be imagined by the poor simple-minded layman, we seriously command all our relatives, subjects and other males who wish to engage in trade in our lands and principalities 4) to do so without any special
3) i.e. undertaken at their expense.
4) i.e. trading.
*) Where this typeface is found in the editions is already noted in the previous number. - Also this writing has, like the previous one, an incorrect year at the end. Not in the year 1529, but in 1528 Pauli's conversion fell on Saturday.
that this New Testament, as it is now printed or has been printed, shall not be reprinted in any way or form, or brought into our country and principality, sold, or otherwise dealt with, with penalty and forfeiture of the said reprinted New Testaments, and two hundred guilders, which each of the violators of this commandment of ours shall pay and be obliged to pay half to our chamber, and the other half to those who have published and produced this print.
3. and accordingly command all our officers, councillors, mayors, judges, and all other court administrators, so often and so thickly with this
Our letter, which is attached to our secret, is to be applied to them, so that they may faithfully and diligently observe this pardon and privilege of ours, protect it, handle it, and help those who, as indicated, will be confronted with it, so that they may as soon as possible collect and obtain the forfeited penalties from the transgressors, while avoiding our disfavor.
4 And that it may be known by men, we have ordered this letter of ours to be printed beforehand, so that everyone may be guided by it. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our seal, and give it at Dresden, on Saturday, the day of the Conversion of St. Paul the Holy Apostle, after the birth of Christ, a thousand, five hundred, and nine and twentieth years.