St. Louis Edition - Digitized text, now in English; Part 1 of ?

St. Louis Edition:
21 volumes digitized,
and translated

[2023-12-08: added another line to "Table of Contents" below; 2022-05-05: added more posts to Table of Contents; 2022-04-24: Added links to the sermon volumes 11, 12, 13a, 13b. See this blog for more details.]

      For several reasons, I have desired for many years to obtain the digitized text of the St. Louis Edition (StL) of Luther's works:

• The plain text of the Google Books and HathiTrust scanned versions are practically useless due to the 2-column layout of the pages.
• The Weimar Edition (WA) has some of its text in Latin which is much more difficult to have automatically translated, whereas the St. Louis Edition was published in German for German readers.  German is easily translated by the superior online DeepL Translator service.
• The American Edition (AE) of Concordia Publishing House was lacking in some of its available translations. Also its editors' comments were sometimes unorthodox and critical of Luther, even of the StL. (However the StL does not have the 1515 Romans commentary, that the AE (Vol. 25)  does have.) 
• The Old Missouri Synod frequently referenced the St. Louis Edition in its writings, so an English translation would provide English readers of Old Missouri writings helpful resource for their understanding.

For these reasons and more, I decided to take on the extensive project of OCRing (ABBYY FineReader) the entire St. Louis Edition, and running the digitized German text through the automated online DeepL Translator.  I have now spent six months producing the output for all but the four volumes of sermons, volumes 11, 12, 13a, and 13b — over 22,000 pages, over 100 million characters.  (see the image at right of the title pages of all 21 volumes so far completed).  I chose to delay the sermon volumes because most of them have been available in English translation for many years. Even so, these will be added in the next few months (maybe this month?). [2022-04-24: these are now included]

      NOTES: ● Click on activated asterisk symbols for downloads.  ● All DOCX files have been zipped to avoid difficulties in downloading from my Google Drive. ● The PDFs are links to files uploaded to Archive.org.  On that site individual pages for permanent reference may be accessed and linked to.  ● The highly formatted 2-column version is in the latest MS-Word DOCX format, while the 1-column version is in the oldest DOCX format.  Difficulties? send me an email. ● The downloads of 1-column DOCX files for the "Letters" volumes 21a and 21b are newly produced, and correct some errors of the previous downloads.  ● The "2-column DOCX" version is best when comparing the English translation with an image of the original German page in Google Books, HathiTrust or Archive.org (see here and here.)  ● Unfortunately the automated translator often dropped the leading paragraph numbers, so one will have to find the nearest numbered paragraph to figure out the missing numbers. Or open up the same page in Google Books, HathiTrust or Archive.org to easily determine the paragraph numbers.

Six months in the making, now the St. Louis Edition, in English:

No.	Title — English (EN)	2-col. DOCX	PDF	1-col. DOCX	Title — German (DE)	DE DOCX
1	Interpretation of the First Book of Moses [Genesis]. First part.	*	*	*	Auslegung des ersten Buches Mose. Erster Theil.
2	Interpretation of the First Book of Moses. Second part.	*	*	*	Auslegung des ersten Buches Mose. Zweiter Theil.
3	Sermons on the first book of Moses and interpretations on the following biblical books up to the Psalms (excl.).	*	*	*	Predigten über das erste Buch Mosis und Auslegungen über die folgenden biblischen Bücher bis zu den Psalmen (excl.).
4	Interpretation of the Psalms	*	*	*	Auslegung über die Psalmen
5	Interpretations on the Psalms (continued), Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.	*	*	*	Auslegungen über die Psalmen (Fortsetzung), den Prediger und das Hohelied Salomonis.
6	Interpretations on the major and some of the minor prophets, namely Hosea, Joel and Amos.	*	*	*	Auslegungen über die großen und etliche der kleinen Propheten, nämlich Hosea, Joel und Amos.
7	Interpretation on the evangelists Matthew, Luke and John, up to the sixth chapter of John (incl.).	*	*	*	Auslegungen über die Evangelisten Matthäus, Lucas und Johannes, bis zum sechsten Capitel Johannis (incl.).
8	Interpretations of the Evangelist St. John, chapters 7-20, the 15th and 16th chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, and the 7th and 15th chapters of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Luther's shorter interpretation of the Epistle to the Galatians.	*	*	*	Auslegungen über den Evangelisten St. Johannes Cap. 7—20., über das 15. und 16. Capitel der Apostelgeschichte und das 7. und 15. Capitel des ersten Briefes an die Corinther. Luthers kürzere Auslegung der Epistel an die Galater.
9	Interpretation of the New Testament (Conclusion.) Luther's great interpretation of the Epistle to the Galatians and the other exegetical writings.	*	*	*	Auslegung des Neuen Testaments (Schluß.) Luthers große Auslegung der Epistel an die Galater und die übrigen exegetischen Schriften.
10	Catechetical writings and sermons.	*	*	*	Catechetische Schriften und Predigten.
11	Church Postils gospel sermons	*	*	*	Kirchen-Postille Evangelien-Predigten
12	Church Postils epistle-sermons besides mixed sermons	*	*	*	Kirchen-Postille Epistel-Predigten neben vermischten Predigten
13a	House Postils part 1, Luther sermons for one year, compiled by Veit Dietrich	*	*	*	Die Hauspostille Teil 1, Lutherpredigten für ein Jahr, zusammengestellt von Veit Dietrich
13b	House Postils part 2, Luther sermons for one year, compiled by Georg Rörer	*	*	*	Die Hauspostille Teil 2, Lutherpredigten für ein Jahr, zusammengestellt von Georg Rörer
14	Forewords, historical and philological writings. (The "Passional" with illustrations.) As a supplement to the sixth volume: Interpretation of the Old Testament. (Conclusion.) Interpretations on the prophets Obadiah to Malachi.	*	*	*	Vorreden, historische und philologische Schriften. (Das „Passional" mit Illustrationen.) Als Supplement des sechsten Bandes: Auslegung des Alten Testaments. (Schluß.) Auslegungen über die Propheten Obadja bis Maleachi.
15	Reformation Writings. First part. Documents pertaining to the history of the Reformation. Against the Papists. From the years 1517 to 1524.	*	*	*	Reformations-Schriften. Erste Abtheilung. Zur Reformationshistorie gehörige Documente. Wider die Papisten. Aus den Jahren 1517 bis 1524.
16	Reformation Writings. First part. Documents pertaining to the history of the Reformation. Against the Papists. (Continuation.) From the years 1525 to 1537.	*	*	*	Reformations-Schriften. Erste Abtheilung. Zur Reformationshistorie gehörige Documente. Wider die Papisten. (Fortsetzung.) Aus den Jahren 1525 bis 1537.
17	Reformation Writings. First part. Documents pertaining to the history of the Reformation. Against the Papists. (Conclusion.) From the years 1538 to 1546. A. Against the Reformed.	*	*	*	Reformations-Schriften. Erste Abtheilung. Zur Reformationshistorie gehörige Documente. Wider die Papisten. (Schluß.) Aus den Jahren 1538 bis 1546. A. Wider die Reformirten.
18	Reformation Writings. Second part. Dogmatic-polemical writings against the papists.	*	*	*	Reformations Schriften. Zweite Abtheilung. Dogmatisch-polemische Schriften. wider die Papisten.
19	Reformation Writings. Second part. Dogmatic-polemical writings against the papists.	*	*	*	Reformations Schriften. Zweite Abtheilung. Dogmatisch - polemische Schriften. wider die Papisten.
20	Reformation Writings. Second part. Dogmatic-polemical writings. B. Against the Sacramentarians and other fanatics, as well as against the Jews and Turks.	*	*	*	Reformations Schriften. Zweite Abtheilung. Dogmatisch-polemische Schriften. B. wider die Sacramentirer und andere Schwärmer, sowie auch wider die Juden und Türken.
21a	Dr. Martin Luther's Letters together with the most important letters addressed to him and some other strikingly interesting documents. Letters from the year 1507 to 1532 incl.	*	*	*	Dr. Martin Luthers Briefe nebst den wichtigsten Briefen, die an ihn gerichtet sind, und einigen anderen einschlagenden interessanten Schriftstücken. Briefe vom Jahre 1507 bis 1532 incl.
21b	Dr. Martin Luther's Letters together with the most important letters addressed to him and some other strikingly interesting documents. Letters from the year 1533 to 1546. Supplement. Supplement to the letters from April 1531 to July 1536.	*	*	*	Dr. Martin Luthers Briefe nebst den wichtigsten Briefen, die an ihn gerichtet sind, und einigen anderen einschlagenden interessanten Schriftstücken. Briefe vom Jahre 1533 bis 1546. Nachlese. Nachtrag zu den Briefen vom April 1531 bis zum Juli 1536.
22	Colloquia or Table Talks. For the first time corrected and renewed by translating the two main sources of the Table Talks from the Latin originals, namely the diary of Dr. Conrad Cordatus about Dr. M. Luther in 1537 and the diary of M. Anton Lauterbach from the year 1538.	*	*	*	Colloquia oder Tischreden. Zum ersten Male berichtigt und erneuert durch Uebersetzung der beiden Hauptquellen der Tischreden aus den lateinischen Originalen, nämlich des Tagebuchs des Dr. Conrad Cordatus über Dr. M. Luther 1537 und des Tagebuchs des M. Anton Lauterbach aus das Jahr 1538.
23	Main subject indexes, the indexes of sayings, corrections and addenda to all volumes of the St. Louis edition of Luther's works.	*	*	*	Haupt-Sachregister, Spruchregister, Berichtigungen und Nachträge zu sämmtlichen Bänden der St. Louiser Ausgabe von Luthers Werken.

If any of the above downloads are updated, they will be noted here on this blog post. — 

      Download links to the German digital text (DE DOCX) are being withheld for certain reasons, but I plan to provide these at some point in the future. Then anyone in the world will be able to translate Luther into their own language using either DeepL Translator or another service. (Anyone in the world who now would like these translated into another available DeepL language pair may contact me. I will consider paying the approximate $70US cost, and doing the work, of getting this accomplished for them.  Spanish? French? Portuguese? Latvian? Chinese? Japanese? Finnish? , etc.? Contact me by email on the right.

      To show the benefits for English readers, a comparison of a page from volume 18 is shown below:

  Original page (Fraktur font)                               ———                    DeepL Translated page (Latin font)

      In upcoming parts, we answer questions of Why: why Luther?… why the St. Louis Edition?… why Walch?, etc. Also the question of "Where do I begin to read Luther?"  Also some of Luther's writings will be highlighted.

      The so-called St. Louis Edition, or "Walch-2", is actually the "Walther-Walch Edition" for C. F. W. Walther, who pushed for the revision of the Walch edition (per Stoeckhardt), promoted this so much that other teachers with him gained the same fervor in seeing Luther in this new dress, by German-American Lutherans. It is the first, the Original "American" edition of Luther's complete works. To repeat Walther's words: "may many be encouraged by this opportunity to acquire a priceless treasure for so little."

[NOTE: Google no longer sends me automated notices of comments and I have not taken the time to look at these. If you want your comment posted, send me an email to the email address on the right. If you want to remain anonymous with me, use a temporary email address. But I never reveal private correspondence unless requested to.]

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  Table of Contents  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Intro 1: Stoeckhardt's announcement of this project in Der Lutheraner (blog of February 2021)

Intro 2: Walther's announcement of first volume in Der Lutheraner (blog of April 2021)

Letters: Volumes 21a and 21b released (blog of December, 2021)

Part 1: this post with downloads for all volumes, except 11, 12, 13a, 13b

Part 2: Sermon volumes now available in English, volumes 11, 12, 13a, 13b

Part 3a: Walther's book review, Vol. 10 – Luther's Catechetical writings; Heinrich Bayer, asst. editor

   Part 3b: Latin translation, musical notation; superiority of St. Louis Edition?

   Part 3c: Index included; only $5.00!; early vs later Luther

   Part 3d: Take the time to read Luther; low cost

   Part 3e: Parish library; great fire in America; Luther's writings, not his person; "Nor should they be"?

Part 4a: Walther's review of Vol. 2 – Luther's Genesis: better than church fathers; no fault with Scripture

   Part 4b: Luther’s own judgment of Genesis; the “later Luther”

   Part 4c: Low price; indexing; the next future volume to appear (vol. 11 — Sermons)

   Part 4d: “old famous theologians” speak: "surpasses all other writings"

Part 5a: Franz Pieper on Luther's writings (Der Lutheraner 1907)

   Part 5b: Luther’s writings unique, for all places, all time; Walther “only imitated Luther”

   Part 5c: Human wisdom… [uses] smooth, pleasing language; no human teacher… like Luther

   Part 5d: Younger pastors want complete writings; England translated, circulated Luther’s Galatians

Part 6a: Walther reviews Vol. 11, first volume of sermons (Church Postils, part 1, Der Lutheraner 1882)

   Part 6b: Bucer's deception; Luther judges Church Postils his best for “poor, misguided Christianity”

   Part 6c: Conversion not by own moral improvement, but by grace; best, most reliable edition

Part 7a: A. L. Graebner reviews Vol. 9 containing Luther's famous Galatians commentary

   Part 7b: Luther's Galatians exceeds fathers; Justification of poor sinner; Bookmarks

Part 8a: Ludwig Fuerbringer on Vol. 15, Reformation History documents (Der Lutheraner 1899)

   Part 8b: History—rich content; so many gruesome papist writings

   Part 8c: Papist writings now accessible; priorities for lay vs. advanced readers

Part 9a: Guenther, vol. 18; Luther's Polemics – first rank (Der Lutheraner 1888)

   Part 9b: Luther's harsh language; scholarly Latin translation, editing

   Part 9c: Pieper, v. 19: Of Justification, Councils, etc.; Hoppe's excellent work (Lehre und Wehre 1890) 

Part 10a: Guenther (& Walther) on Vol. 20, against Sacramentarians, Jews, Turks (Lutheraner 1890)

   Part 10b: Polemics strengthen the weak; Lord's chosen armor 

   Part 10c: Pieper's review- "against the 'false spirit' of the enthusiasts" (Lehre und Wehre 1890)

Part 11a: Table Talks, Vol. 22 reviewed; superiority of St. Louis Edition

   Part11b: 2 sides of Talks; sifting done, "Our edition is the best"

Part 12a: Stoeckhardt’s overview of St. Louis Edition; reviews v. 23 Index (Der Lutheraner 1910)

   Part 12b: First 2 volumes easy, then need full time editor — Prof. A. F. Hoppe in 1884

   Part 12c: Latin translation, scholarship, not a so-called “critical edition”

   Part 12d: More benefits for pastors, lay people: Why Luther?

   Part 12e: Melanchthon summarizes Luther’s teaching

   Part 12f: Index vol. 23: collection of Luther's powerful sayings, “a floral selection", "a kind of encyclopedia."

Part 13?: ?? Editor Hoppe on very real benefits of St. Louis Edition (LuW v. 40, p. 302-311)

Part 14: Weimar Edition on… the value of the St. Louis Edition [added 2023-12-08]

[Lehre und Wehre - English  —  Der Lutheraner - English]