bonhoeffer's letters to maria were not intended to be published. she made a copy for relatives for christmas 1944. a derived typed copy appeared first in geneva in 1945 in the ecumenical "gedenkschrift" (memorial writing) "dietrich bonhoeffer: das zeugnis eines boten". this version was believed to be authentic when included it in his collection of bonhoeffer's letters, "widerstand und ergebung" ('resistance and resignation'), in 1951. it differs from the original in four instances and served as the basis for hymn versions. when the original letter was published in 1988, it was printed then in the critical edition, "dietrich bonhoeffer werke," vol. 8 (1998). the protestant hymnal "evangelisches gesangbuch" of 1993 used the original text, followed by other hymnals and song books.