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I am trying to understand whether the ruby text in ancient scripture is
essential to the meaning of a verse, or if the scripture can be understood
without it. For instance, can this verse:

![with ruby text](https://i.stack.imgur.com/99V7x.png)

be understood equally well without the ruby text, like this:

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/co2CC.png)
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2012-09-29T19:27:17.477
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2012-10-02T02:07:08.553
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usage words history
Is ruby text essential?
It's probably only essential for an unusual reading of kanji. Even then, if
you know what the kanji means, it's only essential for the pronunciation and
not the meaning.
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2012-09-30T01:54:52.967
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2012-09-30T01:54:52.967
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The ruby text doesn't change the meaning of the words in this case, but it's
still useful as a reading aid. That is, the reader may expect unusual readings
because of the unusual context (ancient scripture). The ruby text is an
assurance that you can read in the usual way.
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2012-10-02T02:07:08.553
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2012-10-02T02:07:08.553
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