diff --git a/gui/scripts/read.JS b/gui/scripts/read.JS
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4923473
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gui/scripts/read.JS
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/* read_universal
+  Read a file stored in the universal strings. */
+
+let messages = {};
+let message = "";
+
+function load() {
+      fetch("./strings/universal.json")
+        .then((response) => response.json())
+        .then((jsonData) => {
+          messages.universal = jsonData;
+        })
+        .catch((error) => {
+            console.error(error);
+        });
+}
+
+load();
+
+
+export default class texts {
+  static universal (message_name) {
+    /* Read a universal message name. */
+
+    let message_name_valid = messages.universal.hasOwnProperty(message_name);
+
+    if (message_name_valid) {
+      message = messages.universal[message_name].join("\n");
+    } else {message = "";}
+
+    return (message);
+  }
+
+  static localized (message_name, params = []) {
+    if (params) {
+      message = chrome.i18n.getMessage(message_name, params);
+    } else {
+      message = chrome.i18n.getMessage(message_name);
+    }
+
+    return(message);
+  }
+}