An excerpt from Athanasius’s Festal Letter

“Since some few of the simple should be

beguiled from their simplicity and purity, by the

subtleties of certain men, and should hence-

forth read other books — those called

Apocryphal — led astray by the similarity of

their names with the true books; I beseech you

to bear patiently, if I also write, by way of

remembrance, of matters with which you are

acquainted, influenced by the need and advan-

tage of the Church.

In proceeding to make mention of these things . . .

it seemed good to me also, having been urged

thereto by true brethren, and having learned from

the beginning, to set before you the books included

in the Canon, and handed down, and accredited

as Divine; to the end that any one who has fallen

into error may condemn those who have led him

astray; and that he who has continued steadfast in

purity may again rejoice, having these things

brought to his remembrance.

There are, then, of the Old Testament, twenty-

two books in number; for, as I have heard, it is

handed down that this is the number of the let-

ters among the Hebrews; their respective order

and names being as follows. The first is

Genesis, then Exodus, next Leviticus, after that

Numbers, and then Deuteronomy. Following

these there is Joshua, the son of Nun, then

Judges, then Ruth. And again, after these four

books of Kings, the first and second being reck-

oned as one book, and so likewise the third and

fourth as one book. And again, the first and

second of the Chronicles are reckoned as one

book. Again Ezra, the first and second [Ezra and

Nehemiah] are similarly one book. After these

there is the book of Psalms, then the Proverbs,

next Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Job

follows, then the Prophets, the twelve being

reckoned as one book. Then Isaiah, one book,

then Jeremiah with Baruch, Lamentations,

Baruch, the epistle, one book; afterwards,

Ezekiel and Daniel, each one book. Thus far

constitutes the Old Testament.

Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of

the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels,

according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and

Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. [namely] of

James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after

these, one of Jude. In addition, there are four-

teen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The

first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians;

after these, to the Galatians; next, to the

Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the

Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians,

and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to

Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon.

And besides, the Revelation of John.

These are fountains of salvation, that they who

thirst may be satisfied with the living words they

contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine

of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let

him take ought from these. For concerning these

the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said,

‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And

He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the

Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.’

But for greater exactness I add this also, writing

of necessity; that there are other books besides

these not indeed included in the Canon, but

appointed by the Fathers to be read by those who

newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the

word of godliness. The Wisdom of Solomon, and

the Wisdom of Sirach, and Esther, and Judith,

and Tobit, and that which is called the Teaching

of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. But the

former, my brethren, are included in the Canon,

the latter being [merely] read; nor is there in any

place a mention of apocryphal writings. But they

are an invention of heretics, who write them

when they choose, bestowing upon them their

approbation, and assigning to them a date, that

so, using them as ancient writings, they may find

occasion to lead astray the simple.”

—Excerpt taken from the 39th Festal Letter