The Canonical Verses of St Amphilochius of Iconium

Direct English translation

Above all, you ought to learn this further point: not every book that bears the venerable name of Scripture is safe. At times there are falsely titled books. Some occupy a middle place and are, so to speak, neighbours of the words of truth; others are spurious and exceedingly dangerous, like counterfeit coins which bear the emperor's inscription but are false and debased in their material. Therefore I shall tell you each of the divinely inspired books, so that you may learn them clearly. First I shall name those of the Old Testament. The Pentateuch contains Creation, then Exodus, with Leviticus as the middle book; after it Numbers, then Deuteronomy. Add to these Joshua and Judges; then Ruth and the four books of Kingdoms; two books of Chronicles; and after them First and Second Ezra. Next I shall name five books in verse: Job, crowned through the contests of many sufferings; the book of Psalms, a melodious remedy for souls; and three of Solomon the Wise—Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Add to these the Twelve Prophets: first Hosea, then Amos second, Micah, Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah, the type of the three-day Passion; after them Nahum, then Habakkuk ninth, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, the angel of two names. After them learn the four Prophets: the great and bold-speaking Isaiah, the compassionate Jeremiah, the mystical Ezekiel, and last Daniel, equally wise in deeds and words. Some include Esther with these. Now hear me name the books of the New Testament. Receive only four Evangelists: Matthew, then Mark; add Luke as third; and count John as fourth in time but first in the height of his doctrines, for rightly I call him a son of thunder, who sounded forth most greatly with the Word of God. Receive also Luke's second book, the catholic Acts of the Apostles. Next add the chosen vessel, the preacher to the nations, the Apostle Paul, who wisely wrote twice seven epistles to the churches: one to the Romans, with which must be joined two to the Corinthians; one to the Galatians and one to the Ephesians; after this one to the Philippians, then that written to the Colossians; two to the Thessalonians; two to Timothy; one each to Titus and Philemon; and one to the Hebrews. Some say that Hebrews is spurious, but they do not speak well, for its grace is genuine. What remains? Concerning the catholic epistles, some say there are seven, while others say that only three ought to be received: one of James, one of Peter, and one of John. Others receive these three together with the three of John and the two of Peter, with Jude as the seventh. As for the Revelation of John, some approve it, but most call it spurious. This would be the most truthful canon of the divinely inspired Scriptures.