The Canonical Verses of St Gregory the Theologian

Direct English translation

So that your mind may not be stolen by foreign books—for many corrupt works have been falsely inscribed—receive from me, dear friend, this approved number. The historical books of the ancient Hebrew wisdom are twelve in all: first Genesis; then Exodus and Leviticus; then Numbers and Deuteronomy; then Joshua and Judges; Ruth is eighth; the ninth and tenth books are the acts of the Kingdoms; then Chronicles; and last you have Ezra. The poetic books are five: first Job, then David, followed by the three of Solomon—Ecclesiastes, the Song, and Proverbs. Five likewise belong to the prophetic Spirit. The Twelve form one writing: Hosea, Amos, and Micah third; then Joel, Jonah, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These are one; the second is Isaiah; then the one called Jeremiah from infancy; then Ezekiel and the grace of Daniel. I have set down twenty-two books of the ancient Scripture, corresponding to the letters of the Hebrews. Now count also those of the new Mystery: Matthew wrote Christ's wonders for the Hebrews, Mark for Italy, Luke for Achaia, and John, the great preacher who walked in heaven, for all. Then come the Acts of the wise Apostles; fourteen epistles of Paul; and seven catholic epistles—one of James, two of Peter, three of John, and Jude as the seventh. You have them all. If anything is outside these, it is not among the genuine books.