This collection of apocryphal texts supersedes the best-selling edition by M.R. James, which was originally published in 1924. Several new texts have come to light since 1924 and the textual base for some of the apocrypha previously translated by James is now more secure, as in several cases there are now recently published critical editions available. Although a modest addition to James's edition was made in 1953, no thorough revision has previously been undertaken. In this volume, J.K. Elliott presents new translations of the texts and has provided each of them with a short introduction and bibliography for readers who wish to pursue further the issues raised in the texts or to consult the critical editions, other translations, or general studies. The translations are in modern English, in contrast to James's deliberate imitation of the language of the Authorized Version. The collection is designed to give readers the most important or famous of the Christian apocrypha and a small sample of gnostic texts. Full translations of the earliest texts are printed, as well as some derivative apocrypha.

"An essential work for students of the New Testament and related literature."

"[The book] has been beautifully produced with very useful bibliography accompanying the selections, and it will be an important reference work for every college and seminary library. The editor has created a worthy successor to James and has placed all students in his debt."

"[A] fascinating source of information....Dr. Elliot...has done the groundwork and readers are able to benefit from the results of his research without the task of wading through the secondary literature for themselves....An easy to consult, conveniently-sized volume."

"Elliott provides excellent bibliographies....Elliott has done a superb job of organizing a varied corpus of materials and improves on the scheme he inherits from James....Elliott has performed an invaluable service to all scholars of the apocryphal literature, especially English speakers who heretofore have limped along with James's superannuated collection....Elliott's masterful edition of James not only makes James obsolete, but perhaps at the same time shows that the project of a truly representative single-volume compendium of New Testament apocrypha has become obsolete as well."

"Valuable and fascinating."

Edited by J. K. Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds