NRSV Apocrypha Text Edition, NR520:A

There seems to be some confusion regarding the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha are the collection of books (usually between 7-15 depending how you count them and which canon you use), that the early Church used without controversy. They do not include Gnostic texts such as the Gospel of Mary. When St. Jerome came on the scene he began to question these books because they were missing from Jewish Bibles. But if you look back in history Justin Martyr says that the Jews removed them deliberately because they spoke so clearly of Jesus. Wisdom of Solomon ch.2 12-20 for example is one of the clearest Messianic prophecies in the whole of the OT. It was not until Luther that these books were removed (and then only from Protestant Bibles, and then only moved to the center between the Testaments until around 1890 when they were removed completely. And that only for economic reasons by the Bible societies).Jesus and the Apostles quoted or at least alluded to these books numerous times. And the argument that the NT writers never mentions them wouldn't stand anyway since if that was the criteria of an inspired OT book, Esther would have to be excluded too. Also these books are included in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the OT which was translated about 300 or so years before Christ). And the Septuagint is the Bible most NT writers quote from, not the Masoretic which the KJV is based on. Hebrews 10:5 is THE example for this. Check the OT reference in your modern Protestant Bible for Psalm 40:6. Hebrews 10:5 does not say "A body thou hast prepared for me", it says "Mine ears thou hast opened". This verse is a direct quote from the Septuagint, and Bible translators leave it in because it is so central to the claims Christianty. Yet in spite of this the Septuagint is regarded as almost inconsequential, second rate and not worthy of much attention by specialist and layman alike. Why? You must also realize that the Septuagint and the Apocrypha are intimately tied up together, which is why it is hard to speak of one without the other coming in at some point.I used to be fearful of the dreaded Apocrypha. That was until I realised that the Early Christians almost unanimously accepted it as part of their OT. It's true, in spite of what modern day scholars and apologists would have you believe. Just read the writings of Polycarp and Justin Martyr extremely early examples among many. They speak of the Apocrypha as Scripture, and Justin goes so far, as I've said before, as to accuse the Jews of taking these books out of their Bible because they speak of Christ (Wisdom 2:12-20).Even if you never come to regard these books as inspired your spiritual life will be enriched by them. They've surely got to be better than the latest best seller by John Eldridge or Rick Warren? I mean Evangelicals avoid these books like the plague. Like they'll be damned to an eternal hell just by looking at one. Yet throughout most of Church history these books were regarded as Scripture - and at the very least were honoured as the highest among non-inspired texts. What has changed our modern views? I believe anyone reading these books with an open mind will be deeply blessed. The men who wrote these books were Godly Jews, who loved God. It is evident that this is the case almost as soon as you begin reading. You will meet a few surprises along the way, but consider that as part of the journey.BTW there are many things the Early Christians believed that we modern Christians do not. It would surprise you to know what they are. Here's a link to a book that opened my eyes:Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up: A New Look at Today's Evangelical Church in the Light of Early ChristianityAnd Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs

This is an excellent publication by Cambridge University Press and a very interesting read for somebody like myself who has never seen one before as my school by-passed it ! It's an American version which doesn't matter. I have come across very little American spelling and it was the only one I could find as a stand alone version as I didn't want to buy another bible to be able to read it. It's a nicely bound book and has a very helpful preface.

Wellll...with my abilities at the beginning of time,I had a big hand in this book. Made it mostly with a song <Spent.mp3>. To this day,I still wear Sandals 98% of the time. I wear Sandals when I'm happy,and this book makes me happy. I keep,money,items,gear,cigars and more in this book,I carry on my person,in my combats pocket. The book is like a desert breeze on your feet asleep at night.Great read.

It is in modern language which makes it very easy to read and understand. The quality is excellent .Perfect for my requirements.

I received the brand new book before estimated date of delivery in very good condition. It is just as I saw it in the images. Font is readily readable.

Good quality book, well bound, with clear readable text

It helps to fill in the missing links between books. Ideal if you are questioning the why's, how's and when's of the old testament.

After reading this well presented biblical Apocrypha I tend to agree with the Protestants that these books do not feel divinely inspired and I can see why they were excluded from the Bible. There are a mixture of writings in the Apocrypha. There are a number of "wisdom" books, some tales of the deeds of various Jewish heroes and some very long and excruciatingly tedious books about Jewish rebellions and battles just before Jesus appeared. I found the books of Wisdom and Sirach to be rambling,repetitive and rather dull, while I skimmed through the four Maccabees books and the two Esdras on account of their being virtually unreadable. However I did enjoy the books about the blind Tobit, Judith the honey trapper ,Esther who was a true heroine and the falsely accused Susanna. The highlight of the whole book was the brief but quite remarkable Bel and the Dragon which surely stretches the bounds of credulity a bit too far. There is plenty of slaughter portrayed which just goes to show that the Middle East was always a war ravaged , dangerous part of the world in which to live. The Apocrypha was mildly interesting in some parts and deadly dull in others. I didn't feel that it was inspired compared to the Bible ,which I have read from cover to cover, but I'm glad that I finally did read it.