From the Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter of Athanasius

This passage is taken from the thirty-ninth of Athanasius’s festal letters. [a] The older summary of it, by John Johnson, is so unsatisfactory that the English editor set it aside and made one of his own in its place, which follows. [b]

Since the heretics are quoting apocryphal writings, an evil that was rife even as early as when Saint Luke wrote his Gospel, I have thought it good to set out clearly which books have been handed down to us by tradition as belonging to the canon, and which we believe to be divine. There are, in all, twenty-two books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. After these come Joshua, and Judges, and Ruth. Then the four books of the Kings, counted as two. Then Chronicles, the two counted as one. Then First and Second Esdras, that is, Ezra and Nehemiah. After these, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. Next come Job, and the Twelve Prophets, counted as one book. Then Isaiah; Jeremiah, together with the Letter of Baruch; Lamentations; Ezekiel; and Daniel. [c]

Of the New Testament, these are the books. Here the complete list follows, ending with “the Revelation of John.” These are the springs of salvation, so that whoever is thirsty may be satisfied by the words they contain. In these alone is the teaching of godliness set forth. Let no one add to them, or take anything away from them. [d]

For greater accuracy I add this too: there are certain other books, not included in the canon, but appointed by the fathers to be read by those who have just come to us and wish to be instructed in the teaching of godliness. They are the Wisdom of Solomon, the Wisdom of Sirach, Esther, Judith, Tobit, the Teaching of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. And let none of the apocryphal books of the heretics be read among you. [e]