Analytical-Literal Translation of the Apostolic Fathers

This final volume of the Analytical-Literal Translation contains the writings of the Apostolic Fathers (APF). These are the Church leaders of the late first to early second centuries (c. 80-150 AD). Some of these books were seriously considered for inclusion in the canon of the New Testament. They were ultimately rejected for the canon, but all of these books were popular in the early centuries of the Church. They provide insight into the mindset of the early Church immediately after the apostles and give background to the New Testament.

PDF (Acrobat Reader) eBook: 212 pages (6"x9"). 2,058 KB. $3.50. Order and download from Lulu Publishing.

ePub (for iPad, Nook, etc.) eBook: $3.75..Order and download from Lulu Publishing.

The “Regular” paperback and hardback versions of the ALT: APF listed above are printed on 8-1/2”x11” pages in double columns using Times New Roman 10-point font. However, there is also available a Personal Size Version. It is printed on 6” x 9” pages in single columns using the same font size, Times 10. Many requested this smaller page size, so I am making it available. However, due to the smaller page size, the number of pages and thus the cost of the book is greater.

Paperback: 220 pages. $9.99. Order from the publisher via their website: Amazon.

Paperback: 220 pages. $9.75. Order from the publisher via their website: Lulu Publishing.

Hardback: 220 pages. $17.75. Order from the publisher via their website: Lulu Publishing.

Notes: Different formats and publishers might have different covers, but the content is the same in all of them. The newest version of the ALT: APF published in 2023 is a corrected text not a full new edition. Only minor corrections have been made, plus the appendixes and covers have been updated. Look for “2023” in the copyright notices on pages 2 and 4 for the latest version.

The Kindle versions of the ALT listed on both Amazon pages are identical. It has just been duplicated on each page.

Also, I've been asked about reducing the number of volumes of the ALT by combining some of the volumes. That would not be possible due to page limitations with my current method of publishing my books and technical difficulties of working with what would be very large files.

The links to Amazon are advertising links, for which I receive a commission in addition to my royalty if a product is purchased after following the link.

The Analytical-Literal Translation of the Holy Bible (ALT) is translated by Gary F. Zeolla (www.Zeolla.org). The ALT consists of seven volumes. They are.

Volume I – The Old Testament: The Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy)
Volume II – The Old Testament: The Historical Books (Joshua to Esther)
Volume III – The Old Testament: The Poetic Books (Job to Song of Solomon)
Volume IV – The Old Testament: The Prophetic Books (Isaiah to Malachi)
Volume V – The Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical Books
Volume VI – The New Testament
Volume VII – The Apostolic Fathers

Volumes I to IV contain the Old Testament (OT). All 39 of these books are considered canonical by Jews and all Christian groups. The word “canon” means list of authoritative books, so canonical books are those which are included in this list. They are believed to be inspired by God and reliable for basing doctrine and practice upon. As such, all 39 of these OT books are a trustworthy guide to correct faith and practice and to spiritual enrichment.

Volume V is the Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical (A/D) Books. These are the “extra” books found in the OTs of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles as compared to Jewish Bibles and the OTs of Protestant Bibles. There is much debate over if these books are canonical or not. They were all written in the period between the end of the OT and the beginning of the New Testament (NT). They are thus included in the ALT as, inspired or not, they are worth reading and provide background to the NT.

Volume VI contains the NT. All 27 of these books are considered canonical by all Christian groups. They are thus the bedrock on which Christian doctrine and practice are built upon and provide much spiritual benefit.

This Volume VII of the ALT contains the Apostolic Fathers (APF). These are the writings of Church leaders of the late first to mid-second centuries, most of whom were direct disciples of the apostles. Some of these books were seriously considered for inclusion in the canon of the NT. These are marked with an asterisk on the Table of Contents. They were ultimately rejected for the canon, but all of these APF books were popular in the early centuries of the Church. They give insight into the mindset of the early Church shortly after the apostles and provide background to the NT. As such, they are very much worth reading.

But most Christians today are unaware of these APF books, and there are only a few English translations of the Greek language they were originally written in. To remedy these deficits, this Analytical-Literal Translation of the Apostolic Fathers is being presented to the English-speaking Christian public in hopes it will enrich understanding of the NT and of the time immediately after the apostles.

The purpose of the ALT is to provide a translation of these APF books that will enable the English reader to come as close to the Greek texts as possible without having to be proficient in Greek. And the name of the ALT reflects this purpose.

“Literal” refers to the fact that the ALT is a word for word translation. All words in the original text are translated—nothing is omitted. The original grammar of the text is retained as much as possible. Any words added for clarity are bracketed, so nothing is added without it being indicated as such.

“Analytical” refers to the detailed “analysis” done on the grammar of the text. The grammar is then translated in a way which brings out “nuances” of the original text that are often missed in traditional translations.

In addition, “analytical” refers to the aids that are included within the text which enable the reader to “analyze” and understand the text. Such information is bracketed. It includes the following:

1. Alternative translations for words and phrases.

2. Possible figurative meanings or paraphrases of words and phrases.

3. Modern-day equivalents for measurement and monetary units and time designations.

4. Explanatory notes.

5. References for when an OT or NT verse is quoted in the APF, along with other cross-references.

As such, the ALT is the ideal version for studying these important books. No other translation of them provides the accuracy and attention to detail the ALT provides.

For background and in-depth discussions of the canonicity of all of the OT books, the A/D books, the NT books, and these APF books, see the translator’s three volume set, Why Are These Books in the Bible and Not Others? (see Appendix Two).

Notes: Page numbers are for the hardcopy regular versions. Asterisks indicate books that were most seriously considered for inclusion in the canon of the New Testament.