This definitive introduction to the gnostic scriptures provides a crucial look at the theology, religious atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism. It provides authoritative translations of ancient texts from Greek, Latin, and Coptic, with introductions, bibliographies, and annotations. The texts are organized to reflect the history of gnosticism in the second through fourth century CE. This second edition provides updates throughout and adds three new ancient texts, including the recently discovered Gospel of Judas.

The works in this collection are heretical—a heretical counterpart of the holy Scriptures of Christianity and Judaism (which Gnostics also read). But despite their highly unorthodox character, these works shed great light on the theology, atmosphere, and literary traditions of ancient Christianity and Hellenistic Judaism. The Gnostic movement did not simply share in the culture to which early Christianity belonged. Gnostics in fact made up one of the earliest and most long-lived branches of the ancient Christian religion; it was only after centuries of struggle that they could be eradicated by the established church.

Our largest package, the 2025 Ultimate Library, provides an incredible library for biblical research and theological reflection. Whether focused on Church history or biblical exegesis, the vast collection of resources and titles at your fingertips cover the gamut—from most devotionals to practical discussions of pastoral ministry to the most rigorous scholarly and academic research. This package has everything you need to engage in the serious study of Scripture and its world, with respected resources like the Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies | LHBOTS (382 vols.) and top-tier exegetical commentaries like the New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament | NIC (51 vols.).

The Anchor Yale Bible Series, previously the Anchor Bible Series, is a renowned publishing program that for more than 50 years has produced books devoted to the latest scholarship on the Bible and biblical topics. Yale University Press, having acquired this prestigious series in 2007, is now proud to offer all previously published Anchor Bible titles as well as new books—more than 115 titles in all. Many more volumes are in progress as the AYB Editorial Board, under the direction of General Editor John J. Collins, vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.

The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library is designed to be a third major component of the Anchor Yale Bible group, which also includes the Anchor Yale Bible commentary series and the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary. The approach is scholarly, the perspective is balanced and fair-minded, the methods are scientific, and the goal is to inform and enlighten. Contributors are chosen based on their scholarly skills and achievements, and they come from a variety of religious backgrounds and communities. It aims to present the best contemporary scholarship in a way that is accessible not only to scholars but also to the educated non-specialist. It is committed to the work of sound philological and historical scholarship, supplemented by insight from modern methods, such as sociological and literary criticism. Contributors include Joseph Blenkinsopp, Raymond E. Brown, James H. Charlesworth, John P. Meier, Susan Ackerman, Luke Timothy Johnson, and more.

Yale University Press Ultimate Collection contains a trove of scholarly resources touching on biblical studies, theology, archaeology, and history. Included in this collection are well-regarded series such as Anchor Yale Bible (Commentaries, Dictionary, and the Reference Library), the Works of Jonathan Edwards, and other helpful monographs. With contributions from across the theological spectrum, this collection provides you with multiple standpoints from which to engage your topic of study. Whether you are a scholar, pastor, layperson, or a serious student, the resources in this collection will enrich your study.