The Scriptures authorized for the Mshikhanim differ from that of other religious groups substantially. We accept all the books of the Old and New Testaments including a number of other texts that we consider sacred. The authoritative texts of the Mshikhanim include the Bible (Scriptures), venerable tradition and divine revelation handed down to the prophets, scribes and senior elders.
Peshitta Old Testament
The books of the Peshitta Old Testmanet (Tanakh) include the following:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Job
- Joshua
- Judges
- 1 Samuel / 2 Samuel
- Psalms
- 1 Kings / 2 Kings
- Proverbs
- Wisdom
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Epistle of Jeremiah
- Epistle of Baruch
- Baruch
- Ezekiel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
- Daniel (with “Prayer of Azariah” and “Song of Three”)
- Bel
- The Dragon
- Ruth
- Susanna
- Esther
- Judith
- Tobit
- Ben Sirach
- 1 Chronicles / 2 Chronicles
- Apocalypse of Baruch
- 4 Ezra
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- 3 Maccabees
- 4 Maccabees
- Josephus, Wars of the Jews
Peshitta New Testament
The Peshitta New Testament (as used by Mshikhanim) include the following:
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- James
- Acts of the Apostles (including Didache)
- Hebrews
- 1 Peter
- 1 John
Other texts considered sacred by Mshikhanim include the following:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- 2 Peter
- 2/3 John
- Jude
- Revelation (portions)
English Translations of the Scriptures
There are a number of Bible translations that are enjoyed by Mshikhanim in their personal study and reflection on the Father’s Word. Some of these include:
- Tree of Life Version
- Complete Jewish Bible
- World English Bible
- American Standard Version
- New Revised Standard Version
- New American Standard Bible
- English Standard Bible
- Aramaic English Standard Version