Michael W. Holmes, a leading text critic and scholar of the Apostolic Fathers, offers a highly readable translation of the most significant body of proto-orthodox early Christian writings after the New Testament. This authoritative and contemporary translation is in the tradition of the magisterial J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer version but is thoroughly up to date.

The third edition features numerous changes, including carefully revised translations and a new, more user-friendly design. The introduction, notes, and bibliographies have been freshly revised as well.