[djf]

I agree it is marginal and appears to have not been known till recently.

And it does not seem to be ANOTHER synoptic gospel, being almost entirely sayings of Jesus, almost all pararaphs and verses starting "Jesus said..."

But by the same token one could say the Dead Sea scrolls were fraudulent because early historians didn't mention them.

I just try to keep an open mind on the subject, my personal favorite being Murdocks translation of the Syriac Peshito, 1851.

(In 1982 I found and original hardcover in a barn back east. Had it rebound last year).

[Mark in the Old South]

The Dead Sea Scrolls are not a work in of themselves. That is the name given to a set collection of books like a private library. Many of the scrolls are works already known such as Isaias. Others are books specifically for the religious order who transcribed them similar to St Benedict's rules. I think there is even some grocery lists in the collection. Think of your grandfathers private office/library. Some are works they collected and some specific to them. Correct me if I am wrong but that is my understanding of them.