Pistis Sophia 2

The Second Document The second tome of the Pistis Sophia

[115a] Came also forward Iohannes, said he, O Lord, command to me also for to say the explanation of the words which thy power of light prophesied once by David. But answered Jesus, said he to Iohannes, Thou also Iohannes I command to thee for to say the explanation of the words, these which my power of light prophesied by David, The mercy with the truth met one another, and the righteousness with the peace kissed one another. The truth burst forth in the earth and the righteousness looked out of the heaven. But answered Iohannes, said [115b] he, This is the word which thou saidst unto us once, I came out of the Height, I went in unto Sabaoth the good. I embraced the power of light which (is) in him. Now therefore the mercy with the truth which met one another: thou art the mercy, which dispatched thee out of the Places of the Height by thy Father, the First Mystery which looketh inward, having dispatched thee for to have mercy on all the World. The truth also is the power of the Sabaoth the good, this which planted itself in thee, this which thou castedst in the Left, thou, the First Mystery which looked outward. And received it the little Sabaoth the good, he cast it in unto the matter of the Barbelo. [116a] And he preached of the Place of the truth (of the alethia) in all the Places of those on the Left. That matter therefore of the Barbelo, that (is) which becometh to thee for body to-day. And the righteousness with the peace which kissed one another: the righteousness is thou, who broughtest all the mysteries out of thy Father the First Mystery which looked in, and thou baptisedst the power of the Sabaoth the good, and thou camest unto the Place of the Rulers; thou gavest to them the mysteries of the Height: and they became righteous and they became good. The peace also is the power of the Sabaoth, this which itself is thy soul, this which went in unto the matter [116b] of the Barbelo. And all the Rulers of the six Aeons of the Sabaoth (Iabraoth) made them at peace with the mystery of the light. And the truth which burst forth in the earth: that is the power of the Sabaoth the good. This which came out of the Place of the Right, this which is outside of the Treasury of the Light. And it went unto the Place of those on the Left, it went in unto the matter of the Barbelo, and it preached to them the mysteries of the Place of the truth. The righteousness also which looked out of the heaven: thou art the First Mystery, which looked outward, having come out of the Spaces of the Height with the Mysteries of the kingdom of the light, and [117a] thou camest down upon the vesture of the light, this which thou tookest from the Barbelo, which is Jesus our Saviour, thou having come down upon him as a dove.

It happened therefore when Iohannes had uttered these words, said he to him, the First Mystery which looked outward, Well (done), Iohannes the brother, the beloved. Added the First Mystery saying, It happened therefore, the power which came out of the Height, which is I, whom my Father dispatched, for me to deliver the Pistis Sophia from the Chaos. I therefore with the power also which came out of me, and the soul which I took from Sabaoth the good, they came close to one another [117b], they became one effluence of light which enlighteneth greatly greatly; I called unto Gabriel down out of the Aeons, and with Mikhael through the command of my Father the First Mystery who looked inward: I gave to them the effluence of light, I caused them to go down unto the Chaos for to help the Pistis Sophia, and (to) take away the powers of light, these which the emanations of the Self-willed took away from her, (to) take them away from them, and (to) give them to the Pistis Sophia. And immediately they took the effluence of light down unto the Chaos, it enlightened greatly greatly in all the Chaos. And it widened out in all their Places: and having seen the great [118a] light of that effluence, the emanations of the Self-willed they feared one upon another, and that effluence drew out of them all powers of light, these which they took away from the Pistis Sophia. And were not able to dare the emanations of the Self-willed to lay hold on that effluence of Light in the Chaos of darkness, nor were they able to lay hold on her by art of the Self-willed, this who laid hold on the emanations. And Gabriel with Mikhael brought the effluence of Light upon the body of the matter of the Pistis Sophia, and they cast in unto it all her lights which they took away from her, and received all the light the body of her matter, [118b] and again received light all her powers which (are) in her, these whose light they took away, and they ceased being diminished of light, because they took up their light which they took away from them, because that they gave the light to them through me. And Mikhael with Gabriel, these who ministered to me, these who took the effluence of light unto the Chaos, they will give to them the mysteries of the light: they are those who were entrusted with the effluence of Light, this which I gave to them, I took it unto the Chaos. And Gabriel (Mikhael added in margin without ‘with’) did not take away for themselves any from the lights of the Pistis Sophia, these which they took away from the emanations of the Self-willed. It happened therefore, the effluence of Light, it [119a] having cast in unto the Pistis Sophia all her powers of light, these which it took from the emanations of the Self-willed, she became light all (over), and the other powers of light, those which become in the Pistis Sophia, these which the emanations of the Self-willed did not take away, they were cheerful again, and they were filled with light: and the lights which they cast in unto the Pistis Sophia vivified the body of her matter, this in which there is not light, this which was about to perish, (or this which is wont to perish), and they set up all her powers, these were about to dissolve: and they received for them a power of light, they became as they were being at first. [119b] And again they were exalted in the perception of light, and all the powers of light of the Sophia recognised one another through the effluence of Light, and they were delivered by the light of that effluence. And my effluence of Light, having taken away the lights from the emanations of the Self-willed, these which they took from the Pistis Sophia. It cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia, and it returned, it came up from the Chaos. These (things) therefore while the First Mystery is saying unto the disciples, that they happened to the Pistis Sophia in the Chaos, answered, said he to them, Do ye understand in what manner I am speaking with you?

Came forward [120a] Petros, said he, My Lord, concerning the explanation of the words which thou saidst, thy power of light prophesied about them once by Solomon in his Odes, Came out an effluence it made a great river being wide, it drew all (things) and it turned itself toward the Temple. They were not able to lay hold on it with strong-banks, with places built: nor were able to lay hold on it the arts of those who lay hold on the waters: they brought it over all the earth, and it laid hold on all. Drank those who became upon the sand which is dry: their thirst was dissolved and it was quenched, they having given to them the drink from that which is exalted: happy (ones) are the deacons [120b] of that drink, those who were entrusted with the water of the Lord: they turned lips which were dry, took a cheerful heart those who were brought low: they laid hold on souls giving up the breath, that they should not die: they set up the limbs which fell, they gave power to their boldness, and they gave light to their eyes: because they all knew themselves in the Lord, and they were delivered through a water of life eternal. Hear therefore, my Lord and I (shall) utter the word in boldness, according as thy power prophesied by Solomon. An effluence came out it became a great river being wide, namely, that the effluence of Light was wide [121a] out in the Chaos in all the Places of the emanations of the Self-willed. And the word also which thy power said by Solomon, It drew all (things), it brought them toward the Temple, namely, that it drew all the powers of light out of the emanations of the Self-willed, these which they took away from the Pistis Sophia, and it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia another time. And the word also which thy power said, Were not able to lay hold on it strong-banks with places built, namely, that the emanations of the Self-willed were not able to lay hold on the effluence of Light in the wall of the darkness of the Chaos. And the word [121b] also which it said, They brought it over all the earth, and it filled every thing, namely, that Gabriel with Mikhael they having brought it upon the body of the Pistis Sophia, it cast in unto her all the lights, these which took away from her the emanations of the Self-willed and became light the body of her matter. And the word which it said, Drank those who become upon the sand which is dry, namely, that received light all those which become in the Pistis Sophia, these whose light they took away at first. And the word which it said, Their thirst was dissolved and it was quenched, namely, that her power ceased being diminished of light and they were satisfied with light, because they gave (back) to them their light [122a] which they took away from them. And also according as also said thy power, They gave to them the drink through him who is exalted, namely, that they gave the Light to them through the effluence of Light, this which came out of me, I the First Mystery. And according as said thy power of light, Happy are the deacons of that drink, namely, the word which thou saidst, Mikhael with Gabriel, these who served they took the effluence of Light unto the Chaos, and also they brought it up (from Chaos). They will give to them the mysteries of the Light of the Height, these who were entrusted with the effluence of the Light. And also according as said thy power, They turned [122b] lips which were dry, namely, Gabriel with Mikhael took not away for themselves the light of the Pistis Sophia, these which they snatched from the emanations of the Self-willed, but they cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia. And also the word which it said, Received a cheerfulness of heart those who were dissolved, namely, that all the other powers of the Pistis Sophia, these which took not away the emanations of the Self-willed were cheerful very, and they were filled with light out of the other light, because they cast it in unto them. And the word which thy power said, They vivified souls giving-up the breath, that they should not die, [123a] namely, that they having cast the lights in unto the Pistis Sophia they vivified the body of her matter, this from which they took away its light at first, this which was about to perish. And also the word which thy power said, They set up limbs which fell, (or that they should not fall), namely, that they having cast in unto her her lights, they set up all her powers, these which were about to be dissolved. And also according as thy power of light said, They gave a power to their boldness, namely, that they took again their light, and they became as they were being at first. And also the word which [123b] said, They gave a light unto their eyes, namely, that they received perception from the light, and they knew the effluence of Light, that it is belonging unto the Height. And also the word which it said, They all knew them in the Lord, namely, that all the powers of the Pistis Sophia knew one another by the effluence of Light. And also the word which it said, They were delivered by a water of life eternal, namely, that they were delivered by the whole the effluence of Light. And the word which it said, Drew them all the effluence of Light. And it drew them toward the Temple, namely, that the effluence of Light [124a] having taken up all the lights of the Pistis Sophia and having snatched them from the emanations of the Self-willed, it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia and it returned, it came out of the Chaos, it came upon thee, who thyself art the Temple. This is the explanation of all the words, these which said thy power of light by the Ode of Solomon. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Petros, said he to him, Well (done), O happy Petros, this is the explanation of the words which they said. But added also in the word the First Mystery said he, It happened therefore, I having not yet brought the Pistis Sophia up from the Chaos, because that they had not yet commanded to me by my Father, [124b] the First Mystery who looked inward. Then therefore after these (things) having known the emanations of the Self-willed that my effluence of Light took away the powers of light from them, these which they took away from the Pistis Sophia, it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia, and also they saw the Pistis Sophia becoming light as she was being from at first, they were angry with the Pistis Sophia, and also they cried up against their Self-willed for to come and help them and take away the powers which (are) in the Sophia another time. And the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height in the thirteenth Aeon, he dispatched another great power of light, it came down unto the Chaos as an [125a] arrow flying, that he should help his emanations, and take away the lights of the Pistis Sophia another time. And having come down that power of light, the emanations of the Self-willed, these which become in the Chaos, which afflicted the Pistis Sophia, they were confident of heart greatly, and again they persecuted the Pistis Sophia with great fear and in a great disturbance; and they afflicted her some among the emanations of the Self-willed, one indeed among them changed himself unto a form of great serpent, another also changed himself unto a form of serpent of basilisk having seven heads: another also changed himself unto a form of dragon, and also the first [125b] power of the Self-willed which is of face of lion, and also all his emanations which are many greatly came together they oppressed the Pistis Sophia, and also they brought her into the Places which are below (of) the Chaos, and also they disturbed her greatly. It happened therefore, they having disturbed her, she ran from them, she came unto the Places which (are) of the upper part of the Chaos, and ran after her the emanations of the Self-willed, they disturbed her greatly. It happened therefore after these (things), looked out of the twelve Aeons the Adamas the tyrant, this (one) also was being angry with the Pistis Sophia, because that she was wishing to go unto the Light of the Lights, this who was being above all of them: [126a] because of this he was angry with her. It happened therefore, the Adamas the tyrant having looked out of the twelve Aeons, he saw the emanations of the Self-willed oppressing the Pistis Sophia, until they take away all the lights in her. But it happened the power of the Adamas having come down unto the Chaos (close) to all the emanations of the Self-willed, it happened therefore, that demon having come down unto the Chaos he thrust the Pistis Sophia down, and the power of face of lion, with the face of serpent, and with the face of basilisk serpent, and with the face of dragon, and with all the other emanations of the Self-willed which are [126b] many greatly, they all surrounded the Pistis Sophia, wishing to take away her powers which (are) in her another time. And they oppressed the Pistis Sophia greatly, and they threatened her. It happened therefore, they having oppressed her and having disturbed her greatly, she cried again up towards the Light and she hymned saying, O Light thou (art) he who helped me: let thy light come upon me, because thou art my accepter, and I am coming (close) to thee, O Light. I am believing thee, O Light, because thou art my deliverer of me from the emanations of the Self-willed and with the Adamas the tyrant; and thou (art) he who delivereth me from all his [127a] threats which are cruel.

But these having said the Pistis Sophia, then also by the command of my Father the First Mystery which looked inward, I sent also Gabriel with Mikhael with the ten (?) great effluences of Light, that they should help the Pistis Sophia. And I ordered unto Gabriel with Mikhael, that they should take away the Pistis Sophia upon their hands, that her feet should not touch the darkness below: and also I ordered unto them for to steer her from the Places of the Chaos, into those which they are about to bring her. It happened therefore, the angels having gone down unto the Chaos, they with the effluence of Light, and also all the emanations of the Self-willed [127b] with the emanation of the Adamas, they saw the effluence of Light enlightening greatly greatly, there being not measure unto the light which becometh from it, they feared and they let go of the Pistis Sophia: and the great effluence of Light surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her on left of her and on right of her, and on every side of her, and it became a crown of light unto her head. It happened therefore, the effluence of Light having surrounded the Pistis Sophia, she was confident of heart greatly greatly, and it ceased not surrounding her on every side of her; and she feared not the emanations of the Self-willed, these which become in the Chaos, nor also she feared the other new [128a] power of the Self-willed, this which he cast down unto the Chaos as an arrow flying; nor also she trembled at the demonic power of the Adamas, this which came out of the Aeons. And also by my command, I, the First Mystery who looked outward, enlightened greatly greatly my effluence of Light, this which surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her. And the Pistis Sophia remained in the midst of the light, there being a great light on left of her and on right of her and on every side of her, and being also a crown unto her head: and all the emanations of the Self-willed changed not also their face, nor were they able to support the rush of the great [128b] light of the effluence, this which became a crown unto her head. And all the emanations of the Self-willed, a multitude among them fell on right of her, because that she is enlightening greatly greatly; and other multitudes fell on left of her, and they were not able to approach unto the Pistis Sophia at all, from the great light. Nevertheless they fell all upon one another (or they came all who are close to one another). And they were not able to do anything of evil to the Pistis Sophia, because that she was trusting unto the light. And through the command of my Father the First Mystery, who looked inward, I also, I came down unto the Chaos enlightening greatly greatly. [129a] I came up to the power of face of lion, this (power) which was enlightening greatly, and I took away all its light which (is) in it, and I held down all the emanations of the Self-willed for them not to go unto their Place from this hour, which (is) the thirteenth Aeon. And I took away the power from all the emanations of the Self-willed: and they fell all in the Chaos being powerless. And I brought out the Pistis Sophia, being on (the) right of Gabriel with Mikhael. And the great effluence of Light, it went also in unto them; and filled her sight with her enemies the Pistis Sophia, because I took away their power of light from them, and I brought the Pistis Sophia out of the Chaos, she having trampled [129b] upon the emanation of the Self-willed the face of serpent, and also she was trampling upon the emanation of face of basilisk having seven heads. And she is trampling upon the power of face of lion, with the face of dragon. I caused the Pistis Sophia to remain standing upon the emanation of the Self-willed, this which became of face of basilisk of serpent having seven heads, but it was being strong(er) than all of them in its evils. And I, the First Mystery, I stood upon it, and I took away all the powers which (are) in it, and I destroyed all its matter, that seed from it should not rise up from this hour.

But these while the First Mystery is saying unto the disciples, he answered saying, Understood ye in what manner I am speaking [130a] with you. Came forward Iakkobos said he, My Lord, concerning the explanation therefore of the words which thou saidst, prophesied about them once thy power of light by David in the ninetieth psalm, He who dwelleth under the help of him who is high shall abide under the shadow of the God of the heaven. He will say to the Lord, Thou art my accepter, and my place of refuge: my God I am trusting unto him; because he it is who will save me from the snare of the snarer, and from a word being cruel. He will make shadow unto thee under his (thy, MS) breast, and thou wilt trust under his wing. His [130b] truth will surround thee as an armour (weapon, MS). Thou wilt not fear for a fear of night, and for an arrow which flieth in the day, for a thing which moveth in the darkness; for a calamity of demon of the hour of mid-day. There are a thousand (who) will fall on left of thee and ten thousand on right of thee; but they will not approach unto thee. Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners: because thou art, O Lord my hope; thou placest for thee that which is high for place of refuge: there is not evil (which) will approach unto thee; there is not scourge (which) will approach in unto thy place of abiding: because he will order unto [131a] his angels because of thee, for to keep thee in all thy ways; and they (will) lift thee upon their hands lest-at-any-time thou should dash against a stone with thy foot. Thou wilt mount upon a serpent with a basilisk, and trample upon a lion with a dragon. Because he trusted unto me I will save him; I will make shadow unto him, because he knew my name: he will cry up unto me, and I, I shall hear him, I am with him in his affliction, and I shall save him and (I shall) give glory to him; and (I shall) increase him in a multitude of days, and (I shall) teach him of my salvation. This is, O Lord, the explanation of the words which thou saidst. Hear therefore that I may say them in boldness. The word therefore which [131b] thy power said by David, He who dwelleth under the help of him who is high, will abide under the shadow of the God of the heaven, namely, that when the Pistis Sophia had trusted unto the Light she abode under the light of the effluence of Light. This which came from the Height through thee. And the word which thy power said by David, I shall say to the Lord, Thou art my accepter and my place of refuge, my God I trusted unto him. That is the word with which hymned the Pistis Sophia, Thou art my accepter and I am coming (close) to thee. And also the word which thy power said, My God unto whom I am trusting, thou art [132a] he who will save me from the snare of the snarers, and from a word being cruel. That is that which said the Pistis Sophia, O Light I am believing thee, because thou art he who will deliver me from the emanations of the Self-willed, and with those of the Adamas the tyrant. And thou also art he who will deliver me from all their threats which are cruel. And also the word which said thy power by David, He will make shadow unto thee under his (thy, MS) breast, and thou wilt trust under his wing, namely, that the Pistis Sophia became in the light of the effluence of Light, this which came out of thee, and she remained confident of heart, for the light which (is) on left of her [132b] with that which (is) on right of her, namely the wings of the effluence of Light. And the word which thy power of light prophesied by David, The truth will surround thee as armour (a weapon, MS), that is the light of the effluence of Light, that which surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her as armour. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear for a fear of night, namely, that the Pistis Sophia feared not for the fears with the disturbances, these in which they planted her in the Chaos which is the night. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear [133a] for an arrow flying in the day, namely, that the Pistis Sophia did not fear for the power, this which the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height at the last, this which came unto the Chaos, being as an arrow flying, which thy power therefore of light said, Thou wilt not fear for an arrow flying in the day. Because that power came out of the thirteenth Aeon, that is (that) which is lord over the twelve Aeons, and that is (that) which enlighteneth unto all the Aeons. Because of this therefore he said, The day. And the word also which thy power said, He will not fear [133b] for a thing, walking in the darkness, namely, that the Sophia did not fear for the emanation of face of lion (serpent, MS) which was giving fear to the Pistis Sophia in the Chaos, namely, the darkness. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear for an accident with a demon of the hour of mid-day, namely, that the Pistis Sophia did not fear for the emanation demonic of the Adamas, the tyrant, this which thrust the Pistis Sophia down in great calamity, this which came from Adamas out of the twelve Aeons. Because of this therefore said thy power, He will not fear [134a] for a calamity of demon of the time of mid-day. The time of mid-day is because it came out of the twelve Aeons, namely, the time of mid-day. And also Night, because it came out of the Chaos, namely, the night, and it came out of the twelve Aeons, which are between the two. Because of this thy power of light said, The time of mid-day because the twelve Aeons are between the thirteenth Aeon and between the Chaos. And the word also which thy power of light said by David, There are thousand (who) will fall on left of him and a ten thousand on right of him; and they will not approach him, namely, [134b] that when the emanations of the Self-willed One, these which are numerous greatly, they having not been able to support the great light of the effluence of Light, a multitude among them fell on left of the Pistis Sophia. And a multitude fell on right of her. And they were not being able to approach her to hurt her. And the word which thy power of light said by David, Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, and thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners, because thou, O Lord, art my helper, namely, the word that the Pistis Sophia filled her sight with her enemies which are the emanations of the Self-willed, those all of which fell (down) upon one another: [135a] not only she filled her sight with them in this, but thou also, my Lord, the First Mystery, thou tookest away the power of light which becometh in the power of face of lion, and also thou tookest away the power of all the emanations of the Self-willed, and also thou heldest them down in Chaos for them to go unto their Place from that hour. Because of this therefore the Pistis Sophia filled her sight with her enemies, namely, the emanations of the Self-willed in every thing, which prophesied David about the Pistis Sophia, saying, Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, and thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners. Not only that she filled her sight with them, they fell upon one another in the Chaos, but she saw [135b] also their recompense also this which they repaid to them: according as the emanations of the Self-willed thought to take away the light of the Pistis Sophia from her, thou repaidest to them, and thou recompensed to them. And thou tookest away the power of light which (is) in them instead of the light of the Sophia, this (one) who believed the light of the Height. And according as thy power of light said by David, Thou placedst him who is high for thee for place of refuge: there is not evil (which) will be able to approach thee, and there is not scourge (which) will approach in unto thy place of dwelling, namely, that when the Pistis Sophia had believed (closely) in the Light, and when she had been oppressed she hymned up unto him, were not able to do anything of evil to her the emanations of the Self-willed, [136a] nor were they able to hurt her, and they were not able to approach her at all. And the word which thy power of light said by David, He will order to his angels concerning thee, that they should guard thee in all thy ways, and lift thee upon their hands lest-at-any-time thou should dash against a stone with thy foot. That also is the word that thou orderest to Gabriel with Mikhael for them to steer the Pistis Sophia through all the Places of the Chaos, until they brought her up and raised her in their hands, that her feet should not touch the darkness below, and (should not) also lay hold on her those of the darkness below. And the word which thy power of light [136b] said by David, Thou wilt trample upon a serpent with a basilisk, and thou wilt trample upon a lion with a dragon. Because he trusted unto me I shall save him and I shall make shadow unto him, because he knew my name, namely, the word that when the Pistis Sophia came, coming up from the Chaos, she trampled upon the emanations of the Self-willed, she trampled upon those who have face of serpent, and upon those who have face of basilisk of serpent having seven heads. And she trampled upon the power of face of lion, with that which hath face of dragon, because that she believed the Light she was delivered from them all. This is, my Lord, the explanation of the words which thou saidst.

It happened therefore, the First [137a] Mystery having heard these words said he: Well (done) Iakkobos, the beloved, But added also in the word the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, It happened, I having brought the Pistis Sophia up from the Chaos, she cried out also saying, I was delivered from the Chaos and I was loosed from the bonds of the darkness. I came (close) to thee, O Light, because thou becamest light on every side of me, thou art delivering me and thou art helping me: and the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are fighting against me, thou preventedst them by thy light, and they were not able to approach in unto me, because thy light was becoming with me, and it is delivering me by thy effluence of Light: because that [137b] emanations of the Self-willed oppressed me, they took away my power from me: they cast me out in the Chaos there being not light in me. I became as a matter which is heavy in comparison with them. And after these (things) a power of effluence came to me from thee delivering me: it made light on left of me and on right of me, and it was surrounding me on every side of me, that should not any part of mine become being lightless. And thou coveredst over me with the light of thy effluence. And thou purged out of me all my matters evil. And I became above all my matters because of thy light, and thine effluence of Light: that is (that) which exalted me, and it took away from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are wont [138a] to afflict me. And I became being confident of heart in thy light, and in the light which is purified by thy effluence. And were distant away from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me, and I became light by thy great power, because thou, thou art wont to deliver at every time. This is the Repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, she having come up from the Chaos, and having been loosened the bonds of the Chaos. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear let him hear. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words unto the disciples, came forward Thomas, said he, My Lord, there is ear to my light-dweller and my understanding understandeth the words [138b] which thou saidst. Now therefore command to me that I may utter the explanation of the words clearly. But answered the First Mystery, said he to Thomas, I command to thee for to utter the explanation of the hymn, that which hymned up toward me the Pistis Sophia. But answered Thomas, said he, My Lord, concerning the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia, because she was delivered out of the Chaos, thy power of light prophesied about it once by Solomon the son of David in his Odes, I was delivered out of the bonds, I ran (close) up to thee, O Lord, because thou becamest to me on right (hand), [139a] thou art delivering me, and thou art helping me. Thou preventedst those who fight against me, and they were not manifested; because thy face was becoming with me, delivering me in thy grace. I received insult in presence of a multitude, and they cast me out, I became as lead before them. Happened to me a power from thee helping me, because thou puttest torches on right of me and left of me, that not any part of me should be being lightless. Thou shelteredst me under the shadow of thy mercy, and I became above the coats of the skin. Thy right (hand) is that which exalted me, and thou tookest the weakness [139b] away from me, I became prevailing in thy truthfulness, being cleansed in thy righteousness. Were distant away from me those who fight against me. And I was justified in thy kindness, because thy rest becometh ever unto age of the age. This therefore, O my Lord, is the explanation of the repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, having been delivered from the Chaos. Hear therefore, that I may say in boldness. The word therefore which thy power of light said by Solomon, I was delivered out of the bonds I ran (close) to thee, O Lord. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I was loosened from the bonds of the darkness, I came (close) to thee, O Light. [140a] And the word which said thy power, Thou becamest to me on (the) right, thou art delivering me and thou art helping me. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou becamest light on every part of me, and thou art helping me. And the word which thy power of light said, Thou preventedst those who fight against me, and they were not manifested. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And the emanations of the Self-willed, these which fight against me, thou preventedst them by thy light, and they were not able to approach in unto me. And the word which thy power said, Thy face was becoming with me in thy grace. That is the word which said [140b] the Pistis Sophia. Thy light was becoming with me delivering me by thy effluence of Light. And the word which thy power said, I was insulted before a multitude and they cast me out. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. Oppressed me the emanations of the Self-willed. And they took away my power from me, and I was despised with them. And they cast me out in the Chaos there being not light in me. And the word which thy power of light said, I became as lead before them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, they having taken away my light from me I became as matter being heavy with them [141a]. And the word also which thy power said, And became to me a power from thee, helping me. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And after these (things) a power of light came to me from thee, delivering me. And the word which thy power said, Thou puttest torches on the right of me and on the left of me, that not anything about me should become being lightless. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thy power made light on right of me and left of me and (was) surrounding me on every part, that not anything about me should become lightless. And the word which thy power said, Thou shelteredst me [141b] in the shadow of thy mercy. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And thou coveredst over me with the light of thy effluence. And the word which thy power said, I became above the coats of skin. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And they purged away from me all my matters evil. And I was exalted above them through thy light. And the word which thy power said by Solomon, Thy right (hand) is that which exalted me, and it took the weakness away from me. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thine effluence of Light, that is that which exalted me by thy light, and it took away from me the emanations of Self-willed [142a], these which were afflicting me. And the word which thy power said, I became prevailing in thy truth, and cleansed in thy righteousness. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I became prevailing by thy light. And I am becoming light which is purified by thy effluence. And the word which thy power said, Were distant from me those who fight against me. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Were distant from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me. And the word which thy power of light said by Solomon, And I was justified in thy kindness, because thy rest becometh [142b] even unto age of age. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I was delivered in thy kindness, because thou, thou art wont to deliver every one. This therefore, my Lord is all the explanation of the repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, she having been delivered from the Chaos, and she was loosened out of the bonds.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard Thomas saying these words, said he to him, Well (done and) fairly, Thomas, the happy: this (is) the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But he added also the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, But [143a] added also the Pistis Sophia, she hymned up unto me saying, I hymn up unto thee this, through thy precept; thou broughtest me from the Aeon which is high, which (is) the upper part, and thou broughtest me down unto the Places which (are) below. And also by thy precept thou deliveredst me out of the Places which (are) below. And through thyself thou tookest away the matter there which becometh in my powers of light, and I saw it. And thou art he who scatterest away from me the emanations of the Self-willed these which were oppressing me, and being enemies unto me. And thou gavest to me the authority for to loosen [143b] the bonds of the emanations of the Adamas, and thou struckest the serpent of basilisk, that of the seven heads: thou castest him out of my hands, and thou madest me stand upon his matter, thou destroyedst it, that this seed should not rise (up) from this hour. And thou art he who was being with me, giving power to me in all these (things). And thy light surrounded me in every Place. And through thyself thou madest all the emanations of the Self-willed powerless: because thou tookest away the power of their light from them. And thou directedst my way to bring me out of the Chaos. And thou removedst me out of the material darkness, and thou tookest away all my powers from them, [144a] these (powers) whose light they took away. Thou castest in unto them a light being purified, and all my members, these in which there is not light, thou gavest to them a light being purified out of the light of the Height. And thou directedst the way for them. And the light of thy face, it became to me manifest incorruptible. Thou broughtest me up to that which is above the Chaos, the Place of the Chaos with the destruction, that should be dissolved all the matters which (are) in it, these which become in that Place and became new all my powers by thy light, and thy light became in them all: thou puttest the light of thy effluence in me, I became light being purified.

[144b] This again is the second hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. He who understandeth therefore this repentance, let him come forward and say it. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words, came forward Mathaios, said he, I understood the explanation of the hymn, this which said the Pistis Sophia, now therefore command to me that I may say it boldly. But answered the First Mystery, said he, I command to thee Mathaios for to utter the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But answered Mathaios, said he, Concerning the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light [145a] prophesied about it once, the Ode of Solomon. It is he who brought me down from the Places which are high above, and he brought me up from the Places which are at the bottom below. He who there took away the (things) which are in the Middle, and he taught me them. He who scattered away mine enemies with my adversaries. He who gave to me authority over bonds to loosen them. He who struck the serpent which hath seven heads with my hands, He made me stand upon his root, that I should blot out his seed. And thou wast being with me, thou art helping me in every Place. Surrounded me thy name. Thy right hand destroyed the poison of the evil [145b] speaker. Thy hand opened the road for thy faithful (ones). Thou redeemedst them out of the tombs, and thou removedst them out of the midst of the embalmed-corpses. Thou tookest bones being dead, thou clothedst them with a body; and those which move not, thou gavest to them an energy of life. Thy road became uncorruptness and with thy face. Thou broughtest thine Aeon upon the corruption, that they should all be dissolved and made new and thy light should be foundation to them all. Thou buildest thy richness on them, and they became a dwelling being holy. This therefore, my Lord, is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. Hear therefore, that I may say manifestly. The word which thy power said by Solomon, [146a] He who brought me down out of the Places which are high above, and also thou broughtest me up from the places which are in the bottom below. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I hymn up unto thee, this through whose precept thou broughtest me out of this Aeon which is high above, and thou broughtest me unto the Places below. And also thou deliveredst me by thy precept, thou broughtest me up from the Places which are below. And the word which thy power said by Solomon, He who there took away those which are in the Middle and he taught me them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And also through thyself thou causedst to be purified the matter which is in the midst of my power, and I saw [146b] it. And also the word which thy power said by Solomon, He who scattered away mine enemies with mine adversaries. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou art he who scattered away from me all the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me, and these which were becoming enemy unto me. And the word which thy power said, He who gave to me his wisdom over bonds to loosen them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And he gave to me his wisdom, for me to be loosened from the bonds of those emanations. And the word which thy power said, He who struck the serpent which hath seven heads with my hands, [147a] and he made me stand upon his root, that I should blot out his seed. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou struckest the serpent, he of the seven heads through my hands. And thou settest me up upon his matter, thou destroyedst him that his seed should not rise up from this hour. And the word which thy power said, And thou wast being with me, and thou wast helping me. That is the word which said the [147b] Pistis Sophia, And thou wast being with me, thou art helping me in all these (things). And the word which thy power said, And thy name surrounded me in every Place. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thy light surrounded me in all their Places. And the word which said thy power, And thy right (hand) destroyed the poison of the evil speaker. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And through thee were made powerless the emanations of the Self-willed, because thou tookest away the light of their power from them. And the word which thy power said, Thy hand opened the road of thy faithful (ones). That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou directedst my road to bring me out of the Chaos, because I believed thee. And the word which thy power said, Thou redeemedst them out of the tombs, and thou removedst them out of the midst of the embalmed-corpses. That is the word which said [148a] the Pistis Sophia, And thou redeemedst me out of the Chaos, and thou removedst me out of the material darkness, namely, the emanations of darkness which (are) in the Chaos, these whose light thou tookest away from them. And the word which thy power said, Thou tookest away bones being dead, thou clothedst them with a body, and those which move not, thou gavest to them an energy of life. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou tookest away all my powers, these in which there is not light, thou puttest in unto them a light being purified. And all my members in which there is not light moving, thou gavest to them a light of life from thy Height. And the word which thy power said, Thy road became uncorruptness, with thy face. [148b] That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou directedst thy road for me and (with, MS) the light of thy face became to me a life indestructible. And the word which thy power said, Thou broughtest thy Aeon upon the destruction, that they should loosen all the bonds. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou broughtest me even me, thy power, upon the Chaos and upon the destruction, that should be loosened all the matter which becometh in that Place, and should be made new all my powers by the light. And the word which thy power said, And thy light maketh foundation for them all. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thy light became in them [149a] all. And the word which thy power of light said by Solomon, Thou puttest thy richness upon him. And he made a dwelling being holy. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou strengthenest the light of thy effluence upon me, and I became light, being purified. This therefore, my Lord, is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Mathaios, said he, Well (done) Mathaios and fairly, the beloved. This is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But added also the First Mystery, said he, But added also the Pistis Sophia in this hymn, said she, I [149b] shall say, Thou art the Light, that which is high, because thou deliveredst me; and thou broughtest me (close) to thee; and thou causedst them not to take away my light, even the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are enemy unto me: O Light of the Lights I hymned up at thee, thou deliveredst me, O Light, thou broughtest my power up from the Chaos. Thou deliveredst me from those who went down unto the darkness. These words also said the Pistis Sophia. Now therefore he whose mind became intelligent, having understood the words which said the Pistis Sophia, let him come forward and utter their explanation.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words unto the disciples, came forward Maria, said she, My Lord, my mind intelligent is at every time, for me to come forward at every moment and utter the explanation of the words which she said. But [150a] I am fearing Petros, because he is wont to threaten me, and he hateth our sex. But these she having said them, said he to her the First Mystery, Every one who will be filled with the spirit of light for to come forward, and utter the explanation of the things which I say, there is not anyone (who) will be able to prevent him. Now therefore, thou O Maria, utter the explanation of the words, these which said the Pistis Sophia. Answered therefore Maria, said she to the First Mystery in the midst of the disciples, My Lord, concerning the explanation of the words which said the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light prophesied them once by David, I shall exalt thee, O Lord, because thou acceptedst me, and thou didst not cause to rejoice my enemies over me. O Lord my God, I [150b] cried up unto thee and thou healedst me. O Lord, thou broughtest my soul up from Amente, thou savedst me from those who went down unto the pit. These having said them Maria, said he to her, the First Mystery, Well (done and) fairly, Maria the happy. But he added also in the word, said he to the disciples, Added also the Pistis Sophia in this hymn, said she, The Light became to me for deliverer, and turned my darkness for me unto light, and it rent asunder the Chaos, which surroundeth me, he girded me with light. It happened therefore when the First Mystery finished saying these words, came in front Martha, said she, My Lord thy power prophesied once [151a] by David concerning these words, The Lord became to me helper, he turned my mourning for me unto joy, he rent asunder my sackcloth he girded me with gladness. But it happened, the First Mystery having finished hearing these words, saying them Martha, said he, Well (done and) fairly, Martha.

But added also the First Mystery, said he to the disciples. Added also in the hymn the Pistis Sophia and said she, My power hymn unto the light, and forget not all the powers of the light, these which he gave to thee; and all the powers which (are) in thee hymn unto the name of his mystery which is holy. He who forgiveth all thy transgression. He who delivereth thee [151b] out of all their oppressions, those with which afflicted thee the emanations of the Self-willed. He who delivered thy light out of the emanations of the Self-willed, these which belonged unto the destruction. He who gave a crown of light unto thy head in his compassion until he delivered thee. He who filled thee with light being purified; and thy beginning will become new as an Invisible of the Height. These words the Pistis having hymned (with) them, because she was delivered, and remembering all the things which I gave to her: it happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished uttering these words unto the disciples, said he to them, He who understandeth the explanation of these words, let him come forward, and say them in boldness.

[152a] Came again forward Maria, said she, My Lord, concerning these words with which hymned the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light prophesied them by David, My soul, bless the Lord, all those which (are) in my inward part bless his name which is holy. My soul, bless the Lord and forget not all his recompenses: he who forgiveth all thy unlawfulness; he who healeth all thy sicknesses. He who redeemeth thy life out of the destruction. He who giveth a crown of mercy upon thy head and (of) compassion. He who satiateth thy wish with good; thy youth (he) will make new as that of an eagle, namely, that the Sophia will become as the Invisibles which are at the Height: [152b] having said therefore, As an eagle, because that the dwelling of the eagles is being in the height, and the Invisibles (are) also in the Height, namely, that the Sophia will become light as the Invisibles, as she was from her beginning. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Maria, said he, Well (done), O Maria the happy. It happened therefore after these things added also in the word the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, I took away the Pistis Sophia, I brought her up unto a Place being below the thirteenth Aeon, and I gave to her a new mystery of the light which is not that of her Aeon, the Place of the Invisibles. And also I gave [153a] to her a hymn of the light, that should not be able to prevail against her from this hour the Rulers of the Aeons. And I put her in that Place, until I come for her and take her unto her Place which is at the Height. It happened therefore, I having put her in that Place, she said also this hymn saying thus, In faith I believed the Light, and he remembered me, he heard my hymn: he brought my power up from the Chaos with the darkness below of all the matter. And he brought me up, he put me in an Aeon being exalted, and being firm. He put me on the road which goeth unto my Place, and he gave to me a new mystery which not my Aeon is, and he gave to me [153b] a hymn of the light. Now therefore, O Light, all the Rulers will see the (things) which thou diddest with me, and they (will) fear, and they (will) believe the Light. This hymn therefore said the Pistis Sophia, rejoicing because they brought her up from the Chaos. And they brought her unto the Place which (is) below the thirteenth Aeon. Now therefore he whose mind moveth him, understanding the explanation of the meaning of the hymn, that which said the Pistis Sophia, let him come forward and say it. Came forward Andreas, said he, My Lord, this is that which thy power of light prophesied about it once by David: In patience I had patience with the Lord, [154a] he gave heed unto me, and he heard my supplication. He brought my soul up from the pit of the misery with the mire of the filth, he set my feet upon a rock, and he directed my footsteps. He cast unto my mouth a new song, a blessing for our God. There are many (who) will see and they (will) fear, and they (will) hope in the Lord. It happened therefore, Andreas having uttered the meaning of the Pistis Sophia, said he to him the First Mystery, Well (done) Andrea the happy. But added also in the word, said he to the disciples, These are all the words which happened to the Pistis Sophia. It happened therefore, I having brought her unto the Place which is below of the [154b] thirteenth Aeon. I came being about to go unto the Light, and cease (being) with her, said she to me, O Light of the Lights, being thou about to go unto the Light and cease from being with me: and (is about to) know the Adamas the tyrant, that thou ceasedst being with me, and to know that becometh not he who will deliver me: he cometh also unto me unto this Place, he with all his Rulers who hate me. And also the Self-willed will give power to his emanation of face of lion, and all (will) come and all oppress me at once, and (will) take away all my light from me, and I (shall) become powerless. And also I (shall) become lightless. Now therefore, O Light [155a] and my Light, take away the power of their light from them, that they may not be able to prevail to oppress me from this hour. It happened therefore, I having heard these words saying them the Pistis Sophia, I answered to her, saying, Not yet did my Father command to me, he who emanated me out, for to take away their light from them. But I shall seal (up) their Places of the Self-willed with all his Rulers, these which hate thee, because thou believedst the Light. And also I shall seal (up) the Places of the Adamas with his Rulers, that they should not be able to war with thee, until their time is fulfilled, and until [155b] cometh the season, and commandeth to me my Father, that I should take away their light from them. But afterwards also said I to her. Hear and I (will) speak with thee of their time in which these (things) will happen, namely, these which I said to thee, They are about to happen whenever (the) three times should be fulfilled. Answered the Pistis Sophia, said she to me, O Light, whereby shall I know when (will) happen the three times, that I might be glad and rejoice because approached the time for thee to lead me unto my Place, and also I shall rejoice because came the time (when) thou wilt take away the powers of light from all those who hate me, because I [156a] believed thy light? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever thou wilt see the gate of the Treasury of the great Light, this which is open unto the thirteenth Aeon, namely the Left, whenever they should open that gate, then were fulfilled the three times. Answered also the Sophia, said she, O Light, whereby shall I know, being in this Place, that they opened that gate? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever they open that gate, will know those who become in all the Aeons, because of the great light which will become in all their Places: nevertheless therefore, behold, I appointed that they should not dare (to do) unto thee anything of evil, until were fulfilled [156b] the three times. But thou, thou shalt become having the authority to go up unto their twelve Aeons at the time which thou wishest, and also thou (wilt) return and come unto thy Place, this which is below the thirteenth Aeon, this in which thou art becoming now. But thou wilt not have authority to go in unto the gate of the Height, this which becometh in the thirteenth Aeon, for thee to go in unto thy Place, this out of which thou camest. Nevertheless therefore whenever should be fulfilled the three times, will oppress thee the Self-willed with all his Rulers, for them to take away thy light from thee, [157a] he being angry with thee, thinking that thou, thou restrained his power in the Chaos, and he is thinking that thou, thou tookest away its light from it: he will be exasperated against thee, for him to take away thy light from thee, that he should send it unto the Chaos, and give it in unto his emanation which is there, that it should be able to come up from the Chaos and come unto his Place. But these will begin the Adamas. But I, I shall take away all thy powers from him and give them to thee. And I shall come and take them away. Now therefore whenever they should oppress thee at that time, hymn up unto the Light, and I, I shall not fail thee for to help thee. And I am coming (close) to thee quickly out of the Places which are below. [157b] And I am coming down unto their Places and take away their light from them. I am coming unto this Place in which I put thee, this which is below the thirteenth Aeon, until I lead thee unto thy Place, this out of which thou camest.

It happened therefore, the Pistis Sophia having heard these words, I saying them to her, she rejoiced in great joy. But I, I left her in the Place which is below the thirteenth Aeon. I went unto the light, I ceased from being with her. But all these words was the First Mystery saying to the disciples, that they happened to the Pistis Sophia. And he was sitting upon the hill of the Olives, saying all these words in the midst of the disciples.

But he added also, said he to them, But it happened also [158a] after all these (things) while I am being in the World of the mankind, sitting by the road which is this Place, which is the mountain of the Olives, before that they dispatched my vesture, this which I left in the twenty-fourth Mystery (reckoning) from within, but the First itself it is (reckoning) from without, this which is that, the great Uncontainable, this in which I shone, and before that I went unto the Height to receive my other two vestures: sitting by you in this Place, namely, the mountain of the Olives, was fulfilled the time which I said to the Pistis Sophia, Will oppress thee the Adamas with all his Rulers. It happened therefore, having happened that [158b] time, but I, I was becoming in the World of the mankind, sitting by you in this place which is the mountain of the Olives, looked the Adamas out of the twelve Aeons, he looked down unto the Place of the Chaos, he saw his power demonic which (is) in the Chaos, in which there is not light at all, because I had taken away its light from it: and he saw it being darkness, and it was not possible to come unto his Place which is the twelve Aeons. Remembered also the Adamas (about) the Pistis Sophia, and he was angry with her greatly greatly, thinking that it (is) she who restrained his power in the Chaos. [159a] And thinking that it (is) she who took away its light from it, and he was exasperated greatly, and he added anger upon anger: he emanated out of him an emanation of darkness, and with another cruel (power) of evil Chaos, that he might disturb the Pistis Sophia with them.

And he fashioned a Place of darkness in his Place, that he should oppress the Sophia with it. And he took multitudes of Rulers of his own, they persecuted the Sophia, for to bring her unto the Chaos of darkness which he fashioned. And for to oppress her in that Place. And for to disturb her the two emanations of the darkness, these which emanated out the Adamas, [159b] until they took away all her light from her, and until the Adamas took away the light of the Pistis Sophia, and gave it to the two emanations which are cruel, and they took it unto the great Chaos, which is below this which is dark, and they cast it in unto his power of darkness which is chaotic, that perhaps it should be able to come unto this Place: because that it had become dark greatly, because I took away its power of light from it. It happened therefore, they having persecuted the Pistis Sophia, she cried out also, she hymned up unto the Light, since I said to her, Whenever they oppress thee and thou hymnest up unto me I am coming quickly and I (will) help thee. It happened therefore, they having oppressed her, but I, I was [160a] sitting by you in this place, which is the mountain of the Olives. She praised up unto the Light, saying, O Light of the Lights, I believed thee. Deliver me from these Rulers which are persecuting me, and help me lest-at-anytime they may take away my light from me, as (did) the power of face of lion. Because thy light becometh not with me, with thy effluence of Light, for them to deliver me. Otherwise was angry with me the Adamas, saying to me, Thou, thou restrainedst my power in the Chaos. Now therefore, O Light of the Lights, if I did this (and) I restrained it. If I did nothing of violence to that power. Or if I oppressed it as it oppressed me, then (and, MS) shall take away my light from me, all these [160b] Rulers who persecute me, and they shall put me out, being empty: and the enemy the Adamas shall persecute my power and seize it, and he shall take away my light from me, and cast it in unto his power of darkness, this which is in the Chaos: and he shall put my power in the Chaos. Now therefore, O Light, seize me in thy anger, and exalt thy power over my enemies, these who rose up against me at last. Speed, vivify me according as thou saidst, I shall help thee.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words unto the disciples, said he, He who understood these words which I said, let him come forward and utter their explanation. Came forward Iakkobos said he, My Lord, [161a] concerning this hymn, in which hymned the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light prophesied them once by David in the seventh psalm, O Lord, my God I trusted unto thee; save me from those who persecute me and deliver me, lest-at-anytime he might carry off my soul as a lion, there being not he who redeemeth and he who delivereth. O Lord, my God, if I did this (thing) if there is violence in my hands, if I repaid to those who repaid to me evil (things), may I perish by my enemy, being empty: and may my enemies persecute my soul and seize it: and trample my life down unto the earth and cause my glory to become in the Chaos. Diapsalma. Rise (up), [161b] O Lord, in thy wrath: be exalted at the last to my enemies: rise up in the commandment which thou orderedst.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Iakkobos, said he, Well (done), Iakkobos the beloved. But added also the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, It happened therefore, the Pistis Sophia having finished saying the words of this hymn she turned round to see, whether the Adamas turned backward with his Rulers for to go unto their Aeon, and she saw (they saw, MS) them running after her: she turned unto them, said she to them, Why do ye persecute me saying, I have not help for him to deliver me from you. Now therefore a judge of truth is [162a] the Light and strong (he) is. But he is compassionate until the time which he said to me, I am coming and I (will) help thee, and he (will) not bring his wrath upon you at every hour. And this is the time which he said to me. Now therefore if ye turn not yourselves backward, and cease from persecuting me, the Light will make ready his power, and he will make ready with all his powers, and he made ready in his power for to take away your light which is in you, and ye will become darkness: and his powers he fashioned them, for him to take away your powers from you, and ye (will) perish. But these having said them the Pistis Sophia, she looked unto the Place of the Adamas, she saw the Place of dark [162b] and of Chaos, this which he fashioned. And also she saw the two emanations of darkness which (are) cruel greatly, these which emanated them out the Adamas, that they should lay hold on the Pistis Sophia, and should cast her down unto the Chaos, which he fashioned, and should oppress her in that place, and should disturb her, until they took away her light from her. It happened therefore, the Pistis Sophia having seen those two emanations of darkness and of the Place of darkness, these which fashioned the Adamas, she feared and she cried up unto the Light saying, O Light, behold, was angry the Adamas, the violent being, he fashioned an emanation of darkness and [163a] also he emanated out another (from) Chaos, and he fashioned another dark and chaotic and he prepared it. Now therefore, O Light, the Chaos which he fashioned for to cast me unto it, and (to) take away my power of light from me, take away his from him; and the thought which he thought for to take away my light, they will (take) his from him; and the violence which he said for to take away my light from me, take away all his (lights). These are the words which said the Pistis Sophia in her hymn. Now therefore he who is sober in his spirit, let him come forward and utter the explanation of the words (which said) the Pistis Sophia in her hymn.

Came also forward Martha, said she, My Lord, I am sober [163b] in my spirit, and I understand the words which thou sayest: now therefore command to me that I may utter their explanation in boldness. But answered the First Mystery, said he to Martha, I command to thee Martha for to utter the explanation of the words, these which said the Sophia in her hymn. But answered Martha said she, My Lord, these are the words which thy power of light prophesied once by David in the seventh psalm, God is a judge of truth, strong, compassionate, being not wont to bring his anger day by day: if ye turn not yourselves he will whet his sword, he stretched his bow, he made (it) ready: he made ready in it [164a] weapons of death, his arrows he fashioned for those whom they will burn. Behold, the violence travailed, he conceived trouble he brought forth unlawfulness, he dug a pit, he excavated it, he will fall down unto the hole which he fashioned, his trouble will turn upon his head and his violence (is) coming upon the middle of his head. But these having said them Martha, said he to her the First Mystery who looketh outwards, Well (done and) fairly, Martha, the happy.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying unto his disciples all the things which happened to the Pistis Sophia, being in the Chaos, and with the manner (in) which she hymned up unto the Light, until he delivered her and brought her up from the Chaos, [164b] and brought her in unto the twelve Aeon, and with the manner (in) which he delivered her out of all her oppressions, with which oppressed her the Rulers of the Chaoses, because that she lusted to go (close) to the Light.

Added again in the word Jesus, said he to his disciples, It happened therefore after all these (things) I took away the Pistis Sophia, I brought her in unto the thirteenth Aeon, I, shining greatly greatly, there being not measure unto the light which was becoming from me, I came in unto the Place of the twenty-four (fourth, MS) Invisibles, I, shining greatly greatly; and they were disturbed with great disturbance: they looked, they saw the Sophia who was being with me, they recognised her. [165a] But I, they recognised me not who I (was), but they were thinking of me as of an emanation of the land of the Light. It happened therefore, the Sophia having seen her fellow Invisibles, she rejoiced in great joy, and she was delighted greatly; she wished to show to them the wonders which I did with her below in the land of the mankind, until I delivered her. She came up unto the midst of the Invisibles, she hymned unto me in their midst, saying, I shall manifest to thee, O Light, because thou art a Saviour, and thou art a redeemer at every time: I shall hymn this hymn unto the Light because he delivered me: and he delivered out of the hand of the Rulers [165b] mine enemies. And thou deliveredst me in all the Places, and thou deliveredst me from the exaltation and the humiliation of the Chaoses, and from the Aeons of the Rulers of the Sphere. And I having come out of the Height, I went astray in Places, there being not light in them. I could not return into the thirteenth Aeon my dwelling, because there is not light in me nor power, my power was defective altogether, and the Light delivered me from all my afflictions. I hymned up unto the Light, he heard me, they having afflicted me. He guided me in the creation of the Aeons, for him to bring me up unto the thirteenth Aeon, my dwelling. I shall manifest to thee, O Light, because thou deliveredst me, and (for) thy wonders in the race of [166a] the mankind, I having become deficient of my power, thou gavest power to me, and I having become deficient of my light, thou filledst me with light being purified. I became in the darkness with the shadow of the Chaos, being bound in the bonds being cruel of the Chaos, there being not light in me: because I exasperated the precept of the Light, I transgressed, I gave anger to the precept of the Light, because I came out of my Place: and I having come down, I was deficient of my power, and I became lightless, and there was not any to help me: and in their afflicting me I hymned up unto the Light, and he delivered me out of all my afflictions: and also he burst all my bonds: he brought me up from the darkness with the oppression of the Chaos. I shall manifest [166b] to thee, O Light, because thou deliveredst me, and thy wonders happened in the race of the mankind. And thou brokest-in-pieces the gates which (are) high of the darkness, and with the bars which (are) cruel of the Chaos, and thou madest me go down from the Place, from which I transgressed: and also they took away my power because I transgressed, and I ceased from the mysteries, I came down in the gates of the Chaos: and they having afflicted me, I hymned up unto the Light, he delivered me out of all my afflictions. Thou dispatchedst thine effluence, it gave power to me, and it delivered me out of all my oppressions. I shall manifest to thee, O Light, because thou deliveredst me, and (for) thy wonders in [167a] the race of the mankind. This therefore is the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia, being in the midst of the twenty-four Invisibles, wishing, for them all to know all the wonders which I did with her, and wishing for them to know that I went unto the World of the mankind. I gave to them the mysteries of the Height. Now therefore he who is exalted in his understanding, let him come forward, and say the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words, came forward Philippos, said he, Jesus My Lord, exalted is my understanding and I understand the explanation of the hymn which said the Sophia: prophesied [167b] also about it once David the prophet, saying in the hundred and sixth psalm, Manifest to the Lord that he is kind, because unto age is his mercy, let those whom the Lord redeemed say, This is he, he redeemed them out of the hand of their enemies: he gathered them in from their countries, out of the east with the west with the north with the sea. They went astray in the wilderness in a place in which there is not water; they found not the road to the city of their dwelling. Being hungry being thirsty their soul failed in them. He delivered them out of their necessity. They cried up unto the Lord, he heard them being distressed: he guided them unto a road, being straight [168a] for them to go up unto the Place of their dwelling, Let them manifest to the Lord in his mercies, and his wonders among the sons of the men: because he satisfied a soul, being hungry, a soul being hungry he filled it with good. Those who sit in the darkness with the shadow of the death, those who are bound in a poverty with the iron; because he exasperated the word of God, they irritated the counsel of him who is exalted: their heart was humbled in their tribulations; they became weak and there was not he who helped them. They cried up unto the Lord in their being distressed; he delivered them out of their necessity, he brought them out of the darkness with the shadow of the death, and he burst their bonds. Let them manifest to the Lord in his mercies, and his wonders for the sons [168b] of the men: because he broke gates of brass, he shattered bars of iron: he received them unto him in the road of their unlawfulness; for they were humiliated because of their unlawfulness: their heart abhorred every (kind) of meat, they approached unto the gates of the death. They cried up unto the Lord in their being distressed, he delivered them out of their necessity: he sent his word, he healed them, and he saved them out of their tribulation. Let them manifest to the Lord in his mercy and his wonders among the sons of the men. This therefore, my Lord is the explanation of the hymn which said the Sophia. Hear therefore, my Lord that I may say it plainly. The word indeed which said David, Manifest [169a] to the Lord because he is kind, because an eternal is his mercy. That is the word which said the Sophia, I shall manifest to thee, O Light, because thou art a Saviour, and thou art a redeemer at every time. And the word which said David, Let those whom the Lord redeemed say this, He redeemed them out of the hand of their enemies. That is the word which said the Sophia, I shall say this hymn unto the Light, He delivered me; and he delivered me out of the hand of the Rulers mine enemies, with the rest also of the psalm. This therefore, my Lord is the explanation of the hymn which said the Sophia in the midst of the twenty-four Invisibles, wishing for them to know [169b] all the wonders which I did with her, and she wished for them to know, that thou gavest thy mysteries of the race of the mankind.

It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words, saying them Philippos, said he, Well (done), O happy Philippos, this is the explanation of the hymn which said the Sophia. It happened therefore also after all these (things) came forward Mariham, she worshipped at the feet of Jesus, said she, My Lord, be not angry with me seeking from thee, because we are seeking after every thing in an exactness with a certainty, for thou saidst unto us once, Seek that ye may find and knock that they may open to you. For every one who seeketh will find, and every one who knocketh [170a] in, they will open to him. Now therefore, my Lord, who is he whom I shall find, or who is he unto (whom) we shall knock, or who, rather, is he for whom it is possible to say unto us the answer to the words about which we shall seek (from) thee, or who, rather, is he who knoweth the power of the words after which we shall seek, because that in a mind thou gavest mind to us of the Light, and thou gavest to us perception with a thought being exalted greatly? Concerning this therefore there is not anyone becoming in the World of the mankind, nor becoming in the Height of the Aeons, for whom it is possible to say unto us the answer to the words which we seek after, except thee alone, this who knoweth the Universe and who is complete in the Universe. [170b] Because that I was not seeking after the manner (in) which seek the men of the World; but we are seeking indeed in the knowledge of the Height, this which thou gavest to us, and we are seeking also in the type of the search which is preferable, this which thou taughtest us for to seek in it.

Now therefore, my Lord, be not angry with me, but reveal to me the word about which I shall ask thee. It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words, saying them Maria, the Magdalene, answered then (but, MS) Jesus, said he to her, Seek after that which thou wishest to seek after, and I shall reveal it to thee in an exactness with a certainty, Amen, amen I say to you, Rejoice in great joy and be [171a] glad greatly greatly, ye are seeking after every thing in an exactness, and I shall be glad greatly greatly, because ye seek after every thing in an exactness. And ye seek after the manner (in) which it is worthy to seek. Now therefore, seek after that which thou seekest after, and I shall reveal it to thee in joy. It happened therefore, Maria having heard these words, saying them the Saviour, she rejoiced in great joy, and she was glad for her greatly greatly. Said she to Jesus, My Lord and my Saviour, then of what kind are the twenty-four Invisibles, and being, also, of what type: or otherwise rather of what nature: or, then, being of what nature is their light? But answered Jesus, said he [171b] to Maria, What is that which is in this World being like to them: or what, rather, of Place which is in this World is that which is resembling unto them? Now therefore unto what shall I compare them: or, rather, is that which I shall say concerning them: for there is not any one in this World unto whom I shall be able to compare them; and there is not any of appearance in it unto whom I shall be able to liken them? Now therefore there is not any in this World being of the nature of the heaven, Amen I say to you, Each Invisible, is great(er) than the heaven with the Sphere which is upon it, and with the twelve Aeons together nine times, according as I finished saying to you another time. And there is not any light in this World being preferable unto the light [172a] of the sun. Amen, amen I say to you: The twenty-four Invisibles are of light more than the light of the sun which is in this World ten thousand times according as I finished saying to you another time. Because that the light of the sun in his truth of shape is not in this Place. Because that his light passeth through many veils of Places. But the light of the sun in his truth of shape, this which becometh in the Place of the Virgin of the Light shineth more than the twenty-four Invisibles and with the great Forefather invisible and with also the great Triple-powered God a ten thousand times, according as I finished saying to you another time. [172b] Now therefore, Maria, there is not any appearance in this world, nor is there light, nor is there shape comparable to the twenty-four Invisibles, that I should compare them unto them: but yet another little time, thou with thy brothers of fellow-disciples, I shall take you unto all the Places of the Height, and I shall take you unto the three Spaces of the First Mystery, until the Places only of the Space of the Ineffable. And ye will see all their shape in truth without comparison. And whenever I should take you unto the Height, ye will see the glory of those of the Height. And ye will become in a great wonder greatly greatly. And whenever I should take you unto the Place of the (Rulers of the) Destiny [173a] ye will see the glory in which they become, and out of their great glory which is preferable, ye will reckon this World with you as darkness of darkness: and ye will look out upon all the World of the mankind, being about to become the size of a speck of dust with you, from the great distance which it is distant from it greatly greatly, with the great size which it is great(er) than it greatly. And whenever I should take you unto the twelve Aeons, ye will see the glory in which they become, and from the great glory the Place of the Rulers of the Destiny will be reckoned with you as the darkness of the darknesses; and it will become the size of a speck of dust with you from the great distance which it is distant from it greatly, with the great size in which it is great(er) than [173b] it greatly, according as I finished saying unto you another time. And again whenever I should take you unto the thirteenth Aeon, and ye will see the glory in which it becometh, the twelve Aeons will be reckoned with you of the darkness of the darknesses: and ye will look out upon the twelve Aeons being about to become the likeness of a speck of dust with you from the great distance which it is distant from it greatly, with the greatness of size in which it is great(er) than it greatly. And whenever I should take you unto the Place of the Middle, ye will see the glory in which they are, the thirteenth Aeon will be reckoned with you as the darkness of the darknesses. And also ye will look upon the twelve Aeons and with all the Destiny and all the arrangement, and with all the Spheres [174a] with all their arrays in which they become, they will be the size of a speck of dust with you from the great distance which it is distant from it, and the great size (in) which it is great(er) than it greatly. And whenever I should take you unto the Place of those of the Right (hand), ye will see the glory in which they become, the Place of the Middle will be reckoned with you as the night which is in the World of the mankind: and if ye should look out upon the Middle, it will become the size of a speck of dust with you, from the great distance which the Place of those of the Right (hand) are distant from it greatly. And if I should take you unto the Land of the Light, namely, the Treasury of the Light, and ye (will) see the glory in which it becometh, [174b] the Place of those of the Right (hand) will be reckoned with you as the light of the hour of mid-day in the World of the mankind, the sun being not out (of cloud): and if ye should look upon the Place of those of the Right (hand), it will be the size of a speck of dust with you, from the great distance which is distant from it greatly, the Treasury of the Light. And whenever I should take you unto the Place of those who received the Inheritance, of those who received the mysteries of the Light, and ye (will) see the glory of the light in which they become, the Land of the Light will be reckoned with you as the light of the sun which is in the World of the mankind: and if ye should look [175a] upon the Land of the Light, it will be reckoned with you as a speck of dust, from the great distance which is distant from it, the Land of the Light, and from the greatness which it is great(er) than it greatly.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, sprang up Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord, be not angry with me, seeking (from) thee, because that we are seeking after every thing in an exactness. But, answered Jesus, said he to Maria, Seek after that which thou wishest to seek after, and I, I shall reveal it to thee boldly without parable. And every thing which thou seekest after, I shall say to thee in an exactness with a certainty, and I shall complete you with every power [175b] with every Pleroma, from the inward part of the inward parts as far as the outward part of the outward parts, from the Ineffable even unto the darkness of the darknesses, that they should call of (against you, MS), the Pleromas which are complete in every knowledge. Now therefore, Maria, seek that which thou art seeking after, and I shall reveal it to thee in great joy with great delight. It happened therefore, Maria having heard these words, speaking them the Saviour, she rejoiced in great joy greatly and she was delighted, said she, My Lord, then the men of the World, these who received the mysteries of the Light, will they become preferable to the emanations of the Treasury in thy kingdom? [176a] Because that I heard thee saying, Whenever I should take you unto the Place of those who receive the Mysteries, the Place, the Land of the Light will be reckoned with you as a speck of dust, from the great distance which it is distant from it, and with the great glory in which it becometh, namely the Land of the Light of the Treasury, the Place of the emanations, then therefore, my Lord will the men who receive the mysteries become preferable to (those who belong to) the Land of the Light, and become preferable to them in the Kingdom of the Light? But answered Jesus, said he to Maria, Fairly, however, at least thou seekest after everything in an exactness with a certainty: but hear, Maria, that I may speak with thee upon the Consummation of the Aeon with the catching-up [176b] of the Universe. It shall not happen thus, but I said unto you, Whenever I should take you unto the Place of the Inheritance of those who receive the mystery of the Light, the Treasury of the Light, the Place of the emanations, it will be reckoned with you as a speck of dust, and as the light of the sun of the day only. They said therefore, These will happen in the time of the consummation of the catching-up of the Universe. The twelve Saviours of the Treasury with the twelve arrays of each of them, namely, the emanations of the seven Voices with the five Trees will become with me in the Place of the Inheritances of the Light, being Kings with me: each one of them being King [177a] over his emanations: and also each one of them is becoming King according to his glory: the great according to his greatness, the small according to his smallness: and the Saviour of the emanations of the first Voice, they will become in the Place of the souls of those who received the First Mystery of the First Mystery in my Kingdom: and the Saviour of the emanations of the second Voice will become in the Place of the souls of those who received the Second Mystery of the First Mystery. Likewise also the Saviour of the emanations of the third Voice will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Third Mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the Saviour of the emanations of the fourth Voice of the Treasury of the Light [177b] will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Fourth Mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the fifth [sic] Saviour of the fifth Voice of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Fifth mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the sixth Saviour of the emanations of the sixth Voice of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Sixth mystery of the First Mystery. And the seventh Saviour of the emanations of the seventh Voice of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls [178a] of those who receive the Seventh mystery of the First Mystery in the Treasury of the Light. And the eighth Saviour, namely, the Saviour of the emanations of the first Tree of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Eighth mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the ninth Saviour, namely, the Saviour of the emanations of the second Tree of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Ninth mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the tenth Saviour of the emanations of the third Tree of the Treasury of the Light will [178b] become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Tenth mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. Likewise also the eleventh Saviour, namely, the Saviour of the fourth Tree of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Eleventh mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the twelfth Saviour, namely, the Saviour of the emanations of the fifth Tree of the Treasury of the Light will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the Twelfth mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And the seven (seventh, MS) Amens with the five (fifth, MS) Trees with the three [179a] Amens will become on right-hand of me being King in the Inheritance of the Light. And the Twin-saviours, namely, the child of the child and with the nine Guards, they indeed will remain also on left of me being King in the Inheritance of the Light. And every Saviour will be King over the arrays of his emanations in the Inheritances of the Light, as also they are in the Treasury of the Light. And the nine Guards of the Treasury of the Light will become, being preferable unto the Saviours in the Inheritances of the Light. And the Twin-saviours will become preferable unto the nine Guards in the Kingdom. And [179b] the three Amens will become preferable unto the Twin-saviours in the Kingdom. And the five Trees will become preferable unto the five Amens in the Inheritances of the Light. And Ieou with the Guard of the Veil of the great Light with the Receivers of Light with the great two Chief Captains with the great Sabaoth, the good, they will become being King in the first Saviour of the first Voice of the Treasury of the Light, this which will become in the Place of those who receive the First Mystery of the First Mystery. Because that Ieou with the Guard of the Place of those on Right (hand) with Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the Light, with the great [180a] two Chief Captains who came out of the Light which is choice, which is pure, greatly, of the First Tree even unto the fifth. Ieou indeed he is the Overseer of the Light who came forth first from the pure light of the first Tree. The Guard also of the Veil of those of (the) Right (hand) who came forth out of the second Tree. And the two Chief Captains came forth also out of the pure light choice greatly of the third Tree with the fourth in the Treasury of the Light. But Melkhisedek also came forth out of the fifth Tree. Sabaoth the great also (the) good, this whom I called, my Father, [180b] he came forth out of Ieou the Overseer of the Light. These six therefore by the command of the First Mystery, the last Helper caused to become in the Place of those of (the) Right (hand) for the arrangement of the collection of the Light which is of the Height of the Aeons of the Rulers, and in the World with every race which is in them. These which I shall say unto you of the work of each over which they put him in the Distribution of the Universe. Because of the height therefore of the work in which he put him, they will become fellow-kings in the First Mystery of the first Voice of the Treasury of the Light, this which will become in the Place of the souls of those who receive the First Mystery of the First Mystery. And the Virgin of the Light with the great [181a] Captain of the Middle, this who were wont the Rulers of the Aeons to call, The great Iao, according to the name of a great Ruler who (is) in their Place; he, with the Virgin of the Light, with his twelve Deacons, this from whom ye received shape, and ye received the power out of them, they will also all become Kings: with the first Saviour of the first Voice in the Place of the souls of those who will receive the First Mystery of the First Mystery in the Inheritances of the Light. And with the fifteen Helpers of the seven Virgins of the Light, these who become in the Middle will be distributed in the Places of the twelve Saviours, [181b] with the others also, Angels of the Middle, each according to his glory, and (shall) be kings with me in the Inheritances of the Light. And I, I shall rule over all of them in the Inheritances of the Light.

These therefore, all which I said to you will not happen in this time, but they are about to happen in the Consummation of the Aeon, namely, the dissolution of the Universe. And that is the whole dissolution of the numbering of the perfect souls of the Inheritances of the Light. Before therefore the Consummation these (things) which I said to you will not happen. But each will happen in his Place in which they put him from at first, until they complete the numbering of the collection [182a] of the perfect souls. The seven (seventh, MS) Voices with the five (fifth, MS) Trees, and with the three Amens, and with the Twin-saviours with the nine Guards, and with the twelve Saviours, and with those of the Place of those of the Right (hand), and with those of the Place of the Middle, each will remain in the Place in which they put them, until mount up all the numbering of the perfect of the souls of the Inheritances of the Light. And all the Rulers also who repented, they will remain also in the Place in which they put them, until mount up all the numbering of the souls of the Light: they are coming all each in their time in which she receives Mystery. And they will precede all the Rulers who repented. [182b] And they are coming unto the Place of those of the Middle, and those of the Middle will baptise them (with) the spiritual unction, and seal them with the seal of their mystery and they will pass through in unto those of all Places of the Middle, and they will pass through in to the Place of those of (the) Right (hand), and the interior of the Place of the nine Guards, and the interior of the Place of the Twin-saviours, and the interior of the Place of the three Amens, with the twelve Saviours, and the interior of the five Trees, with the seven Voices, each giving to them their seal of their mysteries, and all (will) make their entry, and go unto the Place of the Inheritances [183a] of the Light: and each (will) remain in the Place up to which he received mysteries in the Inheritances of the Light, in one word, all the souls of the mankind, these who will receive the mysteries of the Light will precede all the Rulers who repented, and they will precede those of all the Places of those of the Middle, with those of all the Places of those of (the) Right (hand), and they will precede those of all the Place of the Treasury of the Light, in one word, they will precede those of all the Places of the First precept, and (will) all enter and go unto the Inheritances of the Light, even unto the Place of their mystery, that each may remain in the Place unto which they received mystery. [183b] And those of the Place of the Middle, with those of (the) Right (hand) and with those of all the Place of the Treasury, each in the Place of the array in which they put him from at first, until the Universe should be caught up: each of them will complete his charge in which they put him, in regard to the collection (gathering in) of the souls who received mystery, in regard to this charge, that they should seal all the souls who will receive mysteries, these who will pass through unto their inner (place) unto the Inheritances of the Light. Now therefore, Maria, this is the word about which thou seekest of me in an exactness with a certainty. As for the rest therefore now, he who hath ear to hear let him hear.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words sprang [184a] up Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord, my Light-dweller, hath ear, and I comprehend every word which thou sayest. Now therefore, my Lord, concerning the word which thou sayest that all the souls of the race of the mankind, these who will receive the mystery of the Light will precede in unto the Inheritances of the Light before all the Rulers who will repent, and before every Place of those of (the) Right (hand), and before every Place of the Treasury of the Light. Concerning this word therefore, my Lord, which thou saidst unto us once, The first will be last and the last will be first, namely, all the race of the men who will precede in unto the kingdom of the Light as [184b] those of all the Places of the Height, namely, the first. Concerning this therefore, my Lord, thou saidst to us, He who hath ear to hear let him hear, namely, thou wast wishing to know whether we grasp every word which thou sayest. This, therefore, my Lord, is the word. It happened therefore, when she (Jesus, MS) had finished saying these words, the Saviour wondered greatly at the assertion of the words which she saith, because that she had (MS) become spirit quite pure. Answered further Jesus, said he to her, Well (done), O pure spiritual Maria, this is the explanation of the word.

It happened therefore also after all these words, added Jesus in the word, said he to his disciples, [185a] Hear that I may speak with you concerning the glory of those of the Height as they become, according as I was speaking with you unto to-day. Now therefore whenever I should take you unto the Place of the last Helper, this who surroundeth the Treasury of the Light, and whenever I should take you unto the Place of that last Helper, and ye (should) see the glory in which he is, the Place of the Inheritance of the Light, (it) will be reckoned with you of the size of a city only of the World from the greatness in which becometh the last Helper, and with the great light in which it is: and after these I shall speak with you also of the glory of the Helper who is above the lesser [185b] Helper, nor shall I speak with you of the Place of these who are above all the Helpers, for there is not a kind of word unto them in this World, for there is not likeness in this World being like to them, that I should compare it unto them. Nor is there size, nor is there light which is comparable unto them, that I should speak of them. Not only in this World, but also they have not likeness also in those of the Height of the Righteousness from their Place downward. Because of this therefore in fact there is not the manner of word for them in this World from the great glory of those of the Height, and there is not the great and immeasurable size. Because of this therefore there is not the manner of word for it in this World. It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward [186a] Maria the Magdalene, said she to Jesus, My Lord, Be not angry with me, seeking from thee, because that I molest thee in a multitude of times. Now therefore, my Lord, be not angry with me seeking after every thing in an exactness with a certainty, because my brothers preach them in the race of the mankind, that they should hear and repent and be delivered from the judgments which are cruel of the wicked Rulers, and go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light: because that, my Lord, not only are we compassionate of ourselves, but we are compassionate of all the race of the mankind, that they should be delivered from all the judgments which are cruel. Now therefore, my Lord, concerning this we are seeking after everything in [186b] an exactness, because my brothers preach them to all the race of the men that they should not come unto hands of the Rulers which are cruel, of the Darkness, and that they should be delivered from the hands of the Receivers which are cruel of the Darkness which is without. It happened, Jesus having heard these words, saying them Maria, answered the Saviour becoming in great mercy in unto her. Said he to her, Seek after that which thou wishest to seek after it, and I shall reveal to thee in an exactness and a certainty without parable. It happened therefore, Maria having heard these words, saying them the Saviour, she rejoiced in great joy, and she delighted greatly, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then the second [187a] Helper is great(er) than the first Helper? About how much of size, and he is distant from him about how much distance, or otherwise he is shining more than he about how many times? Answered Jesus, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, Amen, amen I say to you, The second Helper is distant from the first Helper in a great distance immeasurable in reference to the height above and beneath, in reference to the depth and in reference to the length with the breadth: for he is being distant from him greatly greatly in a great (amount) immeasurable by the Angels with the Archangels and by the Gods with all the Invisibles: and greater he is than him greatly greatly [187b] immeasurable by the angels with the archangels and by (the) Gods with all the Invisibles, and he shineth more than him immeasurable greatly greatly there not being measure unto the light which becometh from him, being immeasurable by the Angels with the Archangels and by the Gods with all the Invisibles as I finished saying to you another time. Likewise also the third Helper with the fourth with the fifth, one being great(er) than one infinitely, and he shineth more than him, and he is distant from him in a great distance immeasurable by the Angels with the Archangels with the Gods with all the Invisibles, according as [188a] I finished saying to you another time. And also I shall say unto you the type of each in their Distribution. It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came again forward Maria the Magdalene, she added, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then those who receive the mystery of the Light will become in what type in the midst of the last Helper? But answered Jesus, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples. Those who received the mysteries of the Light, whenever they should come out of the body of the matter of the Rulers, each according to the mysteries which he received, being about to become in his array. Those who receive mystery also which is high, they will remain in the array which is high. Those who receive also the mysteries which are lower they will become in the array which is lower, in one word [188b] the Place (in) which each received mystery, even unto it will he remain in his array in the Inheritance of the Light. Because of this therefore I said unto you once. The Place (in) which your heart is about to become, there your treasure; namely, that the Place (in) which each received mystery even unto it is about to become there.

It happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Iohan(nes), said he to Jesus, My Lord and my Saviour, command to me also, that I may speak in thy presence, and be not angry with me seeking after everything in an exactness with a certainty, because that, my Lord, in a promise thou promisedst to me to reveal everything which I shall seek from thee. Now therefore my Lord, hide not anything from us at all in [189a] the thing which we shall seek from thee.

But answered Jesus in great mercy, said he to Iohannes, Thou also, the happy Iohannes and the beloved, I command to thee for to say the word which thou willest, and I shall reveal to thee in face against face without parable, and I shall say to thee every thing which thou wilt seek after (them) in an exactness with a certainty. Answered Iohannes, said he to Jesus, My Lord, then the Place in which each received the mystery even unto it he is about to remain, and he hath not authority to go in unto another array which (is) above him, nor hath he authority to come unto the arrays which (are) below him. Answered Jesus, said he to Iohannes, Fairly (done) however at least because ye seek after everything in an exactness with a certainty. [189b] But now therefore, Johannes hear, that I may speak with thee, Every one who receiveth mystery of the Light, the Place unto which each receiveth mystery he is about to remain in it, and he hath not the authority for to come unto the Height unto the array which is above him, so that he who receive mystery in the First precept hath the authority for to come unto the arrays which (are) below him, namely, all the arrays of the third Space. But he hath not the authority for to come unto the Height, unto the arrays which are above him. And he who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, namely, the twenty-fourth Mystery (reckoning) outwards, and that is the head of the first Space which (is) outside. And he hath the authority for to come unto all the arrays which (are) outside of him; but he hath not the authority for to come unto the Places which (are) above him, [190a] or for to move about in them. And those who receive mystery in the arrays of the twenty-fourth Mystery, the Place in which each received mystery, he is about to go even unto it, and he will become having the authority to move about in all the arrays with the Spaces which (are) outside him. But he hath not the authority for to go unto the arrays which (are) above him, or for to move about in them. And he who received mystery in the arrays of the First Mystery which (is) in the third Space, hath the authority for to come unto all the arrays which (are) below him, and for to move about in all of them; but he hath not indeed the authority for to go unto the Places which (are) above him, or for to move about in them. And he who receiveth mystery in the first Triple spirit, this who ruleth over the twenty-four [190b] Mysteries all together, these which rule over the Space of the First mystery, these whose Place I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe. He who will receive, therefore, the mystery of that Triple spirit hath the authority for to come below unto all the arrays, which (are) below him, but he hath not the authority for to go unto the Height, unto the arrays above him, namely, all the arrays of the Space of the Ineffable. And he who received the mystery of the second Triple spirit is having the authority for to come unto all the arrays of the first Triple spirit, and to move about in them all with all their arrays in which they become; but he hath not the authority for to go unto the arrays [191a] of the third Triple spirit (which are higher). And he who received the mystery of the third Triple spirit, this who ruleth over the three (third, MS) Triple spirits with the three Spaces all together of the First Mystery, (hath authority to go unto all the Places below him) but he hath not the authority for to go unto the Height, unto the arrays which are above him, namely, the arrays of the Space of the Ineffable. And he who received the absolute Mystery of the First Mystery of the Ineffable, namely, the twelve Mysteries all together of the First Mystery, these which rule over all the Spaces of the First Mystery. He who will receive, therefore, that mystery hath the authority for to move about in all the arrays of the Spaces of the three Triple spirits and with the three [191b] Spaces of the First Mystery, and with all their arrays. And he hath the authority for to move about in all the arrays of the Inheritances of the Light, for to move about in them from without out unto within and from within in unto without and from above unto below and from below unto above, and from the height unto the depth, and from the depth unto the height, and from the length unto the breadth, and from the breadth unto the length, in one word, he hath the authority to move about in all the Places of the Inheritances of the Light. And he hath the authority for to remain in the Place which he willeth in the Inheritance of the Kingdom of the Light. And Amen I say unto you that man in the dissolution of the World will become [192a] reigning over all the arrays of the Inheritance. And he who will receive the Mystery of the Ineffable, that one which is I. That Mystery, indeed, is that which knoweth because of what the Darkness became, and because of what became the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Darkness of the Darknesses became, and because of what the Light of the Lights became. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Chaoses became, and because of what became the Treasury of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Judgments became, and because of what became the Land of the Light with the Place of the Inheritances of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which [192b] knoweth because of what the Punishments of the sinners became, and because of what became the Repose of the Kingdom of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the sinners became, and because of what became the Inheritances of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the impious, and because of what became the good.

And that Mystery is that which knoweth because of what the Judgments of the Punishments became, and because of what became all the emanations of the Light.

And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Sin became, and because of what became the Baptisms with the Mystery of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the fire of the Punishment, and because of what [193a] became the Seals of the Light, that the Fire should not hurt them. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Anger, and because of what became the Peace. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Blasphemy became, and because of what became the Hymns of the light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Prayers of the Light became. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Curse became, and because of what became the Blessing. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Wickedness became, and because of what became the Deceit. And that Mystery indeed is that which [193b] knoweth because of what the Murder became, and because of what became Vivifying of the souls. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Adultery with the Fornication, and because of what became the Purity. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Intercourse, and because of what became the Continence. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Pride with the Boasting, and because of what became the Humility with the Meekness. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Weeping became, and because of what became the Laughter. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Slander became, and because of what the Word which is good [194a] became: and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Obedience became, and because of what the Disregard of man became. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Murmuring became, and because of what became the Innocence with the humility.

And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of that became the Sinfulness, and because of what became the Purity. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Strength, and because of what became the Weakness. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Movement of the body, and because of what became its usefulness. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Poverty, and because of what became [194b] the Wealth. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Wealth of the World, and because of what became the Slavery. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Death, and because of what became the Life.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples they rejoiced in great joy and they were delighted, hearing Jesus saying these words. Added also Jesus in the word, said he to them: Yet therefore my disciples, hear now that I may speak with you concerning all the knowledge of the Mystery of the Ineffable, because the Mystery of that Ineffable indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Mercilessness, and because of what became the Mercy. And that Mystery [195a] indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Destruction, and because of what became the Always eternal. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the creeping things, and because of what they will be dissolved. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what will become the Wild-beasts and because of what they will be dissolved. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Beasts, and because of what became the Birds. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Mountains, and because of what became the Precious stones which (are) in them. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Matter of the Gold, and because of what became the Matter of the Silver. And that Mystery [195b] indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Matter of the Brass, and because of what became also the Matter of the Iron with the Steel. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Matter of the Tin, and because of what became the Matter of the Lead. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Matter of the Glass, and because of what became the Matter of the Wax. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Grass, namely, the Vegetables. And because of what became all the Matters. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Waters of the earth and every thing which (is) in them, and because of what the Earth also became. And that Mystery indeed is that [196a] which knoweth the Seas became because of what, with the Waters, and because of what became the Wild-beasts in the Sea. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Matter of the World, and because of what it will be dissolved altogether. And added also Jesus, said he to his disciples, Yet therefore my Disciples and my friends and my brothers, let each be sober of the spirit which (is) in him that ye may listen and understand every word which I shall say to you, because from now I shall begin to speak with you concerning all the knowledge of the Ineffable, because that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of [196b] what became the West and because of what became the East. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the South, and because of what became the North. Yet therefore also my disciples, hear and continue and be sober and hear all the knowledge of the Mystery of the Ineffable, because that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the demons and because of what became the mankind. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Heat, and because of what became the Air which is wholesome. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Stars [197a], and because of what became the Clouds. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the earth became Deep, and because of what the Water came over it. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the earth dried up and the water of rain came upon it. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Famines, and because of what became the Abundance. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Frost, and because of what became the Dew which is good. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Dust, and because of what became the Cooling which is sweet. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Hail, and [197b] because of what became the Snow which is wholesome. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Wind of the West, and because of what became the Wind of the East. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Fire of the height, and because of what became also the Waters. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Wind of West, and because of what became the Wind of East. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Wind of South, and because of what became the Wind of North. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Stars of the heaven and with the Disks of the phoster (planets) and because of what became the [198a] Firmament with all its Veils. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Rulers of the Spheres, and because of what became the Sphere with all its types. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Rulers of the Aeons, and because of what became the Aeons with their Veils. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Rulers of the tyrant Aeons, and because of what became the Rulers who repented. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Ministers and because of what became the Dekans. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of [198b] what became the Angels, and because of what became the Archangels. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Lords, and because of what became the Gods. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what also the Jealousy became in the height, and because of what also became the Absence of Jealousy. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Hate, and because of what became the Love. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Dissension became, and because of what became the Reconciliation. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Covetousness, and because of what all the Renunciation of the all became, [199a] and because of what became the love of Wealth. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Love of self became, and because of what became the Satiety.

And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Partners, and because of what became the Separated Partners. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Godlessness (added in margin), and because of what became the Love of God (in lower margin). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Phoster (Planets) and because of what became the Sparks (Fixed Stars). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Triple powers, and because of what became the Invisibles. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth [199b] because of what became the Forefather, and because of what became the Pure (Lights). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the great Self-willed, and because of what became his Believers. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the great Triple powered, and because of what became the great Forefather invisible. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Thirteenth Aeon, and because of what became the Place of the Middle (plural, MS). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Receiver of the Middle, and because of what became the Virgins of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of [200a] what became the Deacons of the Middle, and because of what became the Angels of the Middle. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Land of the Light, and because of what became the great Receiver of the Light. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Guards of the Place of those of the Righthand, and because of what became the Chief Captains of these. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Gate of the life, and because of what became Sabaoth the good. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Place of those of the Righthand, and because of what became the Land of the Light, namely, the Treasury of the Light: and that Mystery [200b] indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the emanations of the Light, and because of what became the twelve Saviours. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Three Gates of the Treasury of the Light, and because of what became the nine Guards. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Twin-saviours, and because of what became the three Amens. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the five Trees, and because of what became the seven Amens. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what became the Confusion [201a] which becometh not, and because of what was purified.

Added Jesus, said he to his disciples, Yet my disciples, be sober and let each one (added in lower margin) of you bring the power of the perception of the Light in front of him, and listen out of an exactness: for from now I am about to speak with you of the whole Place of the truth, of the Ineffable, and with the manner of which it is (being). It happened therefore, the disciples having heard these words which said Jesus, they drew back and they were silent altogether. Came forward Maria the Magdalene, she prostrated at the feet of Jesus, she worshipped unto them, she cried out, she wept, said she, Have mercy on me, my Lord, or did my brothers hear and they were silent [201b] at the words which thou sayest. Now therefore, my Lord concerning the knowing of all these words which thou saidst, becoming in the Mystery of the Ineffable; but I heard thee saying, From now I am about to begin speaking with you of all the knowledge of the Mystery of the Ineffable, This word therefore which thou sayst, didst not thou, then, approach unto completing the word? Because of this therefore my brothers heard, they were silent, they ceased perceiving how thou art speaking with them concerning the words which thou sayest to them. Now therefore, my Lord, if the knowledge of all these (things) is becoming in that Mystery, then who is the man who (is) in the World who [202a] is able to understand that Mystery with all his knowledges, and the type of all these words concerning which thou saidst them.

It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words which said Maria, he knew that having heard the disciples, they began to be silent, he encouraged them, said he to them, Grieve not therefore, my disciples, concerning the Mystery of the Ineffable, which ye think that ye will not understand. Amen I say to you, Yours is that Mystery, and that of every one who will hearken to you and renounce all the World with all the matter which (is) in it, and renounce all evil thoughts which become in them, and renounce all the cares of [202b] this Aeon.

Now therefore I say to you, Every one who will renounce all the World with all the (things) which (are) in it, and submit to the Godhead, that Mystery is easy for them more than all the Mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, and is fit to understand more than all of them, and is light (levis) more than all of them. He who will come in unto the knowledge of that Mystery is wont to renounce all this World with all the cares which (are) in it. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, Every one who is under care, and who toileth under his burden, come ye (close) to me that I may give rest to you, for light is my burden [203a] and gentle is my yoke. Now therefore he who will receive that Mystery is wont to renounce all the World and with the care of all the matter which (is) in it. Because of this therefore my disciples grieve not at your thoughts that that Mystery ye will not understand.

Amen I say to you, That Mystery is fit to understand more than all the Mysteries: and Amen I say to you that that Mystery is yours with every one who will renounce all the World with all the matter which (is) in it. Now therefore hear, my disciples, and my friends and my brothers that I may urge you unto the knowledge of the Mystery of the Ineffable. These (things) I speak with you [203b], because I have come to say unto you the whole knowledge about the Distribution of the Universe, because the Distribution is (his) knowledge. But now therefore hear that I may speak with you in advance concerning the knowledge of that Mystery: because that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the five Helpers, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself him the great Light of the Lights, and because of what he (they, MS) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones), and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself the First precept, and because of what he separated the seven Mysteries, and because of what also they called it (him, MS), the First [204a] precept. And because of what he (they, MS) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself the great Light of the Marks of Light, and because of what he stood (up) without emanation, and because of what he (they, MS) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself the First Mystery, namely, the twenty-fourth Mystery (reckoning) outward, and because of what he counterfeits within him the twelve Mysteries according to the number of the numbering of the Boundless Uncontainable (ones), and because of what he proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the twelve [204b] Immoveable (ones), and because of what indeed they set them up with all their arrays, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Unshakeable (ones), and because of what they set them up divided unto twelve arrays, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones) these which belong unto (the) arrays of the Space of the Ineffable. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what they despoiled them the Inconceivable (ones) which belong (to) the second (two, MS) Space of the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled [205a] themselves the twelve Undesignated (ones), and because of what they set them up after all their arrays of the Unrevealed (ones), namely also, some Uncontainable (ones) of the Boundless (ones), and because of what indeed they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Unrevealed (ones) these which did not reveal themselves, nor brought they them unto that which manifesteth according to the arrangement of the Only One, the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Most profound (ones), and because of what they distributed them being one only array, and because of what they [205b] proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the twelve arrays of the Unspeakable (ones), and because of what indeed they separated them, being three Parts, and because of what indeed they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones).

And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves all that Incorruptible (ones), being twelve Places, and because of what they placed them being distributed one after another in one only array, and because of what also they separated them and they made them diverse arrays, being themselves Uncontainable (ones) and Boundless (ones), and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery [206a] indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Boundless (ones) and because of what they set them up being twelve Boundless Spaces, and they placed them being three arrays of Spaces according to the arrangement of the Only One, the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the twelve Uncontainable (ones) these which belong to (the) arrays of the Only One, the Ineffable One, and because of what indeed they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones), until they bring them indeed unto the Space of the First Mystery, namely, the second Space. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves [206b] the twenty-four ten thousand of hymners, and because of what indeed they distributed them outside of the Veil of the First Mystery, namely, the twin Mysteries of the Only One, the Ineffable, that (One) which looketh inward and that (One) which looketh outward, and because of what indeed they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves all the Uncontainable (ones), these whom I finished saying, these which (are) in the Places of the second Space of the Ineffable, namely, the Space of the First Mystery, and because of what those Uncontainable (ones) with those Boundless (ones) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of [207a] what despoiled themselves, the twenty-four Mysteries of the first Triple spirit, and because of what they called them, The twenty-four Spaces of the first Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the second Triple spirit. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the twenty-four Mysteries of the second Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the third Triple spirit. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the twenty-four Mysteries of the third Triple spirit, namely, the twenty-four Spaces of the third Triple spirit, and [207b] because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the five Trees of the first Triple spirit, and because of what they distributed them standing one after another, and also being bound in unto one another, with all their arrays, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the five Trees of the second Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the five Trees of the third Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded [208a] out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Pre-Uncontainable (ones) of the first Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Pre-Uncontainable (ones) of the second Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves all the Pre-Uncontainable (ones) of the third Triple spirit, and because of what they proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself [208b] the first Triple spirit from below this, which belongeth to the arrays of the Only One, the Ineffable, and because of what they proceeded out of the second Triple spirit. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself the third Triple spirit, namely, the first Triple spirit from the Height, and because of what he proceeded out of the twelfth Triple spirit, this which (is) the last Place of the Fatherless (ones). And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what were distributed all the Places, which (are) in the Space of the Ineffable, and with those who are in them all, and because of what they proceeded out of the last member [209a] of the Ineffable One. And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth his own self, because of what he despoiled himself, for him to proceed out of the Ineffable who is he who ruleth over all of them, and it is he who distributed all of them according to their arrays. These therefore all I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, in one word, all the (things) which I said unto you, those which will happen, with those which will come, these which emanate and which proceed, and with those which (are) outside of them, and with those which are implanted in them, these which will contain the Place (coptic) of the First Mystery, and with those which (are) in the Space of the Ineffable, these which I shall say unto you, because that I shall reveal them to you, and I shall say them unto [209b] you according to Places and according to arrays in the Distribution of the Universe. And I shall reveal to you all their mysteries which rule over them all, with their pre-triple spirits, with their hyper-triple spirits, these which rule over their mysteries with their arrays. Now therefore the Mystery of the Ineffable is he who knoweth because of what all these became, of those which I said, and in boldness, because of which all these became. And he is the Mystery which (is) in all these, and he is all their coming out, and he is all their catching up, and he is all their setting up. And the Mystery of the Ineffable, he is the Mystery which is in all these, which I said unto [210a] you, and with those which I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, and he is the Mystery which is in all these: and he is the only Mystery of the Ineffable, and the knowledge of all these (things) which I said to you, and with those which I shall say unto you: with those which I said not unto you, all these I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, with all their knowledge one upon another, because of what they became. That is the one word of the Ineffable. And I shall say unto you the Distribution of all their mysteries, with the type of each of them, with the manner of their completing in all their figures, and I shall say unto you the mystery of the Only One [210b], the Ineffable, with all its (his, MS thus again) types, with all its figures; and with all its arrangements, because of what indeed it proceeded out of the last limb of the Ineffable, because that mystery is all their setting up. And that mystery of the Ineffable is also (the) one only word which also becometh in the language of the Ineffable, and that is the arrangement of the explanation of every word which I said unto you. And he who will receive the one word of that mystery, this which I shall say unto you now with all its (his, MS thus again) types with all its figures, with the manner of completing its mystery: because that ye are the perfect of all-perfect. And ye are that which will complete all knowledge [211a] of that mystery with all its arrangement with its...: because ye are those to whom they entrusted every mystery. Hear therefore now, that I may say unto you that mystery which is this, He who will receive therefore the one word of the mystery, this which I said unto you, whenever he should come out the body of the matter of the Rulers, and should come the Receivers of Contentious (ones), and they should loosen him out of the body of the matter of the Rulers of the Receivers of Contentious (ones), namely, they are wont to loosen every soul which cometh out of the body. If therefore the Receivers of Contentious (ones) should loosen the soul which received this one mystery of the Ineffable this which I finished saying unto you now [211b] and in the hour they will loosen it from the body of the matter it will become a great effluence of light in the middle of those Receivers and will fear greatly the Receivers before the light of that soul, and will be weakened the Receivers and fall and be silent altogether, out of the fear of the great light which they saw. And the soul which receiveth this mystery of the Ineffable will fly unto the Height becoming a great effluence of light. And will not seize it the Receivers, and they will not know what is the road in which it will go, because that it became a great Beam of light, and it flieth unto the Height: and not [212a] any power is wont to be able to hold it down at all, nor indeed shall they be able to approach it at all; but it is wont to pass through all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the emanations of the Light, and it is not wont to give answer in any Place, nor is it wont to give defence, nor is it wont to give symbol: for not even shall any power of the Rulers be able, nor shall any power of the emanations of the Light, they shall not be able to approach that soul, but all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the emanations of the Light are wont each to hymn unto it in their Places, being in fear before the Light of the effluence which envelopeth the soul, even until [212b] it passeth through them all, and goeth unto the Place of the Inheritance of the mystery which it received, namely, the mystery of the Only One, the Ineffable and it becometh joined in unto his members. Amen I say to you, It will become in all the Places in the time of a man shooting an arrow. Now therefore also, Amen I say to you, Every man who will receive that Mystery of the Ineffable and is complete or fulfilleth (it) in all its types with all its figures, is a man being in the World, but he excelleth all Angels and he will excel more than they all, he is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Archangels, and he will excel more than they all. [213a] He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Tyrants, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Lords, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Gods, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the luminaries (phoster), and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the pure (lights), and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Triple powers, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Forefathers, and he will be exalted [213b] over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Invisibles, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth the great Forefather invisible, and he will also be exalted over him. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all those of the Middle, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth the emanations of the Treasury of the Light, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth the Confusion, and he will be exalted over all of it. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth the whole Place of the Treasury, and he will be exalted over all of it. He is a man being upon the World, but he will become King with me in my kingdom. He is a man [214a] being upon the World, but he becometh King in the Light. He is a man being upon the World, but not one (out) of the World is he, and Amen I say to you, That man is I and I am that man: and in the dissolution of the World, namely, whenever the Universe should be caught-up and whenever should be caught-up all the number of the perfect souls, and I become ruling in the midst of the last Helpers, ruling over all the emanations of the Light, and ruling over the seven Amens, with the five Trees, with the three Amens, with the nine Guards, and ruling over the child of the child, namely the [214b] Twin-saviours, and ruling over the twelve Saviours, with all the number of the perfect souls, these which will receive the mystery of the Light. And every man who will receive the mystery in the Ineffable will become fellow-King with me, they will sit on my right (hand) and on my left in my kingdom. And Amen I say to you, Those men are I, and I am those. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, Ye will sit upon your thrones on my right (hand) and on my left in my Kingdom and ye will reign with me. Because of this therefore I did not spare, nor was I ashamed, calling you, My brothers and my [215a] friends, because that ye will become fellow-Kings with me in my kingdom.

These therefore I am saying them unto you, I am knowing that I shall give to you the Mystery of the Ineffable, which Mystery is I, and I am that Mystery. Now therefore not only ye will reign with me, but every man who will receive the Mystery of the Ineffable, they will become ruling with me in my kingdom, and I am them, and they are I: but my throne will become more excellent than they, because that ye will suffer in the World beyond every man, even until ye preach every word which I shall say unto you: but your thrones will become fastened unto mine in my kingdom. Because of this I said [215b] unto you once, The place in which I shall become, will become with me also my twelve Deacons: but Maria the Magdalene with Iohannes the Virgin will become excelling all my disciples. And every man who will receive Mystery of the Ineffable, they will become on my left and on my right, and I am they and they are I. And they will be equal with you in every thing. But nevertheless your thrones will become excelling theirs, and my throne even mine will become excelling yours. And every man who will find the word of the Ineffable, Amen I say unto you, The men will know that word, they will know the knowledge of all these words which I said unto you, those of the depth and those of the height, those of the length with those of [216a] the breadth, in one word, they will know the knowledge of all these words which I said unto you, and those which I said not unto you, these I shall say unto you according to Place and according to array in the Distribution of the Universe. And Amen I say unto you, They will know in what sort the World is placed, and they will know in what type all the things of the Height are placed, and they will know because of what thing the Universe became.

These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord bear with me, and be not angry with me seeking after every thing in an exactness with a certainty. Now therefore, my Lord, then is one the word of the Mystery of the Ineffable and one the word of the knowledge of the Universe [216b]? Answered the Saviour, said he, Yea one (is) the Mystery of the Ineffable and one is the word the knowledge of the Universe. But also answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, bear with me, seeking from thee, and be not angry with me. Now therefore, my Lord, except we live and know all the word of the Ineffable, shall we not be able to inherit the kingdom of the Light? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Yea, for every one who will receive the Mystery of the kingdom of the Light, each will go and inherit even unto the Place unto which he received mystery; but he will not know the knowledge of the Universe because of what all these (things) became, except he should know the one word of the Ineffable namely, the knowledge of the Universe. And also openly [217a] I am the knowledge of the Universe. And also it is impossible to know the one word of the knowledge, except forsooth he receive the First Mystery of the Ineffable: but every man who will receive mystery in the Light will go each and inherit unto the Place unto which he received mystery. Because of this I said unto you once, He who believeth a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet, and he who believeth a righteous (man) will receive the reward of a righteous man, namely, even unto the Place which each receiveth mystery he will go unto it. He who receiveth, being prepared is going to inherit the mystery which is less, and he who will receive mystery being more excellent he is going to inherit the Places which are exalted. And each will remain in his Place in the Light of my kingdom. And each will be the authority unto the array which is below him; but [217b] he will not be the authority to go unto the array which is above him, but he is going to remain in the Place of the Inheritance of the Light of my kingdom, becoming in a great light for which there is not measure by the Gods with all the Invisibles, and he (will) become in great joy with great delight.

Now therefore also hear that I may speak with you concerning the glory of those who will also receive the mystery of the First Mystery. He who will receive therefore the mystery of that First Mystery, will become at the time (at) which he cometh out of the body of the matter of the Rulers, come the Receivers of the Contentious (ones), and bring the soul of that man out of the body; and that soul will become a great overflow of light among the Receivers of Contentious (ones): and those Receivers will fear before [218a] the light of that soul, and that soul will go unto the Height, and pass through all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the emanations of the Light: and it will not give answer nor defence nor symbol in any Place of the Light, nor in any Place of the Rulers; but it will pass through in all the Places and it will surpass all, and go and reign over all the Places of the First Saviour. Likewise also he who will receive the second mystery of the First Mystery with the third with the fourth even until he receive the twelfth mystery of the First Mystery, whenever he should become in the time (at) which they come out of the body of the matter of the Rulers, come the Receivers [218b] of Contentious (ones) and bring the soul of that man out of the body of the matter, and those souls will become a great overflow of light among the Receivers of Contentious (ones). And those Receivers will fear before the light of that soul, and they will be weakened and fall upon their face. And those souls will fly unto the Height at the hour and pass over all the Places of the Rulers, and in all the Places of the emanations of the Light, and they will not give answer nor defence in any Place nor symbol: but it will pass through in all the Places and they surpass all within, and they will reign over all the Places of the twelve Saviours, so that those who receive the second [219a] mystery of the First Mystery will reign over all the Places of the second Saviour in the Inheritances of the Light. Likewise also those who receive the third mystery of the First Mystery with the fourth with the fifth with the sixth even until the twelfth, each will reign over all the Places of the Saviour, who received the mystery unto him. And he who will receive twelve (twelfth, MS) mysteries one after (upon, MS) another of the First Mystery, namely, the absolute Mystery, this concerning which I speak with you. And he who will receive therefore those twelve (twelfth, MS) mysteries these which are reckoned unto the First Mystery, whenever he should come out of the World, he will pass through all the Places of the Rulers, with all the Places of the Light, being with a great effluence of the Light [219b]. And also he will reign over all the Places of the twelve Saviours. But they will not be equal with those who receive the one Mystery of the Ineffable, but he who will receive that Mystery will remain in those arrays, because that they surpass, and he will remain in the arrays of the twelve Saviours.

It happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Maria the Magdalene, she kissed the feet of Jesus, said she, My Lord, bear with me, and be not angry with me, seeking from thee, but have mercy on us, my Lord, and reveal to us every thing which we shall seek after. Now therefore, my Lord, how hath the First Mystery the twelve mysteries; the Ineffable (only) one mystery is that which it hath? Answered Jesus said he to her, One (only) mystery however at least is that which [220a] it hath, but that mystery doeth three mysteries being the one (only) mystery, but different type (is) of each of them. And also it is wont to do five mysteries, being yet one only, but different (is) the type of each: so that the five mysteries are equal with one another in the mystery of the kingdom in the Inheritances of the Light. But different (is) the type of each of them, and their kingdom excelleth and is being exalted above the whole kingdom of the twelve mysteries one after (upon, MS) another of the First Mystery: but they are not equal in the kingdom with the one (first, MS) mystery of the First Mystery in the kingdom of the Light. Likewise again the three mysteries are not equal also in the kingdom which (is) in the Light, but different (is) the type of each of them. And they also again are not equal in the kingdom [220b] with the one (only) mystery of the First Mystery in the kingdom of the Light. And different is the type also of each of them three, and the type of the figures of each of them varieth from one to another. The first indeed if thou shouldest complete its mystery throughout, and stand and complete it well in all its figures, until thou comest out of the body of the present, and become a great overflow of light of effluence, and pass (i.e. the soul) through every Place of the Rulers with all the Place of the Light, all fearing before the light of that soul, even until it goeth unto the Places of its kingdom. Also the second mystery of the First Mystery, if thou shouldst complete its mystery well in all its figures, the man therefore who will complete [221a] its mystery, whenever he should say that mystery over the head of every man who cometh out of the body, and he (should) say it unto his two ears. If indeed the man who cometh out of the body of matter having received the mystery another time, and is made partaker in unto the word of the truth. Amen I say unto you, That man whenever he should come out of the body of the matter, his soul will become a great effluence of Light and (will) pass through every Place, even until it go unto the kingdom of that mystery. But if he, that man did not receive mystery and (was) not made partaker unto the words of the truth, he who completeth that mystery, whenever he should say that mystery over the head of the man who cometh out of the body, this who did not receive mystery of the Light, and [221b] who communicated not in the word of the truth. Amen I say unto you, That man whenever he should come out of the body, they are not wont to judge him in any Place of the Rulers, nor will they be able to punish him in any Place, nor the fire will touch him through the great mystery of the Ineffable, which becometh with him: and they will hasten quickly, and deliver him up to one another, and steer him along (from Place to Place) and from array to array, even until they take him (close) to the Virgin of the Light, all the Places fearing before the mystery with the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable, this which becometh with him: and whenever they should take it (close) to the Virgin of the Light, the Virgin will see the sign of the mystery of the kingdom [222a] of the Ineffable, becoming with him, is wont to wonder the Virgin of the Light, and she is wont to prove him. But she is not wont to cause them to take him unto the Light, until he completeth all the duties (politia) of the Light of that mystery, which are these the purifications of the renunciation of the World and with all the matter which is in it. The Virgin of the Light is wont to seal him with a seal more excellent, which is this, (the form of the seal is not given), and to cause them to cast him in any month in which he came out of the body of the matter unto a body being about to become righteous, this being about to find the Godhead of the truth, with the mysteries which are high, and (to) inherit them, and (to) inherit the Light unto age, namely, the free-gifts of the second mystery of the First Mystery of the Ineffable.

The third [222b] Mystery also of that Ineffable, the man indeed who will complete that mystery, not only because whenever he should come out of the body being about to inherit the kingdom of the mystery, but whenever he should perform and complete it with all its figures, which is this, that whenever he should do that mystery and complete it well, and mention by name that mystery over a man coming out of the body, having known that mystery, this (man) who having delayed, or rather did not delay this (man) who becometh in the punishments which are cruel of the Rulers, and with their judgments which are cruel with their fires which are various: Amen I say to you, The man who cometh out of the body, whenever they should name this mystery for his sake, they will hasten quickly and remove him and deliver [223a] him up to one another, even until they take him (close) to the Virgin of the Light, and the Virgin of the Light will seal him with a seal being more excellent, which is this (the form of the seal is not given): and in any month she will cause them to cast him unto the body of (a) righteous (man), this who will find the Godhead of the truth with the mystery which is more excellent, and he (will) inherit the kingdom of the Light. This therefore is the free-gift of the third mystery of the Ineffable. Now therefore every one who will receive (one) out of the five mysteries of the Ineffable, this whenever he should come out of the body and inherit unto the Place of that mystery (and the kingdom of those five mysteries) [223b] they are equal with one another in their kingdom, but they are not equal with the three mysteries of the Ineffable. He who also receiveth out of the three mysteries of the Ineffable, whenever also he should come out of body he will inherit unto the kingdom of that mystery, and those three mysteries are equal with one another, they are in the kingdom and they are more excellent and they are higher than the five Mysteries of the Ineffable in the kingdom. But they are not equal with the one (only) mystery of the Ineffable. He who receiveth also the one (only) mystery of the Ineffable will inherit the Place of the whole kingdom, according as I finished saying unto you all his glory another time. And every one who will receive the mystery, which is in the Space of the Universe of the Ineffable with all the other mysteries, which are joined in the members of the Ineffable [224a], these concerning which I did not yet speak with you with their distribution with the manner in which they stand, and with the type of each as it is, and because of what they called him, The Ineffable, or because of what he stood being distributed with all his members, and how many members there are becoming in him, with all his arrangements, these which I shall not say unto you now, but whenever I should be about (to say) unto you the Distribution of the Universe, I shall say unto you all one after another, indeed his distributions with his form of words (speaking of himself) as he is with the joining of all his members, belonging to the arrangement of the only one God of the truth, inaccessible.

The Place therefore unto which each will receive mystery in the Space of the Ineffable, he will inherit unto [224b] the Place which he received. And those of the whole Place of the Space of the Ineffable are not wont to give answer at every Place, nor are they wont to give defence nor are they wont to give symbol for ones without symbol are they; and they have not Receiver, but they are wont to pass through all the Places, until they go unto the Place of the kingdom of the mystery which they received. Likewise also those who will receive mystery in the second Space have not answer nor defence, for ones without symbol they are in that World, that is the Space of the first mystery of the First Mystery: and those of the third Space also which is the outside, namely, the third Space also from the outside, each Place hath in that Space its Receivers with its answer [225a] with its defence with its symbol, these which I shall say unto you in the time (in) which I shall say unto you that mystery, namely, whenever I should finish saying unto you the Distribution of the Universe. Nevertheless in the dissolution of the Universe, namely, whenever should be completed the number of the perfect souls, and (should) be completed the mystery this (through) which the Universe entirely became, I shall spend (a) thousand years according to the years of the Light reigning over all the emanations of the Light with all the number of the perfect souls, these which received all the mysteries.

It happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord, how many years in the years of this World is a year of the Light? Answered Jesus, said he to Maria [225b], A day of the light is ten hundred years of the World, so that thirty-six ten thousand years with another half ten thousand years of the World is (only) one year of the Light. I shall spend therefore ten hundred years of the Light, reigning in the midst of the last Helper, reigning over all the emanations of the Light and over all the number of the perfect souls, these which received the mysteries of the Light. And ye, my disciples, with every one who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable will remain with me on my right (hand) and on my left reigning with me in my kingdom. And those also who receive the three mysteries of the five mysteries of that Ineffable will be fellow-Kings with you in the kingdom of the Light. And they [226a] will not be equal with you, (but) ye with those who receive the mystery of the Ineffable are about to remain also after you reigning. And those who receive the five mysteries of the Ineffable are about to remain also after (those who receive) the three mysteries, reigning also. And also those who receive the twelve (twelfth, MS) mysteries of the First Mystery are about to remain also further after (those who receive) the five mysteries of the Ineffable and reigning also according to the array of each of them. And all those who receive the mysteries in all the Places of the Space of the Ineffable, will reign also and remain also within those who receive also the mysteries of the First Mystery, being distributed according to the glory of each of them. So that those who receive the mystery which is (more) excellent will remain in the Place which is more excellent. Those who receive the mystery which is lower, they will remain in the Place which is lower, [226b] reigning in the Light of my kingdom.

These only are the lots of the kingdom of the first Space of the Ineffable, those who receive also all the mysteries of the second Space, namely, the Space of the First Mystery, they will remain also in the Light of my kingdom, being distributed according to the glory of each of them, each of them becoming in the (Place of the) mystery unto which he received. And those who receive the mysteries which are more excellent will remain also in the Place which is high, and those who receive the mysteries which are lower, being about to remain in the Place which is lower in the Light of my kingdom. This is the lot of the second kingdom (King, MS) of those who receive the mystery of the second Space of the First Mystery. Those who receive also the mysteries of the second Space, [227a] (of the First Mystery) namely, the first Space (reckoning) from without, those also, they will remain after the second kingdom (King, MS) being distributed also in the Light of my kingdom according to the glory of each of them, (they) will remain in the Place unto which they received mysteries so that those who receive the mysteries which are high, will remain also in the Places which are high, And those who receive the Mysteries which are lower, they will remain also in the Places which are lower. These are the three lots of the kingdom of the Light, the mysteries of these three lots of the Light they are numerous greatly greatly: ye will find them in the great two books of Ieou, but I shall give to you, and I shall say unto you the great mysteries of each lot, these which are more excellent than each Place, namely, the heads in every [227b] Place and in every array, these which will take the whole race of the mankind in unto the Places which are high according to the Space of the Inheritance. The remainder therefore of the Mysteries which are lower ye need them not, but ye will find them in the two books of Ieou, these which wrote Enokh, while I was speaking with him out of the Tree of the Knowledge, and out of the Tree of the Life in the paradisos of Adam. Now therefore whenever I should finish distributing to you the Distribution of the Universe, I shall give to you and I shall say unto you the great mysteries of the three lots of my kingdom, namely, the heads of the mysteries which I shall give to you, and which I shall say unto you in all their figures with all their types with all their tickets (pebble, MS) with the seals of the last [228a] Space, namely, the first Space (reckoning) from without. And I shall say unto you the answers with the defences with the symbols of that Space. (As for) the second Space however (reckoning) inwards they have not answer nor defence nor symbol nor ticket nor seal, but only types are they with figures, those which they have. All these having finished saying them the Saviour unto his disciples, came forward Andreas, said he, My Lord, Be not angry with me, but have pity upon me, and reveal to me the mystery of the word of which I seek (from) thee: otherwise it became hard for me and I understood it not.

Answered the Saviour, said he to him, Seek after that which thou [228b] wishedst, and I shall reveal it to thee face to face without parable. But answered Andreas, said he, My Lord I am wondering and I am marvelling greatly, that the men who are in the World, who are in the body of this matter, how, whenever they should come out of this World, they will pass over these firmaments, with all these Rulers, with all the Lords, with all the Gods, with all these great Invisibles, with all those of the Place of those of the Middle, and with those of the whole Place of those of (the) Right (hand) with all the great emanations of the Light and all make their entrance and inherit the kingdom of the Light. This thing therefore, my Lord, is difficult for me. These therefore having said them Andreas, this spirit of the Saviour moved in him he cried out, [229a] said he, How long am I to bear with you, how long am I to suffer you, if thus far also ye understood not, and ye are without knowledge. Then ye know not, ye, and ye understand not that ye with all the Angels with all the Archangels, with the Gods, with the Lords, with all the Rulers, with all the great Invisibles, with all those of the Middle, with those of the whole Place of those of (the) Right (hand), and with all the great emanations of the Light, with all their glory, ye all one with another are out of the same lump with the same matter, with the same substance, and ye are out of the same Confusion all of you: and by the command of the First Mystery was the Confusion compelled (to be) until should be [229b] purified all the great emanations of the Light with all their glory, and until they should be purified from the Confusion. And they were not purified through their own selves, but they were purified under compulsion according to the arrangement of the one only, the Ineffable. And they, they did not suffer at all, and they did not transfer them from the Places, nor did they despoil them at all, nor did they melt them down into bodies, various, nor did they become in any affliction. Yea, verily therefore ye are the dregs of the Treasury, and ye are the dregs of the Place of those of (the) Right (hand), and ye are the dregs of the Place of those of the Middle, and ye are the dregs of all the Invisibles, with all the Rulers, in one word [230a], ye are the dregs of all these. And ye became in great tribulations with great afflictions in the change in bodies various of the World. And after all these tribulations through your own selves ye agonised and ye fought having renounced all the World with all the matter which is in it: and ye did not cease from seeking, even until ye found all the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, these which purified you, they made you pure light, purified greatly; and ye became light purified. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, Seek that ye may find the (things) which I said unto you. I said unto you, Ye shall seek after [230b] the mysteries of the Light, these which are wont to purify the body of the matter, and make it pure light, purified greatly. Amen I say unto you, Because of the race of the mankind, because they are material I despoiled myself I brought all the mysteries to them of the Light, that I should purify them, because they are the dregs of all the matter of their matter. Otherwise not any soul in all the race of the mankind would be saved. And they would not inherit the kingdom of the Light, except that I brought to them the mysteries of purification. For the emanations of the Light need not the mysteries, for they are purified, but the race of the mankind, they (are) those who need them, because that they are all material dregs. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, [231a] Those who are at ease need not the physician, but those who become badly, namely, Those of the Light need not the mysteries, because they are light being purified: but the race of the mankind, they are those who need them, because material dregs they are. Because of this therefore, preach to all the race of the mankind, Desist not from seeking in the day with the night, even until ye should find the mysteries of purification. And say to the race of the mankind, Renounce all the World with all the matter which is in it: otherwise he who receiveth and he who giveth in the World and who eateth and who drinketh in his matter and who liveth in all his cares with all his life (politia, MS) gathering in for himself matters (close) to [231b] his other matter: because that all this World with all the (things) which are in it with all its life (politia, MS) are material dregs, and they will ask them each concerning their cleansing. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, Renounce all the World with all the matter which is in it, that ye should not gather in for you other matter unto your other matter which is in them. Because of this therefore, preach to all the race of the mankind, Renounce all the World with all its life (politia, MS), that ye should not gather in for you other matter unto your other matter which is in you. And say unto them, Desist not seeking in the day with the night and renew (your seeking) not yourselves, until ye [232a] find the mysteries of purification, these which will purify you and make you pure light; and ye (will) go unto the Height, and ye (will) inherit the Light of my kingdom.

Now therefore, thou also, Andreas with all thy brothers, thy fellow-disciples, concerning your renunciations with all your tribulations which ye received from Place to Place, and with your changes in bodies various, and with all your afflictions, and after all these ye received the mysteries of purification, ye became pure light purified greatly. Because of this therefore ye will go unto the Height and make entrance to all the Places of (the) emanations of the Light; and ye [232b] (will) become being Kings in the kingdom of the Light unto age. This is the answer of the words after which ye seek.

Now therefore also, Andreas, yet art thou being in unbelief and with ignorance? But whenever ye should come out of the body and go unto the Height, and arrive at the Place of the Rulers, all the Rulers will take shame before you; because ye are the dregs of their matter, and ye became Light purified more than they all. And whenever ye should arrive at the Place of the great Invisibles with the Place of those of the Middle, with those of (the) Right (hand), with the Place of all the great emanations of the Light, ye will take glory together with them all, because ye are the dregs of their matter, and ye became [233a] light excellent more than they all. And all the Places will hymn before you, even until ye go unto the Places of the kingdom.

These therefore saying them the Saviour, knew Andreas clearly not only he, but knew all the disciples in directness that they will inherit the kingdom of the Light. They prostrated all one after (upon, MS) another at the feet of Jesus, they cried out, they wept, they besought the Saviour, saying, O Lord, forgive the sin of the ignorance of our brother. Answered the Saviour, said he, I forgive and I shall forgive. Because of this therefore dispatched me the First Mystery for me to forgive the sins of everyone.

[Half this last line is ornament: more ornament follows, and the title of the Third Document finishes the column.]