The Secret Writing According to John: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation
Public-domain synoptic translation of the Apocryphon of John traditions from Nag Hammadi and the Berlin Codex. (ref)
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The Secret Writing According to John:
A Public Domain Synoptic Translation
NHC II, 1 // NHC IV, 1 // BG 8502 // NHC III, 1
by Samuel Zinner
The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or
unchanged, for any purpose. This version of the texts from the Nag Hammadi Codices and the Berlin Codex was
translated by Samuel Zinner and edited by Mark M. Mattison. The Nag Hammadi codices were written in the fourth
century, subsequently buried, and then discovered in 1945. The Berlin Codex was created in the fifth century,
subsequently buried, and then discovered in 1896. This foundational treatise narrates a revelation given by Jesus to
John.
Zinner’s translation is based on the Coptic text in Michael Waldstein and Frederik Wisse, eds., The Apocryphon of
John: Synopsis of Nag Hammadi Codices II,I; III,I; and IV,I with BG 8502,2 (Leiden/New York: E. J. Brill, 1995). The
translation was made possible by the generous support of Other Gospels, where you can view an interactive version of
this text (see https://othergospels.com/john). For more information about this project, visit http://nag-hammadi.net.
This document was first published online on January 23, 2025.
Symbols
[ ] Gap in the text (known as a “lacuna”)
( ) Editorial insertion to clarify the text
< > Editorial correction of a scribal error
{ } Scribal error
[1] Page number of the Coptic codex
Italicized words are from the parallel version in Codex IV, 1.
Codex II, 1 (italics = IV, 1) BG 8502 Codex III, 1
Prologue
II, 1; IV 1 The teaching [of the] savior,
and [the revelation] of the mysteries,
[and the] sayings concealed in silence,
[even these sayings that] he taught
John, [his] disciple.
It, [however], came to pass [one day], 19 It, however, came to pass one day, 1 [. . .] of those days,
when John, [the brother] of James when John, the brother of James [. . .] John, the brother [of James]
– they being the sons of Zebedee – – they being the sons of Zebedee – [. . .] the sons of Zebedee] –
had gone up to the temple, had gone up to the temple, had [gone up] to the temple,
that a Pharisee that a Pharisee [that] a Pharisee
named Arimanios [came to] him named Arimanias came to him [named] Arimanias came [. . .].
[and] said to him: “[Where] is your and said to him: “Where is your
teacher, [whom] you were teacher, whom you were
following?” following?”
And he [said] to him: He said to him:
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“He has returned to the [place] he “He has returned to the place he
[came] from.” came from.”
The Pharisee [said to him: The Pharisee said to him: “[. . .] fooled all of you.
“With deceit this Nazarene] fooled “With deceit this Nazarene fooled all
all of you, of you, [. . .] your
and he filled [your ears with lies], and he filled your ears [with lies], [. . .] he sealed off [your hearts],
and sealed off [your hearts, 20 and sealed off [your hearts], turning you away from the traditions
turning you] away from the turning you away [from] the of your fathers.”
traditions traditions
[of your fathers].” of your [fathers].”
[When] I, [John], had heard these When I heard these sayings, And [when] I heard these sayings,
sayings, I turned away from the temple I turned away from the temple
[I turned] away from the temple toward the mountain, a desert place, toward a mountain [. . .] place [. . .].
[toward a place full of mountains and I lamented much in myself, [I was] lamenting much in my heart,
and desert], asking: asking:
and I lamented [much in my heart, “How then was the savior
asking]: appointed, “How [. . . was] he dispatched into
IV, 2 “How [was] the savior and why was he dispatched to the the world by [his Father . . .],
[appointed], world by his Father, [to which] we will go [. . .].
and why was he dispatched [to the who dispatched him, and who is his
world] by [his Father, Father,
and who is his] Father, who and to what kind of aeon is it to
[dispatched him, which we will go?
and to what kind] of aeon is [it to
which we will go]?
“Because what did he [mean, saying “He said to us: ‘This aeon is of the
to us]: ‘That aeon to [which you will go kind that is an indestructible aeon.’ He,
is the] kind that is an [indestructible] however, did not inform us about what
aeon’? [He, however, did not] inform kind the latter is.”
us about [what kind it is].”
The Savior Appears
Immediately, [as I was musing on Immediately, as I was musing on
these matters], lo, the [heavens were these matters, the heavens were
opened, and] the [entire] creation opened, and the entire creation glowed
underneath heaven glowed, and [the with a light 21 underneath heaven, and
world] was shaken. II, 2 [I grew fearful, the [entire] world [was shaken]. I grew
and lo, I] saw inside the [light a child afraid, and [I beheld], and lo, a child
standing] near me. As I gazed [on it, it appeared to me, but [it changed] (its)
became] similar to an old man, and he likeness into an old man [as] the light
[altered his] appearance, growing [was] with him. [As I gazed] on it, I
similar to a son. 1 It [was not a diverse [understood] not [this] marvel, whether
entity] in front of me, but there was an the [appearance] was of diverse forms
[appearance] featuring multiple forms [owing to the] light, because its forms 2 [. . .] multiple [forms inside the light],
inside the [light], and [the appeared through each [other, or] while the forms [. . . appeared . . .]
resemblances] made their appearance whether it was a single [appearance, through each [other . . .] true [. . .].
through each other, [and] IV, 3 the given that] it possessed three faces.
[appearance] possessed three forms.
1 Or “servant.”
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The Savior Comforts John
He asked me: “John, John, why do He asked [me]: “John, [why do you]
you marvel, and why [do you] fear? marvel, being [afraid]?
Is this appearance unknown to all of You are certainly [not] unfamiliar
you? with [this appearance]?
I mean, do not [be] of a weak heart. Be not of a [weak heart.
I am the one who [is] always [with all I] am the one who is always with all
of you]. of you.
I [am the Father], I am [the Father],
I am the Mother, I am the Mother,
I am the Son. I [am the Son].
I am I am
the unpolluted and untainted one. the 22 eternal one,
[I have now come to inform you of] the unpolluted [and] untainted
what is, [one].
[and what was], [I have now come] to inform you of
and what will [happen], [what] is,
so that [you might understand the and [what was],
things] and what will happen,
that are not manifest so that you [might understand] the
[and those things that are manifest, things 3 [. . .] that are [not] manifest [. . .] . .
and to inform you] of that are not manifest, . and [. . .].
the [unmoving race of] the [Perfect [and those things that are] manifest,
Man]. and to inform you of
[Lift up, therefore] your [face, the Perfect [Man].
so that] you [might accept] the things Lift up, therefore, your [face to me],
I [will tell you] today, so that you might listen and [accept
[and] might [convey them the things I] will tell you today,
to your companion] spirits so that you might, then, convey
[of] the [unmoving] race [them
of the Perfect [Man].” to your] companion spirits,
[of] the unmoving race
of the Perfect Man.”
The Monad
[I also] asked to [understand it; and [I] also [asked] to understand. He
he said] to me: “The monad [is a unity said to me: “[The monad], because it is
with nothing] higher than it. [It is that a unity, and (because) nothing rules
which exists] as [God] and as Father of higher than it, [is] the God and Father
the All, [the unseen] one, who is higher of the All, [the] unseen Holy One, who
than [the All, who exists as] is higher than the All, who [exists as]
indestructability, [as] pure light, IV, 4 his indestructibility, [existing inside] 23
at which no [eye] can gaze. pure light, at which no eye-light can
He [is the] unseen [Spirit] of whom gaze.
it is improper [to think of] as a god or He is the Spirit. It is improper to
as anything similar, because he is more think of him as a god or as anything
than a god, given that nothing exists similar, because he is more than a god,
that is higher than him, because no one a ruler over which nothing rules, 4 [. . .] nothing [. . .] before him [. . .]
II, 3 rules over him. because nothing exists before he exists, need [. . .].
nor does he need them.
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[This is because he does] not [exist]
inside something subordinate [to him,
given that everything] exists inside him,
because he is the one who is self-
[established]. [He is eternal], given that He does not need life, because he is
he stands in need of [nothing], because eternal. There is nothing he needs,
[he] is complete perfection. [He lacked because he cannot be perfected, as
nothing] so that he would need to be though he had lacked and so needed to
perfected by [it. Instead], he is forever be perfected. Instead, he is forever
completely perfect in [light]. completely perfect. He is light.
He is [limitless], given that no one He is limitless, given that no one
exists [before him] who could exists before him who could place
place limits on him. limits on him.
He is unfathomable, [given that (He is) the unfathomable one, given
there] exists before him no one that there exists before him no one
who could [fathom him. to examine him.
He is] beyond measuring, given that (He is) the immeasurable one, given
no one [existed before to him who that no one besides (him)
could measure] him. measured him, as though they
[He is unseen, given that no] one has existed before him.
seen [him. (He is) the unseen one, 24 given that
He is eternal], given that he [exists] no one has seen him.
eternally. (He is) the eternal one, given that he
He is [unspeakable, given that] no exists eternally.
one existed who could conceive of (He is) the unspeakable one, given
him in order to speak [of him]. that no one conceived of him to be
He cannot be named, given that [no able to speak of him. 5 [. . .] given that no one existed
one existed before him] who could (He is) the one who cannot be before] him who could name
name [him]. named, [him].
He is [light] IV, 5 [beyond measure], given that no one existed before him [He is light] beyond measure, [the
being pure, sacred, [unstained]. who could name him. pure one], being sacred and
He is unspeakable, [existing in He is light beyond measure. unstained.
perfect] indestructability. (He is) the pure one, being sacred [He is unspeakable], being perfect in
(He exists) [not] (confined) inside and unstained, [indestructibility.]
perfection, the unspeakable one, perfect and [He is not] perfection;
nor inside blessedness, indestructible. he is not [blessedness];
nor inside divinity, He is neither perfection, he is not [divinity],
but he is highly exalted (above these). nor blessedness but he is [exalted above] them.
He is neither somatic, [nor] non- nor divinity, He (is) not without limits, [nor does
somatic. but he is highly exalted above these. he have limits], but what he is
He is neither large, [nor] small. He is neither without limits, nor with [exceeds] these.
limits, but what he is exceeds He is [not] somatic; he is not [non-
these, given that he is neither ]somatic.
somatic, nor is he non-somatic. He is [not large]; he is not small.
He is not large; he is not small.
[It is impossible] to say that he has a He cannot be quantified, given that He cannot be [quantified], given
quantity or that [he has a quality], he is not a created being, nor can that he is not a created being, nor can
because no one can [understand him]. anyone understand him. He is not in attributes be ascribed (to him). It is
He is not a being among [beings, but any sense a being, given that he is completely impossible for anyone to
he is] highly exalted, [not] as [though highly exalted over (all of) them, but understand him. He is not a being
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he were loftier], but (he is lofty in) not because he as a being is loftier than among beings, but he is exalted above
himself. He neither [participates] in the them, but because 25 he is being as them, not on account of being exalted,
aeons nor in temporality, because he such. He participated in no aeon. For but on account that he is being as
who participates in [an aeon] that was him, there is no temporality, because such. He has participated in none of
set up previously [. . .]. He [was not] whoever participates in an aeon, others the aeons. Temporality does not apply
not assigned a temporal measurement, (would have necessarily) made (such) to him, because whoever participates
[given that] he does not obtain ready for him. Also, he was not in an aeon, others (would have
anything from another, [because it assigned a temporal measurement, necessarily) previously made (such)
would be obtained] as a loan, given because he does not obtain anything ready for him. He was not assigned a
that he who exists before someone assigned from another. temporal measurement, because he
(else) [has no need] to accept does not obtain anything assigned
(something) from [another]. from another.
This is because he is the one who Also, he is without need, there being 6 He is without [need.]
gazes at himself, waiting, in II, 4 no one before him in any sense at [No one existed before] him so that
[his] light, given that the [. . .] is all. he could [have received from him,
glorious. He is the only one he desires in the because he is the] only one [who
To him belongs purity beyond perfection of the light. desires] himself [in the light].
measure. He will study the pure light, the He will study [the pure light], the
He is an aeon that bestows aeons. majesty beyond measure, the majesty beyond measure, [the
IV, 6 He is [life] that bestows life. eternal one who bestows eternity; eternal one, the one who bestows]
He is a blessed one who bestows the light who bestows light; eternity;
blessedness. the life who bestows life; [the light, the one who bestows] the
He is knowledge that bestows the blessed one who bestows light;
knowledge. blessedness; the life, [the one who bestows life];
[He is] goodness that bestows knowledge who bestows knowledge; the blessed one, the one who
goodness. the ever-good who bestows good, [bestows blessedness];
[He is] mercy and redemption [that the beneficent one, knowledge, the [one who bestows
bestow mercy]. not because he possesses, but knowledge;
He is grace that bestows grace, [not] because he bestows, (being) the the] good one, the one who al[ways]
because it belongs to him, but mercy who bestows mercy, does [good],
because he bestows [the light] that the gift-bestowing gift, not based on what [he possesses, but
is beyond measure and the light beyond measure. based on what he bestows,
comprehension. the gift-bestowing gift],
the light beyond measure.
[How can I speak] with you of him, 26 What is there to speak to you of What should I say to you of that
[given that] his [aeon] is beyond him, the ungraspable one? This is the [ungraspable] one? This is the way the
destruction, in repose, and abiding in way the light appears, to the degree light appears, to the degree that I could
[silence, resting], existing before that I could understand, because who understand, because who is there who
[everything, because he] is the leader of is there who will ever understand him? will ever understand him?
[all] aeons, [and] he is the one who
grants them strength with his
goodness?
Barbelo
This is because [we do] not In this way I would be able to speak To the degree I can understand, I
[understand unspeakable things, and with you. His aeon is beyond will speak. His aeon is beyond
we] do not understand what [cannot be destruction, in repose, resting in destruction, in repose, resting in
measured], apart from him who silence, the one existing before silence, the one existing before
originated [from] him, that is, [the] everything. He is the leader of all everything, the leader of all aeons,
Father, because he [alone] is the one aeons, if anything indeed exists beside because his goodness supplies all
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who [explained] it to us, given that he him, because no one has understood aeons, if anything indeed exists beside
is the one who studies him[self] inside the attributes of that one beyond him. Not one of us knows the
his light that surrounds [him], that is, measure with the exception of him attributes of that one beyond measure
the spring [of] living water, and he is who has dwelt inside himself. He is the with the exception 7 [of him who has
the one who supplies [every aeon], and one who explained to us these things. dwelt inside himself], who [explained it
in every direction (at once) he He is the one who studies himself to us]. He is the [only] one who studies
[observes] his image by gazing in the inside his own light that surrounds [himself inside his light] that surrounds
spring of the [Spirit]. He is the one him, that is, the spring of living water, [him, that is, the spring] of [living]
who places his desire inside his [water]- the completely pure light. The spring water, the [light full] of purity, [and
light, [which dwells in the] spring of of the Spirit poured forth of the living the] spring [of the Spirit] that poured
the [pure light]-water IV, 7 [that] water of light, and he supplied all forth living water from [it]. He
surrounds him, and [his (potential) aeons and 27 worlds. In every supplied [all] aeons as well as their
thought became] actual, and she direction (at once) he observed his worlds, and all at once he observes his
approached, [that is], she who had own image by beholding it inside the own image inside the pure light-water
[appeared] in front of him inside [the pure light-water that surrounds him, that surrounds [him], and his
glow of] his light. and his (potential) thought became (potential) thought became actual, and
actual, and she approached and [she] approached and attended him
attended him inside the glow of the inside his glow of [light].
light.
This is the first [power, which She is the power who is before the She is the power who [is] before the
existed] before the All, and [which All, who issued forth. She is the All, the Providence [of the] All, who
issued] forth from his mind. She [is the perfect Providence of the All, the light, shines inside the light of [the image] of
Providence of the All] – her light the appearance of the light, the image the unseen one, the perfect power,
[glows like his] light – the [perfect] of the unseen one, the perfect power, Barbelon, the perfect aeon, the
power who is [the] image of the Barbelo, the perfect aeon of glory, extolment that extols him, because she
perfect unseen, virginal Spirit. [The extolling him, because she had issued had issued forth on account [of] him,
first power] (is) the glory of Barbelo, forth on account of him, and she and she extolled [him].
the perfect II, 5 glory inside the aeons, understands him.
the glory of the revelation. She extolled
the virginal Spirit, and she is the one
who praised him, because on account
of him she had come forth.
This is the first thought, his image. She is the first thought, his (own) She is the first thought, [his] (own)
She became the universal womb image. image.
because she is the one who exists She became Primal Man, She became Primal [Man],
before all of them, the virginal Spirit, the virginal Spirit,
the Mother-Father, the triple-male, 8 the [triple-male],
the Primal Man, the triple-28powerful, [the triple-]honored,
the holy Spirit, the triple-named, [the triple-named],
the triple-male, the triple-begotten, [the triple]-powerful,
the triple-powerful, the aeon that is androgynous and the aeon that is androgynous and
the triple-named androgynous one, unaging, unaging,
and the eternal aeon among the who issued forth from his [who] issued forth [from his
unseen ones, Providence. Providence.
even the first one to issue forth.
Barbelo also entreated him to grant And Barb]elon [entreated] him [to
<She> entreated the unseen, <her> Precognition; he agreed. After grant her] Pre[cognition], and he
virginal Spirit – that is, Barbelo – to agreeing, Precognition approached and agreed. After agreeing, [Pre]cognition
grant her IV, 8 Precognition, and the stood attending together with ap[proached] him and [stood
Spirit agreed, and when he had Thought, which is Providence, attending] together with Thought,
[agreed], Precognition approached, and glorifying the unseen one and the which is Providence. She extolled the
attended Providence, she who perfect power, Barbelo, because they unseen [Spirit] and the perfect power,
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originates from the Idea of the unseen, had come into being on account of [Barbelon], because she had come into
virginal Spirit. She extolled him [and] her. being on account of her.
his perfect power, Barbelo, because
they had come into being on account
of her.
She also entreated once more to This power again entreated to grant She entreated again that she be
grant her [Indestructibility], and he her Indestructibility, and he agreed. granted Indestructability, [and] he
agreed. When he had [agreed], After agreeing, Indestructibility agreed. When he had agreed,
Indestructibility [approached], and approached and stood attending Indestructability approached and stood
attended Idea and Precognition. She together with Thought and attending together with Thought and
extolled the unseen one and Barbelo, Precognition. She extolled the unseen Precognition. They extolled the unseen
the one on whose account they had one and Barbelo, because she had Spirit and Barbelon, because they had
come into being. Barbelo also come to be on account of her, and she come into being [on account of] her,
entreated to grant her eternal life, and entreated that she be granted 29 and she entreated that she be granted
the unseen Spirit agreed, and when he eternal life, and he agreed, and Eternal Life, and he agreed, and when
had agreed, Eternal Life approached, agreeing, Eternal Life approached. he had agreed, Eternal Life
and they [attended] and extolled the They attended and extolled him and approached. She attended [and]
unseen [Spirit] and Barbelo, on whose Barbelo, because they had come to be extolled him and Barbelon, because 9
account they had come into being. on account of her, from the emergence they had come into being on account
of the unseen Spirit. of her, from the emergence of the
unseen Spirit.
She also entreated once more to
grant her truth, and the unseen Spirit
agreed. (var. and [he agreed], and [when he
had] agreed,) Truth approached, and
they attended and extolled the unseen,
II, 6 admirable Spirit and his Barbelo
on whose account they had come into
being.
IV, 9 This is the aeonic pentad of This is the aeonic pentad of the These are the aeonic pentad of the
the Father, which is the Primal Father, which is the Primal Man, Father, which is the Primal Man,
Man, the image of the unseen the image of the unseen one. the [image of] the unseen one.
Spirit. This is Barbelo, This is Barbelon,
This is Providence – that is, Barbelo and Idea, and Idea,
– and Precognition, and Precognition,
and Idea, and Indestructibility, and Indestructibility,
and Precognition, and Eternal Life. and Eternal Life.
and Indestructibility, This is the androgynous pentad, This is the androgynous pentad,
and Eternal Life and Truth. being the aeonic decad, the Father being the aeonic decad of the
This is the androgynous aeonic of the unbegotten Father. Father.
pentad, being the aeonic decad,
which is the Father.
The Only-Begotten
He also peered into Barbelo with Barbelo peered into him, the pure Barbelon also peered into the pure
the pure light that surrounds the light. 30 She turned herself in his light and turned herself to his
unseen Spirit, and his spark, and from direction and gave birth to a spark of direction, and gave birth to a spark of
him she conceived. He begot a light- blessed light, yet in greatness he is light resembling the blessed light, yet
spark by means of a light similar to unequal to her. This is the only- in greatness he is unequal (to her).
blessedness, but (the latter) is not equal begotten one, who issued forth from This is the only-begotten one, who
to his greatness. Such was an only- the Father, self-generated divine one, issued forth from the Father, the self-
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begotten one of the Mother-Father the first-born Son of the All that generated God, the first-born Son of
who had issued forth, he being his only belongs to the Spirit of pure light. The all the (Sons) of the Father, the pure
offspring, the only-begotten one of the unseen Spirit, however, rejoiced light, and the great unseen Spirit
Father, the pure light. The unseen, because of the light that had come into rejoiced because of the light that had
virginal Spirit also rejoiced because of being, who had issued forth from the come forth from the first power, who
the light who had come into being, first power, who is his Providence, is his Providence, Barbelon. He
who had issued forth from the first Barbelo. He also anointed him with his anointed him with his own anointing,
power of his Providence – which IV, anointing, so that he became perfect, 10 so that he became perfect, not even
10 is Barbelo – and he anointed him and lacked nothing of the anointing lacking in anything of the anointing,
with his anointing until he became because he had anointed him with his because he had been anointed with the
perfect, lacking nothing of the anointing of the unseen Spirit, which anointing of the unseen Spirit, pouring
anointing because he had anointed him he <poured> out (onto him) for his out onto him, and he received the
with the anointing of the unseen Spirit, sake, and he received the anointing by anointing from the virginal Spirit, and
and he attended him as he poured onto means of the virginal 31 Spirit, and he he attended him, extolling the unseen
him, and as soon as he had received of attended him, extolling the unseen Spirit and the one on whose account
the Spirit, he extolled the holy Spirit Spirit and perfect Providence on he had issued forth, and he entreated
and the perfect Providence on whose whose account he had issued forth. He to be given a companion laborer,
account he had issued forth. He also also entreated to give him one thing, Mind, and the unseen Spirit agreed.
entreated to give him a companion Mind, and the unseen Spirit agreed. Mind approached, standing in
laborer, which is Mind, and he agreed Mind approached, standing in attendance together with Christ,
gladly, and when the unseen Spirit had attendance together with Christ, extolling him and Barbelon, and all of
agreed, II, 7 Mind approached, and he extolling him and Barbelo. All of these, these entered into Silence and
attended Christ (the anointed), however, entered into Silence and Thought, and the invisible Spirit
extolling him and Barbelo, and all of Thought, and the unseen Spirit desired desired to make something by means
these came to dwell inside silence. to make something, and his (potential) of the Logos, and his (potential) will
Mind also willed to make something by will became actual, and approached, became actual, and approached, and
means of the Logos of the unseen and stood in attendance together with stood in attendance together with
Spirit, and his (potential) will became Mind and Light, extolling him, and the Mind and Light, extolling him, and the
actual, and approached with Mind and Logos followed Will, because by Logos followed Will, because by
Light extolling him, and the Logos means of the Logos, Christ, the self- means of the Logos, Christ, the self-
followed Will, because by means of the generated God, created the All. generated God, created the All.
Logos, Christ, the self-generated God,
created the All.
The Four Lights
IV, 11 Eternal Life also <with> his Eternal Life together with Will, and Eternal Life together with Will, and
Will, and Mind with Precognition, Mind together with Precognition, 32 Mind together with Precognition,
attended and extolled the unseen Spirit attended and extolled the unseen Spirit attended and extolled 11 the unseen
and Barbelo, given that they had come and Barbelo, given that they had come Spirit and Barbelon, because they had
into being on her account. The holy into being on her account. He also come into being on her account, and
Spirit also completed the self- completed by the Spirit, the eternal the powerful unseen Spirit completed
generated God, his Son, together with self-generated God, the Son of the self-generated God, the Son of
Barbelo, so that he would attend the Barbelo, so that he would attend him, Barbelon, so that he could stand in
great and unseen, virginal Spirit of the the eternal, virginal, unseen Spirit, the attendance to the great and unseen
self-generated God, the Christ, whom self-generated God, the Christ, whom Spirit, the self-generated God, the
he had extolled with a loud voice. He he had praised with great praise, Christ, whom he had honored with a
issued forth by means of Providence, because he had come into being from great honor, because he had come into
and the unseen, virginal Spirit his Primal Thought, he whom the being from Primal Thought, he whom
appointed the truly self-generated God unseen Spirit appointed as God over the unseen Spirit appointed as God
over the All. He also subjected every the All, as true God. He bestowed on over the All, even subjecting to him
authority under him, as well as the him all authority, and subjected to him the truth inside him, so that he could
truth to be inside him, so that he the truth that is inside him, so that he know the All, he whose name will be
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would know the All, he who had been would know the All, he whose name uttered to those who deserve such.
named with a name exalted above will be spoken to those who deserve it. From Light, which is Christ, and
every name, because that name IV, 12 However, from Light, which is Christ, Indestructibility, by means of the gift
will be spoken to those who deserve it, and Indestructibility, by means of the of the unseen Spirit, the four great
given that from Light, which is Christ, divine 33 [Spirit, the] four great lights lights (approached) by means of the
and Indestructibilty, by means of the approached from the self-generated self-generated God to stand in
gift of the Spirit (and the four [great] God to attend him. The three are: attendance on him. The three are:
lights) from the self-generated God [. .
.]. He waited for them to attend II, 8
him, even the three:
Will, Will, Will,
Idea, [and] Idea, and Eternal Life,
and Life, and Life. and Idea.
even the four powers: However, the four are: However, the four are:
Understanding,
Grace, Grace, Grace,
Understanding, Understanding,
Perception,
Perception, Perception,
Discretion.
Discretion. and Discretion.
Further, Grace pertains to the light- Grace: with the first light, Grace: with the first light, Armozel,
aeon Armozel – who is the first angel Harmozel, who is the angel of light who is the 12 angel of the first aeon,
– and there are three more aeons dwelling in the first aeon, with whom and there are three aeons dwelling with
together with this aeon: there dwell three aeons: him:
Grace, Grace, Grace,
Truth, Truth, Truth,
Form; Form. Form.
also the second light, Oriael, who had The second light: Oroiael, whom he The second light: Oroiael, whom
been appointed over the second aeon. appointed over the second aeon, with he appointed over the second aeon,
Further, there are three more aeons whom dwell three aeons: with whom dwell three aeons, namely:
together with him:
Providence, Providence,
Reflection, Perception, Perception,
Perception, Memory. Memory.
Memory.
Further, the third light is Daveithai, The third light: Daveithe, whom he The third light, <Daveithe>, was
who has been appointed over the third appointed over the third aeon, with appointed over the third aeon, with
aeon, and there are three more aeons whom dwell three aeons: <whom dwell three aeons>, namely:
together with him:
34 Understanding, Understanding,
Understanding, Love, Love,
Love, [Ideal Form]. Ideal Form.
Ideal Form.
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Further, the fourth aeon was However, the fourth light: [Ele]leth, The fourth light, <Eleleth>, was
appointed over the fourth IV, 13 light, whom he appointed over the fourth appointed over the fourth aeon, with
Eleleth. Further, there are three more aeon, with whom dwell three aeons: whom there dwell three aeons, namely:
aeons together with him:
Perfection, Perfection,
Perfection, Peace, Peace,
Peace, Sophia. Sophia.
Sophia
These are the four lights who attend These are the four lights who attend These are the four lights who attend
the self-generated God. These are the the self-generating God, the twelve the self-generated God, the twelve
twelve aeons who attend the Son of aeons who attend the Son, the great aeons who attend the Son, by means of
the Mighty One, the self-generated, self-generated Christ, by means of the the gift and the good will of the great
Christ, by means of the will and the good will of the unseen divine Spirit. self-generating Christ, by means of the
gift of the unseen Spirit, and the twelve The twelve aeons pertain to the Son of gift and the good will of the unseen
aeons pertain to the self-generated the self-generated one. Spirit. These are the twelve aeons who
Son. By means of the will of the holy pertain to the Son of the self-generated
Further, everything was established Spirit, by means of the self-generated one.
by means of the will of the holy Spirit, one, was everything established.
by means of the self-generated one.
Pigera-Adamas and Seth
Further, from the Precognition of However, from Precognition with From the Precognition of Perfect
Perfect Mind, by means of the Perfect Mind, by means of God, 35 by Mind, by means of the gift and good
revelation of the will of the unseen means of the good will of the great will of the great unseen Spirit, 13
Spirit and the will of the self-generated unseen Spirit, and the good will of the before the self-generated one, the
one, (issued forth) <the> Perfect Man, self-generated one, the true Perfect Perfect, True, Sacred Man (was) the
the first revelation, even the truth. Man came forth first. first who came forth.
He is the one whom the virginal He named him Adam, and He was named Adamas, and was
Spirit named Pigera-Adama(s), and he appointed him over the first aeon appointed over his first aeon together
appointed him over II, 9 the first aeon together with the great God, the self- with the great self-generated God,
together with the Mighty One, the self- generating Christ, by the first aeon Christ, in the first aeon, together with
generated one, Christ, by the first light, Harmozel, escorted by his powers. The Harmozel, escorted by his powers, and
Armozel, escorted by his powers. unseen Spirit also granted him an the unseen one granted him an
Further, IV, 14 the unseen one granted invulnerable spiritual strength. He said: invulnerable spiritual strength, and he
him a spiritual, invulnerable strength, said:
and he spoke and extolled and praised
the unseen Spirit, saying: ‘I extol and praise, O unseen Spirit, ‘I extol and praise, O unseen Spirit.
‘On your account the All has come because on your account the All has Because of you the All has being;
forth into being, come forth into being, into you (will it be).
and to you will return the All. and into you will be the All. I praise you
I will praise and extol you I praise you and the self-generated one,
and the self-generated one, and the self-generated one, and the aeon,
and the three aeons, and the three aeons: the triad,
the Father, the Mother, the Son, the Father, the Mother, and the (of) the Father, the Mother, the
the perfect power.’ Son, Son,
the perfect power.’ the perfect power.’
He appointed also his son Seth over He appointed also his son Seth 36 His son Seth was also appointed
the second aeon, in front of the second over the second light, Oroiael, but over the second aeon, together with
light, Oroiel, and inside the third aeon appointed inside the third aeon was the the second light, Oroiael.
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the seed of Seth was appointed over seed of Seth, the souls of the holy Over the third aeon was appointed
the third light, Daveithai, and (inside it) ones, who exist forever inside the third the seed of Seth, the souls of the holy
were placed the souls of the holy ones. light, Daveithe. one who dwell inside the aeon together
with the 14 third light, Daveithe.
Further, inside the fourth aeon were Further, inside the fourth aeon were Over the fourth aeon were placed
placed the souls of those unacquainted placed the souls of those who were the souls who were acquainted with
with the Fullness, and who failed to acquainted with their perfection and their perfection, and who did not
repent immediately, but who instead who failed to repent immediately, but repent immediately, but who instead
continued (unrepentant) for some who instead continued (unrepentant) continued (unrepentant) for some
time, and who repented (only) for some time. At last, they repented. time, and who repented (only)
afterwards. These are the fourth light, They will remain inside the fourth afterwards. They will remain together
Eleleth. These are creatures who extol light, Eleleth, who has assembled them with the light Eleleth, having been
the unseen Spirit. to himself, extolling the unseen Spirit. assembled inside that place, extolling
the unseen Spirit.
Yaltabaoth
Further, being an aeon, Sophia of Our companion-sister, Sophia, in Our companion-sister, Sophia, in that
Reflection thought a thought IV, 15 on that she is an aeon, conceived a she is an aeon, conceived a thought on
her own, together with the conception thought on her own, together with her own, together with the conception
of the unseen Spirit and Precognition. the conception of the Spirit and of the Spirit and Precognition. She
She willed to bring forth a likeness Precognition. She willed to bring willed to bring forth her likeness from
from out of herself, apart from the forth the 37 likeness from out of out of herself. Her thought was unable
agreement of the Spirit, who had not herself, apart from the Spirit to remain barren, and her production
accepted it, and apart from her <concurring> with her, or agreeing, came forth incomplete, lacking the
companion, and apart from his or with her companion approving, shape of her form, because she had
deliberation, and although the face of that is, the male virginal Spirit. made him apart from her companion,
her maleness had not accepted this. and not having a shape like the
appearance of the mother. The Spirit
had not agreed nor assented, nor had
her companion consented, that is, the
masculine, virginal Spirit.
Further, she brought forth despite She did not, however, find her However, when she had failed to
having failed to find her companion, as companion when she was ready to find her companion, she made her
well as having deliberated apart from decide without the good will of the decision apart from the 15 good will of
the agreement of the Spirit and the Spirit and the knowledge of her own the Spirit and the knowledge of her
knowledge of her companion, II, 10 companion, and when she was own companion. She was perfect on
and on account of the invulnerable bringing forth on account of the sexual account of the <sexual knowledge>
strength dwelling inside her, her knowledge that was inside her. Her that dwells inside her. Her thought was
thought did not remain barren, and she thought was unable to remain barren, unable to remain barren, and her
produced from herself something that and her production came forth production came forth incomplete,
was incomplete and that differed from incomplete, foreign in his appearance, lacking the shape of her form, because
her own appearance, because she had because she had made him apart from she had made him apart from her
created him apart from her her companion, and he was dissimilar companion, and not having a shape
companion, and he differed from the to the appearance of the mother, like the appearance of the mother. She
appearance of his mother, because he because he possesses a different form, noticed during her consideration that
possesses a different form. Further, but she noticed during her he was assuming a different
when she saw (the result of) her own consideration that he was assuming the appearance, the face of a lion, the face
will, he morphed into a lion-faced form of a different appearance, of a dragon.2 His eyes were glowing
dragon2 form, and his eyes resembled possessing the face of a dragon and
2 with fire.
lightning fires that flash.
2 The Greek loan word drákōn (Codex II) and Coptic word hof (the other mss) can both be translated “serpent” or “dragon.” See note 4.
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the face of a lion. His 38 <eyes were>
glowing with fire.
She thrust him away from her, She thrust him away from her, She thrust him away from her,
outside those places, so that none of outside those places, so that none of outside those places, so that none of
the immortal ones could IV, 16 see the immortal ones could see him, the immortal ones could see him,
him, because she had created him in because she had given birth to him in because he had been born in
ignorance. ignorance. ignorance.
She also surrounded him with a She attached a shining cloud to him, She attached a shining cloud to him,
shining cloud, and she erected a throne and erected a throne in the midst of and erected a throne in the midst of
in the midst of the cloud, so that none the cloud, so that none could see him, the cloud, so that none could see him,
could see him, apart from the holy apart from the holy Spirit – whose apart from the holy Spirit – who is
Spirit – whose name is the Mother of name is Life, the Mother of Everyone called the Mother of all the Living –
the Living – and she called his name – and she gave him the name and she gave him the name
Yaltabaoth. Yaldabaoth. Yaldabaoth.
This is the chief archon who This is the chief archon who This is the chief archon who
procured a strong power from his procured a strong power from the procured a strong power from 16 the
mother, and he extricated himself from mother. He extricated himself from mother, and he extricated himself from
her, and moved away from the places her, and moved away from the place her, and moved from (one) place to
where he had been born. He grasped where he had been born. He 39 (another) place, away from the place
and created for himself further aeons grasped another place and created for where he had been born. He grasped
with a shining spark that exists (even) himself an aeon that burns with other places, and created for himself
now, and he was astounded in his shining fire, the one where he lives an aeon of light-sparks, the one where
pride that is inside him, and he begot (even) now, and he mated with Pride, he now exists. He mated with
authorities for himself. who dwells with him, and begot the Ignorance, who dwells with him, and
authorities who are subjected to him, begot the authorities who are subjected
the twelve angels, an aeon for each one to him, the twelve angels, and an aeon
of them, according to the pattern of for each one of them, according to the
the indestructible aeons. pattern of the indestructible ones.
He further created for each one of They created for them seven angels,
them seven angels, and for the angels and for the angels, three powers
three powers, all of whom are according to the appearance of the first
subjected to him, being 360 angelic pattern, which existed before him.
beings together with his third power, The authorities that had issued
in appearance like the first pattern, forth from the chief-begetter, the chief
which was prior to him. archon of darkness and ignorance,
When the authorities now emerged together with the authorities, were
from 40 the chief begetter, the chief ignorant of the one who had begotten
archon of the darkness, through the them, and their names were these:
ignorance of the one who had
begotten them, these were their names:
The first has the name Athoth, The first is Yaoth; The first is Haoth;
whom the generations call [the the second is Hermas, who is the the second is Harmas. who is the
Reaper]. fire-eye; fire-eye;
The second is Harmas, [being the] the third is Galila; the third is Galila;
evil [eye]. 3 the fourth is Yobel; the fourth is Yobel;
The third is Kalila-Oumbri. the fifth is Adonaios; the fifth is Adonaios;
The fourth is Yabel. the sixth is Sabaoth; the sixth is Sabaoth;
The fifth is Adonaiou, who is called the seventh is Kainan, even Kae, the seventh is Kainan Kasin, 17 who
Sabaoth. who is named Cain, who is the is called the sun;
sun; the eighth is Abiressia;
3 Literally, “the eye of envy.”
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The sixth is Cain, whom IV, 17 the the eighth is Abiressine; the ninth is Yobel;
generations of men call the Sun. the ninth is Yobel; the tenth is Annoupiael;
The seventh is Abel. the tenth is Harmoupiael; the eleventh is Adonin;
The eighth is Abrisene. the eleventh is Adonin; the twelfth is Belias.
The ninth is Yobel. the twelfth is Belias.
II, 11 The tenth is Armoupieel.
The eleventh is Melcheir-Adonein.
The twelfth is Belias, who is over the
deeps of Hades.
They all, however, possess a set of On the one hand, they possess one
names from Lust and 41 Anger, but set of names from Lusts and Angers.
they possess another set of names, To simplify the situation, all of their
producing a double set assigned to names are doubled, because they are
them. The latter were assigned to them assigned names by the glories on high,
by the glory of Heaven, but these because they have been named in
accurately make manifest their nature. truth, they manifest their nature.
Saklas also called them according to Saklas also called them according to
the names that refer to illusion and to their names that refer to illusion and to
their power, through which they their powers. In this way, through the
progressively diminish and weaken, but glories they diminish and weaken;
by the latter (names) they grow strong through the latter they strengthen and
and multiply. multiply.
He further set up seven kings, each He also commanded that seven He also commanded that seven
one of whom corresponds to the kings rule over the heavens, and five should rule over the heavens, and five
heavenly firmaments over the seven over Chaos in the netherworld. over Chaos and the netherworld.
heavens, and five over the deep of the
abyss, so that they would rule.
He further shared his fire with
them, but he did not dispatch from the
power of the light he had procured
from his mother, because he is
ignorant darkness, and when the light
had combined with the darkness, it
made the darkness shine, and when the
darkness had combined with the light,
it darkened the light, and it became
neither light nor dark, but it grew
gloomy.
Further, the archon who is feeble
possesses three names, the first name
being Yaltabaoth, the second IV, 18
being Saklas, and the third being
Samael, and he is wicked in his pride
that is inside him, because he said: ‘I
am God, and there is no god other
than me,’ because he is unaware of his
strength, the place from which he
originated.
And the archons created seven
powers for themselves, and each of the
powers created for themselves six
angels, so that they numbered 365
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angels, and these are the bodies that The glorious names of those in Those in charge of the seven
pertain to the names: charge of the seven heavens are these: heavens, their glorious names are
these:
The first <is> Athoth – he has the The first is Yaoth, the lion-faced; The first is Aoth, the lion-faced;
face of a sheep; the second is Eloaios, the donkey- the second is Eloaios, the donkey-
the second is Eloaiou – he has the faced; faced;
face of a donkey; the third is Aslaphaios, 42 the hyena- the third is Astophaios, 18 the hyena-
the third is Astaphaios – he has the faced; faced;
face of a [hyena]; the fourth is Yao, the dragon 4-faced the fourth is Yazo, the dragon-faced,
the fourth is Yao – he has the face of with seven heads; lion-faced;
a seven-headed [dragon]; the fifth is Adonaios, the dragon- the fifth is Adonaios the dragon-
the fifth is Sabaoth – he has the face faced; faced;
of a dragon; the sixth is Adoni, the monkey-faced; the sixth is Adonin, the monkey-
the sixth is Adonin – he has the face the seventh is Sabbataios, the glowing faced;
of a monkey; name of the fire-faced. the seventh is Sabbadaios, the
the seventh is Sabbede – he has the glowing fire-faced.
face of a glowing fire. These are the sevenfold (aspect) of the
week; these rule the world. This is the sevenfold (aspect) of the
These are the sevenfold (aspect) of the week; these rule over the world.
week.
Yaltabaoth, however, possessed a However, Yaldabaoth Saklas, he of Then Yaldabaoth, who is Sakla, he
multitude II, 12 of faces – more than many forms, to manifest himself with of many forms, able to manifest
all the others – so that when among any face he wished, shared with them himself with any face he wished,
the seraphs he was able put on any of his fire, which belongs to him, as shared with them of his fire, but of the
face IV, 19 in front of all of them as he well as his power, but of the pure light pure light, which is the power he had
wished. Because he shared his fire with and the power he had derived from the derived from the mother, he gave
them, he became their overlord. On mother, he gave nothing to them. As a nothing to them. As a consequence, he
account of the glorious power he consequence, he became Christ over became their overlord. On account of
possessed owing to his mother’s light, them. On account of the 43 [glory the glory of the radiant power of the
he named himself God, and he was inside] him, the power of the light, the mother inside him, on account of this
disobedient to the place where he had mother, on account [of these he he called himself ‘God over them.’ In
originated. He further joined the seven allowed] himself to be called ‘God,’ in this way he disobeyed the substance
powers inside his thought together this way disobeying the substance from from which he had originated, and he
with the authorities who were with which he had originated. He further joined powers with authorities. When
him, and when he spoke, it happened, joined the seven powers together with he spoke, they came into existence,
and he named each of the powers, the authorities. When he spoke, they and he named them, and he set up [. .
beginning with the highest: came into existence, and he named .].
them. He set up authorities beginning
The first is Goodness, together with with the highest: (Pages 19 and 20 are lost.)
the first (authority), Athoth;
the second is Providence, together The first, then, is Providence,
with the second (authority), Eloaio; together with the first (authority),
and the third is Divinity, together Yaoth;
with the third (authority), the second <is> Divinity,
Astraphaio; together with the second (authority),
the fourth is Lordship, together with Eloaios;
the fourth (authority), Yao; the third is Anointing, together with
the fifth is Kingdom, together with the third (authority), Astaphaios;
the fifth (authority), Sabaoth; the fourth is Fire, together with the
fourth (authority), Yao;
4 Of the six occurrences of the word “dragon” on this page, five are the Greek loan word drákōn, but this one is the Coptic word hof.
Both words can be translated “dragon” or “serpent,” but the context suggests a mythological serpent, making “dragon” the better choice.
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the sixth is Jealousy, together with the fifth is Kingdom, together with
the sixth (authority), Adonein; the fifth (authority), Sabaoth;
the seventh is Sophia, together with 44 the sixth is [Understanding],
the seventh (authority), Sabbateon. together with the sixth (authority),
Ad[oni];
[the] seventh is Sophia, [together
with] the seventh (authority),
Sabbataios.
These also possess a IV, 20 These possess a firmament that
firmament that corresponds to each corresponds to each heaven and an
heavenly aeon. They were given names aeon that corresponds according to the
that accord with the glory of the model of the aeons that existed from
heavenly entities, to bring about the the beginning, in the pattern of the
[annihilation of the] powers, but power indestructible ones.
dwelt in the names given to [them by]
their originator, yet the names that
were given to them in accord with the
glory of the heavenly entities will mean
for them annihilation and feebleness.
In this way, they possess two names.
Further, everything he organized
(var. [Further, after] creating [everything, he
organized] them) in accord with the
semblance of the first aeons that had
come into being, in order that he could
II, 13 create them after the likeness of
the indestructible ones.
It was not because of his seeing the
indestructible entities, but because of
the power inside him, which he had
procured from his mother, that he
generated inside him the likeness of
the world, and when he saw the However, he saw the creation
creation around him and the host of beneath him, and the host of angels
the angels around him, which had attending him, which had issued forth
issued forth from him, he declared to from him. He said to them: ‘I am a
them: ‘I am a jealous God, and there is jealous God; there is none other than
no God other than me.’ By declaring me,’ which already implied to the
this, however, he implied to the angels angels attending him that there is
attending him that there is another another God, because if there had not
God, because if there had not been been another, how could he be jealous
another, how could he be jealous of of another?
another?
The mother then began ‘to move The mother then began 45 ‘to
back and forth,’ 5 becoming aware of move back and forth,’ becoming aware
the deficiency as the luminosity IV, 21 of her deficiency, on account of her
of her light decreased, and she grew companion not having agreed together
dark on account of her companion not with her when her perfection accused
having agreed together with her.” her.”
5 LXX Genesis 1:2.
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The Mother Repents
I, however, said: “Lord, what (is) I, however, said: “Christ, what is
‘she moved back and forth’?” ‘she moved back and forth’?”
And he grinned, and said: “Think He, however, grinned, and said:
not that it agrees with what Moses “Are you thinking that it agrees with
said, ‘above the waters,’ 6 no! what Moses said, ‘above the waters’?
Instead, when she had witnessed the No!
evil that had occurred, and the theft Instead, when she witnessed the evil
her son had perpetrated, she repented, and rebellion that would be
and she was overwhelmed by oblivion perpetrated by her son, she repented,
inside the darkness of ignorance, and and moving about inside the darkness
she began to feel shame ([and she dared of ignorance, she began to feel shame,
not] to return, but [she was moving]) about. and she dared not to return, but she
The movement, however, is ‘to go was moving about.
back and forth,’ and the proud one Her moving about, however, is
procured a power from his mother, what ‘to go back and forth’ means.
because he was ignorant, assuming that When, now, 46 the proud one
no one but his mother existed. When procured a power [from] the mother,
he, however, saw the host of angels he he was ignorant of much that
had created, he then lifted up himself surpassed his mother, because he was
above them. saying of his mother that she was the
only one who existed. He saw the large
host, the angels he had created. He
<lifted up> himself above them.
Further, when the mother realized When, however, the mother realized
that the garment of darkness was that the murky abortion was imperfect,
flawed, she then understood that her because her companion had not agreed
companion had not agreed together together with her, she repented and 21 [… companion, she] repented and
with her. She repented, II, 14 weeping wept copiously, and he hearkened to wept [copiously], and the prayer [of her
IV, 22 copiously, and the entire the prayer of her repentance, and the repentance] was hearkened to, and her
Fullness hearkened to her prayer of brothers petitioned for her sake. The brothers petitioned [for her], and the
repentance, and on her behalf they holy unseen Spirit granted his holy unseen Spirit agreed and poured
praised the unseen, virginal Spirit. (And agreement. When 47 the unseen Spirit down a holy Spirit onto her from their
[he] agreed, but when [the unseen Spirit] had had agreed, he poured out onto her a Perfection, because the companion
agreed), the holy Spirit poured out on Spirit from the Perfection. Her [descended] to rectify their
her from their entire Fullness, because companion descended to her to rectify deficiencies, [and] through Providence
it was not that her companion her deficiencies. He decided through he granted him to rectify her
approached her (alone), but he Providence to rectify her deficiencies, deficiencies, and she was not [taken] to
approached her by means of the and not only to her own aeon was she her aeon, but [owing to the ignorance]
Fullness, so that he could rectify her restored, but on account of the great that had [emanated from her, she will
deficiency, and she was taken up, not, ignorance that had originated from her, dwell] in the Ninth [until she has
however, to her own aeon, but above she will dwell in the Ninth until she rectified] her deficiency.
her son, so that she would dwell in the has rectified her deficiency.
Ninth until she had rectified her
deficiency.
A voice also came forth from the A voice came to her: ‘The Man [A voice also] came to her: ‘The
lofty heavenly aeon: ‘The Man exists, exists and the Son of Man,’ but the Man [exists and the] Son [of Man],’ but
and the Son of Man,’ and the chief chief archon, Yaldabaoth, overheard. the [chief archon], Yaldabaoth,
archon, Yaltabaoth, overheard and He assumed that the voice did not [overheard, but he knew not that] the
assumed that the voice had come from originate [from on high]. voice originated [from on high].
6 Genesis 1:2.
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his mother, and he knew not from
where it had come.
He also taught them, that is, the [He taught] them concerning He taught them, [specifically, the
sacred and perfect Mother-Father, the himself, 48 that is, the sacred and sacred], perfect [Primal Man]. The
perfect Providence, the image of the perfect Father, the Primal Man, in blessed one [made manifest] his
unseen one, who is the Father of the human form. The blessed one made appearance to them.
All, through whom everything came to manifest his appearance to them.
be, the Primal IV, 23 Man, because in
a male form he made manifest his
likeness.
Further, the entire aeon of the chief
archon shook, and the foundations of
the abyss moved, and the bottom of
the waters above matter was
illuminated by the appearance of this
image that had been made manifest,
and when all of the authorities and the
chief archon looked, they saw the
entire region underneath them
illuminated.
The Authorities Create Adam
Further, through the light they saw Further, the entire group of the 22 Further, the entire [group of
the shape of the image inside the archons of the seven authorities bent archons], the authorities, bent
water, II, 15 and he said to the downward, and they saw inside the downward, and they [<saw> inside the
authorities attending him: ‘Come, let us water the form of the image. They said water] the form of the image. [They,
create a man according to the image of one to another, ‘Let us create a man in therefore, said] to one another other,
God, and according to our likeness, so the image of God, and (in) the ‘Let [us create a man] according to the
that his image will become a light for likeness,’ and they created out of one image of God, and according to his
us.’ another and out of all of their powers. likeness,’ and out of themselves and
[all] of their powers they created.
Further, they created by means of They molded a form from out of They molded a form [out of]
their individual powers in agreement themselves and out of [each one] of themselves, and each one of the
with the allotted attributes, and each the powers, 49 [and] by means of the [powers] created [a soul] from its
authority provided an attribute by power [they created the soul]. They power. It created from the image that
means of the shape of the image he created it from the image which they (each one) had seen by mimicking [he
had seen in its psychic (dimension). He had seen by mimicking he who exists who is from] the beginning, [the
created an entity according to the from the beginning, the Perfect Man, Perfect Man, and] they said, ‘[Let us
likeness of the perfect Primal Man, and and they said, ‘Let us call him Adam, call him Adam], so that [his name and]
they said: ‘Let us call him Adam, so so that his name and its power may be its power [may become] a light [for
that IV, 24 his name will become for a light for us,’ and the powers us],’ and [the powers] commenced
us a power of light,’ and the powers commenced from below: from [the image] below:
commenced:
The first one, Goodness, 7 created a The first is Divinity, a living bone; [The first is Divinity, a living] bone;
living bone; the second is Goodness, a living [the second] is [Lord]ship, a living
and the second, Providence, created sinew; sinew;
a living sinew; the third is Fire, a living flesh; the third is both Goodness and Fire,
the third, Divinity, created a living the fourth is Providence, a living a living flesh, as well as the
flesh; marrow
7 Or “Anointing.”
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and the fourth, Lordship, created a as well as the complete foundation complete foundation 23 of the
living marrow; of the body; body;
The fifth, Kingdom, created living the fifth is Kingdom, 50 living the fourth [is] Providence, a living
blood; [blood]; marrow;
The sixth, Jealousy, created a living [the] sixth is Understanding, living the fifth [is] Kingdom, living [blood];
skin; skin; the sixth is [Understanding], living
The seventh, Understanding, created the seventh is Sophia, living hair; teeth, 8 with [the] entire body;
living hair. the seventh is Sophia, living hair;
However, the host of the angels and they arranged the complete body, and they arranged the entire man, and
attended him, and they obtained from and their angels attended them. From their angels attended them. From the
the authorities the seven substances of the things made ready at first by the living entities 9 they had made ready,
the life-soul to be able to create the authorities <they created> the the authorities created the substance of
sizes of the limbs and the sizes of the substance of the soul, the coordination [the living entities], the [limbs]
torso, and the correct functioning of of the limbs joined (to one another), coordinated with the joints. [The entire
all the parts with each other. and the complete body was created, body was created, being fitted together
being fitted together by the host of by the host] of angels, [which I
angels, which I mentioned previously. mentioned] previously.
The first one began creating the head;
Eteraphaope-Abron created his head;
Meniggesstroeth created the brain;
Asterechmen, the right eye;
Thaspomocham, the left eye;
Yeronumos, the right ear;
Bissoum, the left ear;
Akioreim, the nose;
II, 16 Banen-Ephroum, the lips;
Amen, the teeth;
Ibikan, the molars;
Basiliademe, IV, 25 the tonsils;
Achcha, the staphyle;
Adaban, the neck;
Chaaman, the vertebrae;
Dearcho, the throat;
Tebar, the right shoulder;
N[. . ., the] left shoulder;
Mniarchon, the right elbow;
[. . .e, the] left elbow;
Abilrion, the right underarm;
Evanthen, the left underarm;
Krys, the right hand;
Beluai, the left hand;
Treneu, the right-hand fingers;
Balbel, the left-hand fingers;
Kriman, the nails of the hands;
Astrops, the right breast;
Barroph, the left breast;
Baoum, the right shoulder joint;
8 Literally, “tooth.”
9 Literally, “souls.”
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Ararim, the left shoulder joint;
Areche, the belly;
Phthave, the navel;
Senaphim, the abdomen;
Arachethopi, the right ribs;
Zabedo, the left ribs;
Barias, the right hip;
Phnouth, the left hip;
Abenlenarchei, the marrow;
Chnoumeninorin, the bones;
Gesole, the stomach;
Agromauma, the heart;
Bano, the lungs;
Sostrapal, the liver;
Anesimalar, the spleen;
Thopithro, the intestines;
Biblo, the kidneys;
Roeror, the sinews;
Taphreo, the bodily spine;
Ipouspoboba, the veins;
Bineborin, the arteries;
IV, 26 Aatoimenpsephei, to them
belong the breath in every limb;
Entholleia, all of the flesh;
Bedouk, the right bottom; 10
Arabeei, the left penis;
Eilo, the testicles (var. twin);
Sorma, the genitals;
Gorma-Kaiochlabar, the right thigh;
Nebrith, the left thigh;
Pserem, the right leg kidneys;
Asaklas, the left kidney;
Ormaoth, the right leg;
Emenun, the left leg;
Knyx, the II, 17 right shin-bone;
Tupelon, the left shin-bone;
Achiel, the right knee;
Phneme, the left knee;
Phiouthrom, the right foot;
Boabel, its toes;
Trachoun, the left foot;
Phikna, its toes;
Miamai, the feet nails;
Labernioum, [. . .].
However, those set over all these are
seven:
Athoth, Armas, Kalila, Jabel,
Sabaoth, Cain, Abel.
However, especially at work in the
limbs are these:
The head, Diolimodraza;
10 Meaning uncertain.
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the neck, Yammeax;
the right shoulder, Yakoubib;
the left shoulder, Yerton;
the right hand, Oudidi;
the left (hand), Arbao;
the right-hand fingers, Lampno;
the left-hand fingers, Leekaphar;
the right breast, Barbar;
the left breast, Imae;
the chest, Pisandraptes;
the right shoulder joint, Koade;
the left shoulder joint, Odeor;
the IV, 27 right ribs, Asphixix;
the left ribs, Synogchouta;
the belly, Arouph;
the womb, Sabalo;
the right thigh, Charcharb;
the left thigh, Chthaon;
all the genitals, Bathinoth;
the right leg, Choux;
the left leg, Charcha;
the right shin-bone, Aroer;
the left shin-bone, Toechtha;
the right knee, Aol;
the left knee, Charaner;
the right foot, Bastan;
its toes, Archentechtha;
the left foot, Marephnounth;
its toes, Abrana.
Those who wield power over all these
are seven, 7:
Michael,
Ouriel,
Asmenedas,
Saphasatoel,
Aarmouriam,
Richram,
Amiorps.
Further, those who control the senses,
Archendekta;
and he who controls perception,
Deitharbathas;
and he who controls imagination,
Oummaa;
and he who controls proportioning, II,
18 Aachiaram;
and he who controls all impulses,
Riaramnacho.
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However, the origin of the demons that
dwell in all the body is set at four:
heat,
cold,
wetness,
and dryness.
However, the mother of all of them is
matter,
but he who rules over heat,
Phloxopha;
but he who rules IV, 28 over cold,
Oroorrothos;
but he who rules over dryness,
Erimacho;
but he who rules over wetness,
Athuro.
However, the mother of all of these,
Onorthochras, stands among them,
because she is the one who is without
limit, and she combines with them all,
and she really is matter, because she
nourishes them.
The four chief demons (are):
Ephememphi, who pertains to
pleasure;
Yoko, who pertains to lust;
Nenentophni, who pertains to grief;
Blaomen, who pertains to fear.
However, the mother of all of them
(is) Esthensis-Ouch-Epi-Ptoe.
Passions issued forth from the four
demons, but from grief: envy, jealousy,
misfortune, trouble, pain, cruelty,
anxiety, lamentation, and so on.
However, from pleasure arise
plentiful evil, and vacuous arrogance,
and the like.
However, from lust: anger, fury, and
bitterness, and bitter passion, and never
being satisfied, and the like.
However, from IV, 29 fear: horror,
groveling, misery, and humiliation.
All these resemble things virtuous,
but also things vicious.
However, insight into their reality
(comes from) Anaro, the chief of the
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hylic soul, II, 19 because it pertains to
the seven senses, to Ouch-Epi-Ptoe.
Here is the number of the angels: All
together, they are 365. All of them
worked on it, limb by limb, until they
finished both the psychic and the hylic
body.
In addition to these, there are others
who control the remaining passions.
Although I have not listed them for
you, if you want to know who they are,
this is (all) written in the Book of
Zoroaster.
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The Spirit is Blown into Adam
However, all the angels and demons It, however, was inert for a It, however, [was] inert for a
labored until they had formed the prolonged time, because the seven prolonged time, [because] the seven
psychic body, and their creation was authorities could not awaken it, nor [authorities] could [not] awaken it, nor
entirely inert and without movement could the other 360 angels who had could the other [3]60 angels who had
for a prolonged time. assembled 51 [the limbs joined (to one [assembled] the joints.
When, however, the mother wished another)]. [The mother] now wanted to regain
to regain the power she had granted to Also, [she wanted to regain] the the power she had [granted] the archon
the chief archon, she entreated the power she had granted to the archon with sexual desire.
Most Merciful Mother-Father of the of sexual desire. [In] innocence she entreated the
All. She approached innocently, and Father, [the] Most Merciful, and the
entreated the Father of the All, the five lights.
Most Merciful and the God of Light.
With the sacred decree, he IV, 30 With the sacred decree, he 24 With the sacred [decree] he
dispatched the five lights down onto dispatched the self-generated one dispatched <the self-generated one>
the place of the angels of the chief together with the four lights in angelic together with his four lights in angelic
archon, and they counseled him that forms of the chief archon. They forms of the chief archon, and [they
they should bring forth the power of counseled him that <they> should counseled] him that they might regain
the mother, and they said to bring forth from inside him the power the power of the mother from him,
Yaltabaoth, ‘Blow of your Spirit into of the mother. They said to him, ‘Blow [and] they said to him, ‘Blow your
his face, and his body will stand up,’ into his face of your Spirit, and the Spirit into his face, and the production
and he blew into his face his Spirit, production will arise,’ and into the will stand up,’ and into the body he
which is the power of his mother. He body he blew at him with his Spirit, blew from out of the chief archon
was unaware, because he exists in which is the power from his mother, [into] his face a Spirit, which is the
ignorance, and the power of the and 52 at [that (very) instant] it moved. power of the mother.
mother went forth from Yaltabaoth Suddenly, [the rest of the] [At that instant, it] moved [and grew
into the psychic body they had formed authorities [grew envious], because he stronger] than he was, [and the rest] of
according to the image of he who is had come to exist through all of them, the authorities [grew envious, because
from the beginning. and they had bestowed their interior he had come to exist] through all of
The body moved and attained powers on the man, and he possessed them, [and they had bestowed] their
strength, and it was radiant, and at that the souls of the seven authorities, as powers on the man, and he possessed
time the rest of II, 20 the powers grew well as their powers. His intellect the seven authorities, their souls, as
envious, because he had come into surpassed all of theirs and surpassed well as [their] powers. [His] intellect
existence through all of them, and they <the> chief archon as well. surpassed those who had made him,
had bestowed their power on the man, and the [chief] archon as well.
and his intellect surpassed (that of)
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those who had made him, and the
chief archon.
When, however, they saw that he They realized now that he was free They, however, realized that he was
was radiant, and that he could reason of evil, because he was cleverer than [free] of evil, because he was [cleverer]
better than they, and that he was they, and that he had gained entrance than they, and that he had [gained
unburdened by IV, 31 evil, they took into the light. They took him and entrance into] the light. They took him
him up and thrust him down into the escorted him into the nethermost and [escorted] him into the nethermost
nethermost region of all matter. regions of all matter, but the blessed region of [all] matter. The blessed
However, the Blessed One, the Father is the merciful, beneficent one. Father, because he is the 25 beneficent
Mother-Father, the beneficent and He was merciful to the power 53 [of and merciful one, [was] merciful to the
merciful one, showed mercy to the the mother which they had brought power [of the mother] which they had
power of the mother which had been forth] from the [chief archon], so that brought [forth] from the archon, and
brought forth from the chief ruler, they would be {un}able to obtain [because they were soon to] to control
because they might acquire power over power over the body. He and his great the body, he dispatched his Spirit,
the psychic and sensory body, and mercy dispatched the good Spirit as a beneficent and abundantly merciful, as
through his beneficent Spirit and his helper to the first one who had a helper to the first [one] who had
great mercy he dispatched to Adam a descended, who had been given the descended, who was given the name
helper, Radiant Reflection who name Adam, that is, Reflection of [Adam], that is, Reflection of Light,
emerges out of him, who is called Light, who had been called ‘Life’ by who had been called ‘Life’ by him.
‘Life.’ 11 him.
She, however, helps the entire She, however, helps the entire [She, however, helps the] entire
creation by laboring together with him, creature by laboring together with him, [creature] by [laboring together with
and by restoring to him his perfection, by returning him to his own temple, him, by returning] him [to his]
and by instructing him concerning the and by instructing him concerning the perfection, and by instructing him
descent of his seed, and by instructing descent of his flaw, and by instructing concerning the descent [of his] flaw,
him concerning the way of ascent, the him concerning its ascent. and by instructing him concerning its
way by which it descended. [ascent].
Further, Reflection of Light was Reflection of Light was also Reflection of Light was then
concealed inside Adam, so that the concealed inside him, so that the concealed inside him, so that the
archons would be unknowing, but that archons would be unknowing, but that, archons would be unknowing, [but]
Reflection would be a rectification of instead, 54 our [sister Sophia, who that, instead, our companion-sister,
the deficiency of the mother, and IV, looks like] us, would rectify her Sophia, who looks like [us], would
32 the man became visible on account deficiencies with Reflection of Light, rectify her deficiencies with Reflection
of the light-shadow inside him, and his and the man glowed on account of the of Light, and 26 the man glowed [on
intellect surpassed (that of) all those light-shadow inside him, and his account of the] light-[shadow] inside
who had made him. intellect surpassed (that of) those who him, and he [surpassed] those who had
had made him, and they prostrated. made [him, and the entire] group of
archons, of authorities, prostrated.
The Archons Conspire Against Adam
When they gazed down, they They beheld the man. He surpassed They saw that the man [surpassed]
realized that his intellect surpassed them. Together with the entire group them, and together with the angels,
(their own), and they convened in of angels of the archons and the with the archons, and [with the]
counsel together with the group of remainder of their powers, they took remainder of the powers, they took
archons and all angels. counsel. [counsel].
They took fire and earth II, 21 and Then fire and earth combined Then [wind 14 and] earth, combined
water, and combined them with each together with water and flame. They together (with) water and flame, were
other together with the four fiery grasped them, and the four winds, combined [with the] four winds.
11 LXX Genesis 3:21.
14 Literally, “spirit.”
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winds, and they worked them together blowing with fire, were joined together Blowing with [fire] and being
and made a loud commotion, and they with one another, and 55 [made a combined with each other, they [made
took him into the shadow of death, so loud] commotion. They led him into a] loud [commotion]. [They led him
that they could once more shape him 12 the shadow of death. They produced a into] the [shadow of death. Once again
from earth and water and fire and form once again, but out of earth and they produced] a form [from] earth
wind, 13 the one whose origin is in water and fire and wind, that is, out of and water and [fire] and wind, that is,
matter, which is the ignorance of matter and darkness and lust and the [from] the matter of darkness and [lust]
darkness and lust and their false spirit. opposing spirit. and their false [spirit].
This is the tomb for the mold of the This is the chain. This is the tomb This is our chain. This is the tomb
body that the robbers used to clothe for the mold of the body they used to of the mold of the body the robbers
the man, the chain of oblivion, and he clothe the man as the chain of matter. used to clothe the man, the chain of
became a mortal man. oblivion, [and this is] how man became
mortal.
This is the first one who descended, This is the first one who descended This is the first descent 27 as well as
and the first division, but Reflection of and the first division, but Thought of his first division, but Thought of Pre-
Light, who dwelt inside him, she IV, the First Light, because she dwelt existent Light, [because] she dwelt
33 roused his intellect. Further, the inside him, roused his intellect. The inside him, [roused] his intellect, and
archons brought him and placed him chief archon brought him and placed the chief archon [brought] him and
in paradise, and they said to him, him in paradise. 56 He who used [to [placed] him in paradise, concerning
‘Eat,’ 15 meaning, ‘in laziness,’ because say, ‘Let it be a] delight for him,’ 16 but [which] he [used to] say, ‘Let it be his
their delight is surely bitter, and their in reality to fool him, because their delight,’ but in reality in order to fool
beauty is degenerate, but their delight delight is bitter, and their beauty is him, because [their] food was bitter,
is trickery, and their trees are degenerate. Their delight is trickery, and their [beauty] was degenerate, and
godlessness, and their fruit is an and their tree is godlessness. Their fruit their food [was] a trick, and their trees
untreatable poison, and their promise is an untreatable poison, and their [were godlessness]. [Their fruit was an
is mortality. promise to him is mortality. untreatable poison], and [their
promise] to them [was mortality].
However, they had placed their tree Regarding their tree, which they [Regarding] the tree [they planted],
of life in the middle of paradise, and I planted, ‘It is the tree of life,’ I will ‘It is the one of life,’ I, [however, will]
will teach all of you the mystery of instruct all of you concerning the instruct all of you concerning the
their life, which is the plot they mystery of their life. It is their false [mystery] of their life, that is, their false
concocted together, which is the spirit from inside them, to lead him [spirit] from one [another, that they
likeness of their spirit. astray, so that he <would> not may] lead him astray, [so that] he
Its root is bitter and its branches are experience his perfection. would not experience his perfection.
mortality, its shadow is odium, and That tree is of the kind whose root That tree also [is] of this [kind],
trickery dwells inside its leaves, and its is bitter, and whose branches are whose root is bitter, and [whose]
blossom is the evil anointing, and its shadows of death, and whose 57 leaves branches are shadows of [death], and
fruit is mortality, and lust is its IV, 34 are hatred and trickery, and its perfume whose leaves are deeds of hatred 28
seed, and it buds in the darkness. is an anointing of evil, and its fruit is and trickery, and whose anointing is an
Those who taste II, 22 of it, their the lust of death, and its seed drinks anointing [of] evil, and whose fruit is a
dwelling place is Hades, and the continually of <darkness>. Those who lust for death, [and] whose seed
darkness is their resting place. taste of it, their dwelling place is sprouted [from] darkness. Those who
Hades. taste of it, [their] dwelling place is
Hades.
However, so that he could not gaze Regarding the tree which they call, [Regarding] the [tree (which) they]
up toward his perfection nor realize ‘so as to know good and evil,’ which is call, ‘the knowledge of good and [evil],’
the shame of his nudity, they remained Reflection of Light, concerning which which is Reflection of Light,
in front of what they call ‘the tree of they issued the commandment not to concerning which they issued the
12 LXX Genesis 2:7.
13 Literally, “spirit.”
15 Genesis 2:6.
16 LXX Genesis 2:15.
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the knowledge of good and evil,’ being taste, that is, obey her not, because the commandment, ‘[Do not] eat of her,’
Reflection of Light. I was the one, commandment was issued against him that [is], obey her not, because [it was]
however, who caused them to eat.” so that he could not gaze up toward issued [against him so that he could
his perfection and realize that he had not gaze up] toward [his perfection and
been stripped of his perfection, but it realize that he had been] stripped [of
was I who induced them 58 so that his perfection], but I induced [Adam],
they ate.” so that he ate.”
I also askedthe savior: “Lord, was it I asked him: “Christ, was it not the [I] also [asked him]: “Lord, was it
not the serpent that instructed Adam serpent that instructed her?” not the serpent [that] instructed him?”
to eat?”
The savior grinned and said: “The He grinned and said: “The serpent He grinned and [said]: “The serpent
serpent instructed them to eat of the instructed her concerning sexual lust, appeared to them [for] sexual lust,
evil of sexual lust and destruction, so concerning defilement and destruction, which is defilement [of] destruction, so
that he could exploit him. Further, because he can exploit these, and he that he could be exploited [by him]. He
he 17 was aware that he was disobedient was aware that she would disobey him, knew [that] he was disobedient to him,
to him because of Reflection of Light because she was cleverer than he, and because he was [cleverer] than he, and
that dwells in him, which caused his he desired to extract the power that he he desired to extract 29 the power
intellect to be more accurate than the had given to him, and he caused a from inside him, and he caused a
chief archon, and he 18 desired to ‘trance’ to overcome Adam.” ‘trance’ to overcome Adam.”
extract the power he had himself given
to him, and he caused a ‘trance’ to
overcome Adam.”
I further asked the savior: “What is I asked him: ‘‘Christ, what is the I, however, asked him: “Lord, what
the ‘trance’?” ‘trance’?” is the ‘trance’?”
He, however, said: “It is not what He, however, said: “It is not the way He grinned and said: “Do you think
Moses wrote, nor what you have Moses said, ‘He caused him to sleep,’ it is as Moses said, ‘He caused him to
heard, IV, 35 because he said in his but it was his perception he veiled with sleep’? No, it was instead his
first book, ‘He caused him to sleep’; a veil. He caused him to be drowsy perception that he veiled with an
instead, (he caused his) perception (to with 59 a lack of perception, because absence of perception, because he in
sleep), because in fact he said through he in fact said through the prophet: ‘I fact said through the prophet: ‘I will
the prophet: ‘I will cause their hearts to will cause the ears of their hearts to be cause the ears of their hearts to be
be heavy, so that they do not pay heavy, so that they do not understand heavy, so that they do not understand
attention and do not see.’ 19 and do not see.’ and do not see.’
The Chief Archon Creates Eve
Reflection of Light then concealed Reflection of Light then concealed [Reflection of Light] then
herself inside him, and the chief herself inside him, and in his desire, he [concealed herself inside him, and] in
archon desired to extract her from his wished to extract her from out of the [desire, he wished to extract] her from
rib, but Reflection of Light is beyond rib, but she – Reflection of Light, his [rib]. Reflection is something that
grasping. Even though the darkness because she is an entity that cannot be one [cannot] grasp. The darkness
chased after her, it could not catch her, grasped – even though the darkness chased after [her] light, without
and he extracted from him a portion of chased after her, it could not lay hold catching the light, [and] he wished to
his power, and he made another mold of her. He wished to extract the power extract the power [from] him, and (so)
in the form of a woman, according to from out of him to make a mold once he made a new mold in the form of a
the likeness of Reflection, who had more, in the form of a woman, and he woman, and [he] lifted her up in front
appeared to him, and he brought II, 23 lifted <her> up in front of him, not of him, not the way Moses said, ‘He
the portion he had extracted from the
17 The chief archon.
18 The chief archon.
19 Isaiah 6:10.
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power of the man inside the female the way Moses said, ‘He took a rib and took a rib and created a woman, and
mold, and not as Moses said, ‘his rib,’ 20 created the woman next to him.’ 22 placed her next to him.’
and he 21 beheld the woman next to Suddenly, he became sober from 30 Suddenly, he became sober from
him. the inebriation of darkness. 60 the inebriation of death. Reflection
Also at that moment, Radiant Reflection of Light raised the veil that raised the veil over his mind. He
Reflection appeared, and she lifted the lay over his mind. When he realized immediately realized his companion,
veil that had covered his mind, and he this, he immediately said, ‘This is surely who is equal to him: ‘You are surely
recovered his sobriety after the bone of my bones, and flesh of my bone of my bones, and you are flesh of
inebriation of darkness, IV, 36 and he flesh. my flesh.
recognized the counterpart of his own
image, and he said: ‘This is surely bone
of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.
Therefore will the man leave his Therefore will the man leave his Therefore will the man leave [his
father and his mother, and he will father and his mother, and he will father] and his mother, and he will
cleave to his wife, and both of them cleave to his wife, and both of them cleave to his wife, and both of them
will become one flesh,’ 23 because his will become one flesh,’ because the will become one flesh,’ [because] the
companion will be sent to him, and he mother’s companion will be companion of the mother was
will leave his father and his mother, dispatched, and she will be rectified. dispatched to rectify her deficiencies.
even Sophia, our sister, she who Therefore, Adam gave her the name Therefore [Adam gave her the name],
descended in innocence to rectify her ‘the mother of all the living.’ By the ‘the [mother of all the living].’ [By the]
deficiency, because of which she was sovereignty from on high, and by the sovereignty from [on high and by the
called ‘Life,’ 24 who is ‘the mother or revelation, Reflection instructed him in revelation] of knowledge, Reflection
the living,’ through the Providence of knowledge. [instructed them].
the sovereignty of Heaven,
and [Reflection who appeared] to him,
and through her they have tasted of
perfect knowledge.
The Chief Archon Pollutes Eve
I appeared in the shape of an eagle 61 From the tree, in the shape of an From the tree, [in the shape] of an
on the tree of knowledge, which is eagle, she instructed him to eat of eagle, she instructed [them] to eat of
Reflection of Providence of Pure knowledge, so that he could recall his knowledge, [so that they could] recall
Light, so that I could instruct them and perfection, because both had fallen their perfection, [because] both [had]
rouse them out of their deep sleep, into ignorance. fallen into [ignorance].
because both of them were in a fallen
condition, and they were aware of their
IV, 37 nudity.
Reflection appeared to them in the Yaldabaoth realized that they had Ialtabaoth now noticed [that] they
mode of a light, and she roused their withdrawn from him, and cursed them, had withdrawn from him, [and he
thinking, but when <Y>aldabaoth but moreover, he adds concerning the cursed them]. Moreover, he added
realized that they had withdrawn from woman that the husband is to rule over concerning the [woman], ‘Your
him, he cursed his earth. He her, 25 because he does not know the husband will rule over you,’ [because
encountered the woman when she was mystery that transpired through the he does] not know the mystery that
II, 24 making herself ready for her sacred decree from on high. They, [transpired] 31 through the sacred
husband. He was her overlord, however, feared to curse him, and to decree from on high. They, however,
20 Genesis 2:21.
21 Adam.
22 Genesis 2:21.
23 Genesis 2:23-24.
24 LXX Genesis 3:21.
25 Genesis 3:17.
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although he knew not the mystery that expose his ignorance. All of his angels feared to curse him, and to expose his
had transpired by means of the sacred expelled 62 [them] from paradise. He ignorance to his angels, and he
decree, and they were afraid to accuse clothed him in dark gloom. expelled them from paradise, and
him, and he displayed to his angels the clothed them in dark gloom.
ignorance inside him, and he expelled
them from paradise, and he clothed
them in dark gloom.
The chief archon also beheld the Yaldabaoth then beheld the virgin He then beheld the virgin standing
virgin who stood near Adam, and that standing near Adam. He was filled with near Adam. Yaldabaoth was full of
the radiant Reflection of Life had ignorance, so that he desired to raise ignorance, and he desired to raise up a
appeared inside her, and up a seed from her. He polluted her seed from her, [and] he polluted her
<Y>aldabaoth was filled with and begot the first child, and similarly and begot the [first] child, and similarly
ignorance, and when the Providence of the second: Yave, the bear-face, and the [second]: Yavai, the bear-face, and
the All saw this, she dispatched Eloim, the cat-face. The one is just, Eloim, [the cat-face]. The one is just,
messengers, and they quickly removed but the other is unjust. Eloim is the but [the other one] is unjust. [Eloim] is
Life from out of Eve. Then the chief just one, Yave is the unjust one. The the just one, Yavai is the [unjust one].
archon polluted her, and he begot with just one he placed over fire and wind, 26 The just one he placed over fire and
her two sons, the first and the second: but the unjust one he placed over [wind], but the unjust one over earth
IV, 38 Eloim and Yave. Eloim has the water and earth. These are called Cain and [water]. These are called Abel and
face of a bear, but Yave has the face of and Abel by all generations of men. Cain [by] all generations of men.
a cat. The one is just, but the other is
unjust (var. Yave is just, but Eloim is
unjust). Yave was placed over fire and
wind, but Eloim was placed over water
and earth, but with intent to deceive he
called these with the names Cain and
Abel.
Until today sexual intercourse has 63 Until today, there is sexual Until today [sexual intercourse] has
continued because of the chief archon, intercourse in marriage, because of the continued and endured [owing to] the
and it was he who planted sexual lust chief archon. Inside Adam he planted chief archon, and inside Adam he
inside her who belongs to Adam, but sexual lust, so that from this essence planted sexual lust, 32 so that by
through intercourse he made copies of they gave birth to a copy from their means of this this essence they gave
the bodies, and he inspired them with false spirit. birth to their copy through their false
his false spirit. spirit.
He, however, placed the two However, he placed the two He placed the two archons over
archons over several principalities, so archons over the principalities, so that principalities, so that they would rule
that they would rule over the tomb. they would rule over the tomb. over the tomb.
However, when Adam became He knew his essence, which He knew his own lawlessness, and
aware of the likeness of his own resembled him. Adam begot Seth, and he begot Seth according to the race on
precognition, he begot the likeness II, exactly as the race in heaven, among high among the aeons.
25 of the Son of Man, whom he called the aeons, so the mother dispatched
Seth, in agreement with the way the the one who belongs to her.
race is among the aeons.
Similarly, the mother also sent down The Spirit descended to her in order They similarly dispatched to the
her spirit, which is in her own likeness, to rouse the essence that resembles 64 mother her own spirit, to rouse those
IV, 39 as well as a simulacrum of the him, according to the simulacrum of who resemble it, according to the
one who dwells in the Fullness, the perfection, in order to rouse them simulacrum of the perfection, and to
because she will make ready a dwelling from oblivion and the evil of the tomb, bring all of [them] out of oblivion and
place for the aeons who will descend. and in this way he remained for a time. the evil [of the] tomb, and in this way
He also caused them to drink the water He toiled for her seed, so that, when they remained for a time while she
26 Here, and in the Codex III version, literally, “spirit.”
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of oblivion from the chief archon, so the Spirit comes forth from the sacred toiled [for her] seed, so that, when the
that they would not know the place of aeons, he can rectify their defect, holy Spirit [comes forth from the]
their origin. In this way, the seed confirm the aeon so that it can become great aeons, he can rectify their defects
remained for a period of time to help, a sacred Perfection, and that, as a for [the arranging] of the aeon, so that
so that when the Spirit issues forth result, there will be no defect inside it.” [it can] become a sacred Fullness, and
from the sacred aeons, he will raise that, consequently, they will not be
him up and heal him of his deficiency, defective.”
so that the entire Fullness will become
holy and without fault.”
The Destiny of Souls
I also asked the savior: “Lord, will I, however, asked: “Christ, will the [I] then asked: “Lord, will the
then all the souls be conducted safely souls of everyone continue living in the [souls] of everyone escape to [the pure]
into the pure light?” pure light?” light?”
He answered and said to me: “Great He said to me: “You have opened He said [to me]: “You have opened
things have arisen in your mind, up a contemplation of great things of up a contemplation of [great] 33 things
because it is difficult to explain them the kind that are difficult to explain to that are difficult to explain to others,
to others, with the exception of those others, with the exception 65 of those with the exception of those who
who are from the unmoving race. who originate from that unmoving originate from the unmoving race.
Those on whom the Spirit of life race. Those whom the Spirit of life enters
will alight, and whom he will empower, Those on whom the Spirit of life is and joins itself with the power will be
they will be saved and become perfect, soon to alight, after they have joined saved, perfect, and they will deserve
and they will be deserving of the together with the power, they will be these great lights, because there they
Greatness, and IV, 40 in that place, saved, they will become perfect, and will be purified of all evil, and of the
they will be made clean of all evil, as they will deserve to enter these great chains of evil, because they [devote
well as participation in evil. Therefore,lights, because there they will deserve themselves] to nothing else but the
because they possess no concern other to be purified of all evil, and the indestructible assembly, and fix their
than solely indestructibility, on which temptations of evil, given that they attention on it from this time forward,
they will concentrate from this time devote themselves to nothing else but without wrath or envy, without
on, without wrath, or envy or jealousy, this indestructible assembly, and they jealousy, or lust, or pleasure. [By] none
or lust and greed for anything, they willwill certainly fix their attention on it, of these are they troubled, [except] the
not be troubled by anything except without wrath, or envy, or fear, or lust, condition of existing [in the flesh]
only the condition of fleshly existence, or pleasure. They are not troubled by while they put it to use, looking
which they will cope with by waiting any of these, not even by a single one forward with expectation to [the hour]
expectantly for the time when they will of them, except only the flesh, 66 when they will be brought forth and
be greeted II, 26 by the receivers. while they put it to use, looking received [by] those who receive [into]
These kind, then, are deserving of the forward with expectation to when they the excellence of eternal life [and the]
indestructible, eternal life, and the will be brought forth and received by election, withstanding all, and
election, because they withstand all and those who receive into the excellence [enduring] all, so that they will [finish]
endure all, so that they can complete of eternal, indestructible life and the the contest and inherit eternal life.”
the good (var. the contest) and inherit election, withstanding all, and enduring
eternal life.” all, so that they will finish the contest
and inherit eternal life.”
I asked him: “Lord, the souls of I asked: “Christ, if they will not I, however, [asked] him: “Lord,
those who will not have performed have performed these things, what will those who will not have [performed]
these works, on whom the power the souls do to be similarly saved, these things, where will their souls be,
<and> Spirit of life had descended, will those into whom the power and the 34 or where will those go whom the
they be [rejected]?” Spirit of life had entered?” Spirit of life and the power had
entered?
Will they be saved, or not?”
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He answered and said to me: “If the He said to me: 67 “Those into He said to me: “Those into whom
Spirit descended on them, they will be whom that spirit enters will in any the Spirit of life enters will in any
saved despite this, and they will scenario live and will be delivered out scenario be saved. These run away
reform, because the power will of evil, because the power enters into from evil, because the power enters
descend on all people, because apart everyone, because without it they into everyone, because apart from it
from it no one can endure. would be unable to stand. [they] would be unable to stand.
However, after IV, 41 being born, However, after it is born, the Spirit After the person is born, then the
then, as the Spirit of life increases, and of life will then be carried to it. In this [Spirit] of life is brought before the
the power arrives and strengthens that way, when this strong Spirit of life has false spirits. When the Spirit of life
soul, no one will be able to lead it arrived, it strengthens the power, that comes, then, because it is strong, it
astray with evil deeds. is, the soul, and it strays not into evil. makes strong [the soul], which is the
However, those on whom the false However, those into whom the false power, and [it] strays [not] into evil.
spirit descends are dragged by him, and spirit enter<s are> compelled by him [The one] into whom [the] false
are led astray.” and <are> led astray.” spirit [enters] is compelled [by it], and
goes astray.”
I, however, asked: “Lord, when I, however, asked: “Christ, when I, however, asked: “Lord, when
their souls have departed from their their souls 68 have departed from their [these] souls have departed from their
flesh, where will they go?” flesh, where will they go?” flesh, where [will they go]?”
He, however, grinned and said to He, however, grinned and said: “To He, however, grinned and said: “If
me: “The soul, in which the power will a place of the soul, which is the power the soul, which is the power, [grows
grow stronger than the vile spirit – that has grown far more excellent than stronger] than the false spirit –
because it is strong and runs away the false spirit. This is strong, and it [because] what runs away [from] evil is
from evil – even by the intervention of runs away from evil deeds, and by strong – it will be saved by means of
the indestructible one, it will be saved means of the indestructible the 35 indestructible providential care,
and brought up to the repose of the providential care, it will be saved and and will be brought to the repose of
aeons.” brought up to the repose of the the aeons.”
aeons.”
I, however, asked: “Lord, but those I, however, asked: “Christ, those I, however, asked: “Lord, those who
who were unaware of the one to who did not know the All, what are did not know at all, what are their
whom they belong, where will their their souls, or where will they go?” souls, or where will they go?”
souls dwell?”
He then said to me: “In those, when He said to me: “Over these a false He said to me: “These are the ones
the vile spirit II, 27 increased in spirit increased in strength 69 when the false spirit has weighed down when
strength, they went astray; and it they faltered, and in this way he weighs they faltered, and in this way their soul
weighs down the soul and drags it to down their soul, compels it to evil was weighed down, compelled to evil
evil deeds, and he throws IV, 42 it deeds, and throws it into oblivion. In deeds and reduced to oblivion, and in
down into oblivion, and after it this way, after it becomes naked, he this way, after being [stripped] of the
departs, it is delivered over to the delivers it over to the authorities who body, they are delivered over to the
authorities who originated through the came into existence from the archon. authorities who came into existence
archon, and they fetter it with chains, They once again throw them into [through] the archon. [They] once
and throw it into prison, and fetters and accompany them until they again [throw] them into limbs 27 and
accompany it until it rouses from are rescued from oblivion, and it accompany them until they are [saved
oblivion and obtains knowledge, and if obtains knowledge, and in this way is from] evil and [oblivion and obtain]
in this way it is perfected, it will be perfected and saved.” knowledge. In this way [they are
saved.” perfected and saved].”
I, however, asked: “Lord, how can I, however, asked: “Christ, how I, however, [asked him]: “Lord, and
the soul grow smaller and return into does the soul grow smaller and smaller how [does] the soul [grow small] again
the natural state of its mother or into and return into the natural state of the [so that it may be granted entrance]
the man?” 28 mother or into the man?”
27 Literally, “parts.”
28 “The man,” that is, the father. Cf. John 3:4.
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into the nature of the mother or [into]
the man?”
He then rejoiced when I had asked He, however, rejoiced when I had He, however, rejoiced [when I] had
him this, and he said to me: “Truly, asked him this, and he said: 70 asked him, and he said to me: “Blessed
you are blessed, because you have “Blessed are you for understanding. are you for attending closely. It is given
come to understand that such a soul For this cause, then, they are given to another, 36 in which the Spirit of
will be made to succeed another, in over to the other, in whom dwells the life dwells. It follows him, obeys
whom the Spirit of life dwells. It will Spirit of life. By means of following through him, and is saved. They will
be saved through him. It will not be and obeying through him, it will be not enter flesh from that time on.”
thrown again into another flesh.” saved. In fact, it will no longer enter
into flesh.”
I also asked: “Lord, these who also I asked him: “Christ, but those who I, however, asked: “Lord, those who
did know, but who have turned away, did know, but who have turned away, did know, and who have turned back,
where will their souls go?” where will their souls go?” where will their souls be, or to where
will they retreat?”
Then he said to me: “They will be He said to me: “They will go to the He said to me: “The place to which
brought to that place where the angels place where the angels of destitution the angels of destitution will retreat, to
of destitution go, the place with IV, 43 will retreat, to whom repentance does whom repentance does not come, and
no repentance, and they will be not come. They will be detained for [they] will be detained for that day
detained for the day when those who the day when all those who have when all those who have blasphemed
have blasphemed the Spirit will be blasphemed the holy Spirit will be the holy Spirit with an age-long
tormented, and they will be punished punished. They will be 71 tormented [blasphemy] will be punished by being
with an age-long punishment.” with an age-long punishment.” tormented [with an] age-long
punishment.
The Vile Spirit
I, however, asked: “Lord, where did I, however, asked: “Christ, where [I, however], asked: “Lord, [where
the vile spirit originate?” did the false spirit originate?” did] the false spirit originate?”
He then said to me: “The Mother- He said to me: “When the He then said: “In the beginning
Father, who is abundant in mercy, the abundantly merciful mother, together […], when in the [holy] Spirit I gazed
holy Spirit in every mode, the one who with the merciful holy Spirit, the one into the one who is abundant in her
is merciful and II, 28 who shows who pitied us – that is, Reflection of [mercy, together with the] holy Spirit
compassion for all of you – that is, Light, together with her offspring, – he who pitied [us], who is Reflection of
Reflection of Radiant Providence – he is the one who raised it in the intellect Light, [who dwelt] with her seed – she
raised up the seed of the perfect race, of the people of the race of this [raised it in] the intellect of the people
and its intellect, and the eternal light of Perfect Man of eternal light. of the unmoving [race] of the [radiant]
the Man. Perfect [Man].
When the chief archon became The chief archon became aware that 37 Then the chief archon became
aware that they were loftier than him they were loftier than him in the height aware, then, that they were loftier than
in the height, and that they surpass him of their wisdom, and he desired to him [in] the height of their wisdom,
in intellect, he then desired to grasp seize their objective, because he was and he desired to seize their objective,
their objective, unaware that they ignorant, unaware 72 that they were because he was ignorant, unaware that
surpassed him in intellect, and that he wiser than he. they were wiser than he.
would be unable to grasp them. He concocted a plot with his He concocted [a] plot and begot
He concocted a plot with his powers, and they begot Destiny, and Destiny. [He fettered] with
authorities, who are his powers, and fettered with measurements and times measurements and times and moments
together they committed adultery with and moments the gods of the heavens, the gods of the heavens, and angels,
Sophia; and bitter Destiny was and angels, and demons, and humans, and demons, [and] humans, so that all
begotten by them, the final inconstant so that all of them would be in its of them would [be] in its fetter, and so
fetter, being of a vacillating kind, IV, fetter, given that (Destiny) is the that it would be [the universal
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44 and it is more durable and stronger universal overlord, a wicked and overlord], a wicked and perverted
than she with whom the gods joined perverted notion. He then regretted notion, and he regretted what had
(in adultery), and the angels, and the everything that had transpired because transpired because of [him].
demons, and all the generations up to of him.
the present day, because from that
Destiny issued forth all transgression,
and injustice, and blasphemy, and the
fetter of oblivion and ignorance, and
every stern command with grievous
transgressions, and overwhelming
fears.
In this way also all of creation was
blinded, so that they would not know
God who is over all of them, and on
account of the fetter of oblivion their
sins were concealed, because they are
fettered with measurements and times
and moments, given that it 29 is the
universal overlord. He then regretted
everything that had transpired because
of him.
This time he conspired to bring a He conspired to bring a flood on all [He] conspired to bring a [flood] on
flood II, 29 on the productions of the offspring of humanity 30 but the [all] the [offspring] of humanity, but
humanity, but the greatness of the greatness of Providence, being the [greatness] of Providence resulted
radiant Providence notified Noah, and Reflection of Light, 73 notified Noah, in a thought which is Reflection, and
he preached to all the seed of the and he preached to people, but they she appeared to [Noah. He] preached
children of humanity, but those who did not believe him. to people, (but) they did not [believe]
were strangers to him did not heed him.
him.
IV, 45 It was not as Moses said, It was not as Moses said, ‘He hid It was not as Moses said, ‘They hid
‘They hid themselves in an ark,’ but himself in an ark,’but she protected in an [ark],’ but it was in a place where
they hid themselves in a place – not him in a place – not only Noah, but they protected themselves – 38 not
only Noah, but many other people also peopleof the unmoving race. only Noah, but also other people of
from the unmoving race. They entered a place and protected the unmoving race.
They entered a place and concealed themselves with a radiant cloud, and he They entered a place and protected
themselves inside a radiant cloud, and became aware of his lordship and of themselves with a radiant cloud, and
he 31 was aware of his authority, and those who were with him inside the they became aware of the lordship
she who pertains to the light light that shone on them, because above and those who were with him,
accompanied him. She had shone on darkness was descending over because the light shone on them,
them because he32 had caused darkness everything on the earth. He concocted because [darkness] was descending
to cover all the earth, and he a plot together with his 74 angels. over everyone on the earth. He
concocted a plot together with his They dispatched their angels to the concocted a [plot] together with his
powers. daughters of men, so that from them angels.
He dispatched his angels to the they could raise up offspring for their He dispatched his angels to the
daughters of men, to take some for pleasure, and they were at first [daughters] of men, so that they [could
themselves, even to raise up seed for unsuccessful. They all reached an raise up] offspring from them, in this
their pleasure, and they were at first agreement on a plot to create the false way producing pleasure for themselves,
unsuccessful. When they had not spirit, because they recalled the Spirit and they were at first unsuccessful; and
29 Destiny.
30 Cf. LXX Genesis 7:4.
31 Noah.
32 The chief archon.
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succeeded, they again assembled and who had descended, and the angels [when they were unsuccessful], they
together concocted a plot. They transformed <their> likeness into the [together concocted a plot] to create
created a vile spirit resembling the likeness <of their husbands>, because [the false spirit] mimicking [the Spirit]
Spirit who had descended, in order being their husbands, they filled them who had descended. Their [angels]
thereby to defile souls, and the angels with spirit that mixed together with transformed their likeness [into] the
transformed their likeness into the them inside the darkness that likeness of their husbands [so as to fill]
likeness of their mates, making them to originates from evil. them with the spirit that dwelt in
be full of the spirit of darkness, IV, 46 [themselves], full of the darkness that
which for them they had mixed originates from evil.
together with evil.
They presented gold and silver, and They presented them with gold and They presented them with gold
a gift even of copper and iron, and silver and gifts, even of metals of [and] silver and gifts, even [objects] 39
objects of every kind of metal, and copper and iron, even of all kinds, 75 [made of copper] and iron metal, and
they led the people following them II, and they led them into temptation so everything of that kind, and they
30 into great troubles by leading them that they would not be able to [directed] them into amusements, [so
astray with a plethora of tricks. They remember their unwavering that] they would not be able to
grew old without enjoying any Providence. They selected them and remember their unwavering
pleasures. Without discovering the begot children out of the darkness with Providence, and they selected [them]
truth, and without knowledge of the their false spirit. He shut up their and begot children out of [the]
true God, they died, and in this way all hearts and they grew hard with the darkness with their false spirit, and
of creation fell into an age-long slavery, hardness of the false spirit, (even) until they shut up their hearts and became
lasting from the foundation of the now. hard with the hardness of [their] false
world until now. spirit, (even) until [now].
They further selected women and
begot children from the darkness,
according to the likeness of their (own)
spirit, and they shut up their hearts,
and they hardened themselves by
means of the hardness of the vile
spirit, (even) until now.
The Savior Enters the Realm of Darkness
Therefore, I, the perfect Providence
of the all, transformed myself into my
(own) seed, because I was the first to
exist, traveling all paths, because I am
the wealth of the light.
IV, 47 I am the remembrance of the
Fullness, but I entered into the realm
of darkness, and I persevered until I
entered the middle of the prison, and
the foundations of chaos trembled,
and I hid myself away from them
because of their evil, and they failed to
recognize me.
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I again returned a second time, and
I traveled around. I issued forth from
those who are of the light, which I am,
being the remembrance of Providence.
I entered into the middle of the
darkness and into the interior of
Hades, given that I was looking after
my mission, and the foundations of
Chaos trembled, seeking to collapse on
those who dwell in Chaos, and to
destroy them, and again I hastened
upward to my light-root, so that they
would not be destroyed before the
time.
Even for a third time I went forth, I
being the light that is inside the light, I
being the remembrance of Providence,
to enter into the middle of the
darkness and the interior II, 31 of
Hades, and I IV, 48 filled my face with
the light of the consummation of their
aeon, and I entered into the middle of
their prison, namely, the prison <of>
the body, and I said, ‘He who hears, let
him rise up from the deep slumber,’
and he wept and the tears flowed.
He wiped away bitter tears off
himself, and he said: ‘Who is calling
my name, and from where has this
hope come to me, while I am in the
fetters of the prison?’
I also said: ‘I am the Providence of
the pure light. I am the thought of the
virginal Spirit who lifts you up to the
praiseworthy place. Rise up and
remember that you are the one who
gave heed, and follow your root, which
I am, the Merciful One, and protect
yourself from the angels of destitution
and from the demons of Chaos, and
from all those who trap you, and watch
out for the deep slumber and the
confinement IV, 49 in the interior of
Hades.’
Codex II, 1 (italics = IV, 1) BG 8502 Codex III, 1
I also lifted him up and sealed him Therefore, the blessed one, that is, Therefore, the blessed Mother-
with the light of the water of five seals, the Mother-Father, abundant in mercy, [Father], who is abundant in her
so that Death would not overpower is taking shape inside her seed. I first mercy, is taking shape with her seed. I
ascended to this perfect aeon. first [ascended] to the perfect aeon.
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Codex II, 1 (italics = IV, 1) BG 8502 Codex III, 1
him from this time on, and lo, I will
now ascend to the perfect aeon.
Conclusion
In your hearing I have finished I, however, speak these things to [I, however, have spoken] these
everything for your sake, but I have you, so that you may write them down things to you, so that you may write
said everything to you so that you may and distribute them in secret to your [them] down [and distribute them in
write them down and distribute them companion spirits, because this is the secret] to your companion spirits,
in secret to your companion spirits, mystery of the unmoving race. [because this] is the mystery [of the]
because this is the mystery of the unmoving [race].
unmoving race.”
76 The Mother, however, came This Mother had come [another
another time in front of me. These are time in front of me). [Every]thing she
now the things she performed in the performed in the world, she was
world: she rectified her seed. [rectifying] the defect.
The savior also entrusted these I will instruct all of you concerning I will [now instruct <you>] further
sayings to him so that he would write what will come to pass, because surely concerning what is to come, because
them down and keep them locked I offered these things to you to be surely [I have offered you these things]
away, and he said to him: “Cursed be written down and be kept secure.” He to write them down and to preserve
any who will trade these sayings for a then said to me: “Cursed be any who them [securely]. He then said to me:
gift, either of food, or of drink, or of will trade these sayings for a gift, either “[Cursed] be all who will trade these
garments, or of any other thing like of food, or of drink, or of garments, or sayings 40 for a gift, either of silver or
these.” of any other thing like these.” [gold], either for drink or for food, or
for garments or for any other thing like
these.”
II, 32 These sayings were also He entrusted this mystery to him, He entrusted this mystery to him,
entrusted to him in a mystery, and and he immediately vanished from and he immediately vanished from
suddenly he vanished from him, and him, and he 77 departed to his him.
he departed to his companion disciples companion disciples and began [He stood] in front of his
and informed them about what the informing them about what had companion disciples, and began to
savior had said to him. <been> spoken to him by the savior. speak with them [concerning the]
Jesus Christ. Amen. things the savior had spoken to him.
According to John The Secret Writing of The Secret Writing of
The Secret Writing John John
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References
- Mark M. Mattison, "The Secret Writing According to John: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation." Academia.edu. The Secret Writing According to John: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation (download: Direct Download).
- Public-domain synoptic translation of the Apocryphon of John traditions from Nag Hammadi and the Berlin Codex.
- Academia page: The Secret Writing According to John: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation.
- Direct download: Direct Download.