Pistis Sophia

[233b] and those who are worthy of the Mysteries which dwell in the Ineffable, namely, which did not proceed out: these become before the First Mystery and according to resemblance and (with, MS) equality with the word, that ye may understand it, so that they are the Members of the Ineffable: and each according to the honour of his glory, the head according to the honour of the head, and the eye according to the honour of the eyes, and the ear according to the honour of the ears, and (so with) the rest of the Members. So that the thing (is) manifest, that many members are, but one body it is. This indeed I am saying in an example with an equality with a comparison, but in truth not of form, nor did I manifest the word in truth, but the Mystery of the Ineffable, and every member [234a] which (is) in him, according to the word (with) which I compared it, namely, those who dwell unto the Mystery of the Ineffable with those who dwell in him, and the three Spaces which (are) after them, according to the Mysteries in one of all of these in truth. I am the Treasury of them all, this beside which there is not other Treasury, this which hath not his own upon the World. But yet there are words becoming, and there are mysteries and there are Places. Now therefore happy is he who brought the Mysteries unto the outward: and a God is he who found these words of the Mysteries of the second Space which is in the Middle.

And a Saviour he is, and uncontainable is he who found the words of the mysteries, with the words of the third Space which is on the inward: and he excelleth the Universe, and he is acceptable to those who become in that third Space, [234b] because that the Mystery, in which they become, with that in which they stand, receiveth him. Because of this therefore he is equal unto them. He who found also the words of the mysteries, these which I wrote to you according to a comparison, because they are the members of the Ineffable. Amen I say to you, He who found the words of those mysteries in truth of the God, that that man, he is the first in truth, and he is equal unto him, because of those words with the mysteries. And the Universe also stood because of that First (One). Because of this he who found the words of those mysteries is equal with the First (One). For the knowledge of the comprehension of the Ineffable (is that) in which I spake (it) with you to-day.

[235a] Continued also Jesus in the word, said he to his disciples, Whenever I should go unto the Light, preach ye to all the World, say unto them, Desist not in the day with the night seeking, and hold not yourselves back (in lower margin) even until ye find the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, these which will purify you and make you pure light, and take you unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Renounce all this World with all the matter which (is) in it, and with all its cares, and with all its sins, in one word, with all its life (politeia, MS), which (are) in it, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the punishments which (are) in the judgments. Say unto them, Renounce the murmuring, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the fire of the face [235b] of a dog. Say unto them, Renounce the listening that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light (Schm. supplies this), and be delivered from the judgments of the face of a dog. Say unto them, Renounce litigiousness, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the punishments of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the false calumny, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of fire of the face of a dog. Say unto them, Renounce the false witnessings, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, that ye may escape, that ye may be delivered from the river of fire of the face of a dog.

Say unto them, Renounce the boastings with the prides, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the pits of fire of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the gluttony (self-lovings, MS) that ye may be [236a] worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the judgments of Amente. Say unto them, Renounce the garrulity that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the fire of Amente. Say unto them, Renounce the wiles which are evil, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the punishments which (are) in Amente. Say unto them, Renounce the lovings of the greater portion, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of flame of the face of a dog. Say unto them, Renounce the lovings of the world that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the vesture of pitch and fire of the face of a dog. Say unto them, Renounce the robberies, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be delivered from the rivers [236b] of flame of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the words which are evil, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the punishments of the rivers of flame. Say unto them, Renounce the wickednesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of fire of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the unmercifulnesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the judgments of the faces of the dragon.

Say unto them, Renounce the angers, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of flame of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the curse, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the fire of the seas of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the blasphemy, and be worthy [237a] of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas which boil of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the thievings, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from Ialtabaoth. Say unto them, Renounce the slander, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of fire of the face of lion. Say unto them, Renounce the fightings and the quarrellings, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers which are boiling of Ialtabaoth. Say unto them, Renounce the ignorance, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be delivered from the ministers of Ialtabaoth, with the fires of the seas. Say unto them, Renounce the villainies, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the [237b] demons of Ialtabaoth with all his punishments. Say unto them, Renounce the senselessness, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of pitch of Ialtabaoth which are boiling. Say unto them, Renounce the adulteries, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of sulphur and pitch of the face of lion.

Say unto them, Renounce the murders, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the Ruler of face of crocodile, this who (is) in the cold, the first chamber which is in the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the unmercifulnesses with the impiousnesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the Rulers of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the godlessnesses [238a] and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the weeping with the gnashing of the teeth. Say unto them, Renounce the witchcraft, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the great cold with the hail of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the blaspheming, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the punishments of the great dragon of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the teaching of error, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the punishments of the great dragon of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto those who teach in the teachings of error, with every one who learneth through them, Woe to you, ye, because if ye do not repent and forsake [238b] your error, ye will go unto the punishments of the great dragon with the Darkness which is outer, this which is cruel greatly, and they will not cast you unto the World for unto age, but ye will become existenceless outside.

Say unto those who will forsake the teaching of the truth of the First Mystery, Woe to you, ye, because your punishment is evil beyond (that of) all men. For ye will remain in the great cold, the ice with the hail in the midst of the dragon with the Darkness which is outer, and they will not cast you unto the World from this hour unto age, but ye will become petrified at that place. And in the dissolution of the Universe ye will be wasted away, and ye will become without existence unto age.

Say also further unto the men [239a] of the World, Be quiet and receive the mysteries of the Light and go unto the Height of the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Do love of man, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height of the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be meek and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be peaceable and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be merciful and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Do alms and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, [239b] Minister unto the poor with those who are sick, with those who are paralysed, and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Do love of God and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be righteous and receive the mysteries, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be good and receive the mysteries, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Renounce the Universe, and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light.

These are all the limits of the roads for those who are worthy of the mysteries of the Light. These therefore of this kind who renounced this renunciation, give to them [240a] the mysteries of the Light, and hide them not from them at all, even if they are sinners and they became in every sin with every unlawfulness, all which I said unto you of the World, that they should turn and repent and should become in the submission which I say to you now, Give to them the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, do not hide them from them at all, for because of the sinfulness I (we, MS) brought the mysteries unto the World, that I should forgive all their sins which they did from the first. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, I came not to invite the righteous. Now therefore I brought the mysteries, that they should forgive the sins of every one, and take them unto the kingdom of the Light: for the mysteries, they [240b] are the free-gift of the First Mystery, for him to blot out the sins with the unlawfulness of all the sinners.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then there is man righteous, being complete in all the righteousness, and that man having not any sin at all.—Such a one they will torment him in the punishments with the judgments, or otherwise? Or otherwise rather, that man they will take away in unto the kingdom of the heavens, or not? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, A man righteous, this being complete in all the righteousness, and he did not any sin [241a] ever, and such a one having not received any mystery of the Light ever, whenever should happen the time (of his) coming out of the body, immediately are wont to come the Receivers of the one of the great Triple powers, these in whom there is a great (one), and they (will) carry off the soul of that man from the Receivers of Contentious (ones), and spend three days moving round with it in all creations of the World. After the three days they are wont to take it down unto the Chaos, and take it through in all the punishments of the judgments, and send it unto all the judgments. And the fires of the Chaos are not wont to molest it greatly, but [241b] in part they are wont to molest it for a little time: and in haste quickly they are wont to have mercy on it and bring it up from the Chaoses, and take it on the road of the Middle through all those Rulers.

And they are not wont to punish it in their judgments which (are) cruel, but the fires of their Places are wont to molest it in part: and whenever they should take it unto the Place of Iakhthanabas the unmerciful, they are not wont to be able to punish it, indeed at least in his evil judgments, but he is wont to hold it down for a little time, while the fire of his punishments molesteth it in part. And also speedily they are wont to have mercy on it in those their Places. [242a] And they are not wont to take it out of the Aeons, that the Rulers of their Aeon should not take it away in the firmaments, but they are wont to take it through the road of the light of the sun and take it up (close) to the Virgin of the Light, until she should prove it and find it free from sin, and she is not wont to cause them to take it unto the Light, because the sign of the kingdom of the Mystery is not becoming with it, but she is wont to seal it in a seal which is excellent, and cause them to cast it unto the body among the Aeons of the righteousness: this body which is about to become good, and find the sign of the mysteries of the Light and inherit the kingdom of the Light unto age. If that (one) sinneth once or twice or thrice, this, also, they will reject unto the World according to the type of the sins which he did, these of which I shall say their types unto you, [242b] whenever I should finish saying unto you the Distribution of the Universe.

But Amen, amen I say unto you, Even if a man (is) righteous having not done any sin at all, it is impossible for them to take him unto the kingdom of the Light, because that the sign of the kingdom, of the mysteries is not becoming with him, in one word, it is impossible to take the soul unto the Light without the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Iohannes, said he, My Lord, then if a man, sinner, lawbreaker, being complete in every unlawfulness; and he ceased from all of them, because of the kingdom of the heavens, and he renounced all the World with all its matter which (is) in it; and we give to him from the beginning the mysteries [243a] of the Light, these which (are) in the first Space from without (the outward part, MS); and whenever he should receive the mysteries, after a little more time he turned and transgressed, and also after these he turned and ceased from every sin; and he turned and renounced all the World with all the matter which is in it, and cometh also, and becometh in a great repentance; and we know in truth that he wisheth for God; and we give to him the second mystery of the first Space, these which are on the outward part: likewise also again he turned and transgressed, and became also in the sins of the World; and also after these he turned and ceased from the sins of the World, and further he renounced all the World with all the matter which is in it; and further he became in a great repentance; and we knew in an exactness, and [243b] not being hypocritical; and we turned and gave to him the mysteries of the beginning, these (which) become in the first Space from without (the outward part, MS).

Likewise also he turned and sinned and became in every type (type type, MS), wishest thou for us to forgive him until as far as seven times, and we (should) give to him the mysteries, these which are in the first Space from within (the inward part, MS) until as far as seven times, or otherwise. Answered also the Saviour, said he to Iohannes, Not only forgive to him as far as seven times, but Amen I say to you, Forgive him as far as seven times of a multitude of times: and give to him every time the mysteries from the beginning, these which are in the first Space from without (the outward part, MS): perhaps indeed ye will gain the soul of that brother, and he (will) inherit the kingdom of the Light. Because of this when ye had asked me once, saying, Whenever [244a] our brother should sin against us, wishest thou for us to forgive to him as far as seven times? I answered, I said to you in a parable, saying, Not only as far as seven times, but as far as seven of seventy times. Now therefore forgive to him a multitude of times, and give to him every time the mysteries which (are) on the outward part, these which are in the first Space: perhaps indeed ye (will) gain the soul of that brother, and he (will) inherit the kingdom of the Light.

Amen, amen I say to you, He who will vivify one soul, and deliver it, beside the glory which he hath in the kingdom of the Light he will receive other glory on account of the soul which he delivered: so that he who will deliver a multitude of souls, beside the glory which he hath in (the kingdom of the Light) [244b] he will receive other multitude of glory on account of the souls which he delivered. These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up Iohannes said he, My Lord, bear with me, seeking from thee, for from now I am about to begin to seek from thee concerning everything, concerning the manner in which we are to preach to the mankind. If therefore that brother, whenever I should give to him a mystery among the mysteries of the beginning, these which become in the first Space from without (the outward part, MS), whenever I should give to him a multitude of mysteries, and he doeth not that which is worthy of the kingdom of the heavens, wishest thou for us to pass him on in unto the mysteries of the second Space, perhaps we (shall) gain the soul of that brother, and he (will) turn and repent and inherit the kingdom of the Light? Wishest thou for us to pass him on in [245a] unto the mysteries or otherwise, these which (are) in the second Space?

But answered the Saviour said he to Iohannes, If a brother is being not hypocritical, but wisheth for God in truth, ye having given to him a multitude of times the mysteries of the beginning, and this because of the compulsion of the elements of the Destiny, he having not done that which is worthy of the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, forgive to him, pass him on in, give to him the first mystery which is in the second Space: perhaps indeed ye (will) gain the soul of that brother. And if, having not done that which is worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and he did the transgression with every sin (the sins the sins, MS) and also after these he turned, he became in a great repentance, and he renounced all the World, and he ceased from all the sins of the World, and ye knew in an exactness that [245b] he was not being hypocritical, but wishing for God in truth, turn again, forgive to him, pass him on inwards, give to him the second mystery in the second Space of the First Mystery: perhaps indeed ye (will) gain the soul of that brother and he (will) inherit the kingdom of the Light.

And also if he did not do that which is worthy of the mysteries, and he became in the transgression with every sin (the sins the sins, MS) and also after these he turned, he became in a great repentance, he renounced all the World with all its matter which is in it, and he ceased from the sins of the World, and ye know truly that he was not being hypocritical but wishing for God of the truth, turn ye again forgive to him, (and receive from him his repentance, M) because a compassion of mercy is the First Mystery: pass on, also, that man inwards, give [246a] to him the three mysteries one after (upon, MS) another in the second Space of the First Mystery. If that man should transgress and become in every sin (the sins the sins, MS) ye shall not forgive to him from this hour, nor shall ye receive from him his repentances, but let him become among you as a scandal and as transgressor: for Amen I say to you, Those three mysteries will become to him witness unto his last repentance, and he hath not repentance from that hour. Amen I say unto you, That man they have not cast back his soul unto the World which is on the Height from this hour, but it will become in the dwelling place of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer. [246b] For concerning the souls of these men of this kind, I said unto you once in a parable saying, Whenever thy brother sinneth against thee reprove him (thee, MS) between thee and him alone. If he should hearken unto thee, thou wilt gain thy brother.

If he should not hearken unto thee, take with thee another, if he should not hearken unto thee with the other, bring him unto the ecclesia, if he should not hearken unto the others, let him become with you as a scandal, [and] which is this, if he should not be profitable in the first mystery, give to him the second; and if he should not be profitable in the second, give to him the three one after another, namely, the ecclesia, and if he should not be profitable in the third mystery, [247a] let him become with you as scandal and as transgressor. And the word which I said unto you once, that upon witness two, as far as three witnesses, every word shall stand, namely, those three mysteries will be witness unto his last repentance: and Amen I say unto you, Whenever that man should repent, having not any mystery (to) forgive to him his sins, nor have they received his repentance from him, nor have they heard him at all from any of the mysteries except from the first mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable. These only are those which will receive the repentance of that man from him, and they will forgive his sins, because that compassions of mercy are those Mysteries, forgiving at every time.

These therefore [247b] having said them the Saviour, continued Iohannes, said he to the Saviour, My Lord, then if a brother, sinner greatly, having renounced all the World with the matter which is in it, with all its sins, and with all its cares and we proved him and knew that he (was) not becoming in guile with hypocrisy but he is wishing to become in verity with truth, and ye know that he was worthy of the mysteries of the second Space or the third, wishest thou once for us to give to him out of the mysteries of the second Space or the third, he having not yet received mystery at all of the kingdom of the Light, wishest thou for us to give to him, or otherwise? But answered the Saviour, said he to Iohannes in the midst of the disciples, [248a] Whenever ye know in an exactness that that man renounced all the World with all its cares with all its life (politeia, MS) with all its sins, and ye know in truth that he becometh not in guile nor was he becoming in hypocrisy, nor was he becoming curious that he should know the (things) of the mysteries that they are being of what kind; but he is wishing for God in truth, this of this kind, hide them not from him, but give to him out of the mysteries of the second Space with the third.

And ye also (shall) prove that he is worthy of which mystery: and that which he is worthy of, give to him and hide not from him: (for) otherwise whenever ye should hide (them) from him, ye are guilty of a great offence. [248b] If ye should give to him once in the second Space or in the third, and he (should) turn also and do sin, ye shall continue also the second time until as far as the third time. If also he should sin, ye shall not continue to give to him, because those three mysteries will become to him witness in his last repentance, and Amen I say unto you, He who will give mystery to that man again in the second Space or in the third, he is guilty of a great offence. But let him become with you as transgressor and as scandal. And Amen I say unto you, That man they have not to cast back his soul unto the World from this hour, but his [249a] dwelling place is in the midst of the mouth of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, the place of the weeping with the gnashing of the teeth. And in the dissolution of the World his soul will become petrified and consumed by the cold which is cruel with the fire which is cruel greatly, and it will become non-existent unto age.

But if also yet whenever he should turn and renounce all the World with all its cares with all its sins, and become in a great life (politeia, MS) with a great repentance, no mystery having been received from his repentance, nor they having heard of it, for them to have mercy on him and receive from him his repentance and forgive to him his sins, except the mystery of the First Mystery, and with the mystery of the Ineffable. These only are they who will receive the repentance of that man [249b] from him and will forgive his sins, because that compassions of mercy are those Mysteries, and they are forgivenesses of sin at every time. But these having said them the Saviour, continued also Iohannes, said he, My Lord, suffer me seeking from thee, and be not angry with me, for I am seeking after every thing in an exactness with a certainty, concerning the manner (in) which we shall preach to the men of the World. But answered the Saviour, said he to Iohannes, Seek after every thing which thou seekest after, and I shall reveal to thee more and more in boldness without parable, or in an exactness.

But answered Iohannes, said he, My Lord, whenever we should come preaching and (should) go into a city or a village, and (should) come out in front of us [250a] the men of that city, and we know not what they are, being in great guile with great hypocrisy, and they (should) receive us unto them, and take us in unto their house wishing to make trial of the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light; and become playing the hypocrite with us in the subjection, and we should think that they are wishing for God; and we (should) give to them the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, and after these (things) we (should) know that they did not that which is worthy of the mystery, and we (should) know that they played the hypocrite with us, and they became with guile toward us, and the mysteries also they did them in derision from place to place, trying us and also our mysteries, then what is the thing which will happen to these of this kind? But answered the Saviour, said he to [250b] Iohannes, Whenever ye should go into a city or a village, the house unto which ye will go in, and they receive you unto them, give to them a mystery: if they are worthy then ye will gain their souls and they (will) inherit the kingdom of the Light.

But if they should not be worthy, but being with guile unto you, and should do the mysteries also in derision, trying you with the mysteries also, then cry up unto the first mystery of the First Mystery, this which is wont to have mercy on every one: say, Even, the mystery which we gave to these souls impious and lawbreaking, having not done that which is worthy of the mystery even, but they made us for derision, return the mystery unto us, and make them alien to the mystery of thy kingdom unto age. And shake off the dust [251a] of your feet unto a witness to them, saying to them, Your souls shall become as the dust of your house. And Amen I say to you, In that hour will return to you every mystery which ye gave to them, and they will take them away from them every word with every mystery of the Place unto which they received figure. Concerning the men therefore of this kind I said unto you in a parable once, saying, The house unto which ye go in and they receive you unto it, say to them, The peace to you. And if they are worthy, let your peace come upon them, and if they are not worthy, let it return unto you your peace, namely, if those men do that which is worthy of the mysteries [251b] and wishing for God of the truth, then give to them the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light.

But if rather they are playing the hypocrite with you, and they are being with guile unto you, ye having not known, and ye gave to them the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light; and also after these (things) they did the mysteries in derision, and they made trial also of you with the mysteries also, do the first mystery of the First Mystery and he will make return unto you every mystery which ye gave to them (him, MS). And he will make them alien to the mysteries of the Light unto age. And these men of this kind, [and] they will not cast them back unto the World from this hour: but Amen I say unto you, Their dwelling place shall (be) in the midst of the mouth of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer. But if yet in a time of repentance they should renounce [252a] all the World, with all the matter which is in it, with all the sins of the world, and they (are they) who become in all the subjection to the mysteries of the Light, not any Mystery heard them, nor have they forgiven their sins except by the one mystery of the Ineffable, this which is wont to be merciful to every one and forgiveth the sins of every one.

It happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, worshipped Maria unto the feet of Jesus, she kissed them said she, Maria, My Lord suffer me seeking from thee, and be not angry with me. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Seek after that which thou wishest to seek after, and I shall reveal it to thee boldly. But answered Mariham, said she, My Lord, [252b] then if a brother good (agathos) and who is good (coptic word), we having filled him with all mysteries of the Light, and that brother having a brother or a kinsman, in one word, being a man anyhow, and this (one) being a sinner and being impious, or otherwise, he being not a sinner, and this one of this kind came out of the body, and the heart of the brother good, being pained and being grieved for him because he becometh in judgments with punishments. Now therefore, my Lord, what is that which we shall do until they remove him out of the punishments with the judgments which (are) cruel? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Because of this word therefore I said unto you at another time, but hear therefore that I may say in answer that ye may become, [253a] (that) ye should fulfil every mystery, that they should call of [against] you, Those who are completed with every mystery.

Now therefore every man sinner, or otherwise being not sinners, not only that whenever ye should wish for them to take them from the judgments with the punishments which (are) cruel, but (also) for them to remove them unto a righteous body, this which will find the mysteries of the Godhead, and go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light, do the third mystery of the Ineffable and say ye, Take away the soul of these manhoods, this (man) which we think of in our heart, take him out of every punishment of the Rulers, and hasten quickly, and take it (close) to the Virgin of the Light: and in the same month, the Virgin of the Light (will) seal [253b] him with a seal more excellent, and in the same month, let the Virgin of the Light cast him unto a body about to become righteous and become good, and he (will) go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light. But these whenever ye should say them, Amen I say unto you, They are wont to hasten all those who work in all the array of the judgments of the Rulers, and give that soul unto hands of one another, even until they take it up to the Virgin of the Light, and the Virgin of the Light is wont to seal it with a sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable, and is wont to give it to her Receivers, and the Receivers to cast it unto a body being about to be righteous, and he being about to find the mysteries of the Light and become good, and go unto the Height [254a] and inherit the kingdom of the Light. Behold, this is (that) which ye ask me of.

Answered Maria, said she, Now therefore, my Lord, then thou didst not bring Mysteries indeed unto the World, that the man should not die by the death which is reckoned unto him by the Rulers of the Destiny: because if it is being reckoned unto one for to die by the sword, or for to die by the waters or in torture with torment with violence which (are) in the laws, or by other evil deaths, then thou didst not bring mystery unto the world, that the man should not die among them by the Rulers of the Destiny, but that he should die in a death sudden, that he should not suffer any tribulation by these deaths of this kind: because that, we, very many are those who are pursuing us [254b] because of thee, and we, many are those who persecute us because of thy name, that whenever they should torment us we should say the mysteries and come out of the body immediately having not suffered any tribulation.

Answered the Saviour, said he to all his disciples, Because of this word which ye ask me of, I said to you at another time: but hear also that I may say unto you at another time: not only ye but every man who will complete the first mystery (of the First Mystery of the Ineffable, he who will do therefore that Mystery, M), and (will) complete it (in) its figures with all its types with its positions, doing indeed it and coming not out of body, but after completing that mystery with its figure with all its type, afterwards therefore, every time at which he will name that mystery, [255a] he will be delivered from all those which are reckoned unto him by the Rulers of the Destiny, and at that hour he cometh out of the body of the matter of the Rulers, and his soul will become a great effluence of Light, and (will) fly unto the Height, and (will) pass through every Place of the Rulers with every Place of the Light, until it should go unto the Place of its Kingdom: neither is it wont to give answer nor defence in any Place, for it is one without symbol.

These therefore having said them Jesus, added Maria, she prostrated at the feet of Jesus, she kissed them, said she, My Lord, yet I shall seek from thee, Reveal to us and hide not from us. Answered Jesus, said he to Maria, Seek after that which ye seek after, [255b] and I shall reveal to you in boldness without parable. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then thou didst not bring mystery unto the world because of the poverty with the riches and because of the weakness with the strength, and because of the diseased with the bodies which are sound, in one word, because of all these kinds, that whenever we should go in the places of the country, and they should not believe us, and they should not hearken unto our words, and we should do a mystery of this kind in those places, that they should know truth truly that we are preaching the words of (the Lord of) the Universe? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, Concerning this mystery of which ye seek from me, I gave [256a] it to you at another time, but I shall repeat also and say unto you the word. Now therefore Maria, not only ye but every man who will complete the mystery of the raising of the dead, this is wont to cure the demons with every pain, with every sickness, and with the blind, and with the lame, with the maimed, with the dumb, with the deaf, this I gave to you once.

He who taketh up a mystery and completeth it, afterwards therefore whenever he should ask any (every) thing, poverty and riches, weakness and strength, disease and sound body, with every healing of the body, and with the raising of the dead, and to cure the lame with the blind with the deaf with the dumb, with every sickness with every pain, in one word, he who will complete that mystery and ask (every) thing which I said, it will [256b] happen to him instantly.

These therefore having said them the Saviour, came forward the disciples, they cried out all one after (upon, MS) another, saying, O Saviour, thou distracted us greatly with the greatnesses which thou sayest to us, and because thou tookest away our souls, and they became compelled to come out of us in unto thee, (for) because that ones out of thee they are. Now therefore because of these greatnesses were distracted our souls these which thou sayest unto us, and they were pressed greatly greatly unto a wishing to come out of us unto the Height unto the Place of thy kingdom. These therefore having said them the disciples, added also the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Whenever ye should go to cities or kingdoms or countries, preach to them at first, saying, Seek at every hour, and [257a] leave not off even until ye find the mysteries of the Light, these which will take you in unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Take heed unto you of the teachings of error, otherwise there are a multitude coming in my name saying, I am, being not I, and they will deceive a multitude. Now therefore every man who cometh (close) to you and believe you, and hearken unto your words, and do that (which is) worthy of the mysteries of the Light, then give to them the mysteries of the Light, and hide not them from them: and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are high, give them to him, and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are lower, give them to him, and hide not any from any.

The mystery indeed of the raising the dead and curing the sicknesses, give it not to any, nor teach in it: because that mystery is the (mystery) of the Rulers, it with all its namings. Because of this therefore [257b] give it not to any, nor teach in it, even until ye establish the faith in all the World: that whenever ye should come into cities or countries and they do not receive you unto them, and they believe you not and they hearken not unto your words, and ye should raise dead (ones) in those places, and cure the lame with the blind with the sicknesses which are various in those places: and through you all these of this kind they will believe you, that ye are preaching the God of the Universe, and they (will) believe every word from you: because of this therefore I gave to you that mystery, even until ye establish the faith in all the World. These therefore having said them the Saviour, he added also in the word, said he to Maria, Now therefore hear, Maria, concerning [258a] the word of which thou sought from me, What it is which compelleth the man even until he doeth sin.

Now therefore they are wont to bear the child, the power in him being small, and being small in him the soul, and being small in him the counterfeit spirit also in one word, being small the three together: having not any of them any perception of thing whether good or evil, from the weight of the heedlessness which weigheth greatly: and also being small the body also: and the child is wont to eat out of the meats of the world of the Rulers; and is wont the power to attract to it(self) from the particle of the power which is in the meats, and is wont the soul to attract to it(self) from the particle of the soul which is in the meats, and is wont the counterfeit spirit to attract to it(self) from the particle of the evil which is in [258b] the meats with its lusts, and is wont the body also to attract to itself the matter, which perceiveth not which is in the meats. The Fate, indeed is not wont to receive out of the meats, because that it is not mixed up with them (the others), but in the condition in which it is wont to come unto the World it is wont to go also in it: and gradually (by little, little, MS) are wont the power with the soul with the counterfeit spirit to become great, and each of them is wont to perceive according to his nature.

The power indeed is wont to perceive to seek after the Light of the Height, the soul also is wont to perceive to seek after the Place of the righteousness this which is mixed, namely the Place of the Confusion, the counterfeit spirit also is wont to seek after all evil with the lusts with every sin, the body also is not wont to perceive anything, except it taketh up power out of the matter. [259a] And then they are wont to perceive, each of the three, according to his nature. And the Contentious ones also are wont to tell to the Ministers (that) they should follow them, and become witness to every sin which they do, concerning the manner in which they will punish them in the judgments, and after these also, the counterfeit spirit is wont to take notice and perceive all the sins with the evil, which order unto the soul the Rulers of the great Destiny; and it maketh them of the soul. And is wont the power which is within to move the soul, for it to seek after the Place of the Light, and of all the Godhead: and is wont the counterfeit spirit to turn aside the soul, and it is wont to compel it and cause it to do all his unlawfulnesses and with all his passions with all its sins persevering (in them). And is wont [259b] to remain imparting to the soul, and becoming enemy unto it, causing it to do all these evils with all these sins.

And he is wont to instigate the Contentious ministers that they should become witness against her in every sin which it will cause her to do: still also coming, she being about to rest herself in the night (and) in the day, it is wont to move her in dreams or in lusts of the World. And it is wont to cause her to lust after everything of the World, in one word, it is wont to urge her unto all things which order to it the Rulers. And it is wont to become enemy with the soul causing her to do the (things) which she would not. Now therefore Maria, then this is the enemy of the soul, and this is that which compelleth her, even until she doeth every sin. Now therefore whenever should become completed the time of that man, at first indeed is wont to come out the Fate and lead the man [260a] in unto the death by the Rulers with their bonds, these in which they were bound by the Destiny: and afterwards are wont to come the Contentious Receivers, and bring that soul out of the body, and afterwards are wont the Contentious Receivers they are wont to spend three days going about with that soul in all the Places, sending it unto all the Aeons of the World: (while) followeth after that soul the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, and is wont the power to withdraw (close) to the Virgin of the Light. And after the three days are wont the Contentious Receivers they are wont to bring that soul down down unto Amente of the Chaos. And whenever they should bring her down unto the Chaos they are wont to deliver her to those who punish.

And are wont the [260b] Receivers to withdraw unto their Places according to the arrangement of the works of the Rulers, because of the coming out of the souls. And is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to become Receiver of the soul, allotting her, convicting her according to the punishment, because of the sins which it caused her to do. And it is wont to become in a great enmity towards the soul, and whenever the soul should complete the punishments in the Chaoses according to the sins which she did, is wont the counterfeit to bring her up from the Chaoses allotting her, convicting her from Place to Place because of the sins which she did. And is wont to bring her out on the road of the Rulers of the Middle. And whenever he should reach them, they are wont to seek from her the mysteries of the Fate. And if she did not find them, they are wont to seek from their Fate. And are wont those Rulers, they are wont to punish that soul [261a] according to the sins for which she is worthy (to be punished). These I shall say unto you, viz.: the type of their punishment in the Distribution of the Universe. Whenever therefore it should happen, whenever should be completed the time of the punishment of that soul in the judgments of the Rulers of the Middle, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to bring the soul up from all the Places of the Rulers of the Middle, it is wont to take her up before the light of the sun according to the commandment of the first man Ieou: and it is wont to take her (close) to the judge the Virgin of the Light.

She is wont to prove that soul, and find it being a sinful soul. And she is wont to cast her power of light in unto her, because of setting up the soul and the body and the sharing of the perception. These I shall say, viz.: their type, unto you in the Distribution of the Universe. [261b] And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal that soul and lay her on one of her Receivers, and causeth them to cast her (him, MS) into a body worthy of the sins which she did: and Amen I say unto you that she shall not release that soul from the changes of the body, having not given her last cycle (of changes) according to the (things) which are worthy (for her). These all therefore I shall say their type unto you with the type of the bodies unto which they shall cast them according to the sins of every soul, these I shall say unto you all (of them), whenever I should finish saying to you the Distribution of the Universe. Added also Jesus in the word, said he, If also a soul is which is not wont to hearken unto the counterfeit spirit (in) all his works, and this (soul) became good, she received the mysteries of the Light, these which (are) in the second Space, or indeed these [262a] which (are) in the third Space, these which (are) from within (on the inward part, MS): whenever should be completed the time of that soul (of coming) out of the body; and is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to follow that soul, it with the Fate, it is wont to follow in the road by which it will go unto the Height.

And having not yet been distant from the Height, she is wont to say the mystery of the loosing of her seals, with all the bonds of the counterfeit spirit, these with which the Rulers bound it in unto the soul. And whenever they should say them, are wont to be loosed the bonds of the counterfeit spirit, and it is (wont) to cease coming in unto that soul, and it is wont to release the soul according to the commands which ordered unto it the Rulers of the great Destiny, saying to it, Release not this soul except she say unto thee the mystery of the loosing of every seal, these in which we bound thee in unto [262b] the soul. Whenever it should happen therefore, whenever the soul, whenever she should say the mystery of the loosing of the seals with all the bonds of the counterfeit spirit, and (whenever) it ceaseth coming in unto the soul, and ceaseth being bound in unto her, and in that hour it is wont to say a mystery and dismiss the Fate unto her Place (close) to the Rulers which (are) in the road of the Middle. And she is wont to say the mystery, and dismiss the counterfeit spirit (close) to the Rulers of the Destiny unto the Place in which they bound it unto her. And in that hour she is wont to become a great effluence of light, becoming of light greatly greatly, and are wont the Contentious Receivers, these which brought her out of the body, they are wont to fear before the light of that soul, and fall down upon their face.

And in that hour is wont that soul, she is wont to become a great effluence of light, and she is wont to [263a] become wing of light all of her, and to pass through every Place of the Rulers with all the arrays of the Light, even until she goeth unto the Place of her kingdom unto which she received mystery. If also it is a soul, having received mystery in the first Space, reckoning from without (which is from without, MS), and after receiving the mysteries and completing them, and turned (not M) and committed sin again, after the completion of the mysteries; and also if should be completed the time of the coming out of that soul, are wont to come the Contentious Receivers and bring that soul out of the body: and is wont the Fate with the counterfeit spirit, they are wont to follow that soul because that the counterfeit spirit is being bound in unto her with the seals and the bonds of the Rulers, it is wont to follow after that soul walking on the roads of the counterfeit spirit: she is wont to say the mystery of the loosening [263b] of all the bonds and all the seals with which the Rulers bound the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul. And whenever should the soul say the mystery of the loosening of the seals, immediately are wont to be loosened the bonds of the seals, these which bound the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul. And whenever the soul, whenever she should say the mystery of the loosening of the seals, and immediately is wont to be loosened the counterfeit spirit; and it is wont to cease coming in against the soul, and it ceaseth from allotting the soul.

And immediately is wont to say a mystery, the soul, and hold down the counterfeit spirit with the Fate and dismiss them from following her. But there is not any of them being in their (own) authority: but she is being in her (their, MS) authority: and immediately are wont the Receiver of that soul and the mysteries which she received, they are wont to come and snatch away that soul from [264a] the Contentious Receiver. And are wont the Receivers, they are wont to withdraw unto the works of the Rulers in regard to the arrangement for the bringing out of the souls. And are wont the Receivers also of that soul, these which belong unto the Light, they are wont to become wing of light unto that soul, and she becometh vesture of light unto her(self). And they are not wont to take her out of the Chaoses, because it is not right to take a soul having received mystery out of the Chaoses, but they are wont to take her by the road of the Rulers of the Middle: and whenever she should arrive at the Rulers of the Middle, are wont to come out to meet the soul those Rulers, becoming in a great fear with a flame which is fierce with varied faces, in one word, being in a great fear, there being not measure unto it. And immediately is wont the soul, she is wont to say the mystery of their defence. And they are wont to fear greatly and (to) fall upon their face being in fear [264b] before the mystery which she said, and before her defence. And is wont that soul, she is wont to dismiss them to their Fate, saying to them, Receive to you your Fate.