Pistis Sophia

I am not coming unto your Place from this hour. I became strange unto you unto age, being about to go unto the Place of mine inheritance. But these whenever should finish saying them the soul, are wont the Receivers of the Light, they are wont to fly with her unto the Height, and they are wont to take her out of the Aeons of the Destiny, she giving the defence of the Place to it with its seal, these which I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the mysteries. And she is wont to give to the Rulers the counterfeit spirit, and she is wont to say unto them the mystery of the bonds with which they bound it in unto her (him, MS). And she is wont to say to them, Come (take) your counterfeit spirit. I am not coming unto your Place from this hour, I became strange unto you unto age. And she is wont to give the seal of each [265a] to him with his defence. But these whenever should finish saying the soul, are wont the Receivers of the Light, they are wont to fly with her unto the Height, and they are wont to take her out of the Aeons of the Destiny, and they are wont to take her up in all the Aeons, she giving the defence of each Place to it, with the defence of all the Places, with the seals of (with, MS) the Tyrants of the King the Adamas. And she is wont to give the defence to all the Rulers of all the Places of the Left, these which I shall say unto you all their defences with their seals, at the time (in) which I shall say unto you at the Distribution of the mysteries.

And also are wont these Receivers, they are wont to take that soul up to the Virgin of the Light, and also is wont that soul, she is wont to give to the Virgin of the Light the seals with the glory of the hymn. And is wont [265b] the Virgin of the Light and with the other seven Virgins of the Light, they are all wont to prove that soul, and all to find their signs in her, with their seals with their baptisms with their chrisms. And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal that soul; and the Receivers of the Light are wont to baptise that soul, and give to her the chrism spiritual. And are wont each of the Virgins of the Light, they are wont to seal her with their seals, and also are wont the Receivers of the Light, they are wont to deliver her up to the great Sabaoth the good, this who (is) at the gate of the Life in the Place of those of the Right (hand), this whom they are wont to call, The Father. And is wont that soul, she is wont to give the glory of the hymn with his seals with his defences. And [266a] is wont Sabaoth the great, good, he is wont to seal her with his seals. And is wont the soul, she is wont to give her knowledge with the glory of the hymns with the seals of every Place of those of the Right (hand), they are all wont to seal her with their seals. And is wont Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the Light, this who (is) in the Place of those of the Right (hand), he is wont to seal that soul. And are wont the Receivers of Melkhisedek, they are wont to seal that soul, and to receive her unto the Treasury of the Light.

And she is wont to give the glory with the honour with the respect of the hymns with all the seals of all the Places of the Light. And are wont those of all the Places of the Treasury of the Light, they are wont to seal her with their seals. And she is wont to go unto the Place of her inheritance. [266b] These therefore the Saviour having said them unto his disciples, said he to them, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Sprang up again Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, I understand in what manner thou art speaking with me, and I shall comprehend all of them. Now therefore concerning these words which thou sayest my understanding maketh four meanings in me, and my Light-dweller, it led and it was glad, it boiled in me wishing to come out of me and to go in unto thee. Now therefore, My Lord, hear that I may say unto thee the four meanings which became in me. The first meaning indeed which happened in me (is) concerning the word which thou saidst, Now therefore is wont the soul, she is wont to give the defence with the seal to all the Rulers who (are) in the Place of the King, the Adamas, and she is wont to give the defence [267a] with the honour with the glory of all their seals with the hymn of the Places of the Light. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, they having brought to thee the stater, thou sawest it being of silver and brass, thou soughtest, That of whom is this image? Said they, That of the King it is. But thou having seen it, that it was mixed in silver and brass, saidst thou, Give the part, that of the King to the King.

And that of the God to the God, namely, whenever the soul should receive mystery she is wont to give the defence to all the Rulers with the Place of the King, the Adamas. And the soul is wont to give the honour with the glory to those of all the Places of the Light. And the word, It shone when thou hadst seen it, being of silver and brass. That is the type of this, the power of the Light being in it, namely, the silver [267b] which is choice. And being in her the counterfeit spirit, namely, the material brass. Then this, my Lord, is the first meaning. The second meaning also which thou finishedst saying to us now concerning the soul which receiveth mystery, whenever it should come unto the Place of the Rulers of the road of the Middle, and they are wont to come out before her in a great fear greatly greatly, and is wont the soul, she is wont to give to them (him, MS) the mystery of the fear. And they (she, MS) are wont to fear before her, and she is wont to give the Fate unto her Place, and she is wont to give the counterfeit spirit unto its Place, and she is wont to give the defence with the seals to each of the Rulers who (are) upon the roads, and she is wont to give the honour with the glory with the respect of the seals with the hymns to those of all the Places of the Light.

Concerning this word, my Lord, [268a] which thou saidst by the mouth of Paulos our brother once, Give the tribute to him of the tribute, and give the fear to him of the fear, give the custom to him of the custom, and give the honour to him of the honour, and give the respect to him of the respect, and do not owe anything to anyone. Which (is) this My Lord, The soul who receiveth mystery is wont to give the defence to all the Places, This is, my Lord, the second meaning. The third meaning also concerning the word which thou saidst unto us once, The counterfeit spirit is wont to become enemy unto the soul, causing it to do all the sins and all the passions, and it is wont to convict her in the punishment concerning all the sins which it caused her to do, in one word, it is wont to be enemy unto the soul in every form. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, The enemies of the man are his domestics [268b] namely the domestics of the soul are the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, these which are enemy unto the soul at every time causing her to do every sin with every wickedness. Then this, my Lord, is the third meaning. The fourth meaning also concerning the word which thou saidst, If the soul should come out of the body, and walk in the road of the counterfeit spirit, and whenever it should not find the mystery of the loosening of all the bonds with the seals, these which are bound to the counterfeit spirit, and (yet) it should cease to be allotted unto her.

If therefore she should not find it, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to take the soul (close) to the Virgin of the Light, the judge: and is wont the judge, the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove the soul and find about her, she having done sin; and having not also found the mysteries of the Light with her. And she is wont to give [269a] her to one of her Receivers, and is wont her Receiver, he is wont to bring her and cast her unto the body, and she is not wont to come out of the changes with the body, having not given the last Cycle. Concerning this word therefore my Lord, which thou saidst unto us once, (Become) being reconciled with thine enemy while thou art on the road with him, lest-haply thine enemy should give thee to the judge, and the judge should give thee to the officer and the officer should cast thee unto the prison, and thou shalt not come out of that place, having not given the last smallest coin (lypton, MS), namely, the word (said) plainly, Every soul which cometh out of the body, and walketh on the road with the counterfeit spirit, and findeth not the mystery of the loosening of all the seals, with all the bonds, and (yet) is loosened from the counterfeit spirit, which is bound unto her; then that soul having [269b] not received mystery of (in, MS) the Light, having not found the mysteries of the loosening of the counterfeit spirit, which is bound unto her.

She therefore finding it not, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to take that soul (close) to the Virgin of the Light; and is wont the Virgin of the Light, and that judge, she is wont to deliver that soul unto one of her Receivers, and is wont her Receiver, he is wont to cast her unto the Sphere of Aeons, and she is not wont to come out of the changes of the body, having not given the last Cycle which is reckoned unto her. This therefore my Lord, is the fourth meaning.

It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words, saying them Maria, said he, Well (done) O happy Maria, the spiritual. These are the explanations of the words which I said. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, yet I seek from thee [270a] because that from now I am about to begin to seek thee of everything in an exactness. Because of this therefore My Lord, be long suffering with us, and reveal to us everything, about which we shall seek thee, concerning the manner also in which my brothers will preach to the race of all the mankind. But these she having said them to the Saviour, answered also the Saviour, said he to her becoming in a great mercy in unto her, Amen I say to you, Not only shall I reveal to you every thing ye will seek after, but from now also I shall reveal to you these other (things) which ye understood not to seek after them; these mounted not upon the heart of the men, these which knew not all the Gods also who (are) among the men. Now therefore, thou Maria, seek after that which thou art seeking after, [270b] and I shall reveal it to thee face to face, without parable. But answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then in what type are wont the baptisms to forgive sin? I heard thee saying, Are wont the Contentious Ministers, they are wont to follow after the soul, being witness unto her of every sin which she did, that they should convict her in the judgments. Now therefore, My Lord, are wont the mysteries of the baptisms, are they wont to blot out the sins, which are with the Contentious Ministers, because they indeed are wont to make their forgetfulness?

Now therefore My Lord, say unto us the type (by) which they are wont to forgive sin, but we wish to know them in an exactness. But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Fairly indeed thou saidst, the Ministers however at least they are not (those) who are wont to bear witness of every sin, but [271a] they are wont to remain also among the judgments holding on to the souls, convicting all the souls of the sinners, these who received not mystery, and they are wont to hold them down in the Chaoses punishing them. And are not wont those Contentious (ones) they are not wont to prevail to pass through the Chaoses, for them to come unto the arrays which are above the Chaoses, and convict the souls which come out of those Places. Now therefore the souls which receive mysteries, it is not allowed for them to overpower them, and take them out of the Chaos, that should convict them the Contentious Ministers, but are wont the Contentious Ministers, they are wont to convict the souls of the sinners, and lay hold on these which received not mysteries, these which are wont to bring from the Chaoses. The souls however who receive mysteries have not (any) work (for which) to convict them, because they are not wont to come out of their Places. [271b] And also whenever they should come, they are not able to prevail to stand up before them, nevertheless indeed they are not wont to be able to take them in those Chaoses.

Hear, also, that I may say unto you the word in truth in what type is wont the mystery of the baptism to forgive sin. Now therefore whenever the souls should do sin, yet being upon the World are wont to come however at least the Contentious Ministers, and bear witness to all the sins which the soul did, lest haply indeed they should come out of the Place of the Chaos, that they should convict her in the judgments, these which are out(side) of the Chaoses. And is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to bear witness of all the sins which did the soul, that also he should convict her in the judgments, these which are out(side) of the Chaoses. And not only because it beareth witness of them, but every sin of the souls it is wont to seal [272a] the sins, and affix them in unto the soul, that all the Rulers of the judgments of the sinners should recognise her, that she is a sinful soul, and that they should know the number of the sins which she did from the seals which affixed unto her the counterfeit spirit, that they should punish her according to the number of the sins which she did. This is the manner in which they are wont to do to every soul of sinner.

Now therefore he who will receive the mysteries of the baptisms, are wont the mysteries of those, they are (it is, MS) wont to become in a great fire being fierce greatly (and) wise, and it burneth the sins: and they are wont to go in unto the soul in concealment, and it eateth in after all the sins, these which affixed in unto it the counterfeit spirit, they are wont to go also [272b] in unto the body in concealment, and pursue all the pursuers in concealment, and separate them on each side of the body; for it is wont to pursue the counterfeit spirit and (with, MS) the Fate, and separate them outside the power and (with, MS) the soul, and them on (one) side of the body, so that the counterfeit spirit with the Fate with the body it is wont to separate them unto one part: the soul also with the power it is wont to separate them unto another part. The mystery also of the baptism is wont to remain in the midst of the two, and remain separating them from one another, that it should cleanse them and purify them, that they should not be defiled by the matter. Now therefore Maria, this is the manner in which are wont the mysteries of the baptisms to forgive sin and with every unlawfulness. These then having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Sprang up Maria, said she [273a]: Yea, My Lord, truly I fully take in every word which thou sayest.

Concerning the word therefore of the forgiveness of the sins which thou saidst unto us once in a parable, saying, I came to cast fire upon the earth; and also, What is that which I wish, except that it should be kindled: and also thou separatedst plainly, saying, I have a baptism to be baptised in it; and how shall I endure, until it should be completed? Ye are thinking that I came to cast peace upon the earth? Nay but a division is that which I shall send. For from now there are five (who) will become in one house, there are three (who) will be upon two and two upon three. This, my Lord, is the word which thou saidst plainly. The word indeed which thou saidst, I came to cast a fire upon the earth and what is that which [273b] I wish, except that it should be kindled, which (is) this, my Lord, that thou broughtest the mysteries of the baptisms unto the world? And what is that which thou willest, except that it should eat in after all the sins of the soul and purify them. And also afterwards thou separatedst plainly saying, I have a baptism to be baptised in it, and how shall I endure, even until it should be completed, namely, that thou wilt not remain in the World, even until the baptisms should be completed, and purify the perfect souls.

And also the word which thou saidst unto us once, Ye are thinking that I came to cast peace upon the earth? nay, but division is that which I came to cast: because from now there are five (who) will become in one house; there are three (who) will be divided upon two and two upon three, namely, the mysteries of the baptisms [274a] which thou broughtest unto the World, it having made a division in the bodies of the World: because that the counterfeit spirit with the body with the Fate, it separated them unto one part, the soul also with the power it separated them unto another part, namely, that there are three who will be divided upon two and two upon three. But these having said them Maria, said he the Saviour, Well (done), O spiritual (one) of pure Light, Maria, this is the explanation of the word. Answered also Maria, said she, My Lord yet also I am about to add in seeking from thee. Now therefore, my Lord, bear with me seeking from thee. Behold indeed in boldness we knew the type (in) which are wont the baptisms to forgive sin: now also the mystery of these (this, MS) three Spaces with the mysteries of this First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable, in what type are they wont to forgive sin [274b]? Are they wont to forgive in the type of the baptism, or otherwise?

Answered also the Saviour, said he, Otherwise but all the mysteries of the three Spaces are wont to forgive to (in, MS) the soul in (dative, MS) all the Places of the Rulers all the sins which did the soul from at first; they are wont to forgive to her, and further they are wont to forgive, those which she will do after these, even until the time unto which each of the mysteries will dominate: these I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe viz.: the time up to which each of the mysteries will dominate. And also the mystery of the First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable they are wont to forgive to the soul in all the Places of the Rulers, every sin with every unlawfulness which did the soul. And also that (not only) are they wont to forgive all of them to her, [275a] but they are not wont to reckon sin unto her from this hour, even until unto age of age, because of the free-gift of that great mystery with its (their, MS) glory which is much, greatly greatly. These therefore having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered also Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, I finished carrying off every word which thou sayest. Now therefore my Lord, concerning the word which thou sayest, Are wont all the mysteries of the three Spaces they are wont to forgive sin and cover over their unlawfulness which prophesied once about this word David the prophet, saying: Happy are those whose sin they forgave with those whose unlawfulness they covered over.

He prophesied [275b] about this word once, and the word which thou saidst, The mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable, that every man who will receive those mysteries, not only that they are wont to forgive the sins, which they did from at first, but also they are not wont to make the reckoning indeed of them from that time unto age. Because of this word also prophesied about it once David saying, Happy are they unto whom the Lord the God will not reckon sin, namely, they will not reckon sin unto him from this time (viz.) those who receive the mysteries of the First Mystery with those who receive the mysteries of the Ineffable. Said he: Well (done), the spiritual of pure Light Maria, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, Then whenever the man shall receive mystery in the mysteries of the First Mystery, [276a] and also should turn (away) and do sin and transgress. And also, after these should turn and repent and pray in his mystery (after) his mystery, will they forgive to him or otherwise? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every one who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and also turneth (away) and transgresseth twelve times and also repenteth twelve times praying in the mysteries of the First Mystery they will forgive to him.

And also should he (they, MS) transgress after the twelve times, and turn (away) and transgress they will not forgive to him unto age, for him to turn unto his mystery (after) his mystery, and this (one) hath not repentance except he should receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, that which is wont to be merciful at every time, and, also, he forgiveth at every time. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, but if however those who receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and they should turn (away) and transgress and come out [276b] of (the) body, having not repented, will they inherit the kingdom or otherwise? Because they received indeed the free-gift of the First Mystery? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who receiveth mystery in the First Mystery, having transgressed the first time with the second with the third, and this (one) should come out of body, having not repented, his judgment surpasseth much beyond every judgment. For his dwelling place is in the midst of the mouth of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and at end of all these he will be petrified in the punishments, and he will be consumed unto age, because he received in the free-gift of the First Mystery, he remained not in it. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who will receive the mystery of the Ineffable, and they transgress, they cease from their faith, and also after these yet living, they turned, they repented, will they forgive to them [277a] how many times?

Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, not only whenever he should transgress once and also turn and repent will they forgive to him, but whenever he should transgress at every time, and, also, yet living and turn and repent, not becoming in an hypocrisy, and also should turn and repent, and he should pray in his mysteries (after) his mysteries, they will forgive to him at every time? Because that he received out of the free-gift of the mysteries of the Ineffable. And also because that merciful are all those mysteries and forgiving are they at every time. Answered also Maria, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then those who receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, and also they turned (away) they transgressed, they ceased from their faith, and also they came [277b] out of (the) body having not repented, what also is that which will happen to these of this kind? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will receive from the mysteries of the Ineffable, happy (ones) are they however at least, the souls which will receive from those mysteries, but whenever they turn (away) and transgress and come out of (the) body having not repented, those men, their judgment is worse than every judgment, and great is greatly greatly: even if those souls are new (ones), and it being their first time of coming unto the World; and they will not return unto the changes of the bodily World from this hour.

And they are not wont to be able to do any work; but they are wont to cast them unto outside unto the Darkness which is outer, and they will be consumed and will be without existence unto age. But these having said them the Saviour [278a], said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord. I carried off the words which thou saidst. Now therefore, my Lord, this is the word which thou saidst, Those who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable happy (ones) however at least are those souls; but whenever they should turn (away) and transgress and cease from their faith, and they should come out of body having not repented, they are not wont to be profitable any longer from this hour to return them unto the changes of the body, nor (for) any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the outside unto the Darkness which is outer, they will consume them in that Place, and they will be without existence unto age. Because of the word which thou saidst unto us once saying, Good is the salt, whenever the salt insipid becometh in what are they about to salt it? [278b] It is not wont to be profitable unto dunghill nor unto the land, but they are wont to cast it out, namely, happy is every soul who will receive from the mysteries of the Ineffable, but whenever they should transgress once, they are not able to be profitable for return unto the body from this hour, nor unto any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the Darkness which is outer, and they will consume away in that place.

But these she having said them to the Saviour, said he, Well (done) the pure spiritual Maria, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who received the mysteries of the First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable, these having not transgressed, but their faith in the mysteries (is) in a directness without hypocrisy, these therefore through the compulsion of the Destiny, and also they did sin, and also they turned, they repented and also [279a] they prayed in their mysteries, (after) their mysteries, will they forgive to them for about how many times? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, Amen amen I say unto you, Every man who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, and also with the mysteries of the First Mystery, these by the compulsion of the Destiny did sin every time, and yet being alive they turn and they repent and also they remain in their mystery, they will forgive to them every time, because those mysteries are merciful, forgivers they are at every time. Because of this therefore I said unto you once, Those mysteries not only that they will forgive to them their sins which they did from at first, but (and, MS) they are not wont to reckon them unto him from that hour, those whom I said unto you that they are wont to take repentance at every time. [279b] And they will forgive also the sins which they are wont to do repeatedly.

If however those who receive mystery in the mysteries of the Ineffable with the mysteries of the First Mystery, and they (should) turn (away) and do sin, and they (should) come out of body having not repented, they also are about to become also as those who transgressed (and) they repented not. Their dwelling place indeed also is the midst of the mouth of the dragon in the Darkness which is outer, and they will consume away and become without existence unto age. Because of this I said to you, Every man who will receive the mysteries, if they knew the time in which they are coming out of the body, they would govern them(selves) and not do sin, that they should inherit the kingdom of the Light unto age. These therefore having said them the Saviour unto his disciples, said he to them, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? [280a] Answered Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, In an exactness I exact every word which thou sayest. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, If had known the lord of the house in what hour the thief would come in the night to dig through the house he would have kept vigil also, and not have let man dig through his house. This therefore having said Maria, said he, the Saviour: Well (done), the spiritual Maria, this is the word.

Added also the Saviour said he to his disciples, Now therefore, preach to every man who will receive mystery in the Light: say to them, saying, Take heed to your(selves), do not sin, lest at any time ye cast an evil after an evil and ye come out of the body having not repented, and ye be alien unto the kingdom of the Light unto age. These [280b] having said them the Saviour, answered Maria, said she, My Lord, Much is the mercifulness of these mysteries which forgive sin at every time. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, If a king to-day being a man of this World giveth a free-gift to the men of his manner, and forgiveth also the murderers with the sleepers with male with the rest also of the sins which are grievous greatly, these being worthy of the death. But if it is proper for him being man of the World having done this, very much more therefore the Ineffable with the First Mystery, these who are lord over the Universe are having the authority in everything to do that which they will, for them to forgive everyone who receiveth mystery? Or otherwise indeed if a king to-day putteth vesture of king upon a soldier, and sendeth him unto other places, and he doeth [281a] murders with sins which are grievous being worthy of the death, and they are not wont to be able to do anything evil to him because the vesture of the king put upon him, very much more therefore those who wear the mysteries of the vestures of the Ineffable with those of the First Mystery, these which are lord over all those of the Height with all those of the Depth.

After these (things) Jesus saw a woman having come to repent, he baptised her three times, and she did not do that which is worthy of the baptism. And the Saviour wished to tempt Petros to see if he became merciful and forgiving according as he ordered unto them, said he toward Petros, Behold three times I baptised this soul, and in these (this, MS) three times she did not that which is worthy of the mysteries of the Light. Because of what therefore [281b] doth she render useless also the body? Now therefore Petros, perform the mystery of the Light, this which is wont to cut away the souls from the inheritance of the Light. Perform that mystery, and cut away the soul of this woman from the inheritances of the Light. These therefore having said them the Saviour he tempted to see whether he became merciful and forgiving. These therefore having said them the Saviour, said he, Petros, My Lord, leave her this time also, that we may give to her the mysteries which are high, and whenever she should become profitable thou lettest her, she inherited the kingdom of the Light, but if she should not become profitable, thou cuttest her away from the kingdom of the Light. These therefore having said them Petros, knew the Saviour that Petros became merciful (like) his manner and forgiving. All these therefore having happened, said he the Saviour [282a] to his disciples, Understand ye all these words with the type of this woman? Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, I understand the mysteries of the words which happened to this woman.

Concerning the words therefore which happened to her, which thou saidst unto us once in a parable, saying, A man had a fig-tree in his vineyard, but he came seeking after his fruit, and he found not any on it. Said he to his gardener, Behold, three years I come, I seek after fruit in this fig-tree, and I find not any in it, cut it (down), therefore, because of what rendereth it useless also the ground. But he answered, said he to him, My Lord, bear with it this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put dung to it. But if it should send forth another year, thou lettest it (be), but if thou findest not any, thou cuttest it (down). Behold [282b] this, my Lord, is the explanation of the word. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Well (done) O spiritual (one) this is the word. Added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received mystery, and did not that which is worthy of the mysteries, but turned (away), he did sin: after these (things) also he repented and he became in a great repentance, is it lawful also, my brothers, to repeat the mystery which he received, or otherwise indeed to give to him a mystery among the mysteries which are below him. Is it lawful therefore or otherwise. But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Neither the mystery which he received nor that which is below him are wont to hear him to forgive his sins, but the mysteries which are high(er) than those which he received, they are those which are wont to hear him, and they forgive his sins.

Now therefore Maria [283a] let thy brothers give to him the mystery which is high(er) than that which he received, and they will receive his repentance from him, and they will forgive his sins. That (one) indeed because he received another time, and the others because he surpassed them above. This indeed is not wont to hear him to forgive his sins, but the mystery which is high(er) than that which he received, that is that which is wont to forgive his sins. But if he, having received three mysteries in the two Spaces or in the third (reckoning from) within, and this (one) turned (away) he transgressed, is (are, MS) wont not any mystery to hear him, for to help him in his repentance, neither those which are high, nor those which are below him, except the mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable: they are those which are wont to hear him and receive from him his repentance. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then a man, having received mystery up to two or up to three in [283b] the second Space or the third Space, and this (one) turned (away) and transgressed, but yet being in his faith in directness and without hypocrisy. (shall he continue to receive?) Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Every man who received mystery in the second Space and in the third, and also he did not transgress, but yet being in his faith without hypocrisy, it is lawful for these of this kind to receive mystery in the Space which he willeth from at first, even until to last, because that he (they, MS) did not transgress.

Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, then a man having known the Godhead, and he received from the mysteries of the Light, and he turned (away) he transgressed he lawless became, he did not turn unto repentance: and a man also who found not the Godhead nor knew it, and that man being a sinner, and also impious [284a] is, and they came out of body both, which of them is he who will receive (tribulation, M) more the judgments?

Answered also the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say unto thee, The man who knew the Godhead, this who received the mysteries of the Light, and he did sin, not having turned to repent, he will receive tribulation in the punishments of the judgments in great tribulations with judgments manifold, greatly greatly beyond the impious man and lawbreaker, this who knew not the Godhead. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear let him hear. These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up forward Maria, said she, My Lord, there is ear of my Light-dweller, and I understood all the word which thou saidst: concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once in a parable [284b], The servant who knew the wish of his lord and prepared not, nor did the wish of his lord, he will receive great stripes, but he who knew not and did not, he will be worthy of little (stripes): because every one to whom they entrusted more they will seek after more from him, and unto whom they committed many (things) they will require of him many, namely, my Lord, he who knoweth the Deity and he found the mystery of the Light, (and) he transgressed, they will punish him in a great judgment more than him who knew not the Godhead. This my Lord is the explanation of the word.

Added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, if the faith with the mysteries come to manifestation, now therefore whenever souls, whenever they should come unto the world for many of cycles, and they neglect to [285a] receive mystery, trusting that whenever they should come unto the world for another cycle they will receive them, then indeed do they not run risk of not attaining to receive the mysteries? Answered the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Preach to all the world, saying to the men, strive that ye receive the mysteries of the Light at this time which is troublous and go in unto the kingdom of the Light. Do not cast a day in unto a day or a cycle in unto a cycle, and trust that ye attain unto receiving the mysteries, whenever we should come unto the world for another cycle: and these know not when is about to become the number of the perfect souls, for whenever should become the number of the perfect souls I shall shut therefore the gate of the Light. And there is not any (who) will go in from this hour, nor is there any (who) cometh out afterwards. [285b] Because that was completed the number of the perfect souls, and was completed the mystery of the First Mystery, this because of which the Universe became, which is I, that Mystery.

And from this hour there is not any (who) will go in unto the Light, and there is not any who will be able to come out: because in the completion of the time of the number of the perfect souls, before that I put forth the fire unto the World for to purify the Aeons with the veils with the firmaments with all the earth all the other matter which (is) upon it, yet also are becoming the mankind. In that time therefore will be more manifested the faith with the mysteries in those days: and there are many souls coming by the cycle of the change of the body, and they are coming unto the World, some of them being in this present [286a] time, having heard me teaching: in the completion of the number of the perfect souls they will find the mysteries of the Light and receive them: and they (will) come up to the gate of the Light and find it, having been completed the number of the perfect souls, namely, the completion of the First Mystery, and that is the knowing of the Universe. And they will find it, I having shut up the gate of the Light. And it is not possible for any to come in, or for any to come out from this hour. These souls therefore will knock in unto the gate of the Light, saying, Lord open to us. I shall answer that I may say to them, I know you not whence ye are. And they will say to me, We received out of thy mysteries, and we completed all thy teaching, and thou [286b] taughtest to us in the highways. And I shall answer that I may say to them, I know not you who ye are, those who work the unlawfulness with the evil, even until now.

Because of this go unto the Darkness which is outer. And in that hour they will go unto the Darkness which is outer, the Place in which is the weeping with the gnashing of the teeth. Because of this therefore preach to all the World, say unto them: Strive, renounce all the World with all the matter which is in it, and receive the mysteries of the Light, before that was completed the number of the perfect souls, that they should not put you at the door of the gate of the Light, and betake you unto the Darkness which is outer. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear, let him hear. These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up also forward [287a] Maria, said she, My Lord not only (is it) that hath ear my Light-dweller, but heard my soul and understood every word which thou sayest. Now therefore, my Lord, concerning the words which thou saidst, Preach to the men of the World say unto them, Strive, receive the mysteries of the Light in this time which is troublous, that ye should inherit the kingdom of the Light.

Added also Maria, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then the Darkness which is outer of what type is it being, or otherwise rather, there are how many Places of punishment in it? But answered Jesus, said he to Maria, The Darkness which is outer is a great dragon, with his tail within his mouth, being outside all the World and going round all the World with a multitude of places of judgment within it, being of twelve [287b] chambers of the punishments cruel, with a Ruler in every chamber (the chamber the chamber, MS) with the faces of the Rulers different from one another. But the first Ruler who becometh in the first (hath) a face of crocodile, with his tail within his mouth: with all ice coming out of his mouth of the dragon, with at every time with all cold with all sicknesses which are various, this (one) they are wont to call his original name in his Place, Enkhthonin: and the Ruler who becometh in the second chamber, a face of cat is his original face. This they are wont to call him in their Place Kharakhar. And the Ruler who becometh in the third chamber, a face of a dog is his original face. This they are wont to call him in their Place, Arkharokh. [288a] And the Ruler who becometh in the fourth chamber, a face of snake is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call him in their Place, Akhrokhar. And the Ruler who becometh in the fifth chamber, a face of black calf is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call him in their Place, Markhour.

And the Ruler who becometh in the sixth chamber, a face of sow of mountain is his original face, this (one) they call him in their Place, Lamkhamor. And the Ruler of the seventh chamber, a face of bear is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call him in his original name in their Place, Lukhar. And the Ruler of the eighth chamber a face of a gryphus is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call his name in their Place, Laraokh. And the Ruler of the ninth [288b] chamber a face of a basilisk is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call his name in their Place, Arkheokh. And the tenth chamber there are many Rulers in it seven heads of dragon to each of them in their original face, and he who is over them all they are wont to call his name in their Place, Xarmarokh. And eleventh chamber, there are many Rulers of that Place (coptic word, MS) with seven heads of cat to each of them in their original face, and the great (one) who is over them, they are wont to call him in his Place, Rokhar. And the twelfth chamber there are many Rulers in it, they being many exceedingly, with seven heads of face of a dog to each of them in their original face. And the great (one) who is over them they are wont to call him in [289a] their Place, Khremaor. These Rulers therefore of these twelve chambers being within the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and each of them having a name according to hour. And is wont each of them to change his face according to hour.

And these twelve chambers have each of them a door open unto the Height, so that the dragon of the Darkness which is outer hath twelve chambers of Darkness, there being a door to every chamber (the chamber the chamber, MS) open unto the Height. And there is an Angel of the Height being vigilant unto each of the doors of the chambers. These who Ieou the first man, the overseer of the Light, the Legate of the First precept, he is he who put them being vigilant unto the dragon that he should not be disorderly with all the Rulers of his chambers which are in him.

[289b] These therefore having said them the Saviour, answered Maria the Magdalene, said she, My Lord, then the souls indeed which they take unto that Place are they not indeed wont to take them through these twelve doors of the chambers, each according to the judgment of which it is worthy? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, They are not wont to take any soul in unto the dragon through these doors, but the soul of the blasphemers, and those who become with teaching of error, with every one who giveth teaching in the error, and with the sleepers with male, and with the (soul) of the men who are polluted, and with the impious, with every man atheist, and the murderers, with the adulterers, and with the sorcerers. All the souls therefore of this kind whenever they should not repent, yet being alive, but remaining in their sin steadfast, with all the souls also, these [290a] who were left outside of this, namely, who received their number of cycles which is reckoned unto them in the Sphere, they having not repented, but in their last cycle they will take those souls, those with all the souls which I finished saying them, they will take them through the mouth of the tail of the dragon in unto the chambers of the Darkness which is outer. And whenever they should finish taking the souls in unto the Darkness which is outer in the mouth of his tail, he is wont to bring round again his tail in unto his own mouth and shut them (in). This is the manner (in) which they will take the souls in unto the Darkness which is outer.

And the dragon of the Darkness, which is outer, hath twelve original names, these which (are) in his mouths, a name according to each of the doors of the chambers. And these (this, MS) [290b] twelve names are various with one another, but being with (in, MS) one another twelve, so that he who will say one of the names is saying all the names. This therefore I shall say unto you in the Distribution of (the) Universe. This therefore is the manner which becometh the Darkness which is outer, namely the dragon. These therefore having said them the Saviour, answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then the punishment of that dragon (is) cruel greatly, beyond the punishment of all the judgment. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Not only also that they are painful beyond all the punishments of the judgments; but every soul which they will take unto the Place they will numb it in the cold which is cruel, and with the hails and with the fire which is cruel greatly: these [291a] which become in that Place. But in the dissolution of the World, namely, in the catching up of the Universe, those souls will be wasted away by the cold which is cruel, and with the fire which is cruel greatly, and they will be without existence unto age. Answered Maria, said she, Then woe to the souls of the sinners. Now therefore my Lord, the flame which (is) in the place of the mankind is being hot or the fire which (is) in Amente is hot? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen I say to thee, Hot is being the fire which (is) in Amente more than the fire which is in mankind nine times.

And the fire which is in the punishment of the great Chaos is cruel, more than that which (is) in Amente nine times: and the fire which (is) in the judgment of the Rulers, who are on the road [291b] of the Middle, is cruel, more than the fire of the punishment which is in the great Chaos nine times: and the fire which is in the dragon of the Darkness which is outer with all the judgments which (are) in it, are cruel more than the fire which (is) in all the punishments which (are) in the judgments of the Rulers, these who (are) on the road of the Middle, is cruel more than them seventy times. But these having said them the Saviour unto Maria she smote on her breast, she cried out, she wept, she with all the disciples at once, said she, Woe to the sinners because many are their judgments greatly. Came in front Mariham, she prostrated upon the feet of Jesus, she worshipped them, said she, My Lord, bear with me, seeking from thee, and be not angry with me because I molest thee many [292a] times, for from now I am about to begin to seek from thee concerning every thing in an exactness.

Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Seek after every thing which thou wishest to seek after, and I shall reveal them to thee in boldness, without parable. Answered Maria said she, My Lord, then a man, good, having completed all the mysteries, having a kinsman, in one word, having a man, and that man being impious, having done every sin which are worthy of the Darkness which is outer, and he did not repent, or otherwise, having completed his number of cycle in the changes of the body, and being not profitable at all, that man, having come out of the body, and we knew securely that he sinned, worthy of the Darkness which is outer, then what is that which we shall do, until we deliver [292b] him from the punishments of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and remove him unto a righteous body, being about to find the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light, and that he may become good and go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light.

Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, If a sinner, he is being worthy of the Darkness which is outer, or otherwise indeed he did sin according to the punishment, the rest also of the punishments; and this (one) did not repent, or otherwise indeed (he is) a man sinner who completed his number of cycle in the changes of the body and this (one) did not repent, whenever those men therefore, these whom I said, whenever they should come out of the body, and they should take them unto the Darkness which is outer. Now therefore if ye wish to remove them out of the punishments of the Darkness which is outer with all the judgments, and they remove [293a] them unto a righteous body, this (one) being about to find the mysteries of the Light, that he may go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light, do the same mystery of the Ineffable, this which is wont to forgive sin at every time: and whenever ye should finish doing the mystery, say, The soul of such or such a man of whom I thought in my heart, if she is in the Place of the punishments of the chambers of the Darkness which is outer, even if it is in the rest also of the punishments of the chambers of the Darkness which is outer, with the rest also of the punishments of the dragon, they shall remove her out of the all: and if she should not complete the number of the cycles in the changes (of the body) they shall take her (close) to the Virgin of the Light, and the Virgin of the Light (will) seal her (him, MS) with the seal of the Ineffable [293b] and cast it in the same month unto a righteous body, this in whom she will

find the mysteries of the Light, and that she may become good and go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light. And also if she completed the cycles of the changes, they shall take that soul up to the seven Virgins of the Light, these who are over the baptism, and they (will) put it upon that soul, and seal her with the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable and take her (him, MS) among the arrays of the Light, these I will say whenever ye should complete the mysteries. Amen I say to you, The soul (for) which ye will pray, if indeed she is in the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, he will liberate his tail out of his mouth and vomit out that soul. And also if she is in [294a] any (every, MS) Place of the judgments of the Rulers, Amen I say unto you, Will carry her off in a haste the Receiver of Melkhisedek, if should have vomited her the dragon, or otherwise indeed she is in the judgments of the Rulers, in one word, will carry her off the Receivers of Melkhisedek from any (every, MS) Place in which she is in. And they will take her unto the Place of the Middle (close) to the Virgin of the Light.

And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, and see the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable being in that soul, and if she hath not yet completed the number of cycles in the changing of the soul, or in (the changing) of the body, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal her with a seal more excellent, and [294b] hasten to make them cast her in the same month unto a righteous body, this which is about to find the mysteries of the Light, and about to be good, that he may go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. And if that soul received her number of cycles, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, she is not wont to let them punish her, because that she received the number of cycle: but she is wont to deliver her unto the seven Virgins of the Light. And are wont the seven Virgins of the Light, they are wont to prove that soul, and they are wont to baptise her with their baptisms, and give to her the spiritual chrism, and take her unto the Treasury of the Light, and put her in the last array of the Light, until the catching up of all the perfect souls. And whenever they should prepare for drawing away the veils [295a] of the Place of those on the Right (hand), they are wont to purify that soul again and cleanse her and put her in the arrays of the first Saviour, he who (is) in the Treasury of the Light.

It happened therefore, the Saviour having finished saying these words unto his disciples, answered Mariham, said she to Jesus, My Lord, I heard thee saying, He who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, or he who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, they are wont to make beams of light with effluence of light, and pass through every Place, even until they go unto the Place of their inheritance. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Whenever they should receive the mystery yet being alive, and whenever they should come out of body, they are wont to make beams of light with effluence of light and pass [295b] through every Place, even until they go unto the Place of their inheritance. But if being sinners indeed, having come out of the body, having not repented, and ye make for them the mystery of the Ineffable, that they should remove them out of all the punishments, and cast them unto a righteous body, that he may inherit the kingdom of the Light, or otherwise indeed they should take him unto the last array of the Light, they are not wont to be able to prevail to pass through the Places, because they are not those who make the mystery: but are wont the Receivers of Melkhisedek, they are wont to come after them and take them (close) to the Virgin of the Light, and a multitude of times are wont the Ministers of the Judges of the Rulers, they are wont to hasten and take those souls, and deliver them unto one (to) another, even until [296a] they take her (close) to the Virgin of the Light.