From F. Legge’s preface (abridged)
The history of Gnosticism, which may be defined as the belief that man’s place in the next world is determined by the knowledge of it that he acquires in this, goes back probably to the very dawn of our civilisation; but its importance for most of us is mainly centred round the first three centuries of our Era. Not even Christianity, as Amélineau quotes from Pascal, was able at once to make an angel out of a beast; and no sooner did it emerge from its first home in Judæa into the broader light of the Roman Empire than there sprang up within it many more or less secret schools which sought to combine the truths of the new religion with some of the most pernicious superstitions of the old. Until lately, however, our knowledge of the teaching of these post-Christian Gnostics has been limited to the statements of their opponents. Before the close of the second century, Irenaeus and Tertullian had written against them; and, some two hundred years later, Epiphanius, then Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus, repeated their accusations in his huge Panarion, with some doubtful additions of his own in a form which at least has the merit of restoring for us a great part of the lost Greek text of Irenaeus. These writers were avowed heresy-hunters, keenly alive to the danger to Christianity in the doctrines which they exposed, and therefore necessarily inclined to believe the worst that could be said against them. But granting the Fathers’ entire good faith in the matter—and that of Irenaeus and Tertullian at least is undoubted—there was one cogent reason why their account of Gnostic teaching had to be received with suspicion. The leaders of the Gnostics did not teach openly but in secret and by a method of initiation and allegory which was directly copied from the Mysteries then current in the Pagan world; and such of their writings as fell into the hands of the Catholics were therefore not likely to give any clear view of their doctrine without prolonged study and comparison. Hence the heresiologists, while dwelling upon minor points which seemed strange and absurd to those who had not the key to their meaning, exaggerated the differences between the different teachers and ignored for the most part the many features of their teaching which they had in common. In the words of one who certainly had no leaning towards the error which the Fathers belabour: “... they took minor and unimportant details and magnified them, and treated them as the essentials of a system or systems.... The essential principles were largely the same throughout, the difference was chiefly in regard to details. It is this conduct on the part of the Fathers that gives us such a distorted and often ridiculous view of Gnosticism.”
The value of our text for the study of the early days of Christianity can hardly be overrated. If I am right in my conclusions, the main part of the documents which it contains are actually from the school of Valentinus, the heresiarch just mentioned who flourished in the reign of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, and one of them was certainly written before the Fourth Gospel was known to the Christian communities of the East. Hence it is to be placed among the earliest Christian writings, and follows immediately in point of date on the Synoptics and other writings of the Apostolic Age. Both this and the other documents in the MS. show also how these heretical schools used to wring and twist Scripture for their purpose, how closely their teaching was linked with the Egyptian and other religions of the pre-Christian world, and how surely, in spite of some good and even noble elements, it was bound to end as they did in what the late Professor Tylor styled with justice “one of the most pernicious delusions which ever vexed mankind, the belief in magic.” As I am dealing with this at more length in the Introduction, I will say nothing further about it here; but I may point out that the outlandish names and words in the later documents of our text have not yet been fully elucidated, and that it is probable that many of its episodes are intended to bear an allegorical interpretation. The use of words in a double sense is also one of the many means adopted by the writers in order to conceal their meaning from the profane, and this should be constantly borne in mind by the reader.
The First Document: the opening chapters
But it happened after that Jesus rose out of those who (are) dead, and he spent eleven years speaking with his disciples, and teaching them only as far as the Places of the First precept (Law?), and as far as the Places of the First Mystery, this which (is) the inward of the veil which (is) within the First precept, namely the twenty-fourth mystery out(side) and below; these (Places) which become in the second Space of the First Mystery which (is) before every mystery, the Father in the form of dove. Jesus is saying to his disciples, I came out of that First Mystery, namely the Last mystery which is the twenty-fourth, and which the disciples knew not and understood not that there is anything within that mystery; but they were thinking of that mystery that it is the head of the Universe, and the head of all those which become.
And they were thinking that it is the completion of all the completions because that Jesus was saying to them concerning that mystery that it (is) that which surroundeth the first precept with the five Marks and with the great Light and with the five Helpers and with all the Treasury of the Light. And also Jesus had not said unto his disciples all the distribution of all the Places of the great Invisible with the three Triple Powers with the twenty-four Invisibles with all their Places with their Aeons with all their arrays as they are distributed, these namely the emanations of the great Invisible and with their Unbegotten (ones) and with their Self begotten (ones) and with their Begotten (ones) and with their luminaries and with their Unpaired (ones) and with their Rulers with their Authorities with their Lords with their Archangels with their Angels with their Dekans with their Ministers with all the houses of their Spheres, and with all the arrays each one of them. And Jesus had not said unto his disciples all the distribution of the emanations of the Treasury nor their arrays as they are distributed: nor had he said unto them their Saviours according to the array of each one as they are. Nor had he said unto them what Guardian is at each (door) of the Treasury of the Light. Nor had he said unto them the Place of the Twin Saviour, namely the child of the child. And he had not said unto them the Place of the three Amens in what Place they are distributed. And he had not said unto them in what Place the five Trees are distributed, nor the other seven Amens, namely, the seven Voices, what is their Place according as they are distributed. And Jesus had not said unto his disciples of what type are the five Helpers, or in what Place they were brought. Nor had he said unto them in what manner the great Light was distributed, or in what Place it was brought.
Nor had he said unto them the five Marks, nor concerning the First precept in what Place it was brought.
But he was only speaking with them simply, teaching them that they exist (become). But their distribution with the array of their Places he had not said unto them according as they exist.
Because of this indeed they knew not that there are other Places becoming the inward of that Mystery. And he had not said unto his disciples out of what Place I came until I came into that Mystery, until I came forth out of it. But he was wont to say to them, teaching them that I came out of that Mystery. Because of this therefore they were thinking of that Mystery that it is the completion of all completions; and that it is the head of the Universe; and that it is the whole Pleroma: since Jesus is wont to say unto his disciples that that Mystery (is) that which surroundeth the Universe of all which I said unto you from the day when I met you even unto to-day. Because of this therefore the disciples were thinking that there is not anything becoming within that mystery.
It happened therefore while the disciples are sitting with one another upon the mountain of the Olives saying these words and rejoicing in great joy and being very glad, and saying to one another, We happy are beyond all men who (are) upon the earth, because the Saviour revealed these (things) to us, and we received the Pleroma with all the completion. While these they are saying unto one another Jesus is sitting, being distant from them a little (way). But it happened on the fifteenth day of the month of Tōbe, namely the day in which the moon is wont to be full, on that day therefore the sun having come out in his course, (there) came out after him a great power of light enlightening greatly greatly, (there) being no measure for the light which was made, for it came out of the Light of the lights, and it came out of the Last mystery, namely the twenty-fourth mystery (reckoning) from within unto without, these (mysteries) which become in the array of the second Space of the First Mystery. But that power indeed of light came upon Jesus and surrounded him altogether, while sitting at a distance from his disciples, and he was enlightening greatly greatly, (there) being no measure for the light which was becoming. And the disciples had not seen Jesus from the great light in which he was being, or which was being (from) him; for their eyes had been darkened from the great light in which he was being. But they were only seeing the light casting out beams of light which are great. And not equal with one another were the beams of light; and the light was being of different kinds, and it was being of different types (reaching) from below to above, one being more excellent than one at a time in a great glory of light immeasurable, it was reaching from below on the earth even up to the heavens.
And the disciples having seen that light, they became in great fear and in great disturbance.
It happened therefore when the power of that light came upon Jesus, it surrounded him entirely (by) little (and) little. Then Jesus mounted up, or flew, unto the Height having enlightened greatly greatly in light for which there is not measure. And the disciples were looking at him, none of them speaking until he went up unto the heaven, but they were all being in great silence. These (things) therefore happened on the fifteen of the moon, the day on which is wont to be completed the month of Tōbe.
It happened therefore Jesus having gone into the heaven, after three hours were disturbed all the powers of the heavens, and they all quaked against one another, they with all their Aeons with all their Places and with all their arrays; and all the earth was moved with all those who dwell upon it. And were disturbed all the men who (are) in the World with the disciples also, and they were all thinking that perhaps will be rolled up the World. And had not ceased all the powers which (are) in the heavens being disturbed, they with all the World, and they were all being moved upon one another from three of the fifteen of the moon of Tōbe even unto nine of the morrow. And all the Angels with their Archangels and with all the Powers of the Height were all hymning unto the inner part of the inner parts. So that all the earth heard their voices, not ceasing even unto the nine of the morrow.
But the disciples were sitting with one another being in fear, and they had been disturbed greatly greatly, but they were fearing because of the great earthquake which becometh, and they were weeping with one another, saying, What then is it that will happen? Perhaps the Saviour is about to overturn all the Places.
These therefore they are saying, weeping toward one another. At the hour of nine of the morrow the heavens opened, and they saw Jesus coming down, enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure for his light in which he is becoming, for he was enlightening more than the hour in which he went up unto the heavens, so that it was not possible for world-men to speak of the light which was being from him: and he was casting out beams of light greatly greatly, there being no measure for his beams; and his light was not being equal with itself (one another), but it was being of different kinds, and it was being of different types, some more excellent than one another at a time; and all the light was in itself different; it was being of three manners and one more excellent than one at a time; the second which is in the middle was being more excellent than the first which is below, and the third which is above them all was more excellent than the two which (are) below. And the first ray placed below them all, being of the kind of light which came upon Jesus before that he went up unto the heavens, and being equal to it only in his light. And the three lights were being of different kinds of light, and they were being of different types, some more excellent than some at a time.
But it happened, (that) the disciples having seen these they feared greatly and were disturbed. Jesus therefore the merciful and the sweet (of) heart, having seen his disciples that they were disturbed in a great disturbance spake with them, saying, Be confident of heart, I am, fear not.
It happened therefore, the disciples having heard this word said they, Lord if thou art, draw away unto thee thy light of glory, that we may be able to stand, otherwise our eyes are darkened, and we were disturbed, and also was disturbed all the World out of the great light which becometh from thee.
Then Jesus drew away unto him the glory of his light, and this having happened were confident of heart all the disciples, they came up to foot of Jesus, they prostrated all, at once, they worshipped to him rejoicing in great joy. Said they to him, Hrabbei, whither wentest thou, or what is thy Service which thou wentest (upon), or in what indeed were all these disturbances with all these earthquakes which happened? Then said he to them Jesus, the merciful, Rejoice and be glad from this hour, because I went even to the Places out of which I came. From to-day, therefore, henceforth I shall speak with you in boldness from the beginning of the Truth even to its end, and I shall speak with you face to face without parable, I shall not hide anything from you, from this hour, of the (things) of the Height and the (things) of the Place of the Truth; for they gave authority from the Ineffable and from the First Mystery of all the mysteries for me to speak with you from the beginning even to the Pleroma, and from within even to without and from without even to within. Hear therefore that I may say unto you everything. It happened while I am sitting being distant from you a little upon the mountain of the Olives, thinking of the arrangement of the service concerning which they sent me, that it was finished: and the Last mystery dispatched not to me my vesture, namely the twenty-fourth mystery (reckoning) from within even to without, these which become in the second Space of the First Mystery in the array of that Space. It happened therefore, I having known that was finished the arrangement of the service, concerning which I came, and not yet that Mystery dispatched to me my vesture this which I left in it, until was finished his time. These (things) therefore thinking, sitting upon the mountain of the Olives distant from you a little, it happened as the sun came up in the Places of rising, afterward therefore through the First Mystery, this which was becoming from at first, this because of whom the Universe became, this out of which I also came now, not at the time before they crucified me, but now. It happened by the commandment of that Mystery, he dispatched to me my vesture of light, this which he gave for me from (at) first, this which I left in the Last mystery, namely the twenty-fourth mystery (reckoning) from within out, these which become in the arrays of the second Space of the First Mystery. That vesture of light therefore, that which I, I left in the Last mystery, until finished the time for me to put it on, and to begin for me to speak with the race of mankind, and reveal to them all from the beginning of the Truth even unto its end, and speak with them from the inward part of the inward parts even unto the outward part of the outward parts, and from the outward part of the outward parts even unto the inward part of the inward parts. Rejoice therefore with gladness and make more joy, because ye are those to whom they gave it for me to speak with you at first from the beginning of the Truth even unto its end. Because of this indeed I chose you from at first through the First Mystery. Rejoice therefore and be glad, because having come, coming out unto the World from at first I brought twelve powers with me according as I said unto you from at first, which I received from the twelve Saviours of the Treasury of Light, according to the commandment of the First Mystery. These therefore I cast unto the womb of your mother, from when I come unto the World, these which (are) in your body to-day, for they gave these powers unto you beyond all the World, because ye are those who will save all the World; and that ye should prevail to endure the threat of the Rulers of the World with the toils of the World with their dangers and with their persecutions, all which will bring upon you the Rulers of the Height. For I said to you many times that the power which becometh within you, this which I brought out of the twelve Saviours, these who become in the Treasury of the Light. Because of this indeed I said to you from at first that ye are not (such as are) out of the World, this I also, I am not out of it, for every man who (is) in the World received soul out of the Rulers of the Aeons, but the power which becometh in you is (something) from me. But ye, your souls are numbered unto the Height. I brought twelve powers of 12 Saviours to the Treasury of the Light, which I took out of the part of my power, that which I took at first. And having come, coming unto the World I came unto the midst of the Rulers of the Sphere, I was the likeness of Gabriel the angel of the Aeons, and knew me not the Rulers of the Aeons. But they were thinking that I am Gabriel the angel. It happened therefore, having come unto the midst of the Rulers of the Aeons, I looked down unto the World of the mankind by the command of the First Mystery, I found Elisabet the mother of Iohannes, the baptist, before that that (woman) yet conceived him, I sowed a power into her, this which I received from the little Iao, the good, he who (is) in the Middle, that he should prevail to preach in front of us, and prepare my road and baptise in water for forgiving sin. That power therefore, that (is) that which becometh in the body of Iohannes, and also in the Place of the soul of the Rulers, destined to receive it, I found the soul of Helias the prophet in the Aeons of the Sphere, and I took him in, and I took his soul also, I brought it to the Virgin of the Light and she gave it to her Receivers, they brought it unto the Sphere of the Rulers and they cast it into the womb of Elisabet. But the power of the little Iao, he of the Middle, and the soul of Helias the prophet, they (are) those which are bound in the body of Iohannes the baptist. Because of this therefore ye doubted, at the time I having said to you, that Iohannes said, I am not the Christ, and ye said to me, It is written in the Scripture that if the Christ should come, he coming, cometh Helias before him and prepareth his road. But I, ye having said to me these (things) I said to you, Came indeed Helias, and he prepared everything according as it is written, and they did to him as they are willing (to do). And having known that ye did not understand that I said to you concerning the soul of Helias which is bound in Iohannes the baptist, I answered to you in the word in boldness of face with face, If ye are willing to receive (it) Iohannes the baptist, he is Helias, he whom I said that he cometh.
Added also Jesus in the word, said he, It happened therefore after these (things), by the command of the First Mystery I looked also down upon the World of the mankind I found Maria this whom they are wont to call my mother according to the body of the matter. I spake also with her according to the form of Gabriel, and she having turned herself unto the Height unto me I cast in unto her the first power that which I took from the Barbelo, namely, the body which I wear in the Height and in the place (Coptic) of the soul I cast in unto her the power, that which I took from the great Sabaoth, the good, this who becometh in the Place of the Right (hand), and the twelve powers of the twelve Saviours of the Treasury of the Light, those which I took from the twelve Deacons which (are) in the Middle, I cast them unto the Sphere of the Rulers, and the Dekan of the Rulers with their Ministrants, they were thinking that souls they were of the Rulers, and brought them the Ministrants, I bound them in the body of your mother. And when your time was finished they produced you in the World, there not being soul of the Rulers in you; and ye took your part out of the power, this which breathed in unto the Confusion the last Helper, this (power) which is mixed with all the Invisibles with all the Rulers, with all the Aeons, once simply being mixed in the World of the corruption which is the Confusion: this (power) which I brought out of me from at first, I cast it in unto the First precept, and the First precept cast a part from it in unto the great Light, and the great Light cast a part from that which he received in unto the five Helpers, and the last Helper received a part from that which he received he cast it in unto the Confusion, and it became in all (things) those which become in the Confusion, according as I have already said to you.
These therefore Jesus is saying to his disciples upon the mountain of the Olives.
Added Jesus also in the word with his disciples, Rejoice and be glad and add joy upon your joy because fulfilled were the times for me to put on my vesture, this which was being prepared for me from at first, this which I left in the Last mystery even unto the time of its fulfilment. But the time of its fulfilment is the time which they will command by the First mystery for me to speak with you from the beginning of the Truth even unto its end, and from the inward part of the inward parts, because that the World will be delivered by you. Rejoice therefore and be glad because ye are happy beyond all the men who (are) upon the earth, because ye are those who will deliver all the World.
It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, he added also in the word, said he to them, Behold therefore I wore my vesture, and they gave to me all authorities by the First Mystery. Yet a little more time is, and I shall say unto you the mystery of the all with the Pleroma of the all; and I shall hide nothing from you from this hour, but in a fulfilment I shall fulfil you in every Pleroma and in every completion and in every mystery, namely the completion of all completions, and the Pleroma of all the Pleromas and the knowledge of all the knowledges these which become in my vesture I shall say unto you all the mysteries from the outward part of the outward parts unto the inward part of the inward parts.
The Fourth Document: a part of the Books of the Saviour
It happened therefore, they having crucified our Lord Jesus, He rose out of those who are dead on his third day, gathered unto him his disciples, they prayed him, saying, Our Lord be compassionate to us, because we forsook father and mother with all the World, we followed thee.
Then Jesus stood (up) with his disciples at the water of the Ocean and he invoked with this prayer saying, Hear me, my Father, the Father of every fatherhood, the boundless Light: a e ē i o u ō i a o a o i ō i a psinother— ther(i)nops—nōpsither—zagourē—pagouri—nethmomaoth— nepsiomaoth—marakhakhtha—thobarraban—tharnakhakhan— zorokothora—Ieou—sabaoth: But these saying them Jesus, Thomas with Andreas with Iakobos with Simon the Kananites they were being on the west, their faces being turned unto the east. But Philippos with Bartholomaios, they were being on the south, being turned unto north. But the remainder of disciples with the women disciples, they were standing behind Jesus. But Jesus was standing at the altar, and cried out Jesus, turned him(self) about it unto the four corners of the World with his disciples, all being wrapped in linen garments, saying, i a o i a o (written above) i a o. This is its (his, MS) interpretation i ō t a, The Universe came out alpha, They will turn them. ō, Will become the completion of all the completions. But these he having said them Jesus, said he, Iaphtha iaphtha mounaēr, mounaēr, ermanouēr, ermanouēr, which is this, O Father of every fatherhood of the Boundless Ones, thou shalt hear me concerning my disciples whom I brought into thy presence, because that they shall believe every word of thy truths: and do thou everything which I shall cry up unto thee concerning them: because I know the name of the Father of the Treasury of the Light. Again also cried out Jesus, who Aberamenthō is, saying the name of the Father of the Treasury of the Light, and said he, Let all the mysteries of the Rulers with the authorities, with the Angels with the Archangels, with every power, with every work of the invisible God ag(x corrected)rammakhamar(inserted)ei with the Barbēlo the bdella, let them draw near apart and separate them(selves) on (the) right (hand). But at that hour all the heavens came unto the west with all the Aeons with the Sphere with their Rulers with all their powers, they ran all unto the west on (the) left (hand) of the disk of the sun with the disk of the moon. But the disk of the sun was being a great dragon with his tail within his mouth, being mounted on seven powers of the Left, and drawing under him viz.: four powers being in the likeness of white horses: but the going (basis, MS) of the moon was being of the type of a ship, with a dragon male with a dragon female being for rudder unto it, with two calves of white drawing under it, with the likeness of a child behind the moon steering the dragons who rob the light of the Rulers from them: with a face of cat in front of him. And all the World with the mountains with the seas ran all of them unto the west unto the left. And Jesus with his disciples remained in the midst of the aëry Place in the roads of the road of the Middle, this which is below the Sphere. And they came unto the first array of the road (added in margin, MS) which is in the Middle. But Jesus stood (up) in the air of her (of the road) Place with his disciples. Said the disciples of Jesus to him, What is this Place in which we are? Said Jesus, These are the Places of the road of the Middle: for it happened, having been disorderly the Rulers of the Adamas, they continued working intercourse, begetting Rulers and Archangels and Angels and Ministers and Dekans. Came out on (the) Right Ieou the Father of my Father, he bound them in a Destiny of the Sphere: for there are twelve Aeons becoming, Sabaoth the Adamas ruling over six, and Iabraoth his brother ruling over other six. Then therefore Iabraoth believed the mysteries of the Light with his Rulers, and he worked in the mysteries of the Light, he forsook the mysteries of the intercourse. But Sabaoth indeed the Adamas remained working in the intercourse with his Rulers. And Ieou the Father of my father, having seen, that believed Iabraoth, he took him away with all the Rulers who believed with him: he received (him) unto him(self) from the Sphere, he took him unto a (Place of) air, which was purified in the presence of the light of the sun, between the Places of those of the Middle, and between the Places of the invisible God. He put him there with the Rulers who believed him. And he took away Sabaoth the Adamas with his Rulers, these who worked not in the mysteries of the Light, but who continued working in the mysteries of the intercourse. He bound them in unto the Sphere. He bound eighteen hundred Rulers in every Aeon: he put three hundred and sixty over them. He put another five great Rulers ruling over the three hundred sixty and over all the Rulers who are bound, these whom they are wont to call in all the World of the mankind by these names: the first they are wont to call him, Kronos; the second, Ares; the third, The hermes; the fourth, The aphrodite; the fifth, The zeus. Continued further Jesus, said he, Hear also that I may say unto you their mystery. It happened therefore, Ieou, having bound them thus, he drew a power out of the great Invisible, he bound it in this which they are wont to call it, Kronos. And also he drew another power out of Ipsantakhounkhainkhoukheokh, who is one among the three triple-powered gods, he bound it in Ares: and he drew a power out of Khainkhōōōkh, being one also among the three triple-powered gods. He bound it in the hermes. Again also he drew a power out of the Pistis the Sophia, the daughter of the Barbēlōs, he bound it in Aphrodite. And also he noticed that they needed a rudder for him to steer the World and (with, MS) the Aeons of the Sphere, that they should not destroy it in their evil doing, he went up unto the Middle, he drew a power out of the Little Sabaoth the good, he of the Middle, he bound it in Zeus, because that good is (he), for him to steer them in his goodness. And he arranged the turning about of his array thus, for him to spend thirteen months in Aeon (after) Aeon standing still, that every Ruler upon whom he cometh should liberate (from) the wickedness of their evil doing. And he gave to him the two Aeons for dwellingplace in the presence of those of the hermes. I said unto you at the first time the names of these five great Rulers, these in which are wont the men of the World to call them: hear also now that I may say unto you also their incorruptible names, which are these, Orimuth for Kronos, Munikhunaphōr for Ares, Tarpetanuph for Hermes, Khōsi for the aphrodite, Khōnbal for Zeus, namely their incorruptible names. But having heard these (words) the disciples, they prostrated, they worshipped Jesus, said they, Happy are we, we, beyond every man, because thou revealedst to us these great wonders. They added also, they prayed him, saying, We pray thee, reveal to us, About (in, MS) what also are these roads. Drew near in unto him Mariham, she prostrated, she worshipped unto his feet, and she kissed his hands, said she, Yea, my Lord, reveal to us, What is the need of the roads of the Middle: for we heard thee that they are put over great punishments: what therefore is the manner, our Lord, (in) which we shall escape? or (in) which we shall be quit of them? or are they wont to lay hold on the souls in what manner? or are they (the souls) wont to spend how much time in their punishments. Have compassion upon us, our Lord, our Saviour, that should not take away our souls the Receivers of the judgments of the roads of the Middle. And that they should not judge us, in their punishments which are evil, that we may inherit also the Light of thy Father, that we should not become being poor and cut away from thee. These therefore saying them Mariham weeping, answered Jesus in great compassion, said he to them, Truly, my brothers and my beloved, these who have forsaken father and mother because of my name, that I should give to you every mystery with every knowledge, I shall give to you the mystery of the twelve Aeons of the Rulers with their seals with their tickets with the manner of invoking them to go unto their Places. And I shall give to you the mystery of the thirteenth (thirteen, MS) Aeon with the manner of invoking to go unto its Place (their Places, MS). And I shall give to you their tickets with their seals. And I shall give to you the mystery of the baptism of those of the Middle with the manner of invoking to go unto their Place and their tickets with their seals, I shall show to you them. And I shall give to you the baptism of those of the Right, our Place, with his tickets with his seals, and with the manner of invoking to go thither. And I shall give to you the great mystery of the Treasury of the Light and with the manner of invoking to go thither. I shall give to you every mystery with every knowledge, that they should call you, The sons of the Pleroma which is complete in every knowledge and every mystery. Ye are happy indeed beyond every man who (is) upon the earth, because the sons of the Light came in your time.
Added also in the word Jesus, said he, It happened therefore after these (things), came the Father of my Father, namely, Ieou, he took away other three hundred with sixty Rulers among the Rulers also of the Adamas, these who did not believe the mysteries of the Light: he bound them in these aery Places in which we are now below the Sphere, he placed five other great Rulers over them, namely, those who become upon the road of the Middle. The first Ruler of the road of the Middle (added in upper margin) they are wont to call him The (feminine) Paraplex a Ruler being of shape of woman, with her (his, MS) hair reaching down upon her (his, MS) feet: with fifteen arch-demons under her (his, MS) authority ruling over many other demons: and those demons they are those which are wont to go in unto the men, and cause them to be angry and curse and slander. And they are those which are wont to take away the souls by robbery, and send them through their smoke of darkness with their evil punishments. Said she, Mariham, I shall not fail in seeking from thee, Be not angry with me, while I am seeking after every thing. Said Jesus, Seek after that which thou wilt. Said she, Mariham, My Lord, reveal to us in what manner are they wont to take away the souls by robbery, that my brothers also should understand it (them, MS). Said Jesus, namely, Aberamentho, Since the Father of my Father, namely, Ieou, he is the Provider of all the Rulers with the Gods with the powers, these which became in the matter of the Light of the Treasury. And Zorokothora Melkhisedek he also is the Legate of all the Lights which are purified among the Rulers, taking them in unto the Treasury of the Light. These two only are the great Lights, their business being this, for them to come down unto the Rulers and purify them. And Zorokothora Melkhisedek took away the purification of the Lights which they purified among the Rulers, and took it unto the Treasury of the Light, whenever should become the ticket, and with the time of their array, for them to come down unto the Rulers and oppress them and afflict them, taking away the purification from the Rulers. But in the hour in which they release them from the oppression of the afflicting, and withdraw unto the Places of the Treasury of the Light, when they should reach unto the Places of the Middle, is wont Zorokothora Melkhisedek, he is wont to take away the lights, and take them into the gate of those of the Middle, and take them unto the Treasury of the Light. And is wont Ieou also to withdraw him(self) unto the Places of those on the Right until the time also of the ticket for them to come out. Are wont the Rulers therefore to be disorderly through the anger of their evil doing. Immediately they are walking up with the Lights, because that they (Ieou and M.) are not with them at that hour. And they are wont to take away the souls which they will be able to carry off by robbery and waste them away by their smoke of darkness and their evil fire. Then therefore the souls the quick-tempered (ones) with the cursers with the slanderers, is wont to take them away the authority called the Paraplex with the demons which are under her and send them through the smoke of darkness and destroy them by her evil fire, and they begin to be consumed and to be dissolved. They (the souls) are wont to spend hundred thirty three years with nine months in the punishment of her Places, while she tormenteth them in the fire of her evil doing. It is wont to happen therefore after all these times, whenever the Sphere should turn round and the little Sabaoth the Zeus cometh unto the first of the Aeons of the Sphere, this (one) whom they are wont to call in the World the Ram of the Bubasti, namely the Aphrodite. Whenever (Aphrodite) should come unto the seventh House of the Sphere, namely, the Balance, they are wont to draw (away) the veils which are between those on the Left with those on the Right, and is wont to look out of the Height among those on the Right the great Sabaoth the good, and all the World with all the Sphere (are troubled) before that he looked: and he looked down upon the Places of the Paraplex, and her Places dissolved and perished. And all the souls which (are) in her punishments, they are wont to take them away and throw them back unto the Sphere another time, because that they were (being) destroyed in the punishments of the Paraplex.
He added also in the word, said he, (The Ruler of) the second array they are wont to call him Ariuth the Ethiopian-woman, being a woman Ruler being quite black, with fourteen other demons under her, they ruling over many other demons. And these demons which are there, who are under Ariuth the Ethiopian-woman, they are those which are wont to go in unto the men quarrelsome, until they excite the wars and killings which happen; and give hardness to their heart and anger, for killings to happen. And the souls, which this authority will take away by robbery are wont to spend hundred with thirteen years in her Places, she is tormenting them by her smoke of darkness with her evil fire, and they draw near unto destruction. And after these (things) whenever the Sphere should turn round, and (should) come the little Sabaoth the good, this whom they are wont to call in the World Zeus; whenever he should come unto the fourth Aeon of the Sphere which the Crab is, and (should) come the Bubasti, this whom they are wont to call in the World, The aphrodite, and she (should) come unto the tenth House (Aeon, MS) of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The He-goat, then they are wont to draw (back) the veils which are between those of the Left with those of the Right, and Ieou (should) look out on the Right and all the World should be disturbed, and (should) be moved with all the Aeons of the Sphere and (should) look upon the dwelling places of Ariuth the Ethiopian-woman and her Places (should) be dissolved and be destroyed, and they should take away all the souls which are in her punishments, and (they) should throw them (back) unto the Sphere another time, because that they perished by her smoke of darkness with her evil fire. Added also said he, The (Ruler of the) third array they are wont to call, The hecate the three of face, but there are twenty seven other demons under her authority: they are those which are wont to go in unto the men and they cause them to swear false(ly) and they lie, and love that which is not their own. The souls therefore which will take away by robbery the hekate, she is wont to deliver them unto her demons which are under her to torment them by her smoke of darkness with her evil fire: they are afflicting them greatly by the demons, and they are wont to spend hundred with five years with six months punishing them in her punishments evil. But they are wont to begin to be destroyed and to perish. And after these (things) whenever the Sphere should turn round and (should) come the little Sabaoth the good, he of the Middle, this (one) whom they are wont in the World to call, Zeus, and he (should) come unto the eighth House (Aeon, MS) of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The scorpion, and (should) come the Bubasti, this whom they are wont to call, The aphrodite, and she (should) come unto the second House (Aeon, MS) of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The bull, they are wont to draw (back) the veils between those of the Left with those of the Right, and (to) look out of the Height the Zorokothora Melkhisedek, and the World is (wont to) be moved with the mountains, and the Rulers are (wont to) be disturbed: and he is (wont to) look out upon all the Places of the hecate, and her Places are (wont to) be dissolved and perish; and they take away all the souls which (are) in her punishments, and throw them (back) unto the Sphere another time, because that they were destroyed in the fire of her punishments.
He added also, said he, The (Ruler of the) fourth array which they are wont to call, The Assessor of the Typhon, being a strong Ruler, becoming under his authority thirty two demons: they are those who are wont to go into the men and cause them to lust and fornicate and commit adultery and to become doing the intercourse continually. The souls therefore which will take away by robbery this Ruler, they are wont to spend hundred thirty eight years in his Places, are tormenting them his demons by his smoke of darkness with his evil fire, and they begin to be wasted away and to perish. It is wont to happen therefore whenever the Sphere should turn (round), and (should) come the little Sabaoth, the good, he of the Middle, this whom they are wont to call, Zeus, whenever he should come unto the ninth Aeon of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The archer, and the Bubasti, this whom they are wont to call in the World, The aphrodite and she (should) come unto the third Aeon of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The twin, they are wont to draw (back) the veils which are between those of the Left with those of the Right, and is (wont to) look out Zarazaz, this whom the Rulers are wont to call in the name of a strong Ruler of their Places, Maskelli. And he is (wont to) look upon the dwelling places of the Assessor the Typhon, and his Places are (wont to) be dissolved and perish: and they take away all the souls which (are) in his punishments and throw them (back) unto the Sphere another time, because that they were diminished by his (her, MS) smoke of darkness and by his evil fire. Again also he added in the word, said he to his disciples, The fifth array, of which they are wont to call its Ruler, Iakhthanabas, being a strong Ruler, being under him many other demons: they are those who are wont to go in unto the men, and cause them to become acceptors of person, wronging the righteous, and they are accepting person of the sinners, receiving gifts against the true judgment, they are destroying it (judgment), they are forgetting the poor with those who are in want, they are increasing the forgetfulness in their soul with the care in which there is not profit, that they should not remember their life, that whenever they should come out of the body they should take away by robbery the souls: (and those) which will take away by robbery this Ruler, they are wont to become in his punishments for hundred fifty years with eight months; and they are wasted away by his smoke of darkness with his evil fire, afflicting them greatly by the flame of his fire. And whenever the Sphere should turn round, and (should) come the little Sabaoth, the good, this whom they are wont to call in the World, Zeus, unto the eleventh Aeon of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The water-bearer, and (should) come the Bubasti unto the fifth Aeon of the Sphere, this which they are wont to call, The lion, they are wont to draw (back) the veils, which are between those of the Left with those of the Right, and (is wont) to look out of the height the great Iao, the good, he of the Middle, down upon the Places of Iakhthanabas whose Places dissolve and perish, and they take away all the souls which are in his punishments, and they throw them back unto the Sphere again, because that they were destroyed by his punishments. These therefore are the actions of the roads of the Middle of which ye sought (from) me.
But having heard these (things) the disciples, they prostrated, they worshipped to him, saying, Help us, our Lord, and have compassion upon us, that we should be saved from these punishments which are evil, which are prepared for the sinners! Woe to them, Woe to them, the sons of men, because they are being like to blind (men) groping in the darkness and seeing not! Have compassion on us, O Lord, in this great blindness in which we are in, and have mercy on all the race of the mankind, because they laid snares for the souls as the lions for a prey, which they prepare for food for their punishments by the forgetfulness and the ignorance which is in them. Have compassion therefore upon us, our Lord, our Saviour, and have mercy on us and deliver us in this great bewilderment.
Said Jesus to his disciples, Be of good cheer, fear not because ye are happy: because I shall make you for lord over all these, and I shall make them all subject to you. Remember that I finished saying to you before that they crucified me, that I shall give to you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. Now also I say to you that I shall give them to you.
These therefore having said them Jesus, he hymned in the great name. Were hidden the Places of the road of the Middle and Jesus with his disciples remained upon air of light which is much greatly. Said Jesus to his disciples, Draw near unto me. And they drew near unto him: he turned unto the four corners of the World, he said the great name over their head: he blessed them, he breathed in unto their eyes. Said Jesus to them, Look up, see what ye see. And they took away their eyes up, they saw a great light which is much greatly, native of earth shall not be able to speak of it. Said he also to them again, Look out on the Light, see what ye see. Said they, We are seeing a fire with water with wine with blood. Said Jesus, who Aberamentho is, toward his disciples, Amen I say to you, I brought not anything unto the World, while coming, except this fire with this water with this wine with this blood. I brought the water with the fire from the Place of the Light of the Lights from the Treasury of the Light. I brought the wine with the blood from the Place of the Barbelos, and after a little time my Father dispatched to me the spirit which is holy in the type of a dove: but the fire with the water with the wine they became unto a purifying of the world. The blood also became to me for sign, because of the body of the mankind, this which I took from the Place of the Barbelos, the great power of the Invisible God. The spirit also is drawing in front of every soul, taking them unto the Place of the Light. Because of this I said to you, I came to cast a fire upon the earth, which is this, that I came to purify the sins of all the World in fire. And because of this I said to the Samaritan woman, Thou wast not knowing the free-gift of God, and who it is who saith to thee, Give me that I may drink: Thou wast asking him and he (would) give to thee water living, and it (would) become to thee for a fountain in thee, springing up unto a life of unto age. And also because of this I took a cup of wine, I blessed it I gave it to you, because this is the blood, the Covenant which they will shed for you unto the forgiving of your sins. And also because of this they thrust the spear in unto my side, came out water with blood. But these are the mysteries of the Light which are wont to forgive sins, which are those, the appellations and (with, MS) the names of the Light.
It happened therefore after these (things), commanded Jesus, Let all the powers of the Left (hand) come unto their Places. And Jesus with his disciples remained upon the mountain of the Galilaia. Added also the disciples, they prayed him, How long therefore dost not thou cause them to forgive our sins which we did with our unlawfulness, and make us worthy of the kingdom of thy Father. But Jesus, said he to them, Amen I say to you, Not only shall I purify your sins, but I shall make you worthy of the kingdom of my Father. And I shall give to you the mystery of the forgiving of sin upon the earth, that that which ye will forgive upon the earth, they shall forgive to him in the heavens, and that which ye will bind upon the earth it will become being bound in the heavens. I shall give to you the mystery of the kingdom of the heavens that ye also shall do them to the men. But Jesus, said he to them, Bring to me fire with some wood of vine. They brought them to him, he offered up the Oblation: he put the two jars of wine one on the right hand and the other on the left of the Oblation. He put the Oblation in front of them. He put a cup of water by the vessel of wine which (is) on the right, and he put a cup of wine by the vessel of wine which (is) on the left, and he put some cakes according to the number of the disciples in the midst of the cups. He put a cup of water behind the cakes. Stood (up) Jesus in front of the Oblation: he put the disciples behind him, all being wrapped in garment of linen, with the ticket of the name of the Father of the Treasury of the Light in their hands. He cried out thus, saying, Hear me, my Father, the Father of every fatherhood, the boundless Light Iao iuo iaō aoi uia psinother theropsin (n)opsither nephthomaoth nephiomaōth marakhakhtha marmarakhtha ieanamenaman amaneitououranou israi amen amen soubaibai appaap amen amen deraaraiapaou amen amen sarsasartou amen amen koukiaminmiai amen amen iai iai touap amen amen amen main mari marie marei amen amen amen. Hear me, my Father, the Father of every kingdom, I invoke you also the forgivers, the purifiers of the unlawfulness, forgive the sins of the souls of these disciples who followed me, and purify their unlawfulness, and cause them to be worthy of being numbered in unto the kingdom of my Father, the Father of the Treasury of the Light, because they followed me and kept my commandments. Now therefore my Father, Father of every fatherhood, let come the forgivers, whose names are these ghiphirepsnijiet—zenei berimou—sokhabrikher euthari nanei dieis balmerikh Meuni poskhirie entair mouthiour cmour peukher oouskhous minionor isokhobor tha. Hear me invoking you, forgive the sins of these souls and blot out their unlawfulness: let them be worthy of being numbered in unto the kingdom of my Father the Father of the Treasury of the Light: because I know thy great powers and I invoke them Ayer bebrō athroni eoureph eone souphen knitou sokhreoph mayoubi mneyor sououi khokheteoph khōkhe eteoph memōkh aneuph. Forgive the sins of these souls, blot out their unlawfulness, those which they did knowing, and those which they did not knowing, those which they did in fornication with adultery even until to-day: forgive them to them, and cause them to be worthy of being numbered in unto the kingdom of my Father, and be worthy of receiving out of this Oblation, my Father who (art) holy. If therefore my Father thou heardest me and forgavest the sins to these souls and blottedst out their unlawfulness, and thou causedst them to be worthy of being numbered in unto thy kingdom, thou shalt give to me a sign in this Oblation. And happened the sign which Jesus said. Said Jesus toward his disciples, Rejoice and be glad; because they forgave your sins, they blotted out your unlawfulness and ye were numbered in unto the kingdom of my Father.
But these having said them, the disciples rejoiced in great joy, said Jesus to them, This is the manner and this is the mystery which ye will do for the men who will believe you, having not guile in them, and hearkening to you in every word which is good. And their sins with their unlawfulness they will blot them out unto the day (in) which ye did this mystery. But hide this mystery, give it not to every man except him who will do every thing which I said to you in my commandments. This therefore is the mystery of the truth of the baptism of those who will forgive their sins, and those who will cover over their unlawfulnesses. This is the baptism of the First Oblation which guideth in unto the Place of the truth, and in unto the Place of the Light. After these (things) also said they his disciples, Rabbei reveal to us the mystery of the Light of thy Father, since we knew thee while thou sayest, that there is also baptism of Fire, and there is also baptism of Spirit, being holy, of the Light, and there is a spiritual anointing, these which are wont to take the souls unto the Treasury of the Light. Say therefore unto us their mystery, that we may inherit also the kingdom of thy Father. Said Jesus to them, These mysteries after which ye seek? There is not mystery more excellent than they, which is about to take your souls unto the Light of the Lights, unto the Places of the truth with the goodness, of the Place of him who is holy of all those who are holy, unto the Place in which there is not woman, nor is there male, nor is there shape in that Place, but a light is being steadfast ineffable: there is not that which is more excellent therefore than those mysteries after which ye seek, except the mystery of the Seven Voices with their forty nine powers, and their tickets, and with the Name which is more excellent than all of them, the Name in which is becoming every name, and every light and every power. He who knoweth that Name, whenever he should come out of the body of the matter, shall not any smoke nor any darkness nor authority nor Ruler of the Sphere of the Destiny, nor Angel nor Archangel nor power, they shall not be able to hold back the soul which knoweth that Name. But whenever he should come out of the World and (should) say that Name unto the fire, it is wont to be quenched, and is wont the darkness to withdraw. And whenever he should say unto the demons with the Receivers of the Darkness which is outer, with their Rulers with their authorities with their powers, they will all perish and their flame burn and they (will) cry out, Thou art holy, thou art holy, he who is holy of all those who are holy. And whenever they should say that Name unto the Receivers of the judgments which are evil, with their authorities with all their powers, and the Barbelo also with the Invisible God with the three Triple-powered Gods, at the hour in which they will say this Name in those Places, they will fall all of them one upon another and be dissolved and perish, and they (will) cry out, O Light of every Light which becometh in the Boundless Light, remember us also and purify us.
But having finished saying these words Jesus, cried out all his disciples, they wept in a great cry, saying,
(Four leaves wanting.)
