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