Paraphrase of Shem

Paraphrase of Shem

[][The] paraphrase which concerning the unbegotten spirit. What Derdekeas disclosed to me, Shem. By the will of the Majesty, the thought within my body carried me away from my race. It took me up to the height of the world, close to the light that shone upon the whole inhabited realm. There I saw no earthly likeness, but there was light. Thus my thought separated from the body of darkness as in sleep. or roots (.16b–,7a) I heard a voice saying to me, “Shem, since you are from an unmixed power and you are the first being upon the earth, listen to and understand what I am about to tell you first concerning the great powers who where present at the beginning, before I appeared.

There was Light and darkness and there was spirit between them. Since your root —that is the unbegotten spirit— fell into forgetfulness, I am revealing to you the exact (nature) of the powers: Light was thought full of hearing and word; they were united into one form. And darkness was wind in the waters; he possessed Mind enveloped in unquiet fire. And spirit between them was a quiet, humble light. These are the three roots.” 100 translation 19a) They reigned each in themselves alone and they were hidden from one another, each one in its power. But Light, since he possessed a great power, knew the abasement of darkness and his disorder, namely that the root was not of one nature.

But the aberration of darkness was ignorance: (he was saying to himself ) that there was no one above him. And as long as he was able to cope with his evil, he stayed covered with water. And (darkness) stirred. And spirit was frightened by the noise. He raised himself up to the topmost part of his place. And he saw immense, dark water. And he was disgusted. And the thought of was unconcerned about it. And by the will of the great light the dark water separated. And darkness came up enveloped in vile ignorance. the benefit of Mind (.33b–.) But in order that Mind might separate from him,—because (darkness) prided himself in (his Mind)—, and after he had stirred, the light of spirit appeared to him.

When he saw him he was astonished. He did not know that another power was above him. And when he saw that his likeness was dark compared with spirit, he was wounded. And in his grief he raised his Mind to his topmost part— among the members of darkness (his Mind) was the eye of the bitterness of evil. He caused his Mind to take shape partly from the members of spirit, thinking that, by staring at his evil, he would be able to equal spirit. But he was not able. For he wanted to do an impossible thing, and it did not take place. But in order that the Mind of darkness—which is the eye of the bitterness of evil— might not remain inert, since he had been made partially similar, he arose and shone with a fiery light upon all of Hades, so that the homogeneity of the faultless Light was revealed.

For spirit made use of every form of darkness because he had appeared in his greatness. Light of spirit (.–.29a) darkness begets the demiurgic Mind (.–.30a) likeness of spirit (.–.12a) And the exalted, infinite light, appeared for he was very joyful. he wished to reveal himself to spirit. And the likeness of the exalted Light appeared to the unbegotten spirit. I appeared. [I] am the son of the incorruptible, infinite light. I appeared in the likeness of spirit, for I am the ray of the universal Light and his appearance. That (happened), in order that the Mind of darkness might not remain in Hades. For darkness had made himself like his Mind in a part of his members.

When <I> appeared, (O) Shem, (in the likeness of spirit), in order that darkness might obscure himself alone, according to the will of the Majesty (and) in order that darkness might become devoid of every form of his18 own Power, Mind drew the unquiet fire—which was covered by water—from the midst of darkness and water. And out of darkness the water became a mist, and from the mist the womb took shape. The unquiet fire— which is deceitfulness— went there. the forms appear in nature (.27b–.6a) And when darkness saw (the womb) he became unchaste. And when he had stirred up the water he rubbed the womb. His Mind flowed out down to the depths of nature.

He mixed with the Power of the bitterness of darkness. And the eye (of the dark power) tore out from the wickedness in order that it might not again bring forth Mind. For this one was a seed of nature from the dark root. And when nature had conceived Mind by means of the dark power, every form took shape in her. and collides with him. But nature has conceived this Mind in the cloud and cannot push it to the bottom of her womb (.6b–19a) And when darkness had generated the likeness of Mind, it resembled spirit. Actually, nature attempted to push it; she was unable, 102 translation since she did not have a shape from darkness.

Thus, she brought it forth in the cloud. And the cloud shone. Mind appeared in it like a frightful, harmful fire. (Mind) collided with the unbegotten of Water (.19b–) In order that nature might become empty of the unquiet fire, then immediately nature was divided into four parts. They became clouds that varied in their appearance. They were called Hymen, Chorion, Power, Water. And the Hymen, the Chorion and the Power were unquiet fires. And they draw (Mind) from the midst of darkness and the water—since Mind was in the midst of nature and the dark power— in order that the harmful waters might not cling to him. middle of nature (.–13a) Because of this nature was divided according to my will, in order that Mind might return to his Power, which the dark root had taken from him, which was mixed with him and had appeared in the womb.

Thus, by the division of nature, (the Power) separated from darkness, since it had something from Mind. (This one) went into the midst of the(cloud of ) Power, that is the middle of nature. ment. Mind puts on the light of spirit and sets nature in motion. Wonder adheres to the cloud of Hymen (.13b–30a) But the spirit of light, when Mind weighed him down, was astonished. And the power of his Wonder turned the burden and this one turned towards the heat (of Wonder) and put on the light of spirit. And when nature had been set in motion by the power of the light of spirit, the burden returned. Thus the Wonder of the light of <spirit> turned the burden and stuck to the cloud of Hymen.

And all the clouds of darkness cried out—they who had separated from Hades— because of the alien power: it was the spirit of light who had come among them. And by the will of the Majesty spirit gazed up at the infinite light, in order that his light might be pitied and the likeness might be brought up from Hades. of the Revealer Mind takes shape (,35b–,11a) And when spirit had looked out, I flowed out, I, the son of the Majesty, like a wave of bright light and like a gust of the immortal spirit. And I blew in the cloud of Hymen upon the Wonder of the unbegotten spirit. (The cloud) separated and cast light upon the (other) clouds.

These separated in order that spirit might return. Because of this Mind took form. His repose was over. For the Hymen of nature was a cloud which cannot be grasped: it was a great fire. Similarly, the Chorion of nature was the cloud of Silence: it was a majestic fire. And the Power, which is mixed with Mind, it, too, was a cloud of nature which had been mingled with darkness, who had disturbed nature with a view to impurity. But the dark water was a frightful cloud. And the root of nature which was on the lower side was crooked, since it is burdensome and noxious. The root was blind in front of the bound light, which was imperceptible since it was many-faced. aim of freeing the light of spirit from the depths of darkness (.– ,15a) And I had pity on the light <of> spirit which Mind had taken.

I returned to my position in order to beseech the exalted, infinite light that the power of the light <of> spirit might increase on (his) place and might become full, not with dark defilement, but with what is pure. I said, “ You are the root of the Light. Your hidden form has appeared, which is exalted, infinite. May the whole power of spirit become of one nature and may it be filled with its light. The infinite light will not be able to join with the unbegotten 104 translation spirit, and the power of Wonder will not be able to mingle with nature.” By the will of the Majesty, my prayer was accepted. And the voice of the Word was heard saying from the Majesty <to> the unbegotten spirit, “Behold, the power has reached its fullness.

The one who was revealed by me appeared in spirit.” I shall appear again. I am Derdekeas, the son of the undefiled, infinite light. The light of the infinite spirit came down into a feeble nature for a short time until all the impurity of nature was withdrawn. of spirit (.31b–.3a) But in order that the darkness of nature might be exposed, I put on my garment, which is the garment of the light of the Majesty, that is what I am. I took on the appearance of spirit in order to remember the whole light— the one which was in the depths of darkness. water by his own power (.3b–26a) By the will of the Majesty, in order that spirit by means of the Word might be filled with his light without the power of the infinite light, and according to my will, spirit arose, by his own power.

His greatness was granted to him that he might be filled with his whole light and come out from the entire weight of darkness. For what was behind was a dark fire, blowing and pressing on spirit. And spirit rejoiced because he had been protected from the frightful water. But his light was not equal to the Majesty. But <whatever> was granted him by the infinite light (was given) in order that in all his members he might appear in a of one nature light. And when spirit arose above water, the dark image of (water) became apparent. And spirit bowed down to the exalted Light: “Surely you alone are the infinite one, because you are above everything unbegotten (and) you have protected me from darkness.

And at your wish I arose above the dark power.” And in order that nothing may be hidden from you, Shem, the Thought, which spirit had conceived through (his) greatness, came into being, since darkness had not been able to master his evil. But once he had appeared the three roots became known as they were from the beginning. If darkness had been able to check his evil, Mind would not have separated from him, and another power would not have appeared. But since it did appear, then I have been seen, (I), the Son of the Majesty, in order that the light of spirit might not become deaf and that nature might not reign over him, because he had gazed at me. ceived by Wonder, the great Power, the head of the pneumatic race (.–.) Then, by the will of the Majesty, my homogeneity was revealed, in order that what is of the power might appear: you are the Great Power which came into being and I am the perfect Light which is above spirit and darkness.

The shame of darkness lies in the intercourse of the impure rubbing. For it is through the division of nature that the greatness (of spirit) wishes to protect itself with honour up to the height of the Thought of spirit. And spirit was receiving rest in his power. For the image of Light is inseparable from the unbegotten spirit. And the legislators did not name it from all the clouds of nature, nor is it possible to name it. For every form into which nature has divided is a power of the unquiet fire—it is the hylic seed. (Fire) which receives the power of darkness, has enclosed it in the midst of the members (of nature). the cloud of Hymen (.–) And by the will of the Majesty, in order that Mind and the whole light of spirit might be protected from every burden and labour of nature, a voice went forth from spirit to the cloud of Hymen.

And the light of Wonder began to praise with the voice which had been granted to him. And the great luminous spirit was in the cloud of Hymen. He honoured the infinite light and the universal likeness —which is I—, “Son of the Majesty, who is called ‘Rising-Setting’, you are the infinite light which was given by the will of the Majesty to straighten up every light of spirit upon his place and to separate Mind from darkness. For it was unsuitable for the light of spirit to remain in Hades. For at your wish spirit arose to gaze at your greatness.” 106 translation .15a) For I said these things to you, Shem, in order that you might understand that my likeness, the Son of the Majesty, is from my infinite thought, since I am for (the Majesty) a universal likeness, which does not lie, because I am above every truth and the principle of the word.

His appearance is in my beautiful garment of light which is the voice of the immeasurable Thought. We are the unique Light which came into being alone. (This Light) appeared in another root in order that the power of spirit might be raised from the feeble nature. threefold garment. Second fall of a luminous entity (.15b–.23a) garment (.15b–25a) For by the will of the great Light, I went forth from the exalted spirit down to the cloud of Hymen without my universal garment. And then the Word received me from spirit in the first cloud of the Hymen of nature. And I put on that (Word), of whom the Majesty and the unbegotten spirit had made me worthy. of light.

A part of the light of Wonder separates and falls onto the Middle (.25b–.4a) And the threefold unity of my garment appeared in the cloud, by the will of the Majesty, in a single form. And my likeness was covered with the light of my garment. But the cloud was disturbed, it was not able to support my likeness. It shed the first power, which it had received from spirit (and) which had shone on him from the beginning, before <I> appeared in the Word of spirit. The cloud was not able to support both of them. Then the Light which went forth from the cloud passed through the Silence, until it came into the Middle.

Wonder and protects the luminous seeds from darkness (.4b–23a) And, by the will of the Majesty, mingled with it the light <of> luminous spirit— it had been separated by the cloud of Silence. The cloud (of Middle) was disturbed. It was (the light in the Silence) which gave rest to the flame of fire. It pressed down the dark womb, in order not to reveal other seed. Out of darkness, it held back (the seeds) in the middle of nature, to their position—that is in the cloud. (The seeds) were troubled since they did not know where they were, for they did not yet possess the universal knowledge of spirit. light in the cloud of Hymen And having prayed to the Majesty, toward the infinite light, that the troubled power of spirit might go to and fro and the dark womb might be rendered inert, and that my likeness might appear in the cloud of Hymen, as if I were wrapped in the light of spirit—which had gone before me—, then by the will of the Majesty and through the prayer I was in the cloud in order that through my garment, which was from the power of spirit, the fullness of the Word might bring power to the members which he had in darkness. free itself (.3b–16a) For, because of them, I appeared in this mean place.

For I am an aid to every one who has been given a name. For when I appeared in the cloud the light of spirit set out freeing itself from the frightful water and from the clouds of fire which had been separated from dark nature. And I gave (the clouds) eternal honour that they might not again mingle with the impure rubbing. And the light which was in the Hymen was troubled by my power and it passed through the very middle of me; it was filled with the universal thought and with the word of the light of spirit. It turned to its repose and took form in its root. It shone since it was without deficiency.

But the light which had come forth with it from the Silence went out of the Middle and returned to (its) place. Then the cloud shone and from it came unquenchable fire. 108 translation .2a) As for the part which had separated from Wonder, it had put on forgetfulness; it had been tricked by the fire of darkness. And the trouble of its restlessness cast off the weight of the cloud. It was evil since it was unclean. creation (.2b–16a) But the fire mixed with the water in order that the waters might become noxious. And nature which had been driven back immediately climbed out of the inert waters. For her lowering was shameful. And nature conceived the power of fire (and) that one became strong because of the light of spirit which was in nature.

Its form appeared in the water under the appearance of a frightful beast that had many faces (and) was crooked below. the will of the Revealer the womb receives the revelation of the lightseeds within her (.16b–.23a) 28a) A light descended into the chaos filled with mist and dust, in order to harm nature. And the light of Wonder—which was in the Middle—, came towards it after it had cast off the burden of darkness. It rejoiced when spirit arose. For (spirit) looked from the clouds down at the dark waters upon the light which was in the depths of nature. nature rises out of the water (.28b–.) For this reason I appeared, that I might get an opportunity to go down to Tartarus, to the light of spirit which was weighed down, so that I might protect it from the evil of the weight.

Then thanks to the looking down (of spirit) at the dark position, the light came up anew in order that the womb might again rise from the water. are in her (.–17a) (The womb) came up by my will. Guilefully, the eye opened. And the light which had appeared in the Middle— which had separated from Wonder— rested. It shone upon (the womb) and the womb saw those she had not seen. And she rejoiced, jubilant in the light, although that was not hers that had appeared in the Middle, in her wickedness, when (the light) had shone upon her. Thus the womb saw those she had not seen. 23a) And she was brought back down to the water.

She was thinking that she had obtained the power of light. But she did not know that her root had been rendered inert through the likeness of the light and that she (was) the one toward whom (the light) had run. Seventh intervention by the Revealer in order to bring to perfection the light in the cloud of Silence and in the cloud of Middle (,23b– ,1a) The Light which was in the Middle looked amazed—the one which was beginning and end. Therefore its thought gazed immediately up at the exalted Light, and it cried out and said, “Lord, have mercy on me, for my light and my effort went astray. For if your goodness does not straighten me up, I really do not know where I am.” And hearing it, the Majesty had mercy on it.

And I appeared from the cloud of Hymen in the Silence without my holy garment. By my will I honoured my garment which has three forms in the cloud of Hymen. And the light which is in the Silence, the one emanated from the exulting power, received me into itself. I put it on. And its two parts appeared in a single form. Its parts had not appeared either on account of the fire (and) I had been unable to speak in the cloud of Hymen, for its fire was frightful, lifting itself up without weakening. But in order that my Greatness and the Word might appear, in the same way too, I laid down my garment in the cloud of Silence.

I went into the Middle and put on the light which was in it, which was in forgetfulness and which was separated from spirit of Wonder, for it had cast off the burden out of itself. At my wish nothing mortal appeared to it, but they were all immortal realities 110 translation which spirit granted to it. Then (the light in the Middle) said in the thought of the light, “AI, EIS, AI, OU, PHAR, DOU, IA, EI, OU”, that is, “I was in a great rest”, (and this) in order that (spirit) may give rest to my light in its root, and may withdraw it out of noxious nature. Eighth intervention by the Revealer with his garment of fire to separate Mind from the womb and thereby deliver the whole light of spirit (.1b–.26a) 16a) Then, by the will of the Majesty, I discarded my luminous garment. and put on another garment of fire (and) without form, which proceeds from the Mind of Power, which had been separated and prepared for me, according to my will, in the Middle.

For the Middle covered it with a dark power. In order that I might go and put it on, I descended into chaos, that I might rescue the whole light from it. For without the dark power I could not oppose nature. Once I penetrated into nature, she was not able to tolerate my power. But I rested on her eye which was staring. It was a light emanated from spirit, and it had been prepared for me as a garment and repose by spirit. Through me it opened its eyes down to Hades. It granted nature its voice for a while. nature (.–.13a) And my garment of fire, according to the will of the Majesty, went down to the strong one, and to the impure part of nature which the dark power was covering.

Then my garment rubbed nature with its stuff, and her impure feminity grew strong. And the passionate womb came up. She dried Mind up, in the form of a fish, having a drop of fire and a power of fire. But when nature had expelled Mind from herself, she was troubled and she wept. When she was wounded and was in tears, she expelled from herself the power of spirit. She remained as quiet as I. I put on the light of (.13b–26a) And in order that the deeds of nature might be condemned, since she is blind, many animal forms went forth from her in accordance with the number of the blowing winds. They all came into existence in Hades searching for the light of Mind which gives shape.

They were not able to rise up against it. I rejoiced over their ignorance. They found me, the Son of the Majesty, in front of the manifold womb. Ninth intervention by the Revealer who requests the formation of heaven and earth (.26b–.) I clad myself in the Beast and made of her a great request: that heaven and earth might come into existence, in order that the whole light might rise up. For in no other way could the power of spirit be liberated from bondage, except that I appear to her in a beast form. Therefore she agreed as though I were her son. Then owing to my request nature arose since she possessed (something) from the power of spirit and darkness and fire.

For she had taken off her forms. Once she had turned, she blew on the water. Heaven was created, and from the foam of heaven the earth came into existence. And at my wish (the earth) brought forth all kinds of food according to the number of the beasts. And it brought forth dew from the winds for your sake and for those who will be begotten the second time upon the earth. For the earth possessed a power of unquiet fire. Therefore it brought forth every seed. nature (.20b–29a) And once heaven and earth had been created, my garment of fire arose in the midst of the cloud of nature. It shone upon the whole creation until nature became dry. darkness which was her garment was cast into the noxious waters.

The Middle was cleansed of darkness. 112 translation But the womb grieved about what had come into existence. She looked at her parts what was water like a mirror. Once she had looked, she wondered how it had come into existence. Therefore she remained a widow. As for (darkness), he was astonished, because no longer he was in her. Tenth intervention by the Revealer trough his benevolent face and the generation of the kingly Mind (.–,) tion (.–12a) Yet the forms still possessed a power of fire and light. (This power) bore to exist in nature until all the powers are taken away from her. For just as the light of spirit has been perfected in three clouds, so also it is necessary that the power that is in Hades be brought to perfection at the appointed time.

For because of the kindness of the Majesty, I appeared to (nature) in the water for the second time. For my face pleased her and her face also was relaxed. And I said to her, “May seed and power come forth from you upon the earth.” And she obeyed the will of spirit that she might become inert. Then, once her forms had clasped, they rubbed their tongues together; they copulated and generated winds and demons with the power from fire, darkness and spirit. But the form that stayed alone cast off the Beast from herself. She did not have intercourse, but she was the one who masturbated. And she brought forth a wind possessing a power from fire, darkness and spirit.

But in order that the demons also might become devoid of the power they possessed through the impure intercourse, a womb came into existence with the winds in a watery form. Then an unclean penis came into existence with the demons according to the example of darkness and in the way he had rubbed 9the womb in the beginning. (.9b–21a) Yet, once the forms of nature had come together, they turned away from one another and expelled the power; they were astonished about the deceit which had happened to them. They grieved with eternal grief and covered themselves with their power. And when I had put them to shame, I arose with my garment in the Power,—that is (with my garment) which is higher than the Beast, since it is luminous—, in order that I might render nature desolate. the demons (.21b–.) The Mind that appeared in dark nature—that was the eye of the heart of darkness,— at my wish, reigned over the winds and the demons.

And I gave him a likeness of fire, a light and hearing, with a share of guileless word. Therefore he was given (something) of the greatness, so that he might find strength in his power, without (the) power, without the light of spirit and (without) the obscure intercourse, in order that, at the end of time, when nature will be destroyed, he may rest in the honoured place. For he will be found faithful, having loathed the impurity of nature and of darkness. The strong power of Mind comes from Mind and from the unbegotten spirit. The Formation of Prediluvian Mankind (.–.29a) of impurity (.–) Yet the winds, which are demons from water, fire, darkness and Light, had intercourse unto perdition.

And through their intercourse the winds received in their womb foam from the penis of the demons. They conceived a power in their uterus through inspiration. The wombs of the winds huddled together until the times of birth came. (The winds) went down to the water. But it is through inspiration, in the midst of the rubbing which moves unto the begetting, that the power was conceived. And every form of the begetting took shape in (the inspiration). When the times of birth were near, all the winds gathered out of the water which is near the earth. They gave birth to all kinds of impurity. 114 translation bation of one of the winds (.–.2a) And the place where the wind alone came, it mingled with impurity.

Barren women and sterile men came from it into existence. For as one is begotten, so one begets. For your sakes the image of spirit appeared on the earth and on the water. For you are like the light: you possess, indeed, a share of the winds and the demons and a thought come forth from the light of the power of Wonder. For each one that (the light) brought forth from the womb upon the earth, it was not for her good that it came into existence. But her groan and her pain (happened) because of the image which had appeared in you from spirit. For you are exalted in your heart. And it is a blessing, Shem, if a share is given to someone and that person leaves the soul for the thought of the light.

For the soul is a burden of darkness, and those who know where the root of the soul comes from will be able to apprehend nature as well. For the soul is a work of impurity and a debasement for the luminous thought. For I am the one who revealed the return of the whole Unbegotten. (.29b–.15a) But, in order that the sin of nature might be filled, I saw to it that the womb, which had been repelled, found the blind wisdom pleasant, in order that I might render (her) inert. And at my wish (sin) and dark water as well as darkness plotted to wound every form of your heart, since, by the will of the light of spirit, they surrounded you and bound you with faith.

And in order that the plan (of darkness) might become inoperative, (the Light) sent a demon, so that the plan of the wickedness (of the womb) might be proclaimed, (namely) to cause a flood and to destroy your race, in order to seize the light and take (it) away from faith. But I hurried to proclaim by the mouth of the demon that a tower come to be in regard to the particle of light which was left in the demons and their race—that was in them—, in order that the demon might be protected from the restless chaos. And the womb planned these things, according to my will, in order that she might pour out completely. (So) a tower was (constructed) by the demons. darkness was disturbed in his deficiency.

He loosened the muscles of the womb. Then the demon who was going to enter the tower was protected, in order that the races might continue and expand through him. For he possesses power from every form. Return henceforward, O Shem, and rejoice [greatly] over your race and Faith, for without body and necessity it is protected from every body of darkness, since it bears witness to the holy things of the Greatness— that which was revealed to them in their thought by my will. And they will rest in the unbegotten spirit without grief. As for you, Shem, for this reason you remained in a body outside the cloud of light so that you might abide patiently with Faith and Faith might come unto you.

The thought (of Faith) will be taken and given to you in a luminous consciousness. But I told you these things for the benefit of your race (come forth) from the luminous cloud. Likewise, what I shall say to you about every thing, I shall reveal to you until the end, that you may reveal them to those who will come into existence upon the earth the second time. O Shem, the perturbation which occurred at my wish happened in order that nature might become empty. For the wrath of darkness subsided. O Shem, darkness was silenced. The light that shone for creation no longer appears in it, according to my will. And after nature had said her wish had been fulfilled, then every form was swallowed up in the bottom of the waters. ) In prideful ignorance, (nature) turned over her dark womb and expelled the power of fire which was in her from the beginning 116 translation upon the whole creation instead of the Righteous One.

And all the forms (of the womb) sent forth their powers like flames of fire up to the heaven as a help to the light which was corrupted, which had raised itself up. For they were the members of the unquiet fire. And she did not realize that she had harmed herself alone. When she cast out the power which has power she expelled it from (her) genitals. It was the demon, who is a deceiver, who stirred up the womb towards every form. And in her ignorance, as though she were doing a great work, (nature) granted the demons and the winds a star each. For without wind and star nothing happens upon the earth.

For it is through every power that (the earth) is filled, since they are released from darkness and fire, from power and light. For in the place where their darkness and their fire mixed with each other beasts were brought forth. And it was in the place of darkness and fire, of the power of Mind and Light, that human beings came into existence. Being from spirit, the thought of the Light, my eye, does not exist in every man. For before the flood happened through the winds and the demons <evil> came to men. (.8b–22a) But, in order that the power which was in the tower might still be brought forth and might rest upon the earth, then nature, which had been repelled wanted to harm the seed which was going to come into existence upon the earth after the flood.

Demons were sent to them as well as the deceit of the winds, the burden of the angels, the fear of the prophet and verbal condemnation, that I may teach you, O Shem, from what blindness your race is protected. of the destruction of Sodom (.22b–.7a) When I have revealed to you all that has been said, then the Righteous One will shine upon creation with my garment. And night and day will separate from one another. For I shall hasten down to creation to bring the light to that place which faith possesses. And I shall appear to those who will have acquired the thought of the light of spirit. For because of them my greatness appeared.

When (my greatness) will appear, O Shem, on the earth, [in] the place which will be called Sodom, safeguard the insight which I shall give you. For those whose heart is pure will gather close to you because of the word which you will reveal. self (.7b–33a) For when you appear in creation, dark nature will shake against you, as well as the winds and their demons, so that they may destroy the insight. But you, proclaim quickly to the Sodomites your universal teaching, for they are your members. For the demon in human form will part from that place since, by my will, he is ignorant. He will guard this (verbal ) teaching. The Sodomites, however, according to the will of the Majesty, will bear the universal testimony.

They will rest with a pure conscience in the place of their repose, which is the unbegotten spirit. And as these things happen, Sodom will be burnt unjustly by perverse nature. For evil will not cease in order that your greatness may appear in that place. Then the demon will depart with faith and then will appear in the four regions of the creation. And when faith appears in (its) last likeness, then will her appearance be exposed. For the firstborn is the demon who appeared in the (celestial ) framework of nature with many faces in order that faith might be manifested in him. For when he appears in creation evil wrath will break out, and earthquakes, and wars, and 118 translation famines and blasphemies.

Because of him, the whole world will be disturbed. For he will seek the power of Faith and Light, (but) he will not find it. of the Revealer (.21b–.4a) For at that time the demon will also appear on the river to baptize with an imperfect baptism and to disturb the world with bondage of water. However, it is necessary for me to appear in the members of the thought of Faith, in order to reveal the great works of my power. I shall spread (the thought) out of the demon—who is Soldas—, and the light which has (something) from spirit, I shall mix it with my invincible garment as well as with the one whom I shall reveal in the darkness for your sake and for the sake of your race, which will be protected from evil darkness.

Know, O Shem, that without Elorchaios, Amoias, Strophaias, Chelkeak, Chelkea, <Chelke> and Aileos no one will be able to pass by this wicked position. This is my memorial, because through it I have triumphed over the wicked position and I have rescued the light of spirit from the frightful water. For when the appointed days (set) for the demon draw near —he who will baptize in error—, then I shall appear in the baptism of the demon to reveal with the mouth of Faith a testimony for those who belong to her, “I testify to thee, unquenchable spark, Osei, the elect of the Light, the eye of heaven. And (to thee) Faith, the first and the last, and (to thee,) Sophia and (to thee,) Saphaia, and (to thee,) Saphaina, and (to thee,) righteous spark, and (to thee,) impure light.

And (to) you, east, and west, and north, and south, upper air and lower air, and (to) all the powers and authorities, you are in [crea]tion; and (to) thee, Moluchta, as well as Soch, (who are) from every work and every impure effort of nature.” Then, through the demon, I shall descend into the water. And whirlpools of water and flames of fire will rise up against me. Then I shall ascend from the water, having put on the light of Faith and the unquenchable fire, in order that through my help the power of and the demons and the stars. And through them every impurity will be filled. Henceforth, O Shem, count on yourself alone to become better involved with the fire and the dark body, which was an impure work.

What I teach you is right. This is the paraphrase— for you did not remember that it is from the firmament that your race has been protected—: Elorchaios is the name of the great Light, the place from which I have come, the Word without equal. The likeness is my glorious garment, and Light. And Strophaia is the blessed gaze, which is spirit. And it is Chelkach who is my garment, who has come from Wonder; this is the one who was in the cloud of Hymen, which appeared as a trimorphic cloud. And Chelkea is my garment which has two forms; this is the one who was in the cloud of Silence. And Chelke is my garment which was given him from every region; it was given him in a single form from the Greatness; (this garment) was in the cloud of Middle.

And the star of the Light which was mentioned is my invincible garment I wore in Hades; this is the mercy which is located above the Thought and above the testimony of those who bear witness. And the testimony which has been mentioned: the first and the last, Faith, the Mind of the wind of darkness. <Sophia> and S<a>phaia and Saphaina are in the cloud of those who have been separated from the unquiet fire. And the righteous spark is the cloud of light which has shone in your midst. For in it my garment will go down to chaos. But the impure light, it is as Power that it exists; it appeared in darkness and belongs to dark nature.

But the upper air as well as the lower air, the powers and the authorities, the demons and the stars, all possessed a particle of fire and a light from spirit. And Moluchtas is a wind, for without it nothing is brought forth upon the earth. He resembles a serpent and a unicorn. His unfolding is manifold wings. And the remainder is the womb which has been repelled. 120 translation You are blessed, Shem, for your race has been protected from the dark wind with many faces. And they will bear the universal testimony; and (they will bear witness) to the impure rubbing of <nature> and they will be sublime through the memorial of the Light.

O Shem, none of those who wear the body will be able to complete these things, but by remembering they will be able to grasp them, in order that when their thought separates from the body, then these things may be revealed to them. They have been revealed to your race. O Shem, it is difficult for someone wearing a body to complete [these things that] I said to you. And only a few people will complete them, people who possess the particle of Mind as well as the thought of the light of spirit. They will protect their thought from the impure rubbing. For many in the generation of nature will seek the security of the Power.

They will not find it nor will they be able to fulfill the will of Faith. For they are the seed of the universal darkness. And those who will be found (having done) great efforts, the winds and the demons will hate them. The bondage of the body is great indeed. For where the winds, and the stars and the demons sow (seeds) from the power of spirit, (there) repentance and testimony will appear upon them, and Mercy will lead them to the unbegotten spirit. As for those who are repentant, they will find rest in the completion with Faith in the place of Hymen. This is the Faith which will fill the place which will have been left empty.

As for those who have nothing from the luminous spirit nor from Faith, they will be dissolved in darkness, the place where repentance has not come. ) It is I who opened the eternal gates which were closed from the beginning. To those who long for nobility of life, and who are worthy of the repose, he revealed them. I granted perception to those who are perceptive. I disclosed to them all the concepts and teaching of the righteous ones. In no way did I become their enemy. But when I endured the wrath of the world, I was triumphant. Not one of them knew me. The gates of fire and endless smoke opened against me.

All the winds rose up against me. For a while thunder and lightning will rise up against me and they will bring their wrath upon me. And because of me, as far as flesh is concerned, they will rule over them tribe by tribe. Then many will descend into the harmful waters by means of the winds and the demons, people who wear flesh which leads astray and are bound with the water. But (water) will provide an ineffective treatment. It will lead astray and will chain up the world. And those who do the will of nature, their part . . [.] . [. . . . . . . . . .] . .

[. . .] two times in the day of the water and the forms of nature. And nothing will be granted to them, when Faith confounds them in order to greet the Righteous One. O Shem, it is necessary that the thought be called by the Word, in order that, in the bondage, the power of spirit may be saved from the frightful water. It is indeed a blessing if it is granted to someone to conceive what is sublime, and to know the ultimate time and bondage. For water is an insignificant body, and people are not released, since they are bound in the water, just as from the beginning the light of spirit was bound.

O Shem, they are deceived by the many forms of the demons, thinking that through the baptism of the impurity of water, this substance which is dark, feeble, ineffective (and) disturbing will take away sins. And they do not know that, coming from the water (and going) to the water, are bondage, error, impurity, envy, murder, adultery, false witness, heresies, robberies, lusts, babbling, wrath, bitterness, in[sults, . . . . . . . ] . [.] For this reason an abundance of water, weighs down their thoughts. For I proclaim it to those who possess a mind that they must leave the impure baptism; and those who possess a thought from the light of spirit will not get involved with the impure rubbing.

And their heart will not vacillate, nor will they be cursed, nor will they give honour to the water. Where the curse is, there is deficiency, and the blindness is where the honour is. For when they mix with the evil ones, they become empty in dark water. For where water has been called upon, there is nature with a ritual formula, a lie, and injury. For only in the unbegotten spirit, where the exalted Light has rested, has the water not been mentioned, nor can it be called upon. 122 translation (.38b–.24a) For this will be my revelation. For when I have completed the days assigned to me upon the earth, then I will cast from me [.] . .

[.] . . [. . . .] . [a]nd my incomparable garment will shine upon me, as well as all my other garments which I put on in all the clouds (and) which were from the Wonder of spirit. For the air will divide my garment. And it will shine and divide in all the clouds unto the root of the Light. Mind is the repose with my garment. And my other garments, are on the left and the right, and they will shine behind me in order that the image of the Light may appear. For my garments which I put on in the three clouds will, in the last day, rest in their root—that is in the unbegotten spirit—, since they will have no more deficiency stemming from the division of the clouds. terrestrial Jesus (.24b–.) That is why I appeared, being without deficiency: because the clouds are not equal (and) in order that the wickedness of nature might be brought to completion.

For (nature) wished at that time to seize me. She will (in fact) affix Soldas (to the cross) who is the dark flame, who will stand on the h[eigh]t, (nailed) t[o the wood] of error, that it might seize me. She took care of her faith, being vain. Rebouel, the symbol of the great Church (.–31a) And at that time the Light was about to separate from darkness and a voice about to be heard in creation saying, “Blessed is the eye which has seen you, and the mind which has supported your greatness by my will.” It will be said from above, “Blessed is Rebouel among every race of men, for it is you alone, (Rebouel ), who have seen and will listen.” And they will behead the woman who has the perception which you will reveal upon the earth.

And according to my will she will bear witness and will rest from every vain effort of nature and chaos. For the woman they will behead at that time is the arrangement of the power of the demon, who will baptize the seed of darkness in harshness in order to mix (it) with impurity. He engendered a woman and she was named Rebouel. O Shem, all the things I have said to you, they have been fulfilled. [an]d [. . . . .] . . [. .] [a]nd the things [which] you lack, according to my will, they will be revealed to you at that place upon the earth that you may reveal them as they are.

Do not let your thought get involved with the body. For it is with the voice of fire that I said these things to you. For I entered through the midst of the clouds, and I spoke according to the language of each one. This is my language which I have spoken to you and which will be received from you. And you will speak with the voice of the world upon the earth, and it will appear to you with this face and this voice. And this is all that I have said to you. Henceforth proceed with Faith which shone in the depths of creation. And I, Shem, awoke as from a long sleep.

I was astonished when I received the power of Light and all his thought. And I accompanied Faith, which shone with me. And the Righteous One followed us with my invincible garment. And all that he had told me would happen upon the earth did happen. nature was handed over to Faith, so that (Faith) might overturn her and set her upright in darkness. (nature) generated a rotation by <> revolving night and day without taking rest with the souls. These things brought her deeds to completion. Then I rejoiced in the thought of Light. I came out from darkness and I proceeded with Faith where the forms of nature are, up to the top of the earth, to the things which are prepared. over the earth the the entire day.

For all night and day (Faith) sets 124 translation nature revolving so that she may receive the Righteous One. For nature is burdened and troubled. For none will be able to open the forms of the womb except Mind alone, who was entrusted with their configuration. For frightful is the configuration of the two forms of nature—the one which is blind. a free conscience will remove themselves from the babbling of nature. For they will bear the universal testimony. They will strip off the burden of darkness; they will put on the Word of Light and they will not be kept back in the base place. Moreover, what they possess from the power of Mind they will give it back to Faith.

They will be admitted without suffering. Finally, they will abandon the unquiet fire they possess in the middle of nature, and they will be received by my garments, which are in the clouds. It is they who guide their members. They will rest in spirit without suffering. But because of this the appointed term of Faith was manifested upon the earth for a short time, until darkness is taken away from her, and her testimony is revealed— the one revealed by me. Those who will be found to be from her root will strip off darkness and the unquiet fire. They will put on the light of Mind and will bear witness. For all that I have said will come to pass. the earth and I withdraw above to my repose, a great, harmful deceit will happen upon the world as well as many evils in accordance with the number of the forms of nature.

Evil days will come, and once the time of nature approaches destruction, darkness will come upon the earth. The number (of the elect) will be limited. And a demon will come up from Power; he has a likeness of fire. He will rend the sky, and he will rest in the depth of the east. For the whole creation will be shaken, and the deceived world will be disturbed. Many places will be flooded because of the envy of the winds and the demons who have a name which is of stupid: Phorbea, Chloerga. They are the ones who govern the world with their teaching. And they lead many hearts astray because of their disorder and their impurity.

Many places will be sprinkled with blood, and there will be five generations (which) eat their own sons. And the regions of the south will accept the Word of Light. However, those who come from the error of the world <. . .>. From the east, then, a demon will come forth from (the) belly of the serpent. He was hidden in a deserted place, and he will perform many wonders. Many will loathe him. A wind will come forth from his mouth, with a female likeness. Her name will be called Abalphe. He will reign over the world, from the east to the west. Then nature will have a final moment. And the stars will disappear from the sky.

The mouth of error will be opened in order that evil darkness may become inert and silent. And in the last day the forms of nature will be eliminated with the winds and all their demons. They will become a dark lump, just as they were in the beginning. And the sweet waters, burdened by the demons, will dry up. For where the power of spirit has gone there are my sweet waters. No further works of nature will appear; they will mix with the waters of darkness, which are limitless. And all her forms will recede from the Middle. Shem, have completed these things. And my heart began to separate from the body of darkness and my time was completed.

Then my heart put on the immortal memorial and I said, “I agree with thy memorial which thou hast revealed to me: Elorchaios, and thou, Amoiaias, and thou, Sederkeas, and thy guilelessness, (and thou,) Strophaias, and thou, Chelkeak, and thou, Chelkea, as well as Chelke and Elaios, you are the immortal memorial. I testify to thee, unquenchable spark, who is an eye of heaven and a voice of light, and (to thee,) Soph{a}ia, and (to thee,) Saphaia, and (to thee,) Saphaina, and (to thee,) righteous Spark, and (to thee,) Faith, the first and the last, and (to thee,) upper air, and (to thee,) lower air, {and thee, Chelkeak, as well as Chelke and Elaios, you are the immortal memorial.

I testify to thee, unquenchable spark, who is an eye of heaven and a voice of light, and (to thee,) Soph{a}ia, and (to thee,) Saphaia, and (to thee,) Saphaina, and (to thee,) righteous Spark, and (to thee,) Faith, the first and the last, and (to thee,) upper air and (to thee,) lower air,} 126 translation and (to you [pl.],) all the powers and authorities, that are in creation. And (to) thee, impure light, and (to) thee also, east and (to thee,) west and (to thee,) south and (to thee,) north, you are the four cardinal points of the inhabited world and (to) thee also, Moluchta, and (to thee,) Essoch, you are the root of evil and every work and impure effort of nature.” These are the things which I completed while bearing witness. day that I was to come forth from the body, when my thought had (finished) remaining in the body, I arose as if from a deep sleep.

And when I arose as though out of the burden of my body, I said, “Just as nature became old, so is it also today of humankind. Blessed are they who have known, as they fell asleep, in what power their thought has rested.” And when the Pleiades separated, I saw clouds, which I shall pass through. For the cloud of spirit is like pure Beryl. And the cloud of Hymen is like the shining emeralds. And the cloud of Silence is like the flourishing amaranths. And the cloud of Middle is like a pure jacinth. And when the Righteous One appeared in nature, then nature, once in a state of excitement, was wounded. She granted to Morphaia to explore heaven.

If the Righteous One explores during twelve periods, it is in order that he may explore them during a single period, that his time may be completed quickly, and nature may become inert. Blessed are they who guard themselves against the deposit of death, that is (against) the burdensome water of darkness. For it is but for a few moments that they will be dominated, since they will hasten to come forth from the error of the world. And as long as they are dominated they will be kept back. They will be tormented in darkness until the time of the completion. When the completion comes and nature is destroyed, then their thoughts will separate from darkness. nature has weighed them down for a short time.

And they will be in the ineffable light of the unbegotten spirit without a form. And so is Mind, as I have said from the start. From now on, O Shem, proceed in grace and remain in Faith upon the earth. For every power of light and fire will be completed by me for your sake. For without you they will not be revealed until you speak of them openly. When you leave the earth, they will be given to the worthy. And apart from this revelation, let them speak about you upon the earth, since they will take the land, carefree and in harmony.