Pistis Sophia

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

be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be delivered from the rivers [236^b] of flame of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the words which are evil, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the punishments of the rivers of flame. Say unto them, Renounce the wickednesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of fire of Ariel. Say unto them, Renounce the unmercifulnesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the judgments of the faces of the dragon. Say unto them, Renounce the angers, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of flame of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the curse, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the fire of the seas of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the blasphemy, and be worthy [237^a] of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas which boil of the faces of the dragons. Say unto them, Renounce the thievings, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from Ialtabaoth. Say unto them, Renounce the slander, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers of fire of the face of lion. Say

unto them, Renounce the fightings and the quarrellings, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the rivers which are boiling of Ialtabaoth. Say unto them, Renounce the ignorance, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be delivered from the ministers of Ialtabaoth, with the fires of the seas. Say unto them, Renounce the villainies, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the [237^b] demons of Ialtabaoth with all his punishments. Say unto them, Renounce the senselessness, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of pitch of Ialtabaoth which are boiling. Say unto them, Renounce the adulteries, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the seas of sulphur and pitch of the face of lion. Say unto them, Renounce the murders, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the Ruler of face of crocodile, this who (is) in the cold, the first chamber which is in the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the unmercifulnesses with the impiousnesses, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the Rulers of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the godlessnesses [238^a] and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the weeping with the

gnashing of the teeth. Say unto them, Renounce the witchcraft, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from the great cold with the hail of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the blaspheming, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the punishments of the great dragon of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto them, Renounce the teaching of error, and be worthy of the mysteries of the Light, and be delivered from all the punishments of the great dragon of the Darkness which is outer. Say unto those who teach in the teachings of error, with every one who learneth through them, Woe to you, ye, because if ye do not repent and forsake [238^b] your error, ye will go unto the punishments of the great dragon with the Darkness which is outer, this which is cruel greatly, and they will not cast you unto the World for unto age, but ye will become existenceless outside. Say unto those who will forsake the teaching of the truth of the First Mystery, Woe to you, ye, because your punishment is evil beyond (that of) all men. For ye will remain in the great cold, the ice with the hail in the midst of the dragon with the Darkness which is outer, and they will not cast you unto the World from this hour unto age,

but ye will become petrified at that place. And in the dissolution of the Universe ye will be wasted away, and ye will become without existence unto age.

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

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

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

they are wont to have mercy on it and bring it up from the Chaoses, and take it on the road of the Middle through all those Rulers. And they are not wont to punish it in their judgments which (are) cruel, but the fires of their Places are wont to molest it in part: and whenever they should take it unto the Place of Iakhthanabas the unmerciful, they are not wont to be able to punish it, indeed at least in his evil judgments, but he is wont to hold it down for a little time, while the fire of his punishments molesteth it in part. And also speedily they are wont to have mercy on it in those their Places. [242^a] And they are not wont to take it out of the Aeons, that the Rulers of their Aeon should not take it away in the firmaments, but they are wont to take it through the road of the light of the sun and take it up (close) to the Virgin of the Light, until she should prove it and find it free from sin, and she is not wont to cause them to take it unto the Light, because the sign of the kingdom of the Mystery is not becoming with it, but she is wont to seal it in a seal which is excellent, and cause them to cast it unto the body among the Aeons

of the righteousness: this body which is about to become good, and find the sign of the mysteries of the Light and inherit the kingdom of the Light unto age. If that (one) sinneth once or twice or thrice, this, also, they will reject unto the World according to the type of the sins which he did, these of which I shall say their types unto you, [242^b] whenever I should finish saying unto you the Distribution of the Universe. But Amen, amen I say unto you, Even if a man (is) righteous having not done any sin at all, it is impossible for them to take him unto the kingdom of the Light, because that the sign of the kingdom, of the mysteries is not becoming with him, in one word, it is impossible to take the soul unto the Light without the mysteries of the kingdom of the Light.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

her Receivers, and the Receivers to cast it unto a body being about to be righteous, and he being about to find the mysteries of the Light and become good, and go unto the Height [254^a] and inherit the kingdom of the Light. Behold, this is (that) which ye ask me of. Answered Maria, said she, Now therefore, my Lord, then thou didst not bring Mysteries indeed unto the World, that the man should not die by the death which is reckoned unto him by the Rulers of the Destiny: because if it is being reckoned unto one for to die by the sword, or for to die by the waters or in torture with torment with violence which (are) in the laws, or by other evil deaths, then thou didst not bring mystery unto the world, that the man should not die among them by the Rulers of the Destiny, but that he should die in a death sudden, that he should not suffer any tribulation by these deaths of this kind: because that, we, very many are those who are pursuing us [254^b] because of thee, and we, many are those who persecute us because of thy name, that whenever they should torment us we should say the mysteries and come out of the body immediately having not suffered any tribulation. Answered the Saviour, said he to all his disciples, Because of this word which ye ask me

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

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

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

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

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

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

them). And is wont [259^b] to remain imparting to the soul, and becoming enemy unto it, causing it to do all these evils with all these sins. And he is wont to instigate the Contentious ministers that they should become witness against her in every sin which it will cause her to do: still also coming, she being about to rest herself in the night (and) in the day, it is wont to move her in dreams or in lusts of the World. And it is wont to cause her to lust after everything of the World, in one word, it is wont to urge her unto all things which order to it the Rulers. And it is wont to become enemy with the soul causing her to do the (things) which she would not. Now therefore Maria, then this is the enemy of the soul, and this is that which compelleth her, even until she doeth every sin. Now therefore whenever should become completed the time of that man, at first indeed is wont to come out the Fate and lead the man [260^a] in unto the death by the Rulers with their bonds, these in which they were bound by the Destiny: and afterwards are wont to come the Contentious Receivers, and bring that soul out of the body, and afterwards are wont the Contentious Receivers they are wont to spend three days going about with that soul

in all the Places, sending it unto all the Aeons of the World: (while) followeth after that soul the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, and is wont the power to withdraw (close) to the Virgin of the Light. And after the three days are wont the Contentious Receivers they are wont to bring that soul down down unto Amente of the Chaos. And whenever they should bring her down unto the Chaos they are wont to deliver her to those who punish. And are wont the [260^b] Receivers to withdraw unto their Places according to the arrangement of the works of the Rulers, because of the coming out of the souls. And is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to become Receiver of the soul, allotting her, convicting her according to the punishment, because of the sins which it caused her to do. And it is wont to become in a great enmity towards the soul, and whenever the soul should complete the punishments in the Chaoses according to the sins which she did, is wont the counterfeit to bring her up from the Chaoses allotting her, convicting her from Place to Place because of the sins which she did. And is wont to bring her out on the road of the Rulers of the Middle. And whenever he should reach them, they are wont to seek from her the mysteries of the Fate. And if she did not

find them, they are wont to seek from their Fate. And are wont those Rulers, they are wont to punish that soul [261^a] according to the sins for which she is worthy (to be punished). These I shall say unto you, viz.: the type of their punishment in the Distribution of the Universe. Whenever therefore it should happen, whenever should be completed the time of the punishment of that soul in the judgments of the Rulers of the Middle, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to bring the soul up from all the Places of the Rulers of the Middle, it is wont to take her up before the light of the sun according to the commandment of the first man Ieou: and it is wont to take her (close) to the judge the Virgin of the Light. She is wont to prove that soul, and find it being a sinful soul. And she is wont to cast her power of light in unto her, because of setting up the soul and the body and the sharing of the perception. These I shall say, viz.: their type, unto you in the Distribution of the Universe. [261^b] And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal that soul and lay her on one of her Receivers, and causeth them to cast her (him, MS) into a body worthy of the sins which she did: and

Amen I say unto you that she shall not release that soul from the changes of the body, having not given her last cycle (of changes) according to the (things) which are worthy (for her). These all therefore I shall say their type unto you with the type of the bodies unto which they shall cast them according to the sins of every soul, these I shall say unto you all (of them), whenever I should finish saying to you the Distribution of the Universe. Added also Jesus in the word, said he, If also a soul is which is not wont to hearken unto the counterfeit spirit (in) all his works, and this (soul) became good, she received the mysteries of the Light, these which (are) in the second Space, or indeed these [262^a] which (are) in the third Space, these which (are) from within (on the inward part, MS): whenever should be completed the time of that soul (of coming) out of the body; and is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to follow that soul, it with the Fate, it is wont to follow in the road by which it will go unto the Height. And having not yet been distant from the Height, she is wont to say the mystery of the loosing of her seals, with all the bonds of the counterfeit spirit, these with which the Rulers bound it in unto the soul.

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

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

bound the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul. And whenever the soul, whenever she should say the mystery of the loosening of the seals, and immediately is wont to be loosened the counterfeit spirit; and it is wont to cease coming in against the soul, and it ceaseth from allotting the soul. And immediately is wont to say a mystery, the soul, and hold down the counterfeit spirit with the Fate and dismiss them from following her. But there is not any of them being in their (own) authority: but she is being in her (their, MS) authority: and immediately are wont the Receiver of that soul and the mysteries which she received, they are wont to come and snatch away that soul from [264^a] the Contentious Receiver. And are wont the Receivers, they are wont to withdraw unto the works of the Rulers in regard to the arrangement for the bringing out of the souls. And are wont the Receivers also of that soul, these which belong unto the Light, they are wont to become wing of light unto that soul, and she becometh vesture of light unto her(self). And they are not wont to take her out of the Chaoses, because it is not right to take a soul having received mystery out of the Chaoses, but they are wont to take her by the road of the Rulers of the Middle: and whenever she should arrive at

the Rulers of the Middle, are wont to come out to meet the soul those Rulers, becoming in a great fear with a flame which is fierce with varied faces, in one word, being in a great fear, there being not measure unto it. And immediately is wont the soul, she is wont to say the mystery of their defence. And they are wont to fear greatly and (to) fall upon their face being in fear [264^b] before the mystery which she said, and before her defence. And is wont that soul, she is wont to dismiss them to their Fate, saying to them, Receive to you your Fate. I am not coming unto your Place from this hour. I became strange unto you unto age, being about to go unto the Place of mine inheritance. But these whenever should finish saying them the soul, are wont the Receivers of the Light, they are wont to fly with her unto the Height, and they are wont to take her out of the Aeons of the Destiny, she giving the defence of the Place to it with its seal, these which I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the mysteries. And she is wont to give to the Rulers the counterfeit spirit, and she is wont to say unto them the mystery of the bonds with which they bound it in unto her (him, MS). And she is wont

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

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

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

with the glory of all their seals with the hymn of the Places of the Light. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, they having brought to thee the stater, thou sawest it being of silver and brass, thou soughtest, That of whom is this image? Said they, That of the King it is. But thou having seen it, that it was mixed in silver and brass, saidst thou, Give the part, that of the King to the King. And that of the God to the God, namely, whenever the soul should receive mystery she is wont to give the defence to all the Rulers with the Place of the King, the Adamas. And the soul is wont to give the honour with the glory to those of all the Places of the Light. And the word, It shone when thou hadst seen it, being of silver and brass. That is the type of this, the power of the Light being in it, namely, the silver [267^b] which is choice. And being in her the counterfeit spirit, namely, the material brass. Then this, my Lord, is the first meaning. The second meaning also which thou finishedst saying to us now concerning the soul which receiveth mystery, whenever it should come unto the Place of the Rulers of the road of the Middle, and they are wont to come out before her in a great fear greatly greatly,

and is wont the soul, she is wont to give to them (him, MS) the mystery of the fear. And they (she, MS) are wont to fear before her, and she is wont to give the Fate unto her Place, and she is wont to give the counterfeit spirit unto its Place, and she is wont to give the defence with the seals to each of the Rulers who (are) upon the roads, and she is wont to give the honour with the glory with the respect of the seals with the hymns to those of all the Places of the Light. Concerning this word, my Lord, [268^a] which thou saidst by the mouth of Paulos our brother once, Give the tribute to him of the tribute, and give the fear to him of the fear, give the custom to him of the custom, and give the honour to him of the honour, and give the respect to him of the respect, and do not owe anything to anyone. Which (is) this My Lord, The soul who receiveth mystery is wont to give the defence to all the Places, This is, my Lord, the second meaning. The third meaning also concerning the word which thou saidst unto us once, The counterfeit spirit is wont to become enemy unto the soul, causing it to do all the sins and all the passions, and it is wont to convict her in the

punishment concerning all the sins which it caused her to do, in one word, it is wont to be enemy unto the soul in every form. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, The enemies of the man are his domestics [268^b] namely the domestics of the soul are the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, these which are enemy unto the soul at every time causing her to do every sin with every wickedness. Then this, my Lord, is the third meaning. The fourth meaning also concerning the word which thou saidst, If the soul should come out of the body, and walk in the road of the counterfeit spirit, and whenever it should not find the mystery of the loosening of all the bonds with the seals, these which are bound to the counterfeit spirit, and (yet) it should cease to be allotted unto her. If therefore she should not find it, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to take the soul (close) to the Virgin of the Light, the judge: and is wont the judge, the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove the soul and find about her, she having done sin; and having not also found the mysteries of the Light with her. And she is wont to give [269^a] her to one of her Receivers, and is wont her Receiver, he is wont to bring her and cast

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

she is not wont to come out of the changes of the body, having not given the last Cycle which is reckoned unto her. This therefore my Lord, is the fourth meaning.

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

after the soul, being witness unto her of every sin which she did, that they should convict her in the judgments. Now therefore, My Lord, are wont the mysteries of the baptisms, are they wont to blot out the sins, which are with the Contentious Ministers, because they indeed are wont to make their forgetfulness? Now therefore My Lord, say unto us the type (by) which they are wont to forgive sin, but we wish to know them in an exactness. But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Fairly indeed thou saidst, the Ministers however at least they are not (those) who are wont to bear witness of every sin, but [271^a] they are wont to remain also among the judgments holding on to the souls, convicting all the souls of the sinners, these who received not mystery, and they are wont to hold them down in the Chaoses punishing them. And are not wont those Contentious (ones) they are not wont to prevail to pass through the Chaoses, for them to come unto the arrays which are above the Chaoses, and convict the souls which come out of those Places. Now therefore the souls which receive mysteries, it is not allowed for them to overpower them, and take them out of the Chaos, that should convict them the Contentious Ministers, but are wont the Contentious Ministers, they are wont to convict the souls of the sinners, and lay

hold on these which received not mysteries, these which are wont to bring from the Chaoses. The souls however who receive mysteries have not (any) work (for which) to convict them, because they are not wont to come out of their Places. [271^b] And also whenever they should come, they are not able to prevail to stand up before them, nevertheless indeed they are not wont to be able to take them in those Chaoses.

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

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

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

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

forgive sin [274^b]? Are they wont to forgive in the type of the baptism, or otherwise? Answered also the Saviour, said he, Otherwise but all the mysteries of the three Spaces are wont to forgive to (in, MS) the soul in (dative, MS) all the Places of the Rulers all the sins which did the soul from at first; they are wont to forgive to her, and further they are wont to forgive, those which she will do after these, even until the time unto which each of the mysteries will dominate: these I shall say unto you in the Distribution of the Universe viz.: the time up to which each of the mysteries will dominate. And also the mystery of the First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable they are wont to forgive to the soul in all the Places of the Rulers, every sin with every unlawfulness which did the soul. And also that (not only) are they wont to forgive all of them to her, [275^a] but they are not wont to reckon sin unto her from this hour, even until unto age of age, because of the free-gift of that great mystery with its (their, MS) glory which is much, greatly greatly. These therefore having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered also Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, I finished carrying

off every word which thou sayest. Now therefore my Lord, concerning the word which thou sayest, Are wont all the mysteries of the three Spaces they are wont to forgive sin and cover over their unlawfulness which prophesied once about this word David the prophet, saying: Happy are those whose sin they forgave with those whose unlawfulness they covered over. He prophesied [275^b] about this word once, and the word which thou saidst, The mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable, that every man who will receive those mysteries, not only that they are wont to forgive the sins, which they did from at first, but also they are not wont to make the reckoning indeed of them from that time unto age. Because of this word also prophesied about it once David saying, Happy are they unto whom the Lord the God will not reckon sin, namely, they will not reckon sin unto him from this time (viz.) those who receive the mysteries of the First Mystery with those who receive the mysteries of the Ineffable. Said he: Well (done), the spiritual of pure Light Maria, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, Then whenever the man shall receive mystery in the mysteries of the First Mystery, [276^a] and also should turn (away) and do sin and transgress. And also, after these should turn and repent and pray

in his mystery (after) his mystery, will they forgive to him or otherwise? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every one who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and also turneth (away) and transgresseth twelve times and also repenteth twelve times praying in the mysteries of the First Mystery they will forgive to him. And also should he (they, MS) transgress after the twelve times, and turn (away) and transgress they will not forgive to him unto age, for him to turn unto his mystery (after) his mystery, and this (one) hath not repentance except he should receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, that which is wont to be merciful at every time, and, also, he forgiveth at every time. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, but if however those who receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and they should turn (away) and transgress and come out [276^b] of (the) body, having not repented, will they inherit the kingdom or otherwise? Because they received indeed the free-gift of the First Mystery? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who receiveth mystery in the First Mystery, having transgressed the first time with the second with the third, and this (one) should come out of body, having not repented, his judgment surpasseth much beyond every judgment. For his dwelling place is in the

midst of the mouth of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and at end of all these he will be petrified in the punishments, and he will be consumed unto age, because he received in the free-gift of the First Mystery, he remained not in it. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who will receive the mystery of the Ineffable, and they transgress, they cease from their faith, and also after these yet living, they turned, they repented, will they forgive to them [277^a] how many times? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, not only whenever he should transgress once and also turn and repent will they forgive to him, but whenever he should transgress at every time, and, also, yet living and turn and repent, not becoming in an hypocrisy, and also should turn and repent, and he should pray in his mysteries (after) his mysteries, they will forgive to him at every time? Because that he received out of the free-gift of the mysteries of the Ineffable. And also because that merciful are all those mysteries and forgiving are they at every time. Answered also Maria, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then those who receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, and also they turned (away) they transgressed, they ceased from their faith, and also they

came [277^b] out of (the) body having not repented, what also is that which will happen to these of this kind? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will receive from the mysteries of the Ineffable, happy (ones) are they however at least, the souls which will receive from those mysteries, but whenever they turn (away) and transgress and come out of (the) body having not repented, those men, their judgment is worse than every judgment, and great is greatly greatly: even if those souls are new (ones), and it being their first time of coming unto the World; and they will not return unto the changes of the bodily World from this hour. And they are not wont to be able to do any work; but they are wont to cast them unto outside unto the Darkness which is outer, and they will be consumed and will be without existence unto age. But these having said them the Saviour [278^a], said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord. I carried off the words which thou saidst. Now therefore, my Lord, this is the word which thou saidst, Those who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable happy (ones) however at least are those souls; but whenever they should turn (away) and transgress and cease from

their faith, and they should come out of body having not repented, they are not wont to be profitable any longer from this hour to return them unto the changes of the body, nor (for) any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the outside unto the Darkness which is outer, they will consume them in that Place, and they will be without existence unto age. Because of the word which thou saidst unto us once saying, Good is the salt, whenever the salt insipid becometh in what are they about to salt it? [278^b] It is not wont to be profitable unto dunghill nor unto the land, but they are wont to cast it out, namely, happy is every soul who will receive from the mysteries of the Ineffable, but whenever they should transgress once, they are not able to be profitable for return unto the body from this hour, nor unto any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the Darkness which is outer, and they will consume away in that place. But these she having said them to the Saviour, said he, Well (done) the pure spiritual Maria, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who received the mysteries of the First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable, these having not transgressed, but their faith in the mysteries (is) in a directness

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

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

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

which are lord over all those of the Height with all those of the Depth.

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

his disciples, Understand ye all these words with the type of this woman? Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, I understand the mysteries of the words which happened to this woman. Concerning the words therefore which happened to her, which thou saidst unto us once in a parable, saying, A man had a fig-tree in his vineyard, but he came seeking after his fruit, and he found not any on it. Said he to his gardener, Behold, three years I come, I seek after fruit in this fig-tree, and I find not any in it, cut it (down), therefore, because of what rendereth it useless also the ground. But he answered, said he to him, My Lord, bear with it this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put dung to it. But if it should send forth another year, thou lettest it (be), but if thou findest not any, thou cuttest it (down). Behold [282^b] this, my Lord, is the explanation of the word. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Well (done) O spiritual (one) this is the word. Added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received mystery, and did not that which is worthy of the mysteries, but turned (away), he did sin: after these (things) also he repented and he became in a great repentance, is it lawful also, my brothers, to repeat the mystery which he

received, or otherwise indeed to give to him a mystery among the mysteries which are below him. Is it lawful therefore or otherwise. But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Neither the mystery which he received nor that which is below him are wont to hear him to forgive his sins, but the mysteries which are high(er) than those which he received, they are those which are wont to hear him, and they forgive his sins. Now therefore Maria [283^a] let thy brothers give to him the mystery which is high(er) than that which he received, and they will receive his repentance from him, and they will forgive his sins. That (one) indeed because he received another time, and the others because he surpassed them above. This indeed is not wont to hear him to forgive his sins, but the mystery which is high(er) than that which he received, that is that which is wont to forgive his sins. But if he, having received three mysteries in the two Spaces or in the third (reckoning from) within, and this (one) turned (away) he transgressed, is (are, MS) wont not any mystery to hear him, for to help him in his repentance, neither those which are high, nor those which are below him, except the mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable: they are those which are wont to hear

him and receive from him his repentance. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then a man, having received mystery up to two or up to three in [283^b] the second Space or the third Space, and this (one) turned (away) and transgressed, but yet being in his faith in directness and without hypocrisy. (shall he continue to receive?) Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Every man who received mystery in the second Space and in the third, and also he did not transgress, but yet being in his faith without hypocrisy, it is lawful for these of this kind to receive mystery in the Space which he willeth from at first, even until to last, because that he (they, MS) did not transgress.

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

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

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

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

ye are. And they will say to me, We received out of thy mysteries, and we completed all thy teaching, and thou [286^b] taughtest to us in the highways. And I shall answer that I may say to them, I know not you who ye are, those who work the unlawfulness with the evil, even until now. Because of this go unto the Darkness which is outer. And in that hour they will go unto the Darkness which is outer, the Place in which is the weeping with the gnashing of the teeth. Because of this therefore preach to all the World, say unto them: Strive, renounce all the World with all the matter which is in it, and receive the mysteries of the Light, before that was completed the number of the perfect souls, that they should not put you at the door of the gate of the Light, and betake you unto the Darkness which is outer. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear, let him hear. These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up also forward [287^a] Maria, said she, My Lord not only (is it) that hath ear my Light-dweller, but heard my soul and understood every word which thou sayest. Now therefore, my Lord, concerning the words which thou saidst, Preach to the men of the World say unto them, Strive, receive the mysteries of the Light in this time which is troublous,

that ye should inherit the kingdom of the Light.

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

they are wont to call him in their Place, Akhrokhar. And the Ruler who becometh in the fifth chamber, a face of black calf is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call him in their Place, Markhour. And the Ruler who becometh in the sixth chamber, a face of sow of mountain is his original face, this (one) they call him in their Place, Lamkhamor. And the Ruler of the seventh chamber, a face of bear is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call him in his original name in their Place, Lukhar. And the Ruler of the eighth chamber a face of a gryphus is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call his name in their Place, Laraokh. And the Ruler of the ninth [288^b] chamber a face of a basilisk is his original face, this (one) they are wont to call his name in their Place, Arkheokh. And the tenth chamber there are many Rulers in it seven heads of dragon to each of them in their original face, and he who is over them all they are wont to call his name in their Place, Xarmarokh. And eleventh chamber, there are many Rulers of that Place (coptic word, MS) with seven heads of cat to each of them in their original face, and the great (one) who is over them, they are wont to call him in his

Place, Rokhar. And the twelfth chamber there are many Rulers in it, they being many exceedingly, with seven heads of face of a dog to each of them in their original face. And the great (one) who is over them they are wont to call him in [289^a] their Place, Khremaor. These Rulers therefore of these twelve chambers being within the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and each of them having a name according to hour. And is wont each of them to change his face according to hour. And these twelve chambers have each of them a door open unto the Height, so that the dragon of the Darkness which is outer hath twelve chambers of Darkness, there being a door to every chamber (the chamber the chamber, MS) open unto the Height. And there is an Angel of the Height being vigilant unto each of the doors of the chambers. These who Ieou the first man, the overseer of the Light, the Legate of the First precept, he is he who put them being vigilant unto the dragon that he should not be disorderly with all the Rulers of his chambers which are in him.

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

outer in the mouth of his tail, he is wont to bring round again his tail in unto his own mouth and shut them (in). This is the manner (in) which they will take the souls in unto the Darkness which is outer. And the dragon of the Darkness, which is outer, hath twelve original names, these which (are) in his mouths, a name according to each of the doors of the chambers. And these (this, MS) [290^b] twelve names are various with one another, but being with (in, MS) one another twelve, so that he who will say one of the names is saying all the names. This therefore I shall say unto you in the Distribution of (the) Universe. This therefore is the manner which becometh the Darkness which is outer, namely the dragon. These therefore having said them the Saviour, answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then the punishment of that dragon (is) cruel greatly, beyond the punishment of all the judgment. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Not only also that they are painful beyond all the punishments of the judgments; but every soul which they will take unto the Place they will numb it in the cold which is cruel, and with the hails and with the fire which is cruel greatly: these [291^a] which become in that Place. But in the dissolution of the World, namely, in the catching up

of the Universe, those souls will be wasted away by the cold which is cruel, and with the fire which is cruel greatly, and they will be without existence unto age. Answered Maria, said she, Then woe to the souls of the sinners. Now therefore my Lord, the flame which (is) in the place of the mankind is being hot or the fire which (is) in Amente is hot? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen I say to thee, Hot is being the fire which (is) in Amente more than the fire which is in mankind nine times. And the fire which is in the punishment of the great Chaos is cruel, more than that which (is) in Amente nine times: and the fire which (is) in the judgment of the Rulers, who are on the road [291^b] of the Middle, is cruel, more than the fire of the punishment which is in the great Chaos nine times: and the fire which is in the dragon of the Darkness which is outer with all the judgments which (are) in it, are cruel more than the fire which (is) in all the punishments which (are) in the judgments of the Rulers, these who (are) on the road of the Middle, is cruel more than them seventy times. But these having said them the Saviour unto Maria she smote on her breast, she cried out, she wept, she with all

the disciples at once, said she, Woe to the sinners because many are their judgments greatly. Came in front Mariham, she prostrated upon the feet of Jesus, she worshipped them, said she, My Lord, bear with me, seeking from thee, and be not angry with me because I molest thee many [292^a] times, for from now I am about to begin to seek from thee concerning every thing in an exactness.

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

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

they shall remove her out of the all: and if she should not complete the number of the cycles in the changes (of the body) they shall take her (close) to the Virgin of the Light, and the Virgin of the Light (will) seal her (him, MS) with the seal of the Ineffable [293^b] and cast it in the same month unto a righteous body, this in whom she will find the mysteries of the Light, and that she may become good and go unto the Height and inherit the kingdom of the Light. And also if she completed the cycles of the changes, they shall take that soul up to the seven Virgins of the Light, these who are over the baptism, and they (will) put it upon that soul, and seal her with the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable and take her (him, MS) among the arrays of the Light, these I will say whenever ye should complete the mysteries. Amen I say to you, The soul (for) which ye will pray, if indeed she is in the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, he will liberate his tail out of his mouth and vomit out that soul. And also if she is in [294^a] any (every, MS) Place of the judgments of the Rulers, Amen I say unto you, Will carry her off in a haste the Receiver of Melkhisedek, if should have vomited

her the dragon, or otherwise indeed she is in the judgments of the Rulers, in one word, will carry her off the Receivers of Melkhisedek from any (every, MS) Place in which she is in. And they will take her unto the Place of the Middle (close) to the Virgin of the Light. And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, and see the sign of the kingdom of the Ineffable being in that soul, and if she hath not yet completed the number of cycles in the changing of the soul, or in (the changing) of the body, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal her with a seal more excellent, and [294^b] hasten to make them cast her in the same month unto a righteous body, this which is about to find the mysteries of the Light, and about to be good, that he may go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. And if that soul received her number of cycles, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, she is not wont to let them punish her, because that she received the number of cycle: but she is wont to deliver her unto the seven Virgins of the Light. And are wont the seven Virgins of the Light, they are wont to prove that soul, and they are

wont to baptise her with their baptisms, and give to her the spiritual chrism, and take her unto the Treasury of the Light, and put her in the last array of the Light, until the catching up of all the perfect souls. And whenever they should prepare for drawing away the veils [295^a] of the Place of those on the Right (hand), they are wont to purify that soul again and cleanse her and put her in the arrays of the first Saviour, he who (is) in the Treasury of the Light.

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

are wont the Ministers of the Judges of the Rulers, they are wont to hasten and take those souls, and deliver them unto one (to) another, even until [296^a] they take her (close) to the Virgin of the Light. Added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received the mysteries of the Light, those which (are) in the first Space reckoning from without, and having been completed the time of the mysteries up to which they extend, and that man added not again to receive mystery in the mysteries which are toward the interior of the mysteries which he finished receiving, and also was negligent that man, having not prayed the prayer which is wont to take away the wickedness of the meats which he eateth with those which he drinketh, and through the wickedness of the meats they bound him in unto the Pole of the Destiny of the Rulers, and by the compulsion of the elements he did sin again after the completion [296^b] of the time up to which the mystery extendeth, because he was negligent, having not prayed in the prayer, this which is wont to take away the wickedness of the souls, and to cleanse them. And that man came out of the body before that he repented again and received mystery again in the mysteries, those which (are) within the mysteries which he finished receiving, these which they

are wont to receive again for the repentance, and they forgive the sins; and he having come out of the body we knew in an exactness that they took him away in unto the midst of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer on account of the sins which he did. And that man hath not helper upon the World nor compassionate (one) for him to make the mystery of the Ineffable, even until they should remove him out of the midst of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and take him in unto the kingdom of the Light. Now therefore, my Lord, [297^a] then what is that which he will do until he is delivered from the punishments of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer? Nay, O Lord, forsake him not because he suffered in the persecutions and in the whole Godhead in which he becometh. Now therefore O Saviour, have mercy on me, lest at any time any one of our kindred should become in this type of this kind. And have mercy on all the souls who will become in this type, because thou art our key which openeth (the) door of the Universe and which shutteth (the) door of the Universe, and thy mystery is that which extendeth to them all. Aio, O Lord, have mercy on the souls of this kind, because they named indeed thy mysteries on one day,

and they believed them truly, and because they were not becoming in hypocrisy. Aio, O Lord, give to them a free-gift in thy goodness, and give to them a rest which is in [297^b] thy mercifulness. These therefore having said them Maria, called her happy the Saviour greatly greatly on account of the words which she saith. And became in great mercy the Saviour, said he to Maria, Every man who will become in this type which thou sayest, yet being alive, give to them the mystery of one of the twelve names of the chambers of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, these which I shall give to you whenever I should finish distributing to you the Universe from within out and from without in. And every man who will find the mystery of one of the twelve names of that dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and every man even though they are sinners greatly, and having received the mysteries of the Light at first (but) afterwards they transgressed, or otherwise indeed they did not do any mystery at all. These whenever they should complete [298^a] their cycle in the changes (of body). And these of this kind, when they should come out of body having not repented again, and they take them unto the punishments which are in the midst of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and are left in the

cycles, and are left in the punishments which (are) in the midst of the dragon, and these knowing the mystery of one of the twelve names of the Angels, being alive, being become in the World, and they say one of their names, being within in the midst of the punishments of the dragon, (and the hour (in) which they will say it, is wont to shake the whole dragon, M), and he is wont to be disturbed greatly greatly. And the chambers in which are in the souls of those men is wont to open its doors toward the heaven, and is wont the Ruler of the chamber in which become those men, and he is wont to cast the souls of those men [298^b] out of the midst of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, because they found the mystery of the name of the dragon. And whenever the Ruler should cast out the souls, are wont the Angels of Ieou, the first man, these who are vigilant unto the chambers of that Place, he is wont to hasten immediately and to carry off that soul until he bringeth her (close) to Ieou, the first man, the Legate of the First precept. And is wont Ieou, the first man, he is wont to see the souls and to prove them, he is wont to find them, having completed their cycles. And it is not lawful for

them to bring them unto the World again, because every soul which they will cast unto the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, it is not lawful to bring them unto the World again: are wont to retain them the Receivers of Ieou, if they did not [299^a] complete their number of cycles in the changes of the body, and until they do the mystery of the Ineffable for them, until they turn them unto a good body, this which is wont to find the mysteries of the Light and inherit the kingdom of the Light. But if should prove them Ieou, and find them having completed their cycle, and it is not lawful for them to turn them unto the World again, and the sign also of the Ineffable is not becoming with them, and is wont to have mercy on them Ieou, he is wont to bring them (close) to the seven Virgins of the Light: they are wont to baptise them (him, MS) in their baptisms, but they are not wont to give to them the spiritual chrism, and they are wont to take them unto the Treasury of the Light, but they are not wont to put them in the array of the inheritance, because that there is not sign nor is there seal [299^b] of the Ineffable with them. But they are wont to be delivered from every punishment, but they are wont to

put them in the Light of the Treasury apart by themselves, even until the catching up of the Universe: and in the time (in) which they will draw (back) the veils of the Treasury of the Light, they are wont to purify those souls again and cleanse them greatly greatly, and give (the) mystery to them again, and put them in the last array which is in the Treasury. And are delivered those souls from all punishments of the judgments.

But these having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples: Did ye understand in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered also Maria, said she, My Lord, this is the word which thou saidst once in a parable [300^a] saying, Put to you a friend out of the mamonas of the unrighteousness, that whenever ye should be left, he should receive you in unto the tabernacle unto age. What therefore is the mamonas of the unrighteousness except the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, which is this, the word, He who will understand the mystery of one of the names of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, whenever he should be left in the Darkness which is outer, or he should complete in the cycle of the change (of the body), and (should) say the name of the dragon, he will be delivered and come up from the Darkness, and they (will) take him unto the Light of the Treasury. This is the word, my Lord. Answered also the Saviour, said he to Maria, Well (done) pure spiritual one, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, is wont the dragon [300^b] of the Darkness which is outer, he is wont to come in unto this World, or is he not wont to come? Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Whenever the light of the sun is

out, it is wont to cover with darkness the dragon: but if the sun should be down from the World, is wont the darkness to remain as curtain for the sun; and is wont the cloud (breath, MS) of the darkness to come in unto the World in the form of a (pillar of) smoke in the night, namely, whenever the sun should draw unto him(self) his rays: for it is impossible for the World to endure the darkness of the dragon in its truth of shape, otherwise it is wont to be dissolved and perish at once. These when had said them the Saviour, added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, yet I seek from thee, and hide not from me. Now therefore, my Lord, Who is he who will compel the man, even until he doth sin? Answered [301^a] the Saviour said he to Maria, The Rulers of the Destiny they are those who compel the man, even until he should do sin. Answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, Are not indeed wont the Rulers, they are wont to come down unto the World and compel the man, even until he should do sin? Answered the Saviour, said he (to) Maria, They are not wont thus to come down unto the World, but are wont the Rulers of the Destiny whenever an ancient soul should come, coming down from them, are wont

the Rulers of that great Destiny, this which (is) in the Place of the head of the Aeons, which Place is that which they are wont to call, The Place of the kingdom of the Adamas, and that Place indeed is that which is in presence of the Virgin of the Light, are wont the Rulers of the Place [301^b] of that head they (he, MS) are wont to give to the ancient soul a cup of forgetfulness out of the seed of the wickedness filled with all lusts which are various, and with every forgetfulness: and as soon as that soul will drink from the cup, she is wont to forget every Place unto which she went, with all the punishments in which she went (through); and is wont that cup of water of forgetfulness, it is wont to become body outside of the soul, and it is wont to become being like to the soul in every form, and being like unto her namely it is this which they are wont to call, The counterfeit spirit. If however it is a new soul they are wont to take out of the sweat of the Rulers, and out of the tears of their eyes, or otherwise indeed out of the breath of their mouth, in one word, if one out of the [302^a] new souls or one of the souls of this kind, if one out of the sweat

it is, are wont the great Rulers of the great Destiny, they are wont to take away of the sweat of all the Rulers of their Aeons, and knead them with one another at once, and divide it and make it into soul, or otherwise indeed if it is dregs of the purifying of the Light, is wont Melkhisedek to take it away from the Rulers; are wont the five great Rulers of the great Destiny, they are wont to knead the dregs upon one another, and divide it and make it into soul after soul, that each of the Rulers of the Aeons, each of them should put his portion in the soul. Because of this therefore they are kneading them up one on another, that they all should belong to the soul. And [302^b] are wont the five great Rulers, whenever they should divide them and make them into souls, they are taking them out the sweat of the Rulers. But if it is one out of the dregs of the purifying of the Light, is wont Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the Light to take her from the Rulers, or otherwise indeed if they are some out of the tears of their eyes, or out of the breath of their mouth, in one word, out of the souls of this kind; whenever the five Rulers, whenever they divide them, and make them into souls; or otherwise indeed

an ancient soul it is, is wont the Ruler also, this who becometh among the heads of the Aeons, he is wont to mingle (knead, MS) the cup of the forgetfulness of the seed of the wickedness, he is wont to knead it with each of the new souls in the [303^a] time (at) which he becometh in the Place of the head. And is wont that cup of forgetfulness, it is wont to become counterfeit spirit to that soul. And it is wont to remain outside of the soul being for vesture unto her, being like to her in every kind, being for vesture sheath outside her. And are wont the five great Rulers of (the) Destiny of the Aeons, and with the Ruler of the disk of the sun with the Ruler of the disk of the moon, they are wont to breathe in unto the midst of that soul, and cometh out of them (her, MS) a portion out of my power, this which the last Helper cast in unto the Confusion. And is wont the portion of that power, it is wont to remain within the soul, being dissolved, becoming upon its own authority in regard to the arrangement, in which they put it for to give sense [303^b] to the soul, that she should seek after the works of the Light of the Height at every time. And is wont that power, it is wont

to be like unto the kind of the soul in every feature, and being similar to her: she is not wont to be able to be outside of the soul, but she is wont to remain within her according as I ordered to her from at first, being about to cast her in unto the First precept, which I ordered to her for her to remain outside of the souls in regard to the arrangement of the First Mystery: wherefore all these words I shall say them unto you in the Distribution (of the Universe) concerning the power and also concerning the soul, in what types they are working them, or which Ruler indeed it is who worketh her, or what is each kind of the souls, so that I shall say them unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, how many there are working the soul. And I shall say unto you the name of all those who work [304^a] the soul, and I shall say unto you the type (in) which they fashion the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, and I shall say unto you the name of the soul, which is not yet purified, and her name also whenever they should purify her, and she (should) become pure. And I shall say unto you the name of the counterfeit spirit, and I shall say unto you the name of the Fate, and I shall say unto

you the name of all the bonds, these in which are wont the Rulers to bind the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul, and I shall say unto you the name of all the Dekans, these which worked the soul in the bodies of the soul which (is) in the World: and I shall say unto you in what manner they are working the souls: and I shall say unto you the type of each of the souls, and I shall say unto you the type [304^b] of the souls of the men, with those of the birds, with those of the wild beasts, with the creeping things: and I shall say unto you the type of all the souls, with those of all the Rulers who sent them unto the World, that ye may become being complete in all knowledge, that they should call you, Those who are complete in all knowledge, with every pleroma. These all I shall say them unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, and after these all I shall say unto you, because of what also these all became. Hear therefore that I may speak with you concerning the soul, according as I said that are wont the five great Rulers of the great Destiny of the Aeons; and with the Rulers of the disk of the sun, with the Rulers of the disk of the moon, they are wont to breathe in