Zostrianos
Nag Hammadi Library VIII 1
(1-132,9)
Translated by John N. Sieber
Note: The small bold numbers represent pages in the original manuscript.
[...] of the [...] the words [...] live forever, these I [...]
Zostrianos [...] and [...] and Iolaos, when I was in the world for
these like me and [those] after me, [the] living elect. As God lives,
[...] the truth with truth and knowledge and eternal light.
After I parted from the somatic darkness in me and the psychic chaos
in mind and the feminine desire [...] in the darkness, I did not
use it again. After I found the infinite part of my matter, then
I reproved the dead creation within me and the divine Cosmocrater
of the perceptible (world) by preaching powerfully about the All
to those with alien parts.
Although I tried their ways for a little while after the necessity
of begetting brought me to the revealed, I was never pleased with
them, but I always separated myself from them because I came into
being through a holy [...], yet mixed. When I had set straight my
sinless soul, then I strengthened 2 the intellectual [...] and I
[...] in the [...] of my God [...] [...] I having done [...] grow
strong in a holy spirit higher than god.
It [came] upon me alone as I was setting myself straight, [and]
I saw the perfect child [...] [...]. With him who [...] many times
and many ways [he] appeared to me as a loving father, when I was
seeking the male father of all (who are) in thought, perception,
(in) form, race, [region ...], (in) an All which restrains and is
restrained, (in) a body yet without a body, (in) essence, matter
and [those that] belong to all these. It is with them and the god
of the unborn Kalyptos and the power [in] them all that existence
is mixed.
(About) existence: how do those who exist, being from the aeon
of those who exist, (come) from an invisible, undivided and self-begotten
spirit? Are they three unborn images having an origin better than
existence, existing prior [to] all [these], yet having become the
[world ...]? How are those opposite it and all these 3 [...] good,
he and an excuse. What is that one"s place? What is his origin?
How does the one from him exist for him and all these? How [does
he come into existence] as a simple one, differing [from] himself?
Does he exist as existence, form, and blessedness? By giving strength
is he alive with life? How has the existence which does not exist
appeared from an existing power?
I pondered these things to understand them; according to the custom
of my race I kept bringing them up to the god of my fathers. I kept
praising them all, for my forefathers and fathers who sought found.
As for me, I did not cease seeking a resting place worthy of my
spirit, since I was not yet bound in the perceptible world. Then,
as I was deeply troubled and gloomy because of the discouragement
which encompassed me, I dared to act and to deliver myself to the
wild beasts of the desert for a violent death.
There stood before me the angel of the knowledge of eternal light.
He said to me, "Zostrianos, why have you gone mad as if you
were ignorant of the great eternals 4 who are above? [...] you [...]
[...] say also [...] that you are now saved, [...] [...] in eternal
death, nor [...] [...] those whom you know in order to [...] save
others, [namely] my father"s chosen elect? [Do you] [suppose]
that you are the father of [your race ...] or that Iolaos is your
father, a [...] angel of god [...] you through holy men? Come and
pass through each of these. You will return to them another [time]
to preach to a living [race ...] and to save those who are worthy,
and to strengthen the elect, because the struggle of the aeon is
great but one"s time in this world is short."
When he had said this [to me], I very quickly and very gladly
went up with him to a great light-cloud. I cast my body upon the
earth to be guarded by glories. I was rescued from the whole world
and the thirteen aeons in it and their angelic beings. They did
not see us, but their archon was disturbed at [our] passage, for
the light-cloud 5 [...] it is better than every [worldly ...] one.
Its beauty is ineffable. With strength it provides light [guiding]
pure spirits as a spirit-savior and an intellectual word, [not]
like those in the world [...] with changeable matter and an upsetting
word.
Then I knew that the power in me was set over the darkness because
it contained the whole light. I was baptized there, and I received
the image of the glories there. I became like one of them. I left
the airy-[earth] and passed by the copies of the aeons, after washing
there seven times [in] living [water], once for each [of the] aeons.
I did not cease until [I saw] all the waters. I ascended to the
Exile which really exists. I was baptized and [...] world. I ascended
to the Repentance which really exists [and was] baptized there four
times. I passed by the 6 sixth aeon. I ascended to the [...] I stood
there after having seen light from the truth which really exists,
from its self-begotten root, and great angels and glories, [...]
number.
I was baptized in the [name of] the divine Autogenes by those
powers which are [upon] living waters, Michar and Micheus. I was
purified by [the] great Barpharanges. Then they [revealed] themselves
to me and wrote me in glory. I was sealed by those who are on these
powers, [Michar] Mi[ch]eus, Seldao, Ele[nos] and Zogenethlos. I
became a root-seeing angel and stood upon the first aeon which is
the fourth. With the souls I blessed the divine Autogenes and the
forefather Geradamas, [an eye of] the Autogenes, the first perfect
[man], and Seth Emm[acha Seth], the son of Adamas, the [father of]
the [immovable race ...] and the [four] [lights ... ]
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Mirothea, the mother [...] [...] and Prophania [...] of the lights
and De-[...] 7 [...]
I was [baptized] for the second time in the name of the divine
Autogenes by these same powers. I became an angel of the male race.
I stood upon the second aeon which is the third, with the sons of
Seth I blessed each of them.
I was baptized for the third time in the name of the divine Autogenes
by each of these powers. I became a holy angel. I stood upon the
third aeon which is the second. I blessed each of them.
I was baptized for the fourth time by [each of] these powers.
I became [a] perfect [angel] [I stood upon] the fourth aeon [which
is the first], and [I blessed each of them.]
Then I sought [...] I said [...] I [...] of [...] I
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[...] why [...] [...] with power [...] about them in another way
in the reports 8 of men? Are these their powers? Or, are these the
ones, but their names differ from one another? Are there souls different
from souls? Why are people different from one another? What and
in what way are they human?"
The great ruler on high, Authrounios, said to me, "Are you
asking about those whom you have passed by? And about this airy-earth,
why it has a cosmic model? And about the aeon copies, how many there
are, and, why they are [not] in pain? And, about Exile and Repentance
and the creation of the [aeons] and the world which [...] really
[...] you, about [...] me, them [...] nor [...] you [...] invisible
[spirit ...] and the [...] of [...]
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and [...] [...] when I [...]
9 The great ruler on high, Authrounios, said to me, "The
airy-earth came into being by a word, yet it is the begotten and
perishable ones whom it reveals by its indestructibility. In regard
to the coming of the great judges, (they came) so as not to taste
perception and to be enclosed in creation, and when they came upon
it and saw through it the works of the world, they condemned its
ruler to death because he was a model of the world, a [...] and
an origin of matter begotten of lost darkness.
When Sophia looked at [...] them she produced the darkness, as
she [... she] is beside the [... he is a] model [...] of essence
[...] form [...] to an image [...] I [...] the All
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[...] darkness [...] [...] say [...] powers [... aeons] of [creation
...] to see any of the eternal ones. 10 he saw a reflection. In
relation to the reflection which he saw in it, he created the world.
With a reflection of a reflection he worked at producing the world,
and then even the reflection belonging to visible reality was taken
from him. But to Sophia a place of rest was given in exchange for
her repentance. Thus, there was in her no prior reflection, pure
in itself beforehand.
After they had already come into being through it, he used his
imagination (and) produced the remainder, for the image of Sophia
was always being lost because her countenance was deceiving. But
the Archon [...] and made a body which [...] concerning the greater
[...] down [...] when I saw [...] to the heart [...]
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he having [...]
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perfect through [...]
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[...] through him, as he 11 [revealed] the destruction of the world
by his [immutability]. It is in the following way that the copies
of the aeons exist. They have not obtained a single power"s
shape. It is eternal glories that they possess, and they dwell in
the judgment seats of each of the powers.
But when souls are illuminated by the light in them and (by) the
model which often comes into being in them without suffering, she
did not think that she saw [...] and the eternal [...] in the blessed
[...] each single one [...] each of [...] light [... all], and she
[...] whole, and she [...] and a [...] and she [...] she who
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of repentance. [Souls] 12 are located according to the power they
have in themselves, [...] lower are produced by the copies. Those
who receive a model of their souls are still in the world. They
came into being after the departure of the aeons, one by one, and
they are removed one by one from the copy of Exile to the Exile
that really exists, from the copy of Repentance to the Repentance
that really exists, [and from the] copy of Autogenes to [the Autogenes]
that really exists. The remainder [...] the souls [...] exist in
a [...] all [...] of aeons [...]
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and [...] [through ... ] the [...]
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of [...] these [...] 13 [blessed the] god above, the great aeons,
the unborn Kalyptos, the great male Protophanes, the perfect child
who is higher than god, and his eye, Pigeradamas.
I called upon the Child of the Child, Ephesech. He stood before
me and said, "O angel of god, O son of the father, [...] the
perfect man. Why are you calling on me and asking about those things
which you know, as though you were [ignorant] of them?" And
I said, "I have asked about the mixture [...] it is perfect
and gives [...] there is power which [has ... those] in which we
receive baptism [...] these names are [different ...] and why [...]
from one [...] in the [... from] others [...] men [... different]
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14 He said, "[Zost]rianos, listen about these [...] for the
first [...] origins are three because they have appeared in a single
origin [of] the Barbelo aeon, not like some origins and powers,
nor like (one) from an origin and power. It is to every origin that
they have appeared; they have strengthened every power; and they
appeared from that which is far better than themselves. These (three)
are Existence, Blessedness and Life. [...] [...] their companions
[...] in a [...] and concerning the [...] having named [...] more
than [...] and [...] a perfect [...] from a
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15 And a water of each one of them [...] ; therefore [...] waters
are the perfect ones. It is the water of life that belongs to Vitality
in which you now have been baptized in the Autogenes. It is in the
[water] of Blessedness which belongs to Knowledge that you will
be baptized in the Protophanes. It is the water of Existence [which]
belongs to Divinity, the Kalyptos. Now the water of Life [exists
in relation to ...] power; that belonging to Blessedness in relation
to essence; that belonging to [Divinity] in relation to [Existence
...]. But all these [...] authority and [...] those who [...] water
which [becomes pure ...] [...] according to [... when they] depart
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[...] 16 Existence as [he] is in it. [He] not only [was dwelling]
in Thought, but he also [...] them that it is he who is [Being]
in the following way. In order that this world might not be endless
and formless, he placed a [...] over it; but in order that [he]
might become something, the truly young crossed it with what is
his, [thus] Existence. It is with the [son] that he is located,
with him that he seeks, him that he surrounds [...] everywhere [...]
from the truth [...] takes him who [...] exists [...] activity [...]
life [...] his word also [...] are these after [...] they became
[...]
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[...] 17 and the power is with the Essence and Existence of Being,
when the water exists. But the name in which they wash is a word
of the water. Then the first perfect water of the triple-power of
the Autogenes [is] the perfect soul"s life, for it is a word
of the perfect god while coming into being [...] for the Invisible
Spirit is a fountain of them all. Thus, the rest are from [knowledge
...] as his likeness. [But] he who knows himself [...] what kind
and what [...] alive at one time [...] live with a [...] he is the
[...] life, in the [...] become [limitless ... ] his [... his] [own
... ] the name
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18 he really exists. It is he because he limits himself. They approach
the water according to this single power and the likeness of order.
The great male invisible Mind, the perfect Protophanes has his
own water as you [will see] when you arrive at his place. This is
also the case with the unborn Kalyptos. In accordance with each
one exists a partial entity with a first form, so that they might
become perfect in this way; for the self-begotten aeons are four
perfect entities. [The] individuals of the all-perfect ones [...]
them as perfect individuals. And the [...] aeon [...] of the Autogenes
[...] for all [...] [perfect] male [...] for the alls [...] [perfect
god ... the triple-] male [...] [perfect] individual [...] in the
[...]
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19 perfect, those who exist according to a form, a race, an All
and a partial difference. This is also the case with the highway
of ascent which is higher than perfect and Kalyptos.
The Autogenes is the chief archon of his own aeons and angels
as his parts, for those who are the four individuals belong to him;
they belong to the fifth aeon together. The fifth exists in one;
the four [are] the fifth, part by part. But these [four] are complete
individually [because they] have a [...] it is also [...] with [the
triple male] individual [...] for he is a [...] of [...] god, the
invisible [Protophanes] [... male] mind [...] which exists
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20 living and perfect parts.
(About) the All and the all-perfect race and the one who is higher
than perfect and blessed. The self-begotten Kalyptos pre-exists
because he is an origin of the Autogenes, a god and a forefather,
a cause of the Protophanes, a father of the parts that are his.
As a divine father he is foreknown: but he is unknown, for he is
a power and a father from himself. Therefore, he is [fatherless].
The Invisible Triple Powerful, First Thought [of] all [these], the
Invisible Spirit [...] is a [...] and Essence which [...] and Existence
[...] there are [existences] the [...] blessed [...] the [...] all
these [...] the [...]
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21 exist in them, [and] they [...] in others [...] by them all in
many places. They are in every place that he loves and desires,
yet they are not in any place. They have capacity for spirit, for
they are incorporeal yet are better than incorporeal. They are undivided
with living thoughts and a power of truth with those purer than
these since with respect to him they are purer and are not like
the bodies which are in one place. Above all, they have necessity
either in relation to the All or to a part. Therefore, the way of
ascent [...] it is pure [...] each [...] herself and
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[...] them
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[... above all]
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22 particular aeons.
Then [he said], "How then can he contain an eternal model?
The general intellect shares when the self-begotten water becomes
perfect. It one knows him and all these, one is the protophanic
water. If one joins oneself with all these, one is that water which
belongs to Kalyptos, whose image is still in the aeons. To understand
individually all their parts, they are [...] , those of the All
where knowledge is. They have [separated] from the one whom they
knew and (from) fellowship with one another. The All and all these,
when they [...] wash in the [washing of] [Autogenes] he [...] of
[...]
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23 he appears to [him], that is, when one knows how he exists for
him and (how) he has fellowship with their companions, one has washed
in the washing of Protophanes. And if in understanding the origin
of these, how they all appear from a single origin, how all who
are joined come to be divided, how those who are divided join again,
and how the parts [join with] the alls and the species and [kinds
- if] one understands these things, one has washed in the washing
of Kalyptos.
According to each of [the] places one has a portion of the eternal
ones [and] ascends [...] as he [...] pure and simple, he is always
[...] one of the [...] [always] he is pure for simpleness. He is
filled [...] [in ...] Existence and a holy spirit. There is 24 nothing
of his outside of him. He can [see] with his perfect soul those
who belong to Autogenes; with his mind , those who belong to the
Triple Male, and with his holy spirit, those who belong to Protophanes.
He can learn of Kalyptos through the powers of the spirit from whom
they have come forth in a far better revelation of the Invisible
Spirit. And by means of thought which now is in silence and by First
Thought (he learns) of the Triple Powerful Invisible Spirit, since
there is then a report and power of silence which is purified in
a life-giving spirit. (It is) perfect and [...] perfect and all-perfect.
Glories, therefore, which are set over these, are [life-givers]
who have been baptized in truth and knowledge. Those who are worthy
are guarded, but those who [are] not from this race [...] and go
[...] these who [...] [...] in the fifth, he being [...] [...] copy
[...] of the aeons [...] namely a washing but if [he] strips off
the world 25 and lays aside [knowledge], and (if) he is he who has
no dwelling place and power, then because he follows the ways of
the others, he is also a sojourner, but (if) he is one who has committed
no sin because knowledge was sufficient for him, he is not anxious
when he repents, and then washings are appointed" in these
in addition.
(Concerning) (the path ...) to the self-begotten ones, those in
which you have now been baptised each time, (a path) worthy of seeing
the [perfect ...] individuals: it serves as knowledge of the All
since it came into being from the powers of the self-begotten ones,
the one you acquire when you pass through the all-perfect aeons.
When you receive the third washing [...], you will learn about the
[...] really [...] in [that] place.
About these names, they are as follows: because he is one, they
[...] is like [...] while he [came into being ...] exists and [...]
a word they [said ...] 26 This is a name which really exists together
with [these] within her. These who exist do so in [...] ... resembles.
His resemblance in kind (is) within what is his own. He can see
it, understand it enter it, (and) take a resemblance from it. Now
(they can) speak aloud and hear sounds, but they are unable to obey
because they are perceptible and somatic. Therefore, just as they
are able to contain them by containing them thus, so is he an image
which is [...] in this way, having come into existence in perception
[by] a word which is better than material nature but lower than
intellectual essence.
Do not be amazed about the differences among souls. When they
think they are different and do [not resemble] [...] of those who
[...] and that [...] aloud [...] he being lost [...] their [souls]
[...] body, and that [... his] time, he [...] a desire, 27 their
souls exist as [...] their body. As for those who are totally pure,
there are four [...] that they possess; but those [in] time are
nine. Each one of them has its species and its custom. Their likenesses
differ in being separated, and they stand.
Other immortal souls associate with all these souls because of
the Sophia who looked down; for there are three species of immortal
soul: first, those who have taken root upon the Exile because they
have no ability to beget, (something) that only those who follow
the ways of the others have, the one being a single species which
[...]; being second, those who stand [upon the] Repentance which
[...] sin, (it) being sufficient [... knowledge ...] being new [...]
and he has [...] difference [...] they have sinned with the others
[and] 28 they have repented with the others [...] from them alone,
for [...] are species which exist in [...] with those who committed
all sins and repented. Either they are parts, or they desired of
their own accord. Therefore, their other aeons are six according
to the place which has come to each (fem.) of them. The third (species)
is that of the souls of the self-begotten ones because they have
a word of the ineffable truth, one which exists in knowledge and
[power] from themselves alone and eternal [life]. They have four
differences like the species of angels who exist: those who love
the truth; those who hope; those who believe having [...]; those
who are [...] They exist, he being [...] the self-begotten ones
[...] he is the one belonging to [perfect ... life]; the second
is [...] the [...] knowledge [...] the fourth is that one [belonging
to the] immortal [souls ...]
29 The four Lights dwell [there] in the following way. [Armozel]
is placed upon the first aeon. (He is) a promise of god, [...] of
truth and a joining of soul. Oroiael, a power (and) seer of truth,
is set over the second. Daveithe, a vision of knowledge, is set
over the third. Eleleth, an eager desire and preparation for truth,
is set over the fourth. The four exist because they are expressions
of truth and knowledge. They exist, although they do not belong
to Protophanes but to the mother, for she is a thought of the perfect
mind of the light, so that immortal souls might receive knowledge
for themselves. [...] at these, the Autogenes [...]rse[...]oas,
a life [...] all he is a word [...] ineffable [...] truth he who
says [... revelation] concerning the [...] that it exists as [...]
exists above in [...] 30 [... joined] in a yoking of it in light
and thought within his [...].
Since Adamas, the perfect man, is an eye of Autogenes, it is his
knowledge which comprehends that the divine Autogenes is a word
of the perfect mind of truth. The son of Adam, Seth, comes to each
of the souls. As knowledge he is sufficient for them. Therefore,
[the] living [seed] came into existence from him. Mirothea is [...]
the divine Autogenes, a [...] from her and [...], she being a thought
of the perfect mind because of that existence of hers. What is it?
Or did she exist? [...] does she exist? Therefore, the divine Autogenes
is word and knowledge, and the knowledge [... word.] Therefore [...]
Adarn a [s ...] of the [simple ones] when she appeared [...] a change
of [the] souls [...] she herself is [...] [...] perfect.
Concerning the [perfect one ...] angelic beings 31 [...] [becomes
then] [souls] [die ...] [... the world ...] [...] the copies [...]
really [...] which [exists] [...] repentance [...] to this place
[...] which exists [...] aeons, if [...] and she loves [...] she
stands upon [...] aeon having the Light [Ele]leth [...] become a
[...] god-seer [But] if she hopes, then she perceives. And a [...]
race [...] she stands upon
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32 [...] she is chosen
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[...] light Ar[mozel]
[...] one [...] [bless] upon the [power ...] you stand upon [...]
the light which [...] and without measure [...] the aeon is great
[...] [...] those alone [...] from the perfect [...] that power
[...] be able, and [...] be able [...] of his soul [...] perceptible
[...] not with [...] [... but] you are [...] individually [...]
there being nothing [...] him [...] which he [...]
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[in ...] 33 and [...] upon every one [...] every [...] [...] formless
[...] [...] and this one [...] and this [model ...] [...] and some
[...] eternal, nor [...] an all [...] increasing from this [...]
he is light [...] because he lacked [...] the perfect mind [...]
undivided [...] perfect light [...] and he is in [...] Adamas [...
the] Autogenes [...] and he goes [...] mind [...] the divine Kalyptos
[...] knowledge [...] but [...] soul
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34 [...] existence [...] she having
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[...] some second powers and [...] and some third [...] appear [...]
which [...]
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soul [...]
And the aeons [...] dwelling place [...] souls and [...] gods
[...] higher than god [...] of the self-begotten ones [...] Autogenes
[...] first [...] angel [...] invisible [...] some [...] soul and
[...] aeons [...] and to the souls [...] angel [...]
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35 she [...] eternal [...] times. And [...]
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and if [...] namely a soul [...] becomes an [angel ...], and [...]
world [...] angels and [...] that holy one [...] and aeon which
[... Autog]enes has [...] them, the [...] [...] archon [...] they
have [...] difference which [...] she is not, to speak
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[...] and [...] divine Autogenes [...] which exists [...] hear [...]
Autogenes [...] of
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36 [...] has [...] existence [...] life [...] exist, concerning
[the] [...] word [...] the child [...] male for a generation [...]
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invisible spirit [...] in the perfect [...]
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and an origin [...] love and [...] of Barbelo [...] and a [...]
the [...] mind [...]
These are two [...] thought [...] from the [...] in Barbelo [...]
and the Kalyptos [...] all these [...] the virgin [...] she [appears]
in a [...] and [...]
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37 in that one [...] power
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[he is not] from [him, but ...] (is) from the power of that one
[... really ... exists], she [...] is his [...] they being first
[...] of that one [...] and he is the [...] he alone [...] give
him enough [...] to him [...] all, he gives [...] through the [...]
for [because of] him some [...] in order that he might [...] and
that one which [...] him [...] undivided [...] Barbelo [...] in
order that he might [...] blessedness
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[...] all [...] he comes
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38 a [...] of the perfect [mind ...] and he [...] perfect spirit
[...] perfect, he lives forever [...] him, and [...] he exists [...]
of the [...] he is [a word] from [...] which is in [...] of them
all [...] eternal [...] [...] in the triple-[powerful is in the
[...] [...] those which [are perfect [...] the Protophanes [...]
mind, but [...] pure[...] and he [...] of an image [...] appear
[...] and the [...]
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him [...]
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39 [...] [...] namely
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[...] because of him they [...] I mark it [...] he is simple [...]
for he is [...] as he exists [...] as to another [...] that is,
[...] need.
Concerning [...] triple-male [...] really exists of [...] mind
knowledge [...] those who exist [...] which he has [...] really
exist [...] and a [...] [...] and she [...] second [...] perfect
which [...] appear [...] in him they [...] Kalyptos
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[... species ...]
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40 (4 lines unrecoverable)
second species [...] a knowledge [...] [Protophanes ...] [male ...]
he has [...] existence [...] unborn, they [...] third [...] [...
he] has [...] knowledge and [...] exist together [...] all-perfect
[...] blessed since there is not [...]
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god [...] with him [...]
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perfect [...] of the [...] Kalyptos [...]
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41 [...] know [...] of [... Protophanes ...] [...] the mind [...]
the powers [...] the all [...] and he [exists] [...] this knowledge.
[...] divine, the Autogenes. [The] divine [Autogenes] [...] the
child [...] triple-male, this male [...] is [...] and a species
[...] perfect because it does not have [...] in a [...] knowledge
like that one [...] a being of the individuals [and] a single knowledge
of the individuals [...] according to the all [...] perfect. But
the male [...] mind the Kalyptos, [but] the [...] divine Kalyptos
[...] and a power [...] of all these [... really ...]
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[Protophanes ...]
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42 [Protophanes ...] [...] mind
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she who belongs to the all [...] unborn [...] man [...] they [...]
with that one who [...] and he who [...] he who dwells [...] [...]
in the perceptible [world ...] he is alive with that dead one [...]
[...] all [...] obtain salvation [...] that dead one.
And all of them did not need salvation [...] first, but they are
safe and exist very humbly. Now (about) the man [of] those who are
dead: his soul, [his mind and his body all [are dead]. Sufferings
[...] fathers of [...] material [...] the fire [...]
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43 it crosses over. And the second man is the immortal soul in those
who are dead. If it is anxious over itself, then [when it seeks]
those things which are profitable [according to ...] each one of
them, [then it] experiences bodily suffering. They [...] and it
[... because] it has an eternal god, it associates with daimons.
Now concerning the man in the Exile; when he discovers the truth
in himself, he is far from the deeds of the others who exist [wrongly]
(and) stumble. (Concerning) the man who repents: when he renounces
the dead and desires those things which are because of immortal
mind and his immortal soul, first he [...] makes an inquiry about
it, not about conduct but about their deeds, for from him he [...]
[...] and [...] obtain [...] 44 and the man who can be saved is
the one who seeks him and his mind and who finds each one of them.
Oh how much power he has! And the man who is saved is the one who
has not known how these [...] exist, but he himself by means of
[the] word as it exists [...] received each one [...] in every place,
having become simple and one, for then he is saved because he can
pass through all [these]. He becomes the [...] all these. If he
[desires] again, then he parts from them all, and he withdraws to
himself [alone]; for he can become divine by having taken refuge
in god."
When I heard this, I brought a blessing to the living and unborn
God in truth and (to) the unborn Kalyptos and the Protophanes, the
invisible, male, perfect Mind, and the invisible triple-male Child
[and to the] divine Autogenes. 45 I said to the child of the child
Ephesek who was with me, "Can your wisdom instruct me about
the scattering of the man who is saved, and (about) those who are
mixed with him, and who those are who share with him, in order that
the living elect might know?"
Then the child of the child Ephesek told [me ...] openly, "If
he withdraws to himself alone many times, and if he comes into being
with reference to the knowledge of the others, Mind and the immortal
[Origin] will not understand. Then it has a shortage, [...] for
he turns, has nothing and separates from it and stands [...] and
comes into being by an alien [impulse ...I, instead of becoming
one. Therefore, he bears many forms. When he turns aside, he comes
into being seeking those things that do not exist. When he falls
down to them in thought and knows them in another way because he
is powerless, unless perhaps 46 he is enlightened, he becomes a
product of nature. Thus he comes down to birth because of it and
is speechless because of the pains and infiniteness of matter. Although
he possesses an eternal and immortal power, he is bound within the
[movement] of the body. He is [made] alive and is bound [always]
within cruel, cutting bonds by every evil breath, until he [acts]
again and begins again to come to his senses.
Therefore, powers are appointed for their salvation, and each
one of them is in the world. Within the self-begotten ones corresponding
to each of the [aeons] stand glories so that one who is in the [world]
might be safe beside them. The glories are perfect thoughts appearing
in powers. They do not perish because they [are] models for salvation
[by] which each one is saved. He receives a model (and) strength
from each of them, and with the glory as a helper he will thus pass
out from the world [and the aeons ...].
These 47 are the guardians of the immortal soul: Gamaliel and
Strempsouchos, Akramas and Loel, and Mnesinous. [This is the] immortal
spirit, Yesseus- Mazareu[s]-Ye[s]sedekeus. He is [...] of the child
[...] or, the child of the child, and [...] But Ormos is [...] on
the living seed and Kam[...]el is the spirit-giving. There stand
before [them] Seisauel and Audael and Abrasax, the myriads-Phaleris,
Phalses, [and] Eurios, the guardians of [the] glory-Stetheus, Theo[pe]mptos,
Eurumeneus and Olsen. Their assistants in everything are Ba[...]mos,
[.]son, Eir[.]n, Lalameus, Eidomeneus and Authrounios. The judges
are Sumphthar, Eukrebos and Keilar. The inheritor is Samblo. The
angels who guide the clouds are the clouds Sappho and Thouro."
When he had said these things, he told me about all of those in
the self-begotten aeons. They were all 48 eternal Lights, perfect
because they were perfected individually. I saw corresponding to
each one of the aeons a living earth, a living water, [air made]
of light and a fire [that] cannot burn, because all of [them ...]
are simple and immutable, simple and eternal [living beings], having
[...] of many kinds, trees of many kinds that do not perish, [also]
tares of this sort and all of these: imperishable fruit, living
men and every species, immortal souls, every form and species of
mind, true gods, angels existing in great glory, an indissoluable
body, an unborn birth and an immovable perception. Also there was
the one who suffers, although he is unable to suffer, for he was
a power of a power.
49 [...] [...] change [...] indissoluable [...] these [...] all
[...] they are [...] they [... through all] of them [... exist]
in [... exist] [...] come into being
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(lines 12ff do not survive) 50 of [...] [simple ...] perfect [...]
eternal [...] aeons [...] and the [...] receive power [...] and
their [...] in a [...] for [...] [...] not [...] (lines 12ff do
not survive)
51 [...] in [...]thorso[...]s [...] silence [...] he is [...]
[...] he is god [...] we were blessing [...] Geradama[s] [... mother]
of [...] [...] she is the glory [...] our [...] mother [...] and
Pleistha [the mother] of the angels with [the son] of Adam, Se[th]
[Emma]cha Seth, the father of [the] immovable [race ...] and [...]
[the] four Lights, Arm[mosel], [Oroia]el, Daveithe, Eleleth. [Each
of these] we blessed by name. [We] saw the self-controlled [glory],
the triple [...] triple-male [...] majesty, as we said "You
are one, you are [one], you are one, child 52 of [the child] Yato[...]
exist [...]
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[... you are] one, you [...] Semelel [...] Telmachae[...] omothem[...]
male [...] [...] he begets [... the] self-controlled [glory ...]
can desire him whom [...] all-perfect [...] all. Akron [...] the
triple-male, a a [...] o o o o o b + i r e i s e [...] you are spirit
from spirit; you are light from light; you are [silence ...] from
silence; [you are] thought from thought, the son of [god] the god,
seven ... [...] ... let us speak [...]
53 (3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] word [...] the [...] [...] and the [...]
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[...] not a time [...] invisible Barbelo [...] the [...] the triple-male
Prones, and she who belongs to all the glories, Youel.
[When I was] baptized the fifth [time] in the name of the Autogenes
by each of these powers, I became divine. [I] stood upon the fifth
aeon, a preparation of all [these], (and) saw all those belonging
to the Autogenes who really exist. I was baptized five 54 times
[...] and [...] of the [...] zareu[s] from [...] that [...] perfect
[...] and the great [...] glory, she who belongs to [...]
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god, the [...] appear [...] perfect which is doubled [...] she who
belongs to all the species [...] male, the self-controlled glory,
the mother [...] [the] glories, Youel, and the [four] Lights of
[the] [great] Protophanes, Mind, Selmen, [and those] with him, the
god-[revealers] Zach[thos] and Yachthos, Sethe[us] and An-tiphan[te]s,
[Sel-] dao and Ele[n]nos [...] 55 [...] [...] go [...] the [...]
their [...] likeness [... exist] as [...] of the [...], for [...]
see [...] [...] aeon [...] more [...] Light [...] more glories [...]
the following are in accordance with [each one] of the aeons: a
living [earth] and a [living] water, and air made of light and a
blazing fire which cannot [burn], and living beings and trees and
souls [and] minds and men [and] all those who are [with them], but
(there are) no gods [or] powers or angels, for all these 56 are
[...] and [...] and [...] exist [...] all [...] all [...] [...]
all [...] [...] they being [...] and they being [...]
[...] and [...] [and] those [...] him, the Autogenes. [I] received
a likeness from [all] these. The aeons [of the] Autogenes opened
(and) a [great Light] came forth [...] from the aeons of the [triple-]
male, and they [glorified] them. The four aeons were desiring within
a [...] aeon the [...] pattern [...] single one existing [...] Then
E[phesek], the child of the child [...]
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[... Yesseus] Maza [reus Yessede]keus [...] [...] of [... seal ...]
upon him [...] and Gabriel
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[...] seal [...] four races
There came before me she who belongs to [the glories], the male
and [virginal ...] Yoel. [I] deliberated about the crowns, (and)
she said to me, "Why [has] your spirit deliberated [about]
the crowns and the [seals] on them [...] are the crowns which strengthen
every [spirit ...] and every soul, and [the] seals which are [upon]
the triple races and [...] the invisible spirit 58 are [...]
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and [...] [virgin ...] [...] and [...] [...] seek [...] [...]in
the[...] [in] them [...] [...] and [...] [...] he [strengthened]
and the seals [...] race are those belonging to the Autogenes and
the Protophanes and the Kalyptos.
The [Invisible] Spirit [is] a psychic and intellectual power,
a knower and a fore-knower. Therefore he is with [Gabriel] the spirit-giver
[so that] when he gives a holy spirit he might seal him with the
crown and crown him, [having] gods [...] 59 [...] [...] the
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[...] the
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[...] [...] spirit [...] to one (fem.)
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[...] they exist [...] and they were not [in] them in order that
they might [become] simple and [might] not be doubled [according
to] any pattern. [These] then are the simple, perfect individuals.
[...] and all these [...] of the aeons [...] him, all these [...]
who exist in a place [...] all-perfect it required a great [...]
to see them, for [...]
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perfect [...]
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[...] every [...] exist [...] he is [...] [hear] him [...] [...]
and [...] in thought [...] a first thought [...] since [...] is
in a power she is perfect [...] it is fitting for you to [...] about
everything, and [...] those to whom you will listen through a thought
of those higher than perfect and also those whom you will [know]
in a soul [of] the perfect ones."
[When] she has said this, she [baptized me]
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[...] the first [... and] I received power
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[... I] received the form [...] received [...] [...] existing upon
my [...] receive a holy spirit [I] came into being [really] existing.
Then, she brought me into the great [aeon] where the perfect triple-male
(is). I saw the invisible child within an invisible Light. Then
[she] baptized me again in
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[...] her [...]
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[and] I [...] I was able to [...] [...] the great one [...] and
perfect [...]
Yoel who belongs to all [the glories] said to me, "You have
[received] all the [baptisms] in which it is fitting to [be] baptized,
and you have become [perfect] [...] the hearing of [...] all. Now
[call] again upon Salamex and [...] and the all-perfect Ar[...]
the Lights of the [aeon] Barbelo and the immeasurable knowledge.
They will reveal 63 [...] [...] invisible
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[...] which [...] [... virgin] Barbelo [and] the Invisible [triple]
powerful Spirit."
[When] Youel who belongs to all the glories [had said this] to
me, she [put me down] and went and stood before the Protophanes.
Then, I was [...] over my spirit, [while] praying fervently to the
great Lights in thought. I began calling upon Salamex and Se- [...]en
and the all-perfect [...]e. I saw glories which are greater than
powers, [and] they annointed me. I was able 64 [...] in my [...]
and[...]
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she covered [...] all [...] Salamex [and] those [who] have revealed
everything [to me] saying, "Zostrianos, [learn] of those things
about which you asked.
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and [he is] a single one [who] exists before [all] these who really
exist [in the] immeasurable and undivided Spirit [...] [...] the
All which [exists] in him and the [...] [...] and that one which
[...] after him. It is he alone who crosses it [...]
65 (4 lines unrecoverable)
[...] all these [...] he is [...] [...] first [...] [... of] thought
[...] of every power [... downward] [...] he is established [...]
stand, he [passes] into the pathway to a place [...] and infinite.
He is far higher than every unattainable one, yet he gives [...]
greater than any body (and) is purer than every unembodied one,
entering every thought and every body [because he] is more powerful
than everything, every race and species, as their All. 66 [...]
exist
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to a partial (...] [...] part [...] [exist] in a [...] know her
[...] [...he is] from him [...] which really exists, who (is) from
the Spirit who [really] exists, the one alone [...] for they are
powers of [...] Existence [...] and Life and Blessedness.
In Existence he exists [as] a simple head, his [word] and species.
Let the one who will find him come into existence. Existing in Life,
he is alive [...]
67 (2 lines unrecoverable)
[he having] knowledge [...] know all these [...] him alone [...]
for god [...] unless [...] [...] alone, and he [...] [...] in him
[...] [...] the single [...] [...] for he exists as [...] [in] that
which is his, which [exists] as a form of a form, [...] unity of
the [...]. He exists as [the] [...] since he is in [the] mind. He
is within it, not coming forth to any place because he is a single
perfect, simple spirit. [Because] it is his place and [...], it
is within him and the All that he comes into being. It is he who
exists, he who 68 [...] [...] and a [...] and a [protector] in him.
Life [...] and activity of the insubstantial [...] the [...] which
exists in him [exists] in him [...] exists because of [him ...]
blessed and a [...] perfect, and [...] which exist in [...] which
really exists. The form of the activity which exists is blessed.
By receiving Existence, he receives power, the [...] a perfection
[...] separate forever. Then he exists as a perfect one. Therefore,
he exists as a perfect one because he is undivided with his own
region, for nothing exists before him except the [perfect] unity.
(Pages 69-72 are blank; they may have been numbered.)
73 existence [...] [...] she is salvation [...] [all ...] and
he [...] [...] be able, nor does he [...] [...] him, if he [...]
him to him, all these [...] [...] for he [who] [...] in existence
[...] this one, he totally [exists] as Life, and in Blessedness
he has knowledge. If he apprehends the [glories], he is perfect;
but if he apprehends [two] or one, he is drunk, as he has received
[from] him. It is because of [him] that there exist those with souls
and those without souls; because of him (exist) those who will be
saved; because of him (exist) those who will [perish] since they
have not [received] from him; because of [him] (exists) matter and
bodies; because of him (exist) non- 74 [...] [because of] him [...]
every [...] because of [...] [...] this one [...] who [pre-] exists
and he [...] [...] a [simple] head, [a] single spirit [...] he is
[...], and [...] existence, form, [...] [...] of him.
It is [in accordance with] Activity, that is [...] Life, and in
accordance with perfection, that is intellectual power, that she
is a [...] Light. It is at one time that the three stand, at one
time they move. It is in every place yet not in any place that the
ineffable unnameable one [...] and produces them all. [...] exist
from him[...] resting in him [...] in her perfection he has not
received from [every] form 75 because of him
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[...] anything [...]
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[...] in existence [...] dwell in the [...] of life. But in perfection
and [knowledge] (is) Blessedness.
All [these] dwell [in the] indivisibility of [the] Spirit. Because
of knowledge [...] is [divinity] and [...] and blessedness and life
and knowledge and goodness and unity and singleness. In short, all
these (are) the purity of barrenness [...] pre-exists him [...]
all these and the 76 [...] his [...] [...] in [...]
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aeon, a [...] in a [...] barrenness, he [...] he always [...] him
when he saw him [...] It is because he [is] one that he is simple.
Because he is Blessedness in perfection [...] one, perfect and [blessed].
It is because she was in need of his [...] that she was in need
of this from him, because he followed [her] with knowledge. It is
outside of him that his knowledge dwells; it dwells with the one
who examines himself, a reflection and a [...] 77 [...] be in need
of [...]
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[...] simple
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[...] and [...] he [...] [...] this, she [...] [...] the pleroma
[...] which she did not desire for herself.
She has [...] him outside of the [perfection], she has divided,
for she is [the] all-perfection [of] perfection, existing as thought.
With respect to him [she] is a begetting which follows him, and
as one from his ineffable power she has a first power and the first
bar-reness after him, because with respect to all the rest a first
aeon
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[all ...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] of the [...] [...] and him [...] know him, he really exists
as an aeon [...] and in Activity [...] power and a [...] she did
not begin [...] time, but she [appeared] from eternity, having stood
before him in eternity. She was darkened by the majesty of his [...]
She stood looking at him and rejoicing because she was filled with
his kindness, [...] but when she had [...]
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[...] she [...] [...] first existence [...] insubstantial and that
[....] It is [from] the undivided one that [it] moves toward Existence
in activity and [intellectual] perfection and intellectual life,
which was Blessedness and Divinity.
The [whole] Spirit, perfect, simple and invisible, has become
singleness in Existence and activity and a simple triple-[power],
an invisible spirit, an image of that which really exists, the one
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of the really [existing] one [...] [he] exists in a [...] she being
an image [...] in a turning [...] power to join with his [...] she
having seen the [...] which existed [...] all-perfection [...] that
one, because he [...] pre-exist and [...] rest upon all these, he
[...] pre-exist being known as triple-powerful.
The Invisible Spirit has not ever [been) ignorant. He always knew,
but he was always perfection [and] blessedness [....] 81 She became
ignorant [...] and she [...] body and [...] promise [...] light
[...] [...] she exists [...] [...] in order that she might not come
forth anymore nor come into existence apart from perfection. She
knew herself and him. Having made herself stand, she was at rest
because of him, since she was [from] him who really exists, {she
was from him who really exists) and all those. (Thus), she knows
herself and him who pre-exists.
By following him they came into being existing { they came into
being existing) and appearing through those 82 [who pre-]exist.
And [...] through the [...] they having appeared [...] two [...]
they appeared [... the one] who knows him beforehand, as an eternal
space, since he had become his second knowledge, once again the
knowledge of his knowledge, the unborn Kalyptos. [They] stood upon
him who really exists, for she knew about him, in order that those
who follow her might come into being having a place and that those
who come forth (from her) might not be before her but might become
holy (and) simple. She is the comprehension of god 83 who pre- [exists.
She] rested [...] to the simple [...] salvation salvation [...]
[...] he [...] [...] light which was fore- [known]. She was called
Barbelo because (of her being) thought; the triple [race] (which
is) male, virginal (and) perfect and her knowledge through which
she came into being in order that they might not [...] her down
and that she might not come forth anymore through those in her and
those who follow her. Rather, she is simple in order that she might
be able to know the god who pre-exists because she came into being
as a good (product) of him since she
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84 [...] barrenness [...] third [...] two [...] of this way [...]
[...] and male [...]
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[...] and the [...] barrenness [...] [...] she is a second [...]
she stood [...] first of the reality [which] really exists [...]
[...] the blessedness [...] of the Invisible [Spirit], the knowledge
[...] the first existence in the simplicity of the Invisible Spirit
in the unity. It is in that pure singleness that he is similar and
[...] species. And he who [...] exist [...]
85 (6 lines unrecoverable)
[...] and knows [...] and the [...] and the [perfection] and [...]
produces and [...] the first Kalyptos [...] them all, existence
and activity, divinity, race and species.
But are powers one? In what way (is it) that he is one, that is,
not a partial one, but (one of) those of the All? What is the unity
which is unity? Is he from [...] activity [...] life and [...] of
[...]. And [...] 86 (7 lines unrecoverable)
power [...] as [...]
[...] perceptible [...] [...] all-perfect [...] [...] she having
spoken, [...] "You are great, Aphr[edon]. You are perfect,
Neph[redon]." To his existence she says, "You are great,
Deipha[...]. She [is] his activity and life and divinity. You are
great, Harmedon [...], who belongs to all the glories, Epiph[a-
and his blessedness and the perfection [of] the singleness [...]
all [...]" 87 (6 lines unrecoverable)
[...] forever [...] intellectual [... perfect] [the virgin Barb]elo
through the simplicity of the blessedness of the triple powerful
Invisible Spirit. She who has known him has known herself. And he,
being one everywhere, being undivided, having [...] has [...] and
she has known [herself as] his activity [...] and he has known [...]
knowledge [...] within 88 [...]
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bless [...] [...] Be[ritheus, Erignaor], Or[imeni]os, Ar[amen],
Alphl[ege]s, Elilio[upheus], Lalamenu[s], Noetheus [...] great is
your name [...] it is strong. He who knows (it) knows everything.
You are one, you are one, Siou, E[...], Aphredon, you are the [aeon]
of the aeons of the perfect great one, the first Kalyptos of the
[...] activity, and [...] he is [...] his image [...] of his, he
[...]
89 [...]
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[...existence] [...] and he
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[...] in [...the glory] [...] glories [...] a [...] in
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[...] aeon
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90 (8 lines unrecoverable)
exist [...]
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[and
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[blessed ...]
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[perfect...]
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91 (8 lines unrecoverable)
[...] god
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[...] first [...] and powers [... all-perfect] they are [...] of
all these and a cause of [them] all, a [...] Barbelo
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] him and [...] all these [...] he not having [...] and his
[...] become [...] but 92 [...]
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of [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[and ...]
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and a [...] in a [...] according to the [thought] which really [exists
...] which exists as [...] name [...]
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Kalyptos [...] the [...] triple [...]
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but [...] 93 name him.
All these come, as it were, from him who is pure. If you give
glory because of him, and if you [...] existence [...] his [...]a
[...] simple
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[...] he will
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[...] that one [... know] him
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] perfect he being [... perfect] and [...] [...] perfect
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] his
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[...] him [...] to the
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94 he was not able to see her. Therefore, it is impossible to receive
him in this way in majestic purity as a perfect head of [him who]
is in [...] [...] which [... know] him concerning [...] say it [...]
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which [...]
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which [...] for
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[... exist] together [...] and [...]
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nor [...] 95 differences between these and angels, and differences
between these and men, and differences between these and existence.
And [...]
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[...] and [perception ]
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[...] really
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for [...] the [perceptible] world [...] like
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existence [...] for [...] and [...]
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(lines 20ff do not survive) 96 will approach him in knowledge. He
receives power, but he who is far from him is humbled."
And I said, "Why then have the judges come into being? What
[...] is the [suffering] of the [...] for
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and [...]
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but [...]
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through [...] who [...] suffering [...] through [...] the [...]
[...] exists [...] she dwells [...]
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(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 97 male, since she is
knowledge [of] the triple powerful invisible great Spirit, the image
of [the first] Kalyptos, the [blessedness] in the [invisible] Spirit,
[...] the
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[...] for [...] he knows
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[...] fill [...] she appears [...] knowledge [...] she stands [...]
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(lines 21ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive) 98 [...] a perfect unity
of a complete unity, and when she divided the All [...] from the
All [...] existence and [...] [...] the thoughts [...]
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[perception]
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(lines 22ff, ca. 5 lines, do not survive) 99 [...] [existence ...]
[...] in [...] which
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knowledge
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[...] she blesses
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[...] which
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[...] and
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(lines 21ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive)
100 (5 lines unrecoverable)
Arm[ozel
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is the [...] [through ...] power [...]
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which [...]
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(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 101 [...] invisible [...]
[...] that one [...] [... this] is the [...]
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[...] form
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[...] of a
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[...] Kalyptos [...] undivided
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(lines 20ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 102 [...] which exist
[...] [...] the [...]
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and [...]
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he [...]
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and [...] those [...] a [...]
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some [...]
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(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 103 [...] origin [...]
[which] really exists [...] [...] exist [... essence] [...] in [...
this] is [...] the
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[...] they [...]not
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[...] this
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(lines 20ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive)
104 [...] she appears [...] of those who [...] [...] of the [...]
and [...] this [...] the [...]
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see [...]
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he[...] really [...]
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that[...] and[...]
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(lines 24ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 105 are those who [stand
...] the aeon of [...] come up to [...] [...] which exist in [...]
he on the one hand [...] [...] he [...] one [...] an origin
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and [...] he [...] matter [...] single
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[... exist]
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[...] which [...] and
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(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 106 [...] and he exists
[...] he is [...] and [...] mark of a [...] [...] an [...] nor of
[...] [...] he [...] which [...]
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and [...]
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number [...] live [...] according to [...] which [...]
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which [...]
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(lines 23ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 107 them [...] [...] and
[...] existence [...] [...] and the [...] exist as [...] reflection
[...] first
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[...] first [...] of the
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[...] he
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(lines 22ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive) 108 [...] not, they giving
[...] [...] he who exists [...] [...] all and he [...] a multitude
[...] creation
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and [...]
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the [...]
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in the [...] these [...] the[...] of [...] alive [...]
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in [...]
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(Pages 109-112 do not survive)
113 and angels and daimons and minds and souls and living beings
and trees and bodies and those which are before them: those of the
simple elements of simple origins, and those which arein [...] and
unmixed confusion, air [and] water and earth and number and yoking
and movement and [...] and order and breath and all the rest. They
are fourth powers which are [in] the fourth aeon, those which] are
in the [...] and [...] perfect of [...] powers [...] powers [...]
of [...] of [...] angels [of the] angels, souls [of the] souls,
living beings [of the] living beings, trees [of] [the trees ...]
[...] and [...]
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114 his own.
There are those who are as begotten, and those who are in an unborn
begetting, and there are those who are holy and eternal, and the
immutable ones in death and destruction in indestructibility; and
there are those who are as All; there are those [who are] races
and those who are [in] a world and order; there are those in [indestructibility],
and there are the first [who stand] and the second [in] all of them.
[All] those [who] are from them and [those who] are [in] them, and
[from] these who [follow] them [...]
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these [...] and [the] fourth aeons stood [...] [...] they existing
[...]
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115 in them, he being scattered abroad. They are not crowded against
one another, but to the contrary they are alive, existing in themselves
and agreeing with one another, as they are from a single origin.
They are reconciled because they are all in a single aeon of Kalyptos,
[...] being divided in power, for they exist in accord with each
of the aeons, standing in relationship to the one which has reached
them.
But Kalyptos is [a] single aeon; [he] has four different aeons.
In accord with each of the aeons they have powers, not like first
and second (powers), for all these [are] eternities, [but] they
are different [...] and order and glory [...] which exists [in ...]
four aeons and [...] who pre-exists [...] god [...] [...] they are
[...]
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116 All of them exist in one, dwelling together and perfected
individually in fellowship and filled with the aeon which really
exists. There are those among them (who stand) as dwelling in essence
and those (who stand) as essence in conduct or [suffering] because
they are in a second, for the unengenderedness of the ungenerated
one who really exists is among them. When the ungenerated have come
into being, their power stands; there is an incorporeal essence
with [an] imperishable [body]. The [immutable one] is [there] who
[really ] exists. Because it transforms [through] change, the [...]
in destructible fire stands with [all] [these ...] [...] one [...]
117 he stands. It is there that all living beings dwell, existing
individually (yet) all joined together. The knowledge of the knowledge
is there together with a setting up of ignorance. Chaos is there
and a perfect place for all of them, and they are strange. True
Light (is there), also enlightened darkness together with the one
who does not really exist - [he] does not really exist. [...] the
non-being who does not exist at all. But it is he, the Good, from
whom derives the good and what is pleasant and the divine; (it is
he) from [whom] comes God and he who [...], he who is great. For
[...] in part [...] form and God that [...]and the one [...] [...]
a god [...] [...] all these [...] [...] darkness [...]
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118 and a race. He has not mixed with anything, but he remains alone
in himself and rests himself on his limitless limit. He is [the]
God of those who really exist, a seer and a revealer of God.
When she had strengthened him who [knew her], the aeon Barbelo,
the knowledge of the Invisible Triple Powerful Perfect Spirit, in
order to [...] her, said, "He [...] a life. I am alive in [...]
You, the One, are alive. He is alive, [he] who is three. It is you
who are [the] three who are three [doubled ...] e e e. The first
of seven [...] the third [...] the second [...] e e e e a a a a
a a a [...] [...] two, but he [four ...] [...] knowledge [...]
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119 a part? What kind of mind, and what kind of wisdom? What kind
of understanding, what kind of teaching? His Lights are named (as
follows): the first [is Arme]don and she who is with him, [...];
the second is Diphane [... and] she who is with him, Dei- ph[a ...];
the third is [Malsed]on and she who is with him [...]; the fourth
is [...]s and she who is with him, Olmis.
Kalyptos exists having [...] with his Form. He is invisible to
all these so that they all might be strengthened by him [...] [...]
he exists in [...] all-perfect because [he has] four existing
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[...] nor according to a [...] alone [... B]arbelo [...]
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120 know him and the one who is set over a second. The first of
the aeons is Harmedon, the father-glory. The second Light (is) one
whom [he does] not [know], but all the [individuals], wisdom [...]
exist in the fourth aeon who has revealed [himself] and all the
glories. [The third] Light (is) he [...] not him, as the word of
all [the forms] and that other [glory], understanding, [who is]
in the third [aeon]. There are four in Malsedon and [...] nios.
The fourth Light is the one who [...] of all the forms existing
[...] a teaching and glory [...] and the truth of the [four aeons],
Olmis, [...] and the [...]
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121 fifth.
The first (is the one) who is the second, that is, it is the all-perfect
Kalyptos, for the four Lights exist. It is Kalyptos who has divided
again, and they exist together. All who know those who exist as
glories are perfect. This one [...] knows everything about them
all is all-perfect. From him is every power, every one and their
entire aeon, because they all come to him and they all come from
him, the power of them all (and) the origin of them all. When he
learned [of them], he became a [...] aeon and a ingenerateness.
[...] other aeons [in ...]a[...]
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122 become a Barbelo, he becomes a first aeon because of the eternity
of the Invisible Spirit, the second ingenerateness.
These are all the glories: the limitless Aphredons, [...] the
ineffables, the revealers, all the [...] immutables, the glory-revealers,
the twice-revealed Marsedons, the limitless Solmises, the self-revealers
who are [full] of glory, those who [wait for] glory, the blessers,
the M[arse-] dons, the Kalyptoi who [...] the limits [...] upon
the limits [...] those who exist [...]
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(Lines 24ff, I or 2, do not survive) 123 ten thousand glories in
them.
Therefore, he is a perfect glory so that whenever he can join
(another) and prevail, he exists as perfect. Thus, even if he enters
into a body and a death (coming) from matter, they do not receive
greater honor because of their all-perfectness from whom came all
these, being perfect, together with those who are with him. Indeed,
each of the aeons has ten thousand aeons in himself, so that by
existing together he may become a perfect aeon.
He exists in the [Blessedness] of the Triple [Powerful] Perfect
Invisible [Spirit ...] silence [...] who became first [...] and
the knowledge
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124 whole, a silence of the second knowledge, the first thought
in the will of the Triple Powerful, because he commanded it to know
him, so that he might become all-perfect and perfect in himself.
By simplicity and blessedness he is known. [I received] goodness
through that follower of the Barbelo aeon who gives being to himself.
[...] is not the power, but she is the one who belongs to him.
The aeons which really exist do so in silence. Existence was inactivity,
and knowledge of the self-established Kalyptos was ineffable. Having
come [from the] fourth, the [...] thought, the Proto[phanes], as
(the) Perfect Male [Mind]
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125 he is his image, equal to him in power and glory but with respect
to order higher than him, (yet not higher) in aeon. Like him he
has all these (parts) living (and) dwelling together in one. Together
with the aeon in the aeons he has a fourfold difference with all
the rest who are there.
But Kalyptos really exists, and with him is located she who belongs
to all the glories, Youel, the male virgin glory, through whom are
seen the all-perfect ones. Those who stand before him are the triple
[...] child, the triple [...], the Autogenes [...] He has [...]
in one [... the one] again who prevails over the [...] existing
in [...] 126 of ten thousand- fold.
The first aeon in him, from whom is the first Light, (is) Solmis
and the god revealer, since he is infinite according to the type
in the Kalyptos aeon and Doxomedon. The second aeon (is) Akremon
the ineffable together with the second Light Zachthos and Yachtos.
The third aeon is Ambrosios the virgin together with the third Light
Setheus and Antiphantes. The fourth aeon is the blesser [...] race
with [the] fourth Light [Seldao] and Elenos.
The [...] him [...] [...] Arm[edon
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127 phoe zoe zeoe ze[...] zosi zosi zao zeooo zesen zes- en - the
individuals and the four who are eight-fold are alive. eoooo eaeo
- you who are before them, and you who are in them all. They are
within the perfect male Armedon Protophanes of all those who dwell
together. Since all the individuals were existing as perfect ones,
the Activity of all the individuals appeared again as the divine
Autogenes.
He stands within an aeon because there are within him four different
self-begotten aeons. The first aeon in him as the first Light (is)
[Harmoze]l-Orneos-Euthrou- nios. [He] was called
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[... The] second [aeon as] [the second Light is] [Oraiael ...]-udas[...]os,
Ap[...] 128 Arros[...]. The third (aeon) of the third Light (is)
Daveithe-Laraneus- Epiphanios-Eideos. The fourth (aeon) as the fourth
Light (is) Eleleth-Kodere- Epiphanios-Allogenios. But as for all
the rest who are in matter, they were all left (there). It was because
of knowledge of greatness, audacity and power that they came into
existence and comforted themselves. Because they did not know God,
they shall pass away. Behold, Zostrianos, you have heard all these
things of the gods are ignorant and (which) seem infinite to angels."
I took courage and said, "I am [still ] wondering about the
Triple Powerful Invisible Perfect Spirit: how he exists for himself,
[how he causes] everything [...] who really exist [...] what is
the [...] [...] and [...] [...] of [...] 129 very [...] they set
[me] down (and) left.
Apophantes and Aphropais, the Virgin-light, came before me and
brought me into Protophanes, (the) great male perfect Mind. I saw
all of them as they exist in one. I joined with them all (and) blessed
the Kalyptos aeon, the virgin Barbelo and the Invisible Spirit.
I became all-perfect and received power. I was written in glory
and sealed. I received there a perfect crown. I came forth to the
perfect individuals, and all of them were questioning me. They were
listening to the loftiness of my knowledge. They were rejoicing
and receiving power. When I again came down to the aeons of Autogenes,
I received a true image, pure (yet) suitable for the perceptible
(world).
I came down to the aeon copies and came down here 130 to the airy-earth.
I wrote three tablets (and) left them as knowledge for those who
would come after me, the living elect. Then I came down to the perceptible
world and put on my image. Because it was ignorant, I strengthened
it (and) went about preaching the truth to everyone. Neither the
angelic beings of the world nor the archons saw me, for I negated
a multitude of [judgments] which brought me near death.
But an erring multitude I awakened saying, "Know those who
are alive and the holy seed of Seth. Do not [show] disobedience
to me. [Awaken] your divine part to God, and as for your sinless
elect soul, strengthen it. Behold death here and seek the immutable
ingenerateness, the [Father] of everything. He invites you, while
they reprove you. Although they ill-treat 131 you, he will not abandon
you.
Do not baptize yourselves with death nor entrust yourselves to
those who are inferior to you instead of to those who are better.
Flee from the madness and the bondage of femaleness and choose for
yourselves the salvation of maleness. You have not come to suffer;
rather, you have come to escape your bondage.
Release yourselves, and that which has bound you will be dissolved.
Save yourselves so that your soul may be saved. The kind Father
has sent you the Savior and given you strength. Why are you hesitating?
Seek when you are sought; when you are invited, listen, for time
is short.
Do not be led astray. The aeon of the aeons of the living ones
is great, yet (so also is) the [punishment] of those who are unconvinced.
Many bonds and chastisers surround you. 132 Flee quickly before
death reaches you. Look at the Light. Flee the Darkness. Do not
be led astray to your destruction.
Zostrianos
Oracles of Truth of Zostrianos
God of Truth
Teachings of Zoroaster
from James M. Robinson, ed., The Nag Hammadi Library, revised
edition. HarperCollins, San Francisco, 1990. |
