Hypsiphrone

NHC XI, 4

The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Nag Hammadi Codex XI, 4. The Nag Hammadi texts were written in the fourth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in 1945. This fragmentary tractate consists of a dialogue between a woman named Hypsiphrone (“High-minded”) and her brother Phainops (“Bright-eyed”), who urges her to follow him.

This translation from the Coptic is by Samuel Zinner and was edited by Mark M. Mattison with the generous support of Other Gospels.

Symbols

[  ]   Gap in the text (known as a “lacuna”)
[69]  Page number of the Coptic codex (hyperlinked)

[69] The book [concerning those things] seen [by] Hypsiphrone, being [revealed] in the place of [her] virginity.

[And she heeds] her brothers and sisters [...] Phainops and [...], and they speak [with each other] with a [mystery].

Now I [was of the first] rank [70] [...] me. I abandoned [the place] of my [virginity] and I went out into the [world]. [Then I] was informed [about] these things by those who dwell in the [place] of my [virginity]. And I went down [to the world], and they said to [me, “Once more] Hypsiphrone [has abandoned] the [place of her] virginity.”

Then he [who] heard, Phainops, [who breathes] into [her fountain of] blood, spread himself [out] for her. [And] he said, “[I am Phai]n[ops ...] [71] veer away [...] desire of [... those] remnants, or that I may see a [person, of blood-likeness or ...] of a [... fire] and a [... in] his hands.

Then [I said to] him, “Ph[ainops] has not [come] on me; he [has not] veered away.” [...]

[I] saw a person [...] him […] [72] [...] For [...] what he said [...] Phainops this [...].

I saw him and [he said] to me, “Hypsiphrone, [why do you avoid] me? [Follow me] and I will instruct [you about these things].”

So I followed [him], for [I] was in [great] fear. And he told [me] about a fountain of [blood] that is [revealed by] burning [...] he said [...].