The Sophia of Jesus Christ
NHC III, 4 and BG 8502, 3
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 III, 4 and the Berlin Codex. The Nag Hammadi texts were written in the fourth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in 1945. The Berlin Codex was produced in the fifth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in Akhmim, Egypt, late in the nineteenth century and acquired by Carl Reinhardt from an antiquities dealer in Cairo in 1896. This tractate incorporates the text of Eugnostos the Blessed into a Christian framework.
This translation from the Coptic is by Samuel Zinner and was edited by Mark M. Mattison with the generous support of Other Gospels. Chapter and verse enumerations have been added by the translator.
Symbols
[ ] Gap in the text (known as a “lacuna”)
( ) Editorial insertion to clarify the text
< > Editorial correction of a scribal error
[90] Page number of the Coptic codex (hyperlinked)
Nag Hammadi Codex III
[90] The Sophia of Jesus Christ
The Savior Appears to His Disciples
After he had risen from among the dead, his twelve disciples and seven women continued as his followers and traveled to Galilee, to the mountain [91] called “Harvesting Place and Joy.” When they came together, they were puzzled about the fundamental nature of the world, the plan, divine providence, the power of the authorities, and how the Savior interacts with them in the mystery of the divine plan. The Savior appeared, not with his previous (visible) form, but as the invisible spirit. And his likeness is like that of a tall radiant angel, but what he resembles I must not describe, no mortal being able to bear it, it being entirely pure, perfect flesh like what he taught us about on the mountain called “Of Olives” in Galilee.
And he said: “Peace be with you! My peace I give you!” And they were all in awe, being afraid.
The Savior [92] laughed and asked them: “What are you pondering? (Why) are you puzzled? What are you seeking?”
Philip said: “For the fundamental nature of the world and its plan.”
The Savior said to them: “I want you to understand that all born on earth from the foundation of the world until now, being dust, even though they have inquired into God, about his being and likeness, have failed to find him. The greatest sages among them have Guessed on the basis of how the world is ordered and (how it) moves along, but their guessing has not attained to the truth.
“It is said by all philosophers that the (cosmic) order is guided in three (different) ways, thus they are in disagreement. Some of them propose that the world guides itself. [93] Others propose that providence does this, still others that it is fate, but none of these is the case.
“To repeat, none of the three propositions I have just related approaches the truth, being human (guesses). I, however, originated from the Infinite Light, because I know him, and I am here so I can tell you exactly what the truth is. The life of whatever is self-originated is impure, being self-made. There is nothing clever in (the theory of) providence, and (the theory of) fate is not insightful.
“To you, though, it is given to know, and anyone (else) who deserves knowledge will receive, anyone who was not begotten by the sowing of impure rubbing, but by the one who was first sent, because he is an immortal among mortals.”
He Who Is
Matthew said [94] to him: “Lord, none are able to discover the truth but through you, so instruct us in the truth.”
The Savior said: “He Who Is is inexpressible. No power knew him, no authority, nothing contingent, or anything created since the foundation of the world until now, but he alone and any to whom he wishes to grant revelation through the one who originated from the First Light. Beginning now, I am the Great Savior. This is because he is deathless and eternal.
“He is eternal, without birth, because anyone who has been born will be destroyed (in death). He is unbegotten, without beginning, because anyone who had a beginning will have an end. Because no one rules him, he is nameless, because anyone with a name has been created by someone else. And He Who Is possesses an appearance peculiarly his own, [95] unlike anything you have seen and comprehended, yet it is an enigmatic appearance that transcends everything and that excels the world. It gazes at all sides (simultaneously) and beholds itself from itself.”
“Because it is infinite, he can never be comprehended.
He is forever indestructible, nothing resembling him.
He is the good that never changes.
He is without defect.
He is eternal.
He is blessed.
He cannot be known, but he knows himself.
He is beyond measure; he cannot be traced out.
He is perfect, without imperfection.
His blessedness is indestructible.
He is called ‘Father of the World.’”
The Appearance of He Who Is
Philip asked: “Lord, how, then, did he appear to the perfect ones?”
The perfect Savior said to him: “Before anything that is visible became visible, the majesty and authority existed [96] in him, because he embraces the entirety of the Totalities, whereas nothing embraces him. This is because he is entirely mind, and he is thought and reflection, consideration, reasoning, and power. They all are equivalent powers, being the sources of the Totalities. And their entire race, from first to last, is in his foreknowledge, of the infinite unbegotten Father.”
Thomas asked him: “Lord, Savior, what is the reason these came into being, and why were they revealed?”
The perfect Savior said: “I originated from the Infinite in order to tell you everything. The Spirit Who Is was the one who begot, having the power <of> a begetter [97] and the nature of one who [bestows] form, so that the great wealth concealed in him could be revealed. On account of his mercy and his love he desired to produce fruit by himself, to avoid <enjoying> his goodness all alone (by himself), but so that other spirits of the unmoving generation could produce bodies and spirits, glory and honor in indestructability, and his infinite gift, so that his treasure could be manifested by the self-begotten God, the Father of all indestructability and of those that afterward would come into existence, but who had not yet appeared visibly. A great difference prevails among the indestructible ones.”
He cried out and said: “Let whoever has ears to hear about those who are infinite, hear!” And: “I have spoken to those who are awake!”
He continued further [98] and said: “Everything that originated from what is perishable will perish, because it originated from what is perishable, but what has originated from what is imperishable will not perish, but will be imperishable.
Consequently, many erred because they were unaware of this difference, and they died.”
The Father and the Generation Above Which There Is No Kingdom
Mary asked him: “Then how, Lord, can we come to know that?”
The perfect Savior said: “Begin from concealed things to the end of visible things, and the emanation of Thought will itself reveal to you how faith in things invisible is to be found in what is visible, things that belong to the unbegotten Father. Let whoever has ears to hear, hear!
“The Lord of the World is not called ‘Father,’ but ‘Forefather,’ <because the Father is> the originative principle of those that will become visible, yet he [99] is [the] Forefather without beginning. He beholds himself within himself, as in a mirror, having appeared in his likeness as the divine Self-Father, and <as> the reflector over the reflecting ones, the first existent, the unbegotten Father. He is in fact as old <as> the light that is before him, but he does not equal him in power.
Afterward he revealed many reflecting, self-begotten ones, of equal age and power, subsisting in glory, (even) without number, whose nation is called ‘The Generation Above Which There Is No Kingdom,’ from the one in which you yourselves have become visible among these <kingdoms>. And that whole multitude above which there is no kingdom is called [100] ‘the Children of the Unbegotten Father,’ ‘God,’ ‘[Savior],’ and ‘Son of God,’ whose likeness dwells with you.
He is the Unknowable, full of every indestructible glory and unspeakable joy. They are all at repose in him, continually rejoicing in unspeakable joy over his glory that never changes and immeasurable rejoicing. Before now, this was never heard or known among all the aeons and their worlds.”
The Immortal Human, Sophia, and Ogdoad
Matthew asked him: “Lord, Savior, how was the Human revealed?”
The perfect Savior said: “I desire that you know the one who appeared before the world.
“In the beginning, the infinite, self-grown, [101] self-made Father, who was replete with radiant and unspeakable light, when he chose for his likeness to become a great power, the originative principle of that light suddenly appeared as the deathless androgynous Human, so that through that immortal Human they could obtain their salvation and wake up from oblivion through the one sent as the interpreter, who dwells with you until the end of the impoverished thieves. And his consort is the Great Sophia, who in him was ordained from the beginning for union by the self-begotten Father, from the Immortal Human who was first to appear, even as divinity and kingdom, because this was revealed by the Father, [102] who is called ‘the Human,’ ‘the Self-Father.’ And for his own majesty, he created a mighty aeon, whose name is Ogdoad, who was granted great authority, even ruling over the impoverished creation.
“From that light and the threefold male Spirit, which belongs to Sophia, his consort, he created gods and angels <and> archangels, countless myriads for service. This was because this God created divinity and kingdom, so that he was called ‘God of gods,’ ‘King of kings.’ Within him, the Primal Human possesses his singular mind and thought, being precisely (thought), reflection and contemplation, reason [103] and power. All the existent qualities are perfect and deathless.
“Regarding indestructability, they are in fact equal, though regarding power, there is a difference similar to the difference between father and son, <and son> and thought, and the thought and what remains (thereafter). As I stated before, among created entities, the monad comes first. And after everything (else), anything that appeared was revealed from his power. And from created entities appeared everything that was fashioned, and from what was fashioned appeared what was formed, (and) from what was formed (appeared) what was named. This is how from beginning to end the difference arose among the unbegotten ones.”
The First-Begotten Androgynous Son
Bartholomew then asked him: “How (is) <he> named [104] ‘the Human’ and ‘the Son of Man’ in the Gospel? So, which one of them pertains to the Son?”
He who is holy said to him, “I desire that you know that the Primal Human is called ‘the Begetter,’ ‘the Self-Completed Mind.’ He contemplated with his consort, Great Sophia, and manifested his first-begotten, androgynous son. Its male name is called ‘First-Begetting Son of God,’ while its female name is ‘First-Begetting Sophia, Mother of the Universe,’ some calling her ‘Love.’ The first-begotten, who is called ‘Christ,’ created a multitude of countless [105] angels for service from the Spirit and the Light because he wields authority from his Father.”
His disciples said to him: “Lord, disclose to us concerning the one called ‘the Human’ so that we can also precisely understand his glory.”
The perfect Savior said: “Let whoever has ears to hear, hear! On account of his origin from radiant light, the first-begetting Father is named ‘Adam, the Eye of Light,’ [and] his inexpressible, shadowless holy angels continually rejoice in gladness over the reflections they obtained from their Father. The entire kingdom of the Son of Man, who is called ‘the Son of God,’ is replete with inexpressible and shadowless joy, and rejoicing that never changes, rejoicing over his indestructible [106] glory, until now unheard and unrevealed in the aeons and their worlds that originated thereafter. I originated from the self-begotten and primal Infinite Light so that I could reveal all things to you.”
Savior and Pistis Sophia
His is disciples spoke yet again: “Tell us plainly how they descended from the invisibilities, from what is deathless to the world of mortality.”
The perfect Savior said: “The Son of Man consorted with his companion Sophia, and manifested a mighty androgynous light. Its male name is called ‘Savior, All-Begetter.’ Its female name is ‘All-Begetter Sophia,’ some calling her ‘Pistis.’
“Like [107] a droplet from the light, everyone who enters the world is sent by him to the world of the Almighty, so that they can be watched over by him. And by the will of Sophia the fetter of his oblivion bound the light, so that by means of this, the affair could be <revealed> to the entire impoverished world, namely, (the Almighty’s) pride and blindness, and the ignorance that named him.
“I, however, by the will of the great Light, originated from the places above, <loosing> from that fetter, having halted the activity of the thieves. I have aroused that droplet sent from Sophia, so that through me it could bear much fruit and be perfected, and never again become defective, but through me, the Great Savior, be <joined> so that his glory could be manifested, so that Sophia could also be rectified of that defect, so that her [108] children could never again grow defective, but could obtain honor and glory and ascend to their Father, and understand the speech of the masculine Light.
“And you were sent by the Son, who (himself) was sent so that you could obtain light and separate yourselves from the oblivion of the authorities, and that it could never again come to manifestation on your account, that is, the impure rubbing that originates from the fearsome fire that issued from their phallus. Tread on their evil intention.”
The Aeons
Then Thomas asked [him]: “Lord, Savior, how many aeons surpass the heavens?”
The perfect Savior said: “I praise you for asking about the great aeons, because your roots dwell in the infinities. When those whom I discussed before were revealed, he [supplied . . .]
(Coptic pages 109 and 110 are missing)
[…] [111] and arrive at a unity, we name them ‘Assembly of the Ogdoad.’ It manifested as androgynous and was named part male and part female. The male is called ‘Assembly,’ whereas the female is called ‘Life,’ so that it could be demonstrated that the life for all the aeons came from a female.
“And all names were obtained from the originative principle. This was because from his harmony with his thought, the powers appeared most rapidly who were called ‘gods,’ and on the basis of their wisdom, [the] gods of the gods revealed gods, <and the gods> on the basis of their wisdom revealed lords, and the lords of the lords on the basis of their acts of thought revealed lords, and the lords on the basis of their power revealed archangels, the archangels on the basis of their words revealed angels, [112] simulacra appearing from them possessing structure and shape and appellation for all the aeons and their worlds.
“And the immortals I have just now described, they all wield authority from the Immortal Human, who is called ‘Silence,’ because when they contemplated (silently) without (outward) speech, the majesty that is hers was brought to completion. Because the indestructible ones possessed authority, each one created a large kingdom in the Ogdoad, and thrones and temples, firmaments for their respective majesties, because all of them originated through the will of the Mother of the World.”
The holy apostles then said to him: “Lord, Savior, speak to us of those who dwell in the aeons, because it is necessary for us to inquire concerning them.”
The perfect [113] Savior said: “You can ask about anything, and I will give you the answer.
“They created angelic hosts, countless myriads for service and their glory. They created virgin spirits, the inexpressible and unwavering lights, because they experience no infirmity or weakness, but (instead show) will.
“In this way were the aeons rapidly completed together with the heavens and the firmaments in the glory of the Immortal Human and his consort Sophia. From there all the aeons and worlds and those that arrived thereafter obtained the model for the creation of their likenesses, (both) in the heavens of chaos and in their worlds. And every nature, beginning with the revelation of chaos, dwells in the shadowless light and in indescribable joy and in unspeakable rejoicing. They continually enjoy their glory that never fades [114] and their infinite repose, which is indescribable among all the aeons and all their powers that came into being thereafter. Everything I have now told you, I said so that you could shine in the light even more than these.”
Mother Sophia and Yaldabaoth
Mary asked him: “Holy Lord, from where did your disciples originate, and to where are they going, and how should they act here?”
The perfect Savior said to them: “I desire that you know that Sophia, the Mother of the World and the consort, by herself, without her male (counterpart), wanted to bring these into existence. However, by the will of the Father of the World, so that his ungraspable benevolence could be manifested, he created the curtain between the immortals and those that arrived thereafter, that the result could follow that [ . . . ]
(Coptic pages 115-116 missing)
[117] “[. . .] and breath, and could from two become one, just as it was from the beginning, that you could produce much fruit and ascend to He Who Is from the beginning, in unspeakable joy and glory, and [honor and] the gift of [the Father of the World].
“[Consequently], whoever knows [the Father in perfect] knowledge [will go] to the Father [and repose in] the unbegotten [Father]. However, [whoever knows him imperfectly] will go [to the deficiency] and the repose [of the Ogdoad].
“[Now], whoever silently knows the immortal [Spirit] of light, by reflecting and agreeing with the truth, if he gives to me signs of the Invisible One, he will become a light in the silent Spirit. Whoever knows the Son of Man in knowledge and love, if he gives me a sign of [118] the Son of Man, he can go to the dwelling-places of those in the Ogdoad.”
Conclusion
“Behold! I have disclosed to you the name of the Perfect One, the entire will of the Mother of the holy angels, so that here the masculine [host] may be brought to completion, so that [in the aeons] there [could appear the infinities, as well as] those that [came into existence in the] unfathomable [riches of the Great] Invisible [Spirit, so that they] all [could partake in his benevolence], even the riches [of their repose] without any [kingdom over it].
“I originated [from the first] sent one, that I could disclose to you He Who Is from the beginning, on account of the pride of the arch-begetter and his angels, because they boast about themselves, saying that they are gods. And I came to free them from their blindness, so that I could announce to everyone concerning the God who dwells above the world.
[119] “Tread, therefore, on their graves, shame their evil intention, break their yoke, and awaken my own. I have granted you authority over everything as the Sons of Light, so that with [your] feet you could tread on their power.”
These are the matters [the] blessed Savior [spoke, and he vanished] from their midst. [All the disciples] were then in [great, unspeakable joy] in [the Spirit from] that day onward. [And his disciples] began preaching [the] divine Gospel of [the] eternal, indestructible [Spirit]. Amen.
The Sophia of Jesus Christ
BG 8502
[77] The Sophia of Jesus Christ.
After he had risen from among the dead, when his twelve disciples and seven women continued as his followers and traveled to Galilee, to the mountain [78] called “Harvesting Place and Joy,” and consequently were puzzled about the fundamental nature of the world, the plan, divine providence, the power of the authorities, how the Savior interacts with them, and the mysteries of the divine plan. Then the Savior appeared to them, not with his previous (visible) form, but as the invisible spirit. And his likeness was like that of a tall radiant angel, [79] but what he resembles I must not describe, no mortal being able to bear it, it being entirely pure, perfect flesh like what he taught us about on the mountain called “Of Olives” in Galilee.
He said: “Peace be with you! My peace I give you!” And they were all in awe, being afraid.
The Savior laughed and asked them: “What are you pondering? Why are you puzzled? What are you seeking?”
Philip said: [80] “For the fundamental nature of the world and the plan of the Savior.”
He said: “I want you to understand that all born on earth from the foundation of the world until now, even though they have inquired into God, about his being and likeness, have failed to find him. The greatest sages among them have guessed on the basis of how the world is ordered and (how it) moves along, but their guessing has not attained to the truth.
“Because it is said [81] by all philosophers that the (cosmic) order is guided in three (different) ways, thus they are in disagreement. Because some of them propose that it is self-inspired. Others propose that providence does this, still others that it is fate, but none of these is the case.
“To repeat, these three propositions I have just related are from humans born on earth; none of them approaches the truth. I, however, originated from the Infinite Light, whom I know, [82] so I can tell you exactly what the truth is. The life of whatever is self-originated is impure, being self-made. There is nothing clever in (the theory of) providence, and (the theory of) fate is not insightful.
“To you, though, it is given to know, and anyone (else) who deserves knowledge will receive, anyone who was not begotten by the sowing of impure rubbing, but by the one who was first sent, because he is an immortal among mortals.”
Matthew said to him: [83] “Christ, none are able to discover the truth but through you, so instruct us in the truth.”
The Savior said: “He Who Is is inexpressible. No power knew him, no authority, nothing contingent, or power or anything created since the foundation of the world until now, but he alone and any he wishes through me, who originated from the First Light. Beginning now, he will grant revelation to you through me, because I am the Great Savior. [84] Because he is deathless and eternal.
“<He is> eternal, without birth, because anyone who has been born will be destroyed (in death). And as unbegotten, he is without beginning, because anyone who had a beginning will have an end. And no one rules him: He is nameless, because anyone with a name is the <creation> of someone else, (so) he is nameless. He possesses no human form, because whoever possesses human form is the creation of someone else. He possesses an appearance peculiarly his own [85] unlike anything you have seen and comprehended, yet it is an enigmatic appearance that transcends everything and that excels the Totalities. It gazes at all sides (simultaneously) and beholds itself from itself.”
“And he is infinite and indestructible.
He is ungraspable and eternal, and nothing resembles him.
He is the good that never changes.
He is without defect.
He is eternal.
He is blessed.
He cannot be known, but he knows himself continually.
He is beyond measure; [86] he cannot be traced out.
He is perfect, without imperfection.
He is blessed, without fault,
who is called ‘Father of the World.’”
Philip asked: “Christ, how, then, did he appear to the perfect ones?”
The perfect Savior said: “Before anything <of> what is visible became visible, the majesty and the authorities existed in him, because he embraces the Totalities of the world, whereas nothing embraces him. This is because he is entirely mind; he is reflection; he is thought and wisdom; he is reasoning [87] and power. They all are equivalent powers, being the source of the Totalities. And all of them that came to be, from first to <last>, were in his foreknowledge, of the infinite unbegotten Father.”
Thomas asked: “Christ, Savior, what is the reason these came into being, and why were they revealed?”
The perfect Savior said, “I originated from the Infinite in order to tell you everything. The Spirit Who Is was the one who begot, having the power of a begetter and the nature of one who [bestows] form, so that the great [88] wealth that dwelt in him could be revealed. On account of his mercy and his love he desired to produce fruit by himself, to avoid <enjoying> his goodness all alone (by himself), but so that other spirits of the unmoving generation could produce bodies and fruit, glory and indestructability, and his infinite gift, so that his treasure could be manifested by the unbegotten God, the Father of all indestructability and of those that afterward would come into existence, but who had not yet appeared visibly. [89] A great difference prevails among the indestructible ones.”
And he cried out: “Let whoever has ears to hear, hear about the indestructible ones! I will speak to those who are awake!”
He continued further and said: “Everything that originated from what is perishable will perish, because it originated from what is perishable. Whatever originated from what is imperishable will not perish, because it is from what is imperishable.
Consequently, many erred because they were unaware of this difference, and they died.”
[90] Mary asked him: “Christ, how will that become known?”
The perfect Savior said: “Begin from concealed things to the end of visible things, and the emanation of Thought will itself reveal to you how faith in things invisible is to be found in what is visible, things that belong to the unbegotten Father. Let whoever has ears to hear, hear!
“The Lord of the World is not called ‘Father,’ but ‘Forefather,’ [91] because the Father is the originative principle of those that will become visible, yet he is the Forefather without beginning.
“He beholds himself within himself, as in a mirror, having appeared in his likeness as the divine Self-Father, and as the reflector, because he is in the presence of He Who Is, the first existent, the unbegotten Father. He is in fact as old <as> the light that is before him, but he does not equal him in power.
Afterward he revealed [92] many reflecting, self-begotten ones, of equal age and power, subsisting in glory, (even) without number, whose nation is called ‘The Generation Above Which There Is No Kingdom,’ (because) in this (kingdom) you have become visible. And by these humans of the place above which there is no kingdom, <he> is called ‘the Unbegotten,’ ‘God,’ ‘Savior of the Children of God,’ ‘He Who Is Without A Likeness Among You.’
“The Unknowable is full of every glory and indestructability and unspeakable joy. And they are all at repose in him, continually rejoicing in [93] unspeakable joy over his glory that never changes and immeasurable rejoicing that until now was never heard or even known among all the aeons and their worlds.”
Matthew asked him: “How was the Human revealed?”
The perfect Savior said: “I desire that you know the one who appeared before the world.
[94] “In the beginning, the infinite, self-grown, self-made Father, who was replete with radiant and unspeakable light, when he chose for his likeness to become a great power, the originative principle of that light suddenly appeared as the deathless androgynous Human, so that through that immortal Human they could obtain their salvation and wake up from oblivion through the one sent as the interpreter, who dwells with you until the end of the impoverished thieves, because his consort is [95] Sophia, the great one, who in him was ordained from the beginning for union by the self-begotten Father, from the Immortal Human. We then were the first to appear in divinity and kingdom, because the Father, who is called ‘the Human,’ ‘the Self-Father,’ revealed <this>. And for his own majesty, he created a mighty aeon, whose name is Ogdoad, and he granted him great authority, even ruling over the impoverished creation.
“From that light and the threefold male Spirit, which belongs to Sophia, his consort, he created gods and angels and archangels, [96] countless myriads for service. This was because divinity and kingdom originated from this God, so that he was called ‘God of gods,’ ‘King of kings.’ Within him, the Primal Human possesses his singular mind and thought, being precisely (thought), reflection and contemplation, reason and power. All the [97] existent qualities are [perfect, deathless].
“Regarding indestructability, they are in fact equal, though regarding power, there is a difference similar to the difference between father and son, and son and thought, and the thought and what remains (thereafter). As I stated before, among created entities, the monad <. . .> comes first. And at the end, he who revealed everything, revealed everything from his power. And from created entities appeared everything that was fashioned [98], and from what was fashioned appeared what was formed, (and) from what was formed (appeared) what was named. This is how from beginning to end the difference arose among the unbegotten ones.”
Bartholomew then asked him: “How is he named ‘the Human’ and ‘the Son of Man’ in the Gospel? So, which one of them pertains to the Son?”
He who is holy said to him, “I desire that you know that the Primal Human who is called ‘the Begetter,’ ‘the Self-Completed [99] Mind,’ contemplated with his consort, [Great] Sophia, and manifested his first-<begotten>, androgynous son. Its male name is called ‘First-Begetting Son of God,’ its female name being ‘First-Begetting Sophia, Mother of the Universe,’ some calling her ‘Love.’ Consequently, the first-begotten, who is called ‘Christ,’ created a multitude of [100] countless angels for [service] from [the Spirit and] the Light because he wields authority from his Father.”
His disciples said to him: “Christ, instruct us concerning the Father, who is called ‘the Human,’ so that we can also precisely understand his glory.”
The perfect Savior said: “Let whoever has ears to hear, hear! On account of his origin from light, the first-begetting Father is named ‘Adam, the Eye of Light,’ and his entire kingdom comprises shining light, and his [101] [inexpressible, shadowless] holy angels continually rejoice in gladness over the reflections they obtained from their Father. The kingdom of the Son of Man, who is called ‘Christ,’ is replete with inexpressible and shadowless joy, <and> rejoicing that never changes, rejoicing over his indestructible glory, until now unheard and unrevealed in <the> aeons and [102] their worlds that originated thereafter. [I] originated [from the self-begotten] and from the primal Infinite Light so that I could instruct you in all these things.”
His disciples yet again said: “Christ, instruct us plainly about <how> the truly existent ones descended from the invisibilities, from the deathless (realms) to the world of mortality.”
The perfect Savior said: “The Son of Man consorted with his companion Sophia, and manifested a [103] [mighty] androgynous [light]. Its male name is called ‘Savior, All-Begetter,’ and its female name is ‘All-Begetter Sophia,’ some calling her ‘Pistis.’
“Like a droplet from the light, everyone who enters the world is sent by him to the world of the Almighty, so that they can be watched over by him. And by the will of [104] Sophia the fetter of his oblivion bound the light, [so that] by means of this, the affair could be revealed [to] the entire impoverished world, namely, (the Almighty’s) pride and blindness, and the ignorance that named him.
“I, however, by the will of the great Light, originated from the places above. I have loosed that <fetter>, having halted the activity of the thieving tomb. I have aroused that droplet sent from Sophia, so that through me it could bear much fruit and be perfected, and never again become [105] defective, but through me, I being the Great Savior, that his glory could be manifested, so that Sophia could also be rectified of <that> defect, so <that> her children <could never> again grow defective, but could obtain honor and glory and ascend to their Father, and understand the manner of the speech of the Light.
“And you were sent by the Son, who (himself) was sent so that you could obtain light and [106] separate yourselves from the oblivion of the authorities, and that it could never again come to manifestation on your account, that is, the impure rubbing that originates from the envy that comes from their phallus, and so that you could tread on his evil intention.”
Then Thomas asked him: “Christ, Savior, how many aeons surpass the heavens?”
The perfect Savior said: “I praise you for asking about the great aeons, because your roots dwell in the infinities. [107] When those whom I discussed before were revealed, the self-begetting Father rapidly took to creating twelve aeons for service for the twelve angels. All of them are perfect and good. In this way the deficiency in the female appeared.”
And <he> asked him: “How many aeons of the immortals are there, beginning with the infinities?”
The perfect Savior said: “Let whoever has ears to hear, [108] hear! The first aeon is the Son of Man, who is called ‘First-Begetter,’ who is called ‘Savior,’ the one who has appeared. The second aeon is the Human, who is called ‘Adam, the Eye of Light.’ What encompasses these is the aeon above which there is no kingdom, of the eternal, infinite God, the self-begotten aeon of the aeons that dwell therein, of the immortals, whom I explained earlier, [109] being above the Seventh that manifested from Sophia, who is the first aeon.
“The Immortal Human manifested aeons and powers and kingdoms and granted authority to everyone who appears in him, so that they might carry out their wishes until the last things above chaos, because these united with one another and revealed every magnificence, even from the Spirit, multitudes of glorious and countless lights. In the beginning, these [110] were named the first aeon, and <the second>, and <the third>. The first <is> called ‘Unity and Repose.’ Each one bears its (appropriate) name, because the <third> aeon was called ‘Assembly’ on account of the great multitude that had appeared, a multitude revealing itself as one. It is because the multitudes [111] gather together and become one that <they> are called ‘Assembly,’ on account of that Assembly that transcends heaven.
Therefore the Assembly <of> the Ogdoad was manifested as androgynous and was named part masculine and part feminine. The male is called ‘Assembly,’ whereas the female is called ‘Life,’ so that it could be demonstrated that the life [112] for all the aeons came from a female.
“And all names were obtained from the originative principle. This was because from his harmony with his thought, the powers appeared most rapidly who were called ‘gods,’ and on the basis of <their> contemplation, the gods of the gods revealed <the> divine gods, and on the basis of their wisdom the gods revealed <the lords> of <lords>, and <on the basis> of their acts of thought the <lords> of the <lords> revealed <lords>, and on the basis of their power the <lords> [113] revealed archangels, and on the basis of their words the archangels revealed angels, and <simulacra> appeared from them possessing structure and shape and appellation for all the aeons and their worlds.
“And the immortals I have just now described, they all wield authority from the Immortal Human, who is called ‘Silence,’ <because> by reflecting (silently) without (outward) speech, [114] the majesty that is his was brought to completion. Because the indestructible ones possessed authority, they created a large kingdom, each one dwelling [in] his Ogdoad together with his firmament <and> thrones and temples for their respective majesties, because all of them originated through the will of the Mother of the World.”
The holy apostles then said to him: “Christ, Savior, reveal the aeons to us, because it is necessary for us to inquire concerning them.”
The perfect [115] Savior said: “You can ask about anything, and I will give you the answer.
“They created angelic hosts, countless myriads for service and their glory. And they created virgin spirits, the inexpressible and unwavering lights, because they experience no infirmity or weakness, but (instead show) will. In this way were the aeons rapidly completed together with the heavens and the firmaments in the glory of the Immortal Human [116] and his consort Sophia. [From there] all the aeons and worlds <and> those that arrived thereafter obtained models for the creation of <their> likenesses, (both) in the heavens <of> chaos and in their worlds. And every nature, beginning with the revelation of chaos, dwells in the shadowless light and in indescribable joy and in unspeakable rejoicing. They continually rejoice [117] over their glory that never fades and their infinite repose, which is indescribable among all the aeons and all their powers that came into being thereafter. Everything I have now told you, I said so that you could shine in the light even more than these.”
Mary asked him: “Holy Christ, from where did your disciples originate, and to where are they going, and how should they act here?”
The perfect [118] Savior said: “I desire that you know concerning Sophia, the Mother of the Totalities. I will manifest his benevolence, and it will be manifested (that) together with his mercy and his unfathomable nature he created the curtain between the immortals and those that arrived thereafter, that the result could follow every aeon and chaos, so that the deficiency of the female could <appear>, and that it could transpire that Error would struggle with her. And these came to comprise [119] the curtain of the Spirit.
“As I earlier mentioned, from <the> aeons above the emanations of Light, a droplet from the Light and the Spirit descended to the lower places of chaos belonging to the Almighty, so that their molded shapes could appear from that droplet, because it is a judgment on him, the arch-begetter, who is called ‘Yaldabaoth.’ That droplet revealed their molded shapes through breath, operating as a [120] living soul. It was wilted and it slept in the ignorance of the soul. Then it grew hot because of the breath of the great male light, and it contemplated, (and) when the breath blew into (the immortal one), names were obtained from that immortal one by everyone in the world of chaos and by everything in it.
“When, however, this transpired by the will of Mother Sophia, so that in that place the Immortal Human could sew together [121] garments as a judgment against the thieves, <he> subsequently greeted the exhalation of that breath. Because, however, he was soulish, he was unable to gain that power for himself before the number of those of chaos was completed, before the time ordained by the great angel is completed.
“I have now instructed you concerning the Immortal Human, and have loosed the fetters of the thieves from him. In front of them I shattered the gates of [122] the merciless ones, shaming their evil intention, and all of them have been disgraced, and have <not> risen from their ignorance. This is why, then, I came to this place, that they could be joined with that Spirit and breath, and could from two become one, just as it was from the beginning, that you could produce much fruit and ascend to He Who Is from the beginning, in unspeakable joy and glory and honor and the gift [123] of the Father of the World.
“Consequently, whoever knows the Father in perfect knowledge will go to the Father and repose in the unbegotten Father. However, whoever knows him imperfectly will remain in the deficiency and repose in the Ogdoad.
“Now, whoever silently knows the immortal Spirit of light, by reflecting and agreeing with the truth, if he gives to me signs of the Invisible One, he will become a light in the [124] silent Spirit. Whoever knows the Son of Man in knowledge and love, if he gives me a sign of the Son of Man, he can go to dwell with those in the Ogdoad.”
“Behold! I have instructed you concerning the name of the Perfect One, the entire will of the holy angels and of the Mother, so that the male host may be brought to completion, so that in all the aeons they could appear, from [125] the infinities to those that came into existence in the unfathomable riches of the Great Invisible Spirit, so that they all could partake in his benevolence, even the riches <of their place of repose> without any kingdom over it.
“And I originated from first sent one, that I could disclose to you He Who Is from the beginning, on account of the pride of the arch-begetter and his angels, because they boast about themselves, saying that they are gods. And I [126] came to free them from their blindness, so that I could announce to everyone concerning the God who dwells above the world.
“Tread, therefore, on their graves, shame their evil intention, break their yoke, and awaken whoever is my own, because I have granted you authority over everything as the Sons of Light, so that with your feet you could tread on their power.”
These are the matters the blessed Savior spoke, and he [127] vanished from their midst. And they were in great, unspeakable joy in the Spirit from that day onward. And his disciples began preaching the divine Gospel of the eternal Father, indestructible forever.
The Sophia of Jesus Christ