Footnote 87:
P. 361, Copt.
Footnote 88:
_Forerunners_, II., pp. 178-180.
Footnote 89:
Axionicus was living at Antioch when Tertullian wrote, and is said by
him to have preserved Valentinus’ doctrine unaltered. Cf. _adv.
Valentin._ c. IV. (II. p. 386, Ochl.).
Footnote 90:
See especially Clement’s quotation from Valentinus given in full in
_Forerunners_, II. p. 125.
Footnote 91:
See last note.
Footnote 92:
Hipp., _Philosophum._ VI. c. 29, pp. 280, 281, Cf. _Forerunners_, II.
p. 123, for the passage in full.
Footnote 93:
Mallet, _Culte de Neol. à Saix_, confuses the relations of these two
to those of Nu and Ptah in the older faith.
Footnote 94:
See _Forerunners_, II. pp. 104-106, for authorities.
Footnote 95:
_Ibid._, pp. 106-109.
Footnote 96:
Budge, _Coptic Apocrypha_, pp. 185, 186.
Footnote 97:
Irenæus I. vi. 2, p. 112 H.; Tertull. _adv. Valentinia._ c. 36, II. p.
419 Oehl.
Footnote 98:
_Forerunners_, II. p. 103.
Footnote 99:
W. R. Newbold. A Syriac Valentinian Hymn in _Journal of the American
Oriental Society_, Vol. 38, pt. I. (1918), pp. 1 ff.
Footnote 100:
_Philosophumena_, VI. 2, 37, pp. 299 Cr.
Footnote 101:
_Ibid._, p. 301 Cr.
Footnote 102:
_Forerunners_, II. pp. 159-163; pp. 178-180.
Footnote 103:
See last note.
Footnote 104:
Schmidt and Lichtenhaus in the articles above quoted attribute many of
the discrepancies in the story of Pistis Sophia to the supposed fact
that the translator or the scribe was working on several different
documents or on different recensions of one document. This is likely
enough; but as its details savour of the textual criticisms or, as it
seems to me, the guess work which has given us the “polychrome” Bible,
I have thought it best not to dwell further upon it.
Footnote 105:
Irenæus, I. 7, 8, II. pp. 114-156 H.
Footnote 106:
Cf. _Epistle of Barnabas_, c. 10, pp. 23, 24, Hilgenfeld; quoted in
_Forerunners_, II. p. 1566, n. 2.
Footnote 107:
In _Forerunners_ I have given my reasons for adhering to M. Foucart’s
opinion that the Eleusinian Mysteries originally came from Egypt.
Footnote 108:
P. 294, Copt.
Footnote 109:
Ptolemy in his letter to his “dear sister Flora,” given in full in
Epiphanius, does not even hint at anything of the kind, nor does
Heracleon in his commentaries on St. John quoted by Origen.
Footnote 110:
Harnack, _op. cit._ p. 100.
Footnote 111:
Cf. Amélineau, _Le Nouveau Traité Gnostique de Turin_, 1895, p. 18.
Footnote 112:
Budge, _Miscellaneous Coptic Texts_, _passim_.
Footnote 113:
Budge, _Coptic Apocrypha_, p. 329.
LITERAL TRANSLATION OF PISTIS SOPHIA
THE FIRST DOCUMENT
But it happened after that Jesus rose out of those who (are) dead, and
he spent eleven years speaking with his disciples, and teaching them
only as far as the Places of the First precept (Law?), and as far as the
Places of the First Mystery, this which (is) the inward of the veil
which (is) within the First precept, namely the twenty-fourth mystery
out(side) and below; these (Places) which become in the second Space of
the First Mystery which (is) before every mystery, the Father in the
form of dove. Jesus is saying to his disciples, I came out of that First
Mystery, namely [1^b] the Last mystery which is the twenty-fourth, and
which the disciples knew not and understood not that there is anything
within that mystery; but they were thinking of that mystery that it is
the head of the Universe, and the head of all those which become.
And they were thinking that it is the completion of all the completions
because that Jesus was saying to them concerning that mystery that it
(is) that which surroundeth the first precept with the five Marks and
with the great Light and with the five Helpers and with all the Treasury
of the Light. And also Jesus had not said unto his disciples all the
distribution [2^a] of all the Places of the great Invisible with the
three Triple Powers with the twenty-four Invisibles with all their
Places with their Aeons with all their arrays as they are distributed,
these namely the emanations of the great Invisible and with their
Unbegotten (ones) and with their Self begotten (ones) and with their
Begotten (ones) and with their luminaries and with their Unpaired (ones)
and with their Rulers with their Authorities with their Lords with their
Archangels with their Angels with their Dekans with their Ministers with
all the houses of their Spheres, and [2^b] with all the arrays each one
of them. And Jesus had not said unto his disciples all the distribution
of the emanations of the Treasury nor their arrays as they are
distributed: nor had he said unto them their Saviours according to the
array of each one as they are. Nor had he said unto them what Guardian
is at each (door) of the Treasury of the Light. Nor had he said unto
them the Place of the Twin Saviour, namely the child of the child. And
he had not said unto them the Place of the three Amens in what Place
they are distributed [3^a]. And he had not said unto them in what Place
the five Trees are distributed, nor the other seven Amens, namely, the
seven Voices, what is their Place according as they are distributed. And
Jesus had not said unto his disciples of what type are the five Helpers,
or in what Place they were brought. Nor had he said unto them in what
manner the great Light was distributed, or in what Place it was brought.
Nor had he said unto them the five Marks, nor concerning the First
precept in what Place it was brought.
But he was only speaking [3^b] with them simply, teaching them that they
exist (become). But their distribution with the array of their Places he
had not said unto them according as they exist.
Because of this indeed they knew not that there are other Places
becoming the inward of that Mystery. And he had not said unto his
disciples out of what Place I came until I came into that Mystery, until
I came forth out of it. But he was wont to say to them, teaching them
that I came out of that Mystery. Because of this therefore they were
thinking of that Mystery that it is the completion of all completions;
and that it is the head of the Universe; and that [4^a] it is the whole
Pleroma: since Jesus is wont to say unto his disciples that that Mystery
(is) that which surroundeth the Universe of all which I said unto you
from the day when I met you even unto to-day. Because of this therefore
the disciples were thinking that there is not anything becoming within
that mystery.
It happened therefore while the disciples are sitting with one another
upon the mountain of the Olives saying these words and rejoicing in
great joy and being very glad, and saying to one another, We happy are
beyond all men who (are) upon the earth, because the [4^b] Saviour
revealed these (things) to us, and we received the Pleroma with all the
completion. While these they are saying unto one another Jesus is
sitting, being distant from them a little (way). But it happened on the
fifteenth day of the month of Tōbe, namely the day in which the moon is
wont to be full, on that day therefore the sun having come out in his
course, (there) came out after him a great power of light enlightening
greatly greatly, (there) being no measure for the light which was made,
for it came out of the Light of the lights, and it came out of the Last
mystery, namely the twenty-fourth mystery (reckoning) from within [5^a]
unto without, these (mysteries) which become in the array of the second
Space of the First Mystery. But that power indeed of light came upon
Jesus and surrounded him altogether, while sitting at a distance from
his disciples, and he was enlightening greatly greatly, (there) being no
measure for the light which was becoming. And the disciples had not seen
Jesus from the great light in which he was being, or which was being
(from) him; for their eyes had been darkened from the great light in
which he was being. But they were only seeing the light casting out
beams of light which are great. And not equal with one another [5^b]
were the beams of light; and the light was being of different kinds, and
it was being of different types (reaching) from below to above, one
being more excellent than one at a time in a great glory of light
immeasurable, it was reaching from below on the earth even up to the
heavens.
And the disciples having seen that light, they became in great fear and
in great disturbance.
It happened therefore when the power of that light came upon Jesus, it
surrounded him entirely (by) little (and) little. Then Jesus mounted up,
or flew, unto the Height having enlightened greatly greatly in light for
which there is not measure. And the disciples were looking [6^a] at him,
none of them speaking until he went up unto the heaven, but they were
all being in great silence. These (things) therefore happened on the
fifteen of the moon, the day on which is wont to be completed the month
of Tōbe.
It happened therefore Jesus having gone into the heaven, after three
hours were disturbed all the powers of the heavens, and they all quaked
against one another, they with all their Aeons with all their Places and
with all their arrays; and all the earth was moved with all those who
dwell upon it. And were disturbed all the men who (are) in the World
with the disciples also, and they were all thinking that perhaps [6^b]
will be rolled up the World. And had not ceased all the powers which
(are) in the heavens being disturbed, they with all the World, and they
were all being moved upon one another from three of the fifteen of the
moon of Tōbe even unto nine of the morrow. And all the Angels with their
Archangels and with all the Powers of the Height were all hymning unto
the inner part of the inner parts. So that all the earth heard their
voices, not ceasing even unto the nine of the morrow.
But the disciples were sitting with one another being in fear, and they
had been disturbed [7^a] greatly greatly, but they were fearing because
of the great earthquake which becometh, and they were weeping with one
another, saying, What then is it that will happen? Perhaps the Saviour
is about to overturn all the Places.
These therefore they are saying, weeping toward one another. At the hour
of nine of the morrow the heavens opened, and they saw Jesus coming
down, enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure for his light
in which he is becoming, for he was enlightening more than the hour in
which he went up unto the heavens, so that it was not possible for
world-men to speak of the light which was being from him: and he was
casting out beams of [7^b] light greatly greatly, there being no measure
for his beams; and his light was not being equal with itself (one
another), but it was being of different kinds, and it was being of
different types, some more excellent than one another at a time; and all
the light was in itself different; it was being of three manners and one
more excellent than one at a time; the second which is in the middle was
being more excellent than the first which is below, and the third which
is above them all was more excellent than the two which (are) below. And
the first ray placed below them all, being of the kind of light which
[8^a] came upon Jesus before that he went up unto the heavens, and being
equal to it only in his light. And the three lights were being of
different kinds of light, and they were being of different types, some
more excellent than some at a time.
But it happened, (that) the disciples having seen these they feared
greatly and were disturbed. Jesus therefore the merciful and the sweet
(of) heart, having seen his disciples that they were disturbed in a
great disturbance spake with them, saying, Be confident of heart, I am,
fear not.
It happened therefore, the disciples having heard this word said they,
Lord if thou art, draw away unto thee thy light of glory, that [8^b] we
may be able to stand, otherwise our eyes are darkened, and we were
disturbed, and also was disturbed all the World out of the great light
which becometh from thee.
Then Jesus drew away unto him the glory of his light, and this having
happened were confident of heart all the disciples, they came up to foot
of Jesus, they prostrated all, at once, they worshipped to him rejoicing
in great joy. Said they to him, Hrabbei, whither wentest thou, or what
is thy Service which thou wentest (upon), or in what indeed were all
these disturbances with all these earthquakes which happened? Then said
he to them Jesus, the merciful, Rejoice and be glad from this hour,
because [9^a] I went even to the Places out of which I came. From
to-day, therefore, henceforth I shall speak with you in boldness from
the beginning of the Truth even to its end, and I shall speak with you
face to face without parable, I shall not hide anything from you, from
this hour, of the (things) of the Height and the (things) of the Place
of the Truth; for they gave authority from the Ineffable and from the
First Mystery of all the mysteries for me to speak with you from the
beginning even to the Pleroma, and from within even to without and from
without even to within. Hear therefore that I may say unto you
everything. It happened while I am sitting being distant from you [9^b]
a little upon the mountain of the Olives, thinking of the arrangement of
the service concerning which they sent me, that it was finished: and the
Last mystery dispatched not to me my vesture, namely the twenty-fourth
mystery (reckoning) from within even to without, these which become in
the second Space of the First Mystery in the array of that Space. It
happened therefore, I having known that was finished the arrangement of
the service, concerning which I came, and not yet that Mystery
dispatched to me my vesture this which I left in it, until was finished
his time. These (things) therefore thinking, sitting [10^a] upon the
mountain of the Olives distant from you a little, it happened as the sun
came up in the Places of rising, afterward therefore through the First
Mystery, this which was becoming from at first, this because of whom the
Universe became, this out of which I also came now, not at the time
before they crucified me, but now. It happened by the commandment of
that Mystery, he dispatched to me my vesture of light, this which he
gave for me from (at) first, this which I left in the Last mystery,
namely the twenty-fourth mystery (reckoning) from within out, these
which become in the arrays of the second Space of the First [10^b]
Mystery. That vesture of light therefore, that which I, I left in the
Last mystery, until finished the time for me to put it on, and to begin
for me to speak with the race of mankind, and reveal to them all from
the beginning of the Truth even unto its end, and speak with them from
the inward part of the inward parts even unto the outward part of the
outward parts, and from the outward part of the outward parts even unto
the inward part of the inward parts. Rejoice therefore with gladness and
make more joy, because ye are those to whom they gave it for me to speak
with you at first from the beginning of the Truth [11^a] even unto its
end. Because of this indeed I chose you from at first through the First
Mystery. Rejoice therefore and be glad, because having come, coming out
unto the World from at first I brought twelve powers with me according
as I said unto you from at first, which I received from the twelve
Saviours of the Treasury of Light, according to the commandment of the
First Mystery. These therefore I cast unto the womb of your mother, from
when I come unto the World, these which (are) in your body to-day, for
they gave these powers unto you beyond all the World, because ye are
those who will save all the World; and that ye should [11^b] prevail to
endure the threat of the Rulers of the World with the toils of the World
with their dangers and with their persecutions, all which will bring
upon you the Rulers of the Height. For I said to you many times that the
power which becometh within you, this which I brought out of the twelve
Saviours, these who become in the Treasury of the Light. Because of this
indeed I said to you from at first that ye are not (such as are) out of
the World, this I also, I am not out of it, for every man who (is) in
the World received soul out of the Rulers of the Aeons, but the power
which becometh [12^a] in you is (something) from me. But ye, your souls
are numbered unto the Height. I brought twelve powers of 12 Saviours to
the Treasury of the Light, which I took out of the part of my power,
that which I took at first. And having come, coming unto the World I
came unto the midst of the Rulers of the Sphere, I was the likeness of
Gabriel the angel of the Aeons, and knew me not the Rulers of the Aeons.
But they were thinking that I am Gabriel the angel. It happened
therefore, having come unto the midst of the Rulers of the Aeons, I
looked down unto the World of the mankind by the command of the First
Mystery, I found Elisabet the mother of Iohannes, [12^b] the baptist,
before that that (woman) yet conceived him, I sowed a power into her,
this which I received from the little Iao, the good, he who (is) in the
Middle, that he should prevail to preach in front of us, and prepare my
road and baptise in water for forgiving sin. That power therefore, that
(is) that which becometh in the body of Iohannes, and also in the Place
of the soul of the Rulers, destined to receive it, I found the soul of
Helias the prophet in the Aeons of the Sphere, and I took him in, and I
took his soul also, I brought it to the Virgin of the Light and she gave
it to her Receivers, they brought it unto the Sphere of the [13^a]
Rulers and they cast it into the womb of Elisabet. But the power of the
little Iao, he of the Middle, and the soul of Helias the prophet, they
(are) those which are bound in the body of Iohannes the baptist. Because
of this therefore ye doubted, at the time I having said to you, that
Iohannes said, I am not the Christ, and ye said to me, It is written in
the Scripture that if the Christ should come, he coming, cometh Helias
before him and prepareth his road. But I, ye having said to me these
(things) I said to you, Came indeed Helias, and he prepared everything
according as it is written, and they did to him as they are willing (to
do). And having known that ye did not understand that I said to you
[13^b] concerning the soul of Helias which is bound in Iohannes the
baptist, I answered to you in the word in boldness of face with face, If
ye are willing to receive (it) Iohannes the baptist, he is Helias, he
whom I said that he cometh.
Added also Jesus in the word, said he, It happened therefore after these
(things), by the command of the First Mystery I looked also down upon
the World of the mankind I found Maria this whom they are wont to call
my mother according to the body of the matter. I spake also with her
according to the form of Gabriel, and she having turned herself unto the
Height unto me I cast in unto her the first power that which I took from
the Barbelo, [14^a] namely, the body which I wear in the Height and in
the place (Coptic) of the soul I cast in unto her the power, that which
I took from the great Sabaoth, the good, this who becometh in the Place
of the Right (hand), and the twelve powers of the twelve Saviours of the
Treasury of the Light, those which I took from the twelve Deacons which
(are) in the Middle, I cast them unto the Sphere of the Rulers, and the
Dekan of the Rulers with their Ministrants, they were thinking that
souls they were of the Rulers, and brought them the Ministrants, I bound
them in the body of your mother. And when your time was finished they
produced you in [14^b] the World, there not being soul of the Rulers in
you; and ye took your part out of the power, this which breathed in unto
the Confusion the last Helper, this (power) which is mixed with all the
Invisibles with all the Rulers, with all the Aeons, once simply being
mixed in the World of the corruption which is the Confusion: this
(power) which I brought out of me from at first, I cast it in unto the
First precept, and the First precept cast a part from it in unto the
great Light, and the great Light cast a part from that which he received
in unto the five Helpers, and the last Helper received a part from that
which he received he cast it in unto the Confusion, [15^a] and it became
in all (things) those which become in the Confusion, according as I have
already said to you.
These therefore Jesus is saying to his disciples upon the mountain of
the Olives.
Added Jesus also in the word with his disciples, Rejoice and be glad and
add joy upon your joy because fulfilled were the times for me to put on
my vesture, this which was being prepared for me from at first, this
which I left in the Last mystery even unto the time of its fulfilment.
But the time of its fulfilment is the time which they will command by
the First mystery for me to speak with you from the beginning of the
Truth even unto its end, and from the inward part [15^b] of the inward
parts, because that the World will be delivered by you. Rejoice
therefore and be glad because ye are happy beyond all the men who (are)
upon the earth, because ye are those who will deliver all the World.
It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his
disciples, he added also in the word, said he to them, Behold therefore
I wore my vesture, and they gave to me all authorities by the First
Mystery. Yet a little more time is, and I shall say unto you the mystery
of the all with the Pleroma of the all; and I shall hide nothing from
you from this hour, but in a fulfilment I shall fulfil you in every
Pleroma and in every completion and in every mystery, namely the
completion of all completions, and [16^a] the Pleroma of all the
Pleromas and the knowledge of all the knowledges these which become in
my vesture I shall say unto you all the mysteries from the outward part
of the outward parts unto the inward part of the inward parts.
Nevertheless, hear, that I may say unto you everything which happened to
me. It happened therefore the sun having come up in the places (Coptic)
of rising, (there) came down a great power of light, my vesture being in
it, this which I left in the twenty-fourth Mystery according as I have
already said to you now, and I found a mystery in my vesture, written in
the sort of, the writing of the (things) of the Height _zama zama ozza
rakhama ozai_, namely, its interpretation, The mystery which is outside
of the World, this [16^b] because of which the Universe became. This is
with the whole (going) out the whole taking away up, this which
distributed all the distributions with all those which are in them, and
this because of which every mystery became and with all their Places.
Come up even unto us, because we (are) thy fellow members, but we all
(are) with thyself also, we (are) One of One and thou art One of One,
that is the First Mystery which became from at first in the Ineffable
before that he came forth, and the name of that (One) we all (are). Now
therefore we all together we wait for thee at the last Boundary, namely,
the last mystery (reckoning) from within, he also is a part of us. Now
therefore we have dispatched to thee thy vesture [17^a] which is thy
very own from at first, this which thou left in the last Boundary,
namely, the Last mystery from within, until his time is completed
according to the command of the First Mystery.
Behold, having been completed his time, put it on. Come even unto us, we
all wait for thee, for us to put on thee the First Mystery with all his
glory through his own command, the First Mystery having given him to us
being two vestures for us to put on thee, beside this which we
dispatched to thee, because thou art worthy of them, since thou (art) he
who preceded us and thou becomest before us.