disciples, they cried out all one after (upon, MS) another, saying, O
Saviour, thou distracted us greatly with the greatnesses which thou
sayest to us, and because thou tookest away our souls, and they became
compelled to come out of us in unto thee, (for) because that ones out of
thee they are. Now therefore because of these greatnesses were
distracted our souls these which thou sayest unto us, and they were
pressed greatly greatly unto a wishing to come out of us unto the Height
unto the Place of thy kingdom. These therefore having said them the
disciples, added also the Saviour, said he to his disciples, Whenever ye
should go to cities or kingdoms or countries, preach to them at first,
saying, Seek at every hour, and [257^a] leave not off even until ye find
the mysteries of the Light, these which will take you in unto the
kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Take heed unto you of the teachings
of error, otherwise there are a multitude coming in my name saying, I
am, being not I, and they will deceive a multitude. Now therefore every
man who cometh (close) to you and believe you, and hearken unto your
words, and do that (which is) worthy of the mysteries of the Light, then
give to them the mysteries of the Light, and hide not them from them:
and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are high, give them to him,
and he who is worthy of the mysteries which are lower, give them to him,
and hide not any from any. The mystery indeed of the raising the dead
and curing the sicknesses, give it not to any, nor teach in it: because
that mystery is the (mystery) of the Rulers, it with all its namings.
Because of this therefore [257^b] give it not to any, nor teach in it,
even until ye establish the faith in all the World: that whenever ye
should come into cities or countries and they do not receive you unto
them, and they believe you not and they hearken not unto your words, and
ye should raise dead (ones) in those places, and cure the lame with the
blind with the sicknesses which are various in those places: and through
you all these of this kind they will believe you, that ye are preaching
the God of the Universe, and they (will) believe every word from you:
because of this therefore I gave to you that mystery, even until ye
establish the faith in all the World. These therefore having said them
the Saviour, he added also in the word, said he to Maria, Now therefore
hear, Maria, concerning [258^a] the word of which thou sought from me,
What it is which compelleth the man even until he doeth sin. Now
therefore they are wont to bear the child, the power in him being small,
and being small in him the soul, and being small in him the counterfeit
spirit also in one word, being small the three together: having not any
of them any perception of thing whether good or evil, from the weight of
the heedlessness which weigheth greatly: and also being small the body
also: and the child is wont to eat out of the meats of the world of the
Rulers; and is wont the power to attract to it(self) from the particle
of the power which is in the meats, and is wont the soul to attract to
it(self) from the particle of the soul which is in the meats, and is
wont the counterfeit spirit to attract to it(self) from the particle of
the evil which is in [258^b] the meats with its lusts, and is wont the
body also to attract to itself the matter, which perceiveth not which is
in the meats. The Fate, indeed is not wont to receive out of the meats,
because that it is not mixed up with them (the others), but in the
condition in which it is wont to come unto the World it is wont to go
also in it: and gradually (by little, little, MS) are wont the power
with the soul with the counterfeit spirit to become great, and each of
them is wont to perceive according to his nature. The power indeed is
wont to perceive to seek after the Light of the Height, the soul also is
wont to perceive to seek after the Place of the righteousness this which
is mixed, namely the Place of the Confusion, the counterfeit spirit also
is wont to seek after all evil with the lusts with every sin, the body
also is not wont to perceive anything, except it taketh up power out of
the matter. [259^a] And then they are wont to perceive, each of the
three, according to his nature. And the Contentious ones also are wont
to tell to the Ministers (that) they should follow them, and become
witness to every sin which they do, concerning the manner in which they
will punish them in the judgments, and after these also, the counterfeit
spirit is wont to take notice and perceive all the sins with the evil,
which order unto the soul the Rulers of the great Destiny; and it maketh
them of the soul. And is wont the power which is within to move the
soul, for it to seek after the Place of the Light, and of all the
Godhead: and is wont the counterfeit spirit to turn aside the soul, and
it is wont to compel it and cause it to do all his unlawfulnesses and
with all his passions with all its sins persevering (in them). And is
wont [259^b] to remain imparting to the soul, and becoming enemy unto
it, causing it to do all these evils with all these sins. And he is wont
to instigate the Contentious ministers that they should become witness
against her in every sin which it will cause her to do: still also
coming, she being about to rest herself in the night (and) in the day,
it is wont to move her in dreams or in lusts of the World. And it is
wont to cause her to lust after everything of the World, in one word, it
is wont to urge her unto all things which order to it the Rulers. And it
is wont to become enemy with the soul causing her to do the (things)
which she would not. Now therefore Maria, then this is the enemy of the
soul, and this is that which compelleth her, even until she doeth every
sin. Now therefore whenever should become completed the time of that
man, at first indeed is wont to come out the Fate and lead the man
[260^a] in unto the death by the Rulers with their bonds, these in which
they were bound by the Destiny: and afterwards are wont to come the
Contentious Receivers, and bring that soul out of the body, and
afterwards are wont the Contentious Receivers they are wont to spend
three days going about with that soul in all the Places, sending it unto
all the Aeons of the World: (while) followeth after that soul the
counterfeit spirit with the Fate, and is wont the power to withdraw
(close) to the Virgin of the Light. And after the three days are wont
the Contentious Receivers they are wont to bring that soul down down
unto Amente of the Chaos. And whenever they should bring her down unto
the Chaos they are wont to deliver her to those who punish. And are wont
the [260^b] Receivers to withdraw unto their Places according to the
arrangement of the works of the Rulers, because of the coming out of the
souls. And is wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to become Receiver
of the soul, allotting her, convicting her according to the punishment,
because of the sins which it caused her to do. And it is wont to become
in a great enmity towards the soul, and whenever the soul should
complete the punishments in the Chaoses according to the sins which she
did, is wont the counterfeit to bring her up from the Chaoses allotting
her, convicting her from Place to Place because of the sins which she
did. And is wont to bring her out on the road of the Rulers of the
Middle. And whenever he should reach them, they are wont to seek from
her the mysteries of the Fate. And if she did not find them, they are
wont to seek from their Fate. And are wont those Rulers, they are wont
to punish that soul [261^a] according to the sins for which she is
worthy (to be punished). These I shall say unto you, viz.: the type of
their punishment in the Distribution of the Universe. Whenever therefore
it should happen, whenever should be completed the time of the
punishment of that soul in the judgments of the Rulers of the Middle, is
wont the counterfeit spirit, it is wont to bring the soul up from all
the Places of the Rulers of the Middle, it is wont to take her up before
the light of the sun according to the commandment of the first man Ieou:
and it is wont to take her (close) to the judge the Virgin of the Light.
She is wont to prove that soul, and find it being a sinful soul. And she
is wont to cast her power of light in unto her, because of setting up
the soul and the body and the sharing of the perception. These I shall
say, viz.: their type, unto you in the Distribution of the Universe.
[261^b] And is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal that
soul and lay her on one of her Receivers, and causeth them to cast her
(him, MS) into a body worthy of the sins which she did: and Amen I say
unto you that she shall not release that soul from the changes of the
body, having not given her last cycle (of changes) according to the
(things) which are worthy (for her). These all therefore I shall say
their type unto you with the type of the bodies unto which they shall
cast them according to the sins of every soul, these I shall say unto
you all (of them), whenever I should finish saying to you the
Distribution of the Universe. Added also Jesus in the word, said he, If
also a soul is which is not wont to hearken unto the counterfeit spirit
(in) all his works, and this (soul) became good, she received the
mysteries of the Light, these which (are) in the second Space, or indeed
these [262^a] which (are) in the third Space, these which (are) from
within (on the inward part, MS): whenever should be completed the time
of that soul (of coming) out of the body; and is wont the counterfeit
spirit, it is wont to follow that soul, it with the Fate, it is wont to
follow in the road by which it will go unto the Height. And having not
yet been distant from the Height, she is wont to say the mystery of the
loosing of her seals, with all the bonds of the counterfeit spirit,
these with which the Rulers bound it in unto the soul. And whenever they
should say them, are wont to be loosed the bonds of the counterfeit
spirit, and it is (wont) to cease coming in unto that soul, and it is
wont to release the soul according to the commands which ordered unto it
the Rulers of the great Destiny, saying to it, Release not this soul
except she say unto thee the mystery of the loosing of every seal, these
in which we bound thee in unto [262^b] the soul. Whenever it should
happen therefore, whenever the soul, whenever she should say the mystery
of the loosing of the seals with all the bonds of the counterfeit
spirit, and (whenever) it ceaseth coming in unto the soul, and ceaseth
being bound in unto her, and in that hour it is wont to say a mystery
and dismiss the Fate unto her Place (close) to the Rulers which (are) in
the road of the Middle. And she is wont to say the mystery, and dismiss
the counterfeit spirit (close) to the Rulers of the Destiny unto the
Place in which they bound it unto her. And in that hour she is wont to
become a great effluence of light, becoming of light greatly greatly,
and are wont the Contentious Receivers, these which brought her out of
the body, they are wont to fear before the light of that soul, and fall
down upon their face. And in that hour is wont that soul, she is wont to
become a great effluence of light, and she is wont to [263^a] become
wing of light all of her, and to pass through every Place of the Rulers
with all the arrays of the Light, even until she goeth unto the Place of
her kingdom unto which she received mystery. If also it is a soul,
having received mystery in the first Space, reckoning from without
(which is from without, MS), and after receiving the mysteries and
completing them, and turned (not M) and committed sin again, after the
completion of the mysteries; and also if should be completed the time of
the coming out of that soul, are wont to come the Contentious Receivers
and bring that soul out of the body: and is wont the Fate with the
counterfeit spirit, they are wont to follow that soul because that the
counterfeit spirit is being bound in unto her with the seals and the
bonds of the Rulers, it is wont to follow after that soul walking on the
roads of the counterfeit spirit: she is wont to say the mystery of the
loosening [263^b] of all the bonds and all the seals with which the
Rulers bound the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul. And whenever
should the soul say the mystery of the loosening of the seals,
immediately are wont to be loosened the bonds of the seals, these which
bound the counterfeit spirit in unto the soul. And whenever the soul,
whenever she should say the mystery of the loosening of the seals, and
immediately is wont to be loosened the counterfeit spirit; and it is
wont to cease coming in against the soul, and it ceaseth from allotting
the soul. And immediately is wont to say a mystery, the soul, and hold
down the counterfeit spirit with the Fate and dismiss them from
following her. But there is not any of them being in their (own)
authority: but she is being in her (their, MS) authority: and
immediately are wont the Receiver of that soul and the mysteries which
she received, they are wont to come and snatch away that soul from
[264^a] the Contentious Receiver. And are wont the Receivers, they are
wont to withdraw unto the works of the Rulers in regard to the
arrangement for the bringing out of the souls. And are wont the
Receivers also of that soul, these which belong unto the Light, they are
wont to become wing of light unto that soul, and she becometh vesture of
light unto her(self). And they are not wont to take her out of the
Chaoses, because it is not right to take a soul having received mystery
out of the Chaoses, but they are wont to take her by the road of the
Rulers of the Middle: and whenever she should arrive at the Rulers of
the Middle, are wont to come out to meet the soul those Rulers, becoming
in a great fear with a flame which is fierce with varied faces, in one
word, being in a great fear, there being not measure unto it. And
immediately is wont the soul, she is wont to say the mystery of their
defence. And they are wont to fear greatly and (to) fall upon their face
being in fear [264^b] before the mystery which she said, and before her
defence. And is wont that soul, she is wont to dismiss them to their
Fate, saying to them, Receive to you your Fate. I am not coming unto
your Place from this hour. I became strange unto you unto age, being
about to go unto the Place of mine inheritance. But these whenever
should finish saying them the soul, are wont the Receivers of the Light,
they are wont to fly with her unto the Height, and they are wont to take
her out of the Aeons of the Destiny, she giving the defence of the Place
to it with its seal, these which I shall say unto you in the
Distribution of the mysteries. And she is wont to give to the Rulers the
counterfeit spirit, and she is wont to say unto them the mystery of the
bonds with which they bound it in unto her (him, MS). And she is wont to
say to them, Come (take) your counterfeit spirit. I am not coming unto
your Place from this hour, I became strange unto you unto age. And she
is wont to give the seal of each [265^a] to him with his defence. But
these whenever should finish saying the soul, are wont the Receivers of
the Light, they are wont to fly with her unto the Height, and they are
wont to take her out of the Aeons of the Destiny, and they are wont to
take her up in all the Aeons, she giving the defence of each Place to
it, with the defence of all the Places, with the seals of (with, MS) the
Tyrants of the King the Adamas. And she is wont to give the defence to
all the Rulers of all the Places of the Left, these which I shall say
unto you all their defences with their seals, at the time (in) which I
shall say unto you at the Distribution of the mysteries. And also are
wont these Receivers, they are wont to take that soul up to the Virgin
of the Light, and also is wont that soul, she is wont to give to the
Virgin of the Light the seals with the glory of the hymn. And is wont
[265^b] the Virgin of the Light and with the other seven Virgins of the
Light, they are all wont to prove that soul, and all to find their signs
in her, with their seals with their baptisms with their chrisms. And is
wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to seal that soul; and the
Receivers of the Light are wont to baptise that soul, and give to her
the chrism spiritual. And are wont each of the Virgins of the Light,
they are wont to seal her with their seals, and also are wont the
Receivers of the Light, they are wont to deliver her up to the great
Sabaoth the good, this who (is) at the gate of the Life in the Place of
those of the Right (hand), this whom they are wont to call, The Father.
And is wont that soul, she is wont to give the glory of the hymn with
his seals with his defences. And [266^a] is wont Sabaoth the great,
good, he is wont to seal her with his seals. And is wont the soul, she
is wont to give her knowledge with the glory of the hymns with the seals
of every Place of those of the Right (hand), they are all wont to seal
her with their seals. And is wont Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the
Light, this who (is) in the Place of those of the Right (hand), he is
wont to seal that soul. And are wont the Receivers of Melkhisedek, they
are wont to seal that soul, and to receive her unto the Treasury of the
Light. And she is wont to give the glory with the honour with the
respect of the hymns with all the seals of all the Places of the Light.
And are wont those of all the Places of the Treasury of the Light, they
are wont to seal her with their seals. And she is wont to go unto the
Place of her inheritance. [266^b] These therefore the Saviour having
said them unto his disciples, said he to them, Understand ye in what
manner I am speaking with you? Sprang up again Maria, said she, Yea, my
Lord, I understand in what manner thou art speaking with me, and I shall
comprehend all of them. Now therefore concerning these words which thou
sayest my understanding maketh four meanings in me, and my
Light-dweller, it led and it was glad, it boiled in me wishing to come
out of me and to go in unto thee. Now therefore, My Lord, hear that I
may say unto thee the four meanings which became in me. The first
meaning indeed which happened in me (is) concerning the word which thou
saidst, Now therefore is wont the soul, she is wont to give the defence
with the seal to all the Rulers who (are) in the Place of the King, the
Adamas, and she is wont to give the defence [267^a] with the honour with
the glory of all their seals with the hymn of the Places of the Light.
Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once, they
having brought to thee the stater, thou sawest it being of silver and
brass, thou soughtest, That of whom is this image? Said they, That of
the King it is. But thou having seen it, that it was mixed in silver and
brass, saidst thou, Give the part, that of the King to the King. And
that of the God to the God, namely, whenever the soul should receive
mystery she is wont to give the defence to all the Rulers with the Place
of the King, the Adamas. And the soul is wont to give the honour with
the glory to those of all the Places of the Light. And the word, It
shone when thou hadst seen it, being of silver and brass. That is the
type of this, the power of the Light being in it, namely, the silver
[267^b] which is choice. And being in her the counterfeit spirit,
namely, the material brass. Then this, my Lord, is the first meaning.
The second meaning also which thou finishedst saying to us now
concerning the soul which receiveth mystery, whenever it should come
unto the Place of the Rulers of the road of the Middle, and they are
wont to come out before her in a great fear greatly greatly, and is wont
the soul, she is wont to give to them (him, MS) the mystery of the fear.
And they (she, MS) are wont to fear before her, and she is wont to give
the Fate unto her Place, and she is wont to give the counterfeit spirit
unto its Place, and she is wont to give the defence with the seals to
each of the Rulers who (are) upon the roads, and she is wont to give the
honour with the glory with the respect of the seals with the hymns to
those of all the Places of the Light. Concerning this word, my Lord,
[268^a] which thou saidst by the mouth of Paulos our brother once, Give
the tribute to him of the tribute, and give the fear to him of the fear,
give the custom to him of the custom, and give the honour to him of the
honour, and give the respect to him of the respect, and do not owe
anything to anyone. Which (is) this My Lord, The soul who receiveth
mystery is wont to give the defence to all the Places, This is, my Lord,
the second meaning. The third meaning also concerning the word which
thou saidst unto us once, The counterfeit spirit is wont to become enemy
unto the soul, causing it to do all the sins and all the passions, and
it is wont to convict her in the punishment concerning all the sins
which it caused her to do, in one word, it is wont to be enemy unto the
soul in every form. Concerning this word therefore which thou saidst
unto us once, The enemies of the man are his domestics [268^b] namely
the domestics of the soul are the counterfeit spirit with the Fate,
these which are enemy unto the soul at every time causing her to do
every sin with every wickedness. Then this, my Lord, is the third
meaning. The fourth meaning also concerning the word which thou saidst,
If the soul should come out of the body, and walk in the road of the
counterfeit spirit, and whenever it should not find the mystery of the
loosening of all the bonds with the seals, these which are bound to the
counterfeit spirit, and (yet) it should cease to be allotted unto her.
If therefore she should not find it, is wont the counterfeit spirit, it
is wont to take the soul (close) to the Virgin of the Light, the judge:
and is wont the judge, the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove the
soul and find about her, she having done sin; and having not also found
the mysteries of the Light with her. And she is wont to give [269^a] her
to one of her Receivers, and is wont her Receiver, he is wont to bring
her and cast her unto the body, and she is not wont to come out of the
changes with the body, having not given the last Cycle. Concerning this
word therefore my Lord, which thou saidst unto us once, (Become) being
reconciled with thine enemy while thou art on the road with him,
lest-haply thine enemy should give thee to the judge, and the judge
should give thee to the officer and the officer should cast thee unto
the prison, and thou shalt not come out of that place, having not given
the last smallest coin (lypton, MS), namely, the word (said) plainly,
Every soul which cometh out of the body, and walketh on the road with
the counterfeit spirit, and findeth not the mystery of the loosening of
all the seals, with all the bonds, and (yet) is loosened from the
counterfeit spirit, which is bound unto her; then that soul having
[269^b] not received mystery of (in, MS) the Light, having not found the
mysteries of the loosening of the counterfeit spirit, which is bound
unto her. She therefore finding it not, is wont the counterfeit spirit,
it is wont to take that soul (close) to the Virgin of the Light; and is
wont the Virgin of the Light, and that judge, she is wont to deliver
that soul unto one of her Receivers, and is wont her Receiver, he is
wont to cast her unto the Sphere of Aeons, and she is not wont to come
out of the changes of the body, having not given the last Cycle which is
reckoned unto her. This therefore my Lord, is the fourth meaning.
It happened therefore, Jesus having heard these words, saying them
Maria, said he, Well (done) O happy Maria, the spiritual. These are the
explanations of the words which I said. Answered Maria, said she, My
Lord, yet I seek from thee [270^a] because that from now I am about to
begin to seek thee of everything in an exactness. Because of this
therefore My Lord, be long suffering with us, and reveal to us
everything, about which we shall seek thee, concerning the manner also
in which my brothers will preach to the race of all the mankind. But
these she having said them to the Saviour, answered also the Saviour,
said he to her becoming in a great mercy in unto her, Amen I say to you,
Not only shall I reveal to you every thing ye will seek after, but from
now also I shall reveal to you these other (things) which ye understood
not to seek after them; these mounted not upon the heart of the men,
these which knew not all the Gods also who (are) among the men. Now
therefore, thou Maria, seek after that which thou art seeking after,
[270^b] and I shall reveal it to thee face to face, without parable. But
answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then in what type are wont the
baptisms to forgive sin? I heard thee saying, Are wont the Contentious
Ministers, they are wont to follow after the soul, being witness unto
her of every sin which she did, that they should convict her in the
judgments. Now therefore, My Lord, are wont the mysteries of the
baptisms, are they wont to blot out the sins, which are with the
Contentious Ministers, because they indeed are wont to make their
forgetfulness? Now therefore My Lord, say unto us the type (by) which
they are wont to forgive sin, but we wish to know them in an exactness.
But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Fairly indeed thou saidst,
the Ministers however at least they are not (those) who are wont to bear
witness of every sin, but [271^a] they are wont to remain also among the
judgments holding on to the souls, convicting all the souls of the
sinners, these who received not mystery, and they are wont to hold them
down in the Chaoses punishing them. And are not wont those Contentious
(ones) they are not wont to prevail to pass through the Chaoses, for
them to come unto the arrays which are above the Chaoses, and convict
the souls which come out of those Places. Now therefore the souls which
receive mysteries, it is not allowed for them to overpower them, and
take them out of the Chaos, that should convict them the Contentious
Ministers, but are wont the Contentious Ministers, they are wont to
convict the souls of the sinners, and lay hold on these which received
not mysteries, these which are wont to bring from the Chaoses. The souls
however who receive mysteries have not (any) work (for which) to convict
them, because they are not wont to come out of their Places. [271^b] And
also whenever they should come, they are not able to prevail to stand up
before them, nevertheless indeed they are not wont to be able to take
them in those Chaoses.
Hear, also, that I may say unto you the word in truth in what type is
wont the mystery of the baptism to forgive sin. Now therefore whenever
the souls should do sin, yet being upon the World are wont to come
however at least the Contentious Ministers, and bear witness to all the
sins which the soul did, lest haply indeed they should come out of the
Place of the Chaos, that they should convict her in the judgments, these
which are out(side) of the Chaoses. And is wont the counterfeit spirit,
it is wont to bear witness of all the sins which did the soul, that also
he should convict her in the judgments, these which are out(side) of the
Chaoses. And not only because it beareth witness of them, but every sin
of the souls it is wont to seal [272^a] the sins, and affix them in unto
the soul, that all the Rulers of the judgments of the sinners should
recognise her, that she is a sinful soul, and that they should know the
number of the sins which she did from the seals which affixed unto her
the counterfeit spirit, that they should punish her according to the
number of the sins which she did. This is the manner in which they are
wont to do to every soul of sinner. Now therefore he who will receive
the mysteries of the baptisms, are wont the mysteries of those, they are
(it is, MS) wont to become in a great fire being fierce greatly (and)
wise, and it burneth the sins: and they are wont to go in unto the soul
in concealment, and it eateth in after all the sins, these which affixed
in unto it the counterfeit spirit, they are wont to go also [272^b] in
unto the body in concealment, and pursue all the pursuers in
concealment, and separate them on each side of the body; for it is wont
to pursue the counterfeit spirit and (with, MS) the Fate, and separate
them outside the power and (with, MS) the soul, and them on (one) side
of the body, so that the counterfeit spirit with the Fate with the body
it is wont to separate them unto one part: the soul also with the power
it is wont to separate them unto another part. The mystery also of the
baptism is wont to remain in the midst of the two, and remain separating
them from one another, that it should cleanse them and purify them, that
they should not be defiled by the matter. Now therefore Maria, this is
the manner in which are wont the mysteries of the baptisms to forgive
sin and with every unlawfulness. These then having said them the
Saviour, said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am
speaking with you? Sprang up Maria, said she [273^a]: Yea, My Lord,
truly I fully take in every word which thou sayest. Concerning the word
therefore of the forgiveness of the sins which thou saidst unto us once
in a parable, saying, I came to cast fire upon the earth; and also, What
is that which I wish, except that it should be kindled: and also thou
separatedst plainly, saying, I have a baptism to be baptised in it; and
how shall I endure, until it should be completed? Ye are thinking that I
came to cast peace upon the earth? Nay but a division is that which I
shall send. For from now there are five (who) will become in one house,
there are three (who) will be upon two and two upon three. This, my
Lord, is the word which thou saidst plainly. The word indeed which thou
saidst, I came to cast a fire upon the earth and what is that which
[273^b] I wish, except that it should be kindled, which (is) this, my
Lord, that thou broughtest the mysteries of the baptisms unto the world?
And what is that which thou willest, except that it should eat in after
all the sins of the soul and purify them. And also afterwards thou
separatedst plainly saying, I have a baptism to be baptised in it, and
how shall I endure, even until it should be completed, namely, that thou
wilt not remain in the World, even until the baptisms should be
completed, and purify the perfect souls. And also the word which thou
saidst unto us once, Ye are thinking that I came to cast peace upon the
earth? nay, but division is that which I came to cast: because from now
there are five (who) will become in one house; there are three (who)
will be divided upon two and two upon three, namely, the mysteries of
the baptisms [274^a] which thou broughtest unto the World, it having
made a division in the bodies of the World: because that the counterfeit
spirit with the body with the Fate, it separated them unto one part, the
soul also with the power it separated them unto another part, namely,
that there are three who will be divided upon two and two upon three.
But these having said them Maria, said he the Saviour, Well (done), O
spiritual (one) of pure Light, Maria, this is the explanation of the
word. Answered also Maria, said she, My Lord yet also I am about to add
in seeking from thee. Now therefore, my Lord, bear with me seeking from
thee. Behold indeed in boldness we knew the type (in) which are wont the
baptisms to forgive sin: now also the mystery of these (this, MS) three
Spaces with the mysteries of this First Mystery with the mysteries of
the Ineffable, in what type are they wont to forgive sin [274^b]? Are
they wont to forgive in the type of the baptism, or otherwise? Answered
also the Saviour, said he, Otherwise but all the mysteries of the three
Spaces are wont to forgive to (in, MS) the soul in (dative, MS) all the
Places of the Rulers all the sins which did the soul from at first; they
are wont to forgive to her, and further they are wont to forgive, those
which she will do after these, even until the time unto which each of
the mysteries will dominate: these I shall say unto you in the
Distribution of the Universe viz.: the time up to which each of the
mysteries will dominate. And also the mystery of the First Mystery with
the mysteries of the Ineffable they are wont to forgive to the soul in
all the Places of the Rulers, every sin with every unlawfulness which
did the soul. And also that (not only) are they wont to forgive all of
them to her, [275^a] but they are not wont to reckon sin unto her from
this hour, even until unto age of age, because of the free-gift of that
great mystery with its (their, MS) glory which is much, greatly greatly.
These therefore having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples,
Understand ye in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered also
Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, I finished carrying off every word which
thou sayest. Now therefore my Lord, concerning the word which thou
sayest, Are wont all the mysteries of the three Spaces they are wont to
forgive sin and cover over their unlawfulness which prophesied once
about this word David the prophet, saying: Happy are those whose sin
they forgave with those whose unlawfulness they covered over. He
prophesied [275^b] about this word once, and the word which thou saidst,
The mystery of the First Mystery with the mystery of the Ineffable, that
every man who will receive those mysteries, not only that they are wont
to forgive the sins, which they did from at first, but also they are not
wont to make the reckoning indeed of them from that time unto age.
Because of this word also prophesied about it once David saying, Happy
are they unto whom the Lord the God will not reckon sin, namely, they
will not reckon sin unto him from this time (viz.) those who receive the
mysteries of the First Mystery with those who receive the mysteries of
the Ineffable. Said he: Well (done), the spiritual of pure Light Maria,
this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My
Lord, Then whenever the man shall receive mystery in the mysteries of
the First Mystery, [276^a] and also should turn (away) and do sin and
transgress. And also, after these should turn and repent and pray in his
mystery (after) his mystery, will they forgive to him or otherwise?
Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every
one who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and also
turneth (away) and transgresseth twelve times and also repenteth twelve
times praying in the mysteries of the First Mystery they will forgive to
him. And also should he (they, MS) transgress after the twelve times,
and turn (away) and transgress they will not forgive to him unto age,
for him to turn unto his mystery (after) his mystery, and this (one)
hath not repentance except he should receive the mysteries of the
Ineffable, that which is wont to be merciful at every time, and, also,
he forgiveth at every time. Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, but if
however those who receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, and they
should turn (away) and transgress and come out [276^b] of (the) body,
having not repented, will they inherit the kingdom or otherwise? Because
they received indeed the free-gift of the First Mystery? Answered the
Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who
receiveth mystery in the First Mystery, having transgressed the first
time with the second with the third, and this (one) should come out of
body, having not repented, his judgment surpasseth much beyond every
judgment. For his dwelling place is in the midst of the mouth of the
dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and at end of all these he will
be petrified in the punishments, and he will be consumed unto age,
because he received in the free-gift of the First Mystery, he remained
not in it. Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who will
receive the mystery of the Ineffable, and they transgress, they cease
from their faith, and also after these yet living, they turned, they
repented, will they forgive to them [277^a] how many times? Answered the
Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will
receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, not only whenever he should
transgress once and also turn and repent will they forgive to him, but
whenever he should transgress at every time, and, also, yet living and
turn and repent, not becoming in an hypocrisy, and also should turn and
repent, and he should pray in his mysteries (after) his mysteries, they
will forgive to him at every time? Because that he received out of the
free-gift of the mysteries of the Ineffable. And also because that
merciful are all those mysteries and forgiving are they at every time.
Answered also Maria, said she to Jesus, My Lord, then those who receive
the mysteries of the Ineffable, and also they turned (away) they
transgressed, they ceased from their faith, and also they came [277^b]
out of (the) body having not repented, what also is that which will
happen to these of this kind? But answered the Saviour, said he to
Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Every man who will receive from the
mysteries of the Ineffable, happy (ones) are they however at least, the
souls which will receive from those mysteries, but whenever they turn
(away) and transgress and come out of (the) body having not repented,
those men, their judgment is worse than every judgment, and great is
greatly greatly: even if those souls are new (ones), and it being their
first time of coming unto the World; and they will not return unto the
changes of the bodily World from this hour. And they are not wont to be
able to do any work; but they are wont to cast them unto outside unto
the Darkness which is outer, and they will be consumed and will be
without existence unto age. But these having said them the Saviour
[278^a], said he to his disciples, Understand ye in what manner I am
speaking with you? Answered Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord. I carried off
the words which thou saidst. Now therefore, my Lord, this is the word
which thou saidst, Those who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable
happy (ones) however at least are those souls; but whenever they should
turn (away) and transgress and cease from their faith, and they should
come out of body having not repented, they are not wont to be profitable
any longer from this hour to return them unto the changes of the body,
nor (for) any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the outside unto
the Darkness which is outer, they will consume them in that Place, and
they will be without existence unto age. Because of the word which thou
saidst unto us once saying, Good is the salt, whenever the salt insipid
becometh in what are they about to salt it? [278^b] It is not wont to be
profitable unto dunghill nor unto the land, but they are wont to cast it
out, namely, happy is every soul who will receive from the mysteries of
the Ineffable, but whenever they should transgress once, they are not
able to be profitable for return unto the body from this hour, nor unto
any work, but they are wont to cast them unto the Darkness which is
outer, and they will consume away in that place. But these she having
said them to the Saviour, said he, Well (done) the pure spiritual Maria,
this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria, said she, My
Lord, then every man who received the mysteries of the First Mystery
with the mysteries of the Ineffable, these having not transgressed, but
their faith in the mysteries (is) in a directness without hypocrisy,
these therefore through the compulsion of the Destiny, and also they did
sin, and also they turned, they repented and also [279^a] they prayed in
their mysteries, (after) their mysteries, will they forgive to them for
about how many times? But answered the Saviour, said he to Maria in the
midst of the disciples, Amen amen I say unto you, Every man who will
receive the mysteries of the Ineffable, and also with the mysteries of
the First Mystery, these by the compulsion of the Destiny did sin every
time, and yet being alive they turn and they repent and also they remain
in their mystery, they will forgive to them every time, because those
mysteries are merciful, forgivers they are at every time. Because of
this therefore I said unto you once, Those mysteries not only that they
will forgive to them their sins which they did from at first, but (and,
MS) they are not wont to reckon them unto him from that hour, those whom
I said unto you that they are wont to take repentance at every time.
[279^b] And they will forgive also the sins which they are wont to do
repeatedly. If however those who receive mystery in the mysteries of the
Ineffable with the mysteries of the First Mystery, and they (should)
turn (away) and do sin, and they (should) come out of body having not
repented, they also are about to become also as those who transgressed
(and) they repented not. Their dwelling place indeed also is the midst
of the mouth of the dragon in the Darkness which is outer, and they will
consume away and become without existence unto age. Because of this I
said to you, Every man who will receive the mysteries, if they knew the
time in which they are coming out of the body, they would govern
them(selves) and not do sin, that they should inherit the kingdom of the
Light unto age. These therefore having said them the Saviour unto his
disciples, said he to them, Understand ye in what manner I am speaking
with you? [280^a] Answered Maria, said she, Yea, my Lord, In an
exactness I exact every word which thou sayest. Concerning this word
therefore which thou saidst unto us once, If had known the lord of the
house in what hour the thief would come in the night to dig through the
house he would have kept vigil also, and not have let man dig through
his house. This therefore having said Maria, said he, the Saviour: Well
(done), the spiritual Maria, this is the word. Added also the Saviour
said he to his disciples, Now therefore, preach to every man who will
receive mystery in the Light: say to them, saying, Take heed to
your(selves), do not sin, lest at any time ye cast an evil after an evil
and ye come out of the body having not repented, and ye be alien unto
the kingdom of the Light unto age. These [280^b] having said them the
Saviour, answered Maria, said she, My Lord, Much is the mercifulness of
these mysteries which forgive sin at every time. Answered the Saviour,
said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, If a king to-day being a
man of this World giveth a free-gift to the men of his manner, and
forgiveth also the murderers with the sleepers with male with the rest
also of the sins which are grievous greatly, these being worthy of the
death. But if it is proper for him being man of the World having done
this, very much more therefore the Ineffable with the First Mystery,
these who are lord over the Universe are having the authority in
everything to do that which they will, for them to forgive everyone who
receiveth mystery? Or otherwise indeed if a king to-day putteth vesture
of king upon a soldier, and sendeth him unto other places, and he doeth
[281^a] murders with sins which are grievous being worthy of the death,
and they are not wont to be able to do anything evil to him because the
vesture of the king put upon him, very much more therefore those who
wear the mysteries of the vestures of the Ineffable with those of the
First Mystery, these which are lord over all those of the Height with
all those of the Depth.