unto his disciples, answered Mariham, said she to Jesus, My Lord, I
heard thee saying, He who will receive the mysteries of the Ineffable,
or he who will receive the mysteries of the First Mystery, they are wont
to make beams of light with effluence of light, and pass through every
Place, even until they go unto the Place of their inheritance. Answered
the Saviour, said he to Maria, Whenever they should receive the mystery
yet being alive, and whenever they should come out of body, they are
wont to make beams of light with effluence of light and pass [295^b]
through every Place, even until they go unto the Place of their
inheritance. But if being sinners indeed, having come out of the body,
having not repented, and ye make for them the mystery of the Ineffable,
that they should remove them out of all the punishments, and cast them
unto a righteous body, that he may inherit the kingdom of the Light, or
otherwise indeed they should take him unto the last array of the Light,
they are not wont to be able to prevail to pass through the Places,
because they are not those who make the mystery: but are wont the
Receivers of Melkhisedek, they are wont to come after them and take them
(close) to the Virgin of the Light, and a multitude of times are wont
the Ministers of the Judges of the Rulers, they are wont to hasten and
take those souls, and deliver them unto one (to) another, even until
[296^a] they take her (close) to the Virgin of the Light. Added also
Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received the
mysteries of the Light, those which (are) in the first Space reckoning
from without, and having been completed the time of the mysteries up to
which they extend, and that man added not again to receive mystery in
the mysteries which are toward the interior of the mysteries which he
finished receiving, and also was negligent that man, having not prayed
the prayer which is wont to take away the wickedness of the meats which
he eateth with those which he drinketh, and through the wickedness of
the meats they bound him in unto the Pole of the Destiny of the Rulers,
and by the compulsion of the elements he did sin again after the
completion [296^b] of the time up to which the mystery extendeth,
because he was negligent, having not prayed in the prayer, this which is
wont to take away the wickedness of the souls, and to cleanse them. And
that man came out of the body before that he repented again and received
mystery again in the mysteries, those which (are) within the mysteries
which he finished receiving, these which they are wont to receive again
for the repentance, and they forgive the sins; and he having come out of
the body we knew in an exactness that they took him away in unto the
midst of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer on account of the
sins which he did. And that man hath not helper upon the World nor
compassionate (one) for him to make the mystery of the Ineffable, even
until they should remove him out of the midst of the dragon of the
Darkness which is outer, and take him in unto the kingdom of the Light.
Now therefore, my Lord, [297^a] then what is that which he will do until
he is delivered from the punishments of the dragon of the Darkness which
is outer? Nay, O Lord, forsake him not because he suffered in the
persecutions and in the whole Godhead in which he becometh. Now
therefore O Saviour, have mercy on me, lest at any time any one of our
kindred should become in this type of this kind. And have mercy on all
the souls who will become in this type, because thou art our key which
openeth (the) door of the Universe and which shutteth (the) door of the
Universe, and thy mystery is that which extendeth to them all. Aio, O
Lord, have mercy on the souls of this kind, because they named indeed
thy mysteries on one day, and they believed them truly, and because they
were not becoming in hypocrisy. Aio, O Lord, give to them a free-gift in
thy goodness, and give to them a rest which is in [297^b] thy
mercifulness. These therefore having said them Maria, called her happy
the Saviour greatly greatly on account of the words which she saith. And
became in great mercy the Saviour, said he to Maria, Every man who will
become in this type which thou sayest, yet being alive, give to them the
mystery of one of the twelve names of the chambers of the dragon of the
Darkness which is outer, these which I shall give to you whenever I
should finish distributing to you the Universe from within out and from
without in. And every man who will find the mystery of one of the twelve
names of that dragon of the Darkness which is outer, and every man even
though they are sinners greatly, and having received the mysteries of
the Light at first (but) afterwards they transgressed, or otherwise
indeed they did not do any mystery at all. These whenever they should
complete [298^a] their cycle in the changes (of body). And these of this
kind, when they should come out of body having not repented again, and
they take them unto the punishments which are in the midst of the dragon
of the Darkness which is outer, and are left in the cycles, and are left
in the punishments which (are) in the midst of the dragon, and these
knowing the mystery of one of the twelve names of the Angels, being
alive, being become in the World, and they say one of their names, being
within in the midst of the punishments of the dragon, (and the hour (in)
which they will say it, is wont to shake the whole dragon, M), and he is
wont to be disturbed greatly greatly. And the chambers in which are in
the souls of those men is wont to open its doors toward the heaven, and
is wont the Ruler of the chamber in which become those men, and he is
wont to cast the souls of those men [298^b] out of the midst of the
dragon of the Darkness which is outer, because they found the mystery of
the name of the dragon. And whenever the Ruler should cast out the
souls, are wont the Angels of Ieou, the first man, these who are
vigilant unto the chambers of that Place, he is wont to hasten
immediately and to carry off that soul until he bringeth her (close) to
Ieou, the first man, the Legate of the First precept. And is wont Ieou,
the first man, he is wont to see the souls and to prove them, he is wont
to find them, having completed their cycles. And it is not lawful for
them to bring them unto the World again, because every soul which they
will cast unto the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, it is not
lawful to bring them unto the World again: are wont to retain them the
Receivers of Ieou, if they did not [299^a] complete their number of
cycles in the changes of the body, and until they do the mystery of the
Ineffable for them, until they turn them unto a good body, this which is
wont to find the mysteries of the Light and inherit the kingdom of the
Light. But if should prove them Ieou, and find them having completed
their cycle, and it is not lawful for them to turn them unto the World
again, and the sign also of the Ineffable is not becoming with them, and
is wont to have mercy on them Ieou, he is wont to bring them (close) to
the seven Virgins of the Light: they are wont to baptise them (him, MS)
in their baptisms, but they are not wont to give to them the spiritual
chrism, and they are wont to take them unto the Treasury of the Light,
but they are not wont to put them in the array of the inheritance,
because that there is not sign nor is there seal [299^b] of the
Ineffable with them. But they are wont to be delivered from every
punishment, but they are wont to put them in the Light of the Treasury
apart by themselves, even until the catching up of the Universe: and in
the time (in) which they will draw (back) the veils of the Treasury of
the Light, they are wont to purify those souls again and cleanse them
greatly greatly, and give (the) mystery to them again, and put them in
the last array which is in the Treasury. And are delivered those souls
from all punishments of the judgments.
But these having said them the Saviour, said he to his disciples: Did ye
understand in what manner I am speaking with you? Answered also Maria,
said she, My Lord, this is the word which thou saidst once in a parable
[300^a] saying, Put to you a friend out of the mamonas of the
unrighteousness, that whenever ye should be left, he should receive you
in unto the tabernacle unto age. What therefore is the mamonas of the
unrighteousness except the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, which
is this, the word, He who will understand the mystery of one of the
names of the dragon of the Darkness which is outer, whenever he should
be left in the Darkness which is outer, or he should complete in the
cycle of the change (of the body), and (should) say the name of the
dragon, he will be delivered and come up from the Darkness, and they
(will) take him unto the Light of the Treasury. This is the word, my
Lord. Answered also the Saviour, said he to Maria, Well (done) pure
spiritual one, this is the explanation of the word. Added also Maria,
said she, My Lord, is wont the dragon [300^b] of the Darkness which is
outer, he is wont to come in unto this World, or is he not wont to come?
Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Whenever the light of the sun is
out, it is wont to cover with darkness the dragon: but if the sun should
be down from the World, is wont the darkness to remain as curtain for
the sun; and is wont the cloud (breath, MS) of the darkness to come in
unto the World in the form of a (pillar of) smoke in the night, namely,
whenever the sun should draw unto him(self) his rays: for it is
impossible for the World to endure the darkness of the dragon in its
truth of shape, otherwise it is wont to be dissolved and perish at once.
These when had said them the Saviour, added also Maria, said she to the
Saviour, My Lord, yet I seek from thee, and hide not from me. Now
therefore, my Lord, Who is he who will compel the man, even until he
doth sin? Answered [301^a] the Saviour said he to Maria, The Rulers of
the Destiny they are those who compel the man, even until he should do
sin. Answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, Are not indeed
wont the Rulers, they are wont to come down unto the World and compel
the man, even until he should do sin? Answered the Saviour, said he (to)
Maria, They are not wont thus to come down unto the World, but are wont
the Rulers of the Destiny whenever an ancient soul should come, coming
down from them, are wont the Rulers of that great Destiny, this which
(is) in the Place of the head of the Aeons, which Place is that which
they are wont to call, The Place of the kingdom of the Adamas, and that
Place indeed is that which is in presence of the Virgin of the Light,
are wont the Rulers of the Place [301^b] of that head they (he, MS) are
wont to give to the ancient soul a cup of forgetfulness out of the seed
of the wickedness filled with all lusts which are various, and with
every forgetfulness: and as soon as that soul will drink from the cup,
she is wont to forget every Place unto which she went, with all the
punishments in which she went (through); and is wont that cup of water
of forgetfulness, it is wont to become body outside of the soul, and it
is wont to become being like to the soul in every form, and being like
unto her namely it is this which they are wont to call, The counterfeit
spirit. If however it is a new soul they are wont to take out of the
sweat of the Rulers, and out of the tears of their eyes, or otherwise
indeed out of the breath of their mouth, in one word, if one out of the
[302^a] new souls or one of the souls of this kind, if one out of the
sweat it is, are wont the great Rulers of the great Destiny, they are
wont to take away of the sweat of all the Rulers of their Aeons, and
knead them with one another at once, and divide it and make it into
soul, or otherwise indeed if it is dregs of the purifying of the Light,
is wont Melkhisedek to take it away from the Rulers; are wont the five
great Rulers of the great Destiny, they are wont to knead the dregs upon
one another, and divide it and make it into soul after soul, that each
of the Rulers of the Aeons, each of them should put his portion in the
soul. Because of this therefore they are kneading them up one on
another, that they all should belong to the soul. And [302^b] are wont
the five great Rulers, whenever they should divide them and make them
into souls, they are taking them out the sweat of the Rulers. But if it
is one out of the dregs of the purifying of the Light, is wont
Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the Light to take her from the Rulers,
or otherwise indeed if they are some out of the tears of their eyes, or
out of the breath of their mouth, in one word, out of the souls of this
kind; whenever the five Rulers, whenever they divide them, and make them
into souls; or otherwise indeed an ancient soul it is, is wont the Ruler
also, this who becometh among the heads of the Aeons, he is wont to
mingle (knead, MS) the cup of the forgetfulness of the seed of the
wickedness, he is wont to knead it with each of the new souls in the
[303^a] time (at) which he becometh in the Place of the head. And is
wont that cup of forgetfulness, it is wont to become counterfeit spirit
to that soul. And it is wont to remain outside of the soul being for
vesture unto her, being like to her in every kind, being for vesture
sheath outside her. And are wont the five great Rulers of (the) Destiny
of the Aeons, and with the Ruler of the disk of the sun with the Ruler
of the disk of the moon, they are wont to breathe in unto the midst of
that soul, and cometh out of them (her, MS) a portion out of my power,
this which the last Helper cast in unto the Confusion. And is wont the
portion of that power, it is wont to remain within the soul, being
dissolved, becoming upon its own authority in regard to the arrangement,
in which they put it for to give sense [303^b] to the soul, that she
should seek after the works of the Light of the Height at every time.
And is wont that power, it is wont to be like unto the kind of the soul
in every feature, and being similar to her: she is not wont to be able
to be outside of the soul, but she is wont to remain within her
according as I ordered to her from at first, being about to cast her in
unto the First precept, which I ordered to her for her to remain outside
of the souls in regard to the arrangement of the First Mystery:
wherefore all these words I shall say them unto you in the Distribution
(of the Universe) concerning the power and also concerning the soul, in
what types they are working them, or which Ruler indeed it is who
worketh her, or what is each kind of the souls, so that I shall say them
unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, how many there are working
the soul. And I shall say unto you the name of all those who work
[304^a] the soul, and I shall say unto you the type (in) which they
fashion the counterfeit spirit with the Fate, and I shall say unto you
the name of the soul, which is not yet purified, and her name also
whenever they should purify her, and she (should) become pure. And I
shall say unto you the name of the counterfeit spirit, and I shall say
unto you the name of the Fate, and I shall say unto you the name of all
the bonds, these in which are wont the Rulers to bind the counterfeit
spirit in unto the soul, and I shall say unto you the name of all the
Dekans, these which worked the soul in the bodies of the soul which (is)
in the World: and I shall say unto you in what manner they are working
the souls: and I shall say unto you the type of each of the souls, and I
shall say unto you the type [304^b] of the souls of the men, with those
of the birds, with those of the wild beasts, with the creeping things:
and I shall say unto you the type of all the souls, with those of all
the Rulers who sent them unto the World, that ye may become being
complete in all knowledge, that they should call you, Those who are
complete in all knowledge, with every pleroma. These all I shall say
them unto you in the Distribution of the Universe, and after these all I
shall say unto you, because of what also these all became. Hear
therefore that I may speak with you concerning the soul, according as I
said that are wont the five great Rulers of the great Destiny of the
Aeons; and with the Rulers of the disk of the sun, with the Rulers of
the disk of the moon, they are wont to breathe in unto that soul, and
cometh out [305^a] of them a portion out of my power, according as I
finished saying unto you. And is wont the portion of that power, it is
wont to remain within the soul, that should be able to stand (upright)
the soul, and they are wont to put the counterfeit spirit outside of the
soul, being vigilant unto her and imparted unto her. And are wont the
Rulers to bind it in unto the soul with their seals with their bonds,
and they are wont to seal it in unto her, that it should compel her at
every time, that it should make their passions with their unlawfulnesses
with all their sins which are continued, that she should be slave to
them at every time, and remain under their subjection at every time in
the changes of the body: and they are wont to seal it in unto her, for
her to become in every sin with every lust of the World. Because of this
therefore of this [305^b] kind I brought the mysteries unto the World,
these which are wont to loosen all the bonds of the counterfeit spirit
and with all the seals, these which bind in unto the soul, these
(mysteries) which are wont to make the soul free, and they are wont to
redeem her from her Ruler parents, and they are wont to make her pure
Light, and take her up unto the kingdom of her Father the First of
coming, the First Mystery unto age. Because of this therefore I said
unto you once, He who will not forsake father and mother and come and
follow me, this (one) is not worthy of me. I said therefore once, Ye
shall forsake your Ruler parents, that I may make you for son of the
First Mystery for unto age.