Chapter IV: Part 4

It happened therefore, I, having seen the mystery of all these words in the vesture which he dispatched to me, I put it on me in that hour: and I enlightened greatly greatly, and I flew unto the Height, and I came at the gate of the firmament enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure unto the light with which I was becoming. And were disturbed upon one another the gates of the firmament, all were opened at once, and all the Rulers with all the Authorities, with all the Angels who (were) in it, they were all disturbed together because of the great light which becometh from me. And they looked at the vesture of light which (was) on me, which [20^a] enlighteneth, they saw the mystery on which is being their name, they feared greatly greatly, and were loosened all their bonds, these in which they are bound, and each one ceased from his array. And they prostrated all before my presence, they worshipped, saying, In what manner passed through us the Lord of the Universe, while we knew (it) not? And they all hymned together unto the inward part of the inward parts. But I, they were seeing me not, but they were seeing the light only, and they were becoming in great fear and they were disturbed greatly, and they hymned unto the inward part of the inward parts: but I left that Place, I came up unto the first Sphere enlightening greatly greatly, more than as I enlightened [20^b] in the firmament forty-nine of double of time. It happened therefore, I having reached the gate of the first Sphere, were disturbed its gates and they opened themselves at once. I came into the houses of the Sphere enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure unto the light which becometh from me; and were disturbed upon one another all the Rulers with all those who become in that Sphere, and they saw the great light which becometh from me, and they looked at my vesture, they saw the mystery of their name in it and they were disturbed and they became in great fear, saying, How did the Lord of the Universe pass through us while we knew (it) not? And were loosened all their bonds and with their Places [21^a] with their arrays. And each ceased in his array. They prostrated all together, they worshipped at my presence or at presence of my vesture and they hymned all together unto the inward part of the inward parts, becoming in great fear with great disturbance. And I left that place behind me, I came even unto the gate of the second Sphere, this, namely, the Destiny. But were disturbed all her gates, and they were opened one on another, and I went in unto the houses of the Destiny enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure unto the light which becometh from me. For I was enlightening in the Destiny more than the Sphere forty-nine of double of time. And were disturbed all the Rulers with [21^b] all those who become in the Destiny, and they fell upon one another, they became in great fear greatly, seeing the great light becoming from me. And they looked at my vesture of light, they saw the mystery of their name in my vesture, and they were made more disturbed, they became in great fear saying, In what manner did the Lord of the Universe pass through us, while we know (it) not? And were loosened all their bonds of their Places with their arrays with their houses: they came all together, they prostrated they worshipped at my presence, and they hymned all together unto the inward part of the inward parts, becoming in great fear with great disturbance. And I left that Place behind me, I came unto the great Aeons of the Rulers, [22^a] I came at their veils and with their gates, enlightening greatly greatly, and there being no measure unto the light which becometh from me. It happened therefore when I had reached unto the twelve Aeons, were disturbed one upon another their veils and with their gates: drew (away) of themselves the veils, and their gates opened one upon another, and I went in unto their Aeons enlightening greatly greatly, there being no measure unto the light which becometh from me: more than the light in which I enlightened in the houses of the Destiny forty-nine of double of time: and all the Angels of the Aeons with their Archangels with their Rulers (Another (2nd) hand begins here.) with their Gods with their Lords with their [22^b] Authorities and their Tyrants with their powers with their sparks with their luminaries, with their Unpaired-ones, with their Invisibles and with their Forefathers, with their Triple-powered-ones, they saw me enlightening greatly, there being no measure unto the light which becometh from me: and they were disturbed one upon another, and great fear fell upon them, seeing the great light which was becoming from me. And their great disturbance with their great fear reached even unto the Place of the great invisible Forefather, and with the three great Triple-powered-ones. But through the great fear of their disturbance continued running hither and thither in his Place the great Forefather, [23^a] he with the three Triple-powered-ones. And they were not able to shut all their Places because of the great fear in which they were becoming: and moved all their Aeons together, with all their Spheres with all their orderings, fearing and being disturbed greatly because of the great light which was becoming from me, not as once was becoming from me being upon the earth of the mankind, having come upon me the vesture of light, for it was not possible for the World to endure the light, as it was in its truth, otherwise the World would have dissolved with all those who (are) upon it together. But the light which was becoming from me in the twelve Aeons [23^b] was greater than that which became from me in the World together with you (of) eight thousand with seven hundred of ten thousand of double of time.

It happened therefore all those who become in the twelve Aeons, having seen the great light which was becoming from me, they were all disturbed one upon another, and they ran hither and thither in the Aeons, and moved one upon another all the Aeons with all the heavens with all their ordering, because of the great fear which became to them, because that they knew not the great mystery which became. And the Adamas the great Tyrant with all the Tyrants who become in all the Aeons began to war without cause against the light and they knew not [24^a] with whom they are warring, because that they were not seeing anyone except the light which surpassed greatly.

It happened therefore, they having warred against the light, they all burned one with another and fell down in the Aeons, they became as the earth-beings who are dead, no breath being in them. And I took away a third part of all their powers, that they should not work in their evil doings, and that whenever the men who (are) in the World should invoke them in their mysteries, these who brought them down even the Angels who transgressed—these which were their magic, that therefore whenever they should invoke them in their evil doings, they should not be able to accomplish them: and the Destiny with the Sphere which is lord unto them I removed, [24^b] and I caused them to spend six months turned to the Left (hand) and they fulfilling their influences, and six months, looking to the Right (hand) fulfilling their influences: but (it was) through the command of the First precept, and through the command of the First Mystery, Ieou the overseer of the light, put them looking to the left every hour fulfilling their influences and with their doings. It happened therefore, I having come unto their place, they were refractory and they warred against the light: I took away the third part of their power, that they should not be able to prevail in fulfilling their evil doings; and the Destiny with the Sphere [25^a] which is lord unto them I removed, and I put them looking to the Left for six months, fulfilling their influences, and I put them for six other months turned to the Right, fulfilling their influences. These therefore having said unto his disciples, said he to them, He who hath ear to hear let him hear. It happened therefore, Mariham having heard these words, saying them the Saviour, she gazed in the air for the time of an hour. Said she, My Lord command to me that I may speak in boldness.

Answered Jesus the merciful, said he to Mariham, Mariham the happy, this whom I shall complete in all the mysteries [25^b] of the (things) of the Height. Speak in boldness, because thou art she whose heart straineth toward the Kingdom of the heavens more than all thy brothers.

Then said she, Mariham to the Saviour, My Lord, the word which thou saidst to us, He who hath ear to hear let him hear, art thou saying that we should understand the word which thou saidst? Hear, therefore, my Lord and I (will) say in boldness. The word which thou saidst that I took away the third part from the power of the Rulers of all the Aeons; and that I removed their Destiny with their Spheres, these which are for lord unto them, that whenever the race of the men should invoke them in their mysteries, these which taught them the Angels, who transgressed, unto the accomplishment of their evil [26^a] works and unlawful, in the mystery of their magic; in order that they should not be able to prevail any more from this hour to accomplish their unlawful works, because that thou tookest away their power from them: with their hour-setters, with their enquirers, with those who are wont to show to the men, who are in the World, everything which will happen, that they should not understand from this hour to show to them any thing which will happen, because thou removedst their Spheres; and thou causedst them to spend six months turned to the left, fulfilling their influences, and other six months looking to the right, fulfilling their influences. Because of this word therefore, my Lord, which it said thus (viz.) the power which (is) in Esaias the prophet, and which it uttered in a spiritual parable, [26^b] once speaking concerning the vision of Egypt: Where, therefore, Egypt, where are thy enquirers, with thy hour-setters, with those who are wont to call out of the earth, with those who are wont to call out of their belly? Let them show to thee, therefore, from this hour the works which will do the Lord, Sabaoth. Of whom prophesied therefore before that thou camest, the power which (is) in Esaias the prophet who prophesied about thee, that thou would take away the power of the Rulers of the Aeons, and remove their Sphere with their Destiny that they should not know anything from this hour? Concerning this indeed it said, Ye will not know, therefore, what the Lord, Sabaoth will do, namely, [27^a] that there is not any in the Rulers about to know the (things) which thou wilt do from this hour, which (Rulers) are (called) Egypt because that they are of matter: which the power, therefore, which is in Esaias prophesied about thee once saying, Ye will not know therefore from this hour the (things) which will do the Lord, Sabaoth, because of the power of light which thou receivedst from Sabaoth the good, this who becometh in the Place of Right (hand), this (power) which becometh in thy material body of to-day. Concerning this therefore thou saidst to us, my Lord Jesus, He who hath ear to hear let him hear, that thou shouldest know who is he whose heart is eager for the Kingdom [27^b] of the heavens.

It happened, therefore, Maria having finished saying these words, said he, Well (done) Maria because thou art happy beyond every woman who (is) upon the earth, because thou art she who will become the Pleroma of all the Pleromas and the completion of all the completions.

But Maria having heard the Saviour saying these words, she was glad greatly, and she came before Jesus, she prostrated at his presence, she worshipped to his feet, said she to him, My Lord, Hear me, that I may ask thee of this word, thou having not yet spoken with us of the Places unto which thou wentest.

Answered Jesus, said he to Mariham, Speak in boldness, [28^a] and fear not. Every thing which thou seekest after I shall reveal to thee.

Said she, My Lord; Every man who knoweth the mystery of the magic of all the Rulers of all the Aeons, with the magic of the Rulers of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere, according as taught them the Angels who transgressed; if they should invoke them in their mysteries, namely their evil magic, to hinder the works which are good, will they accomplish them from this hour or otherwise?

But answered Jesus, said he to Maria, They will not accomplish them as they were accomplishing them from at first, because I took away a third part of their power, but they will make [28^b] a pretext in those who know the mysteries of the magic of the thirteenth Aeon. And if they should invoke the mysteries of the magic of those who become in the thirteenth Aeon, they will accomplish them well and in accuracy, because that I took not away power from that Place according to the command of the First Mystery.

But it happened, Jesus having finished saying these words, added again Maria, said she, My Lord, then the hour-setters, with the enquirers, then they will not show to the men that which will happen to them from this hour?

But answered Jesus, said he to Maria: If the hour-setters—if they should find the Destiny, with the Sphere turned [29^a] to the Left according to their first distribution, their words are wont to come (right), and they will say that which it is right to become; but if they come (upon) the Destiny or the Sphere turned to the Right, they are not wont to say anything true, because that I turned their influences with their four-corners with their three-corners with their eight-forms. Since were being constant their influences from at first (so long as they were) turned to the Left, with their four-corners, with their three-corners, with their eight-forms. But now I caused them to spend six months turned to the Left and six months turned to the Right: he who will find their numbering from the time which I [29^b] altered them; having put them for to spend six months looking unto their Left paths, and six months unto their Right paths, he who attendeth therefore to them thus, he will know their influences in accuracy, and he will utter every thing which they will do. Likewise also the enquirers if they should invoke the name of the Rulers, and come upon them looking to the Left, everything concerning which they will seek of their Dekans they will tell them in accuracy. If however should their enquirers invoke their names looking to the Right, they will not hear them, because that they are looking another form contrary to their first precept (position) in which settled them Ieou; since some of their names [30^a] are turned to the Left and other of their names are turned to the Right: and if they should invoke them turned to the Right, they will not say unto them the truth, but in confusion they will confuse them and in a threat they will threaten them. Those who know not therefore their direction turned to the Right, and with their three-corners, and with their four-corners, with all their figures, they will find nothing true, but they will be confused in great confusion, and they will become in a great error, and they will stray in great straying (from the truth): because that the works which they were wont to do once in their four-corners turned to the Left and in their three-corners and in their eight-figure, these in which they were being constant, [30^b] doing them turned to the Left. I altered them now, and I caused them to spend six months doing all their forms turned to the Right, that they might be confused in confusion in all their circuit; and further I cause them to spend six months turned to the Left, doing the works of their influences with all their forms, that in confusion should be confused and in an error should err the Rulers who become in the Aeon and in their Spheres and in their heavens and in all their Places, that they should not understand their own movements.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words, Philippos (was) sitting, writing every word which Jesus is saying; [31^a] it happened therefore after these (things) Philippos came forward he prostrated, he worshipped unto the feet of Jesus, saying, My Lord, the Saviour, give authority to me for me to speak in thy presence and ask thee this word before that thou spakest with us of the Places unto which thou wentest because of thy service.

Answered the Saviour merciful, said he to Philippos, The authority is given to thee to utter the word which thou art willing (to say).

But answered Philippos, said he to Jesus, My Lord, because of which mystery removedst thou the binding of the Rulers with their Aeons, with their Destiny, with their Sphere, with all their Places, and in confusion thou causedst them to be confused in their paths, and they erred [31^b] in their course. Didst thou this therefore to them because of the salvation of the World or otherwise?

But answered Jesus, said he to Philippos with the disciples all together: I altered their path unto salvation of all the souls, Amen amen I say to you that except that I altered their path, they would have destroyed a multitude of souls, and they would have spent much time, having not been dissolved the Rulers of the Aeons, and the Rulers of the Destiny with the Sphere, and with all their Places, with all their heavens with all their Aeons. And the souls would have spent a great amount of [32^a] time outside this (place ?); and they would have delayed from completion the number of the perfect souls, these which will be reckoned unto the inheritance of the Height by the mysteries, and become in the Treasury of the Light. Because of this, therefore, I altered their path that they should be confused and be disturbed, and put away the power, this which becometh in the matter of their World, this which is wont to make the souls, that they should purify them quickly, and they should be lifted up to those who will be saved, they with all the power; and be dissolved quickly those who will not be saved.

It happened therefore, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Maria, she who is beautiful in her speaking, and the happy (one) she prostrated at the feet of Jesus. [32^b] Said she, My Lord bear with me that I may speak in thy presence, and be not angry unto me because I add trouble unto thee for many times enquiring of thee.

Answered the Saviour in compassion, said he to Maria, Say the word which thou art willing (to say), and I, I shall reveal it to thee in boldness.

But answered Maria, said she to Jesus, My Lord, in what manner will the souls be delaying outside of this (place)? or in what form will they be purifying them indeed quickly?

But answered Jesus, said he to Maria, Well (done) Maria, thou enquirest aright in the enquiring which is good, and thou givest light upon everything in accuracy and in exactness. Now therefore I shall not hide anything from you from this hour, but I shall reveal [33^a] everything to you in accuracy and in boldness. Hear therefore, Maria and listen all ye disciples. Before that I preached to all the Rulers of the Aeons and with all the Rulers of the Destiny with the Sphere, they were all being bound in their bonds and in their Spheres and in their seals, according as bound them from at first Ieou the overseer of the Light: and each of them was continuing in his array, and each one was walking according to his course, according as put them Ieou the overseer of the Light: and whenever should come the time of the number of Melkhisedek, the great Receiver of Light is wont to come unto [33^b] the midst of the Aeons with all the Rulers who are bound in the Sphere and in the Destiny, and he is wont to take away the purgation of the light from all the Rulers of the Aeons and from all the Rulers of the Destiny with those of the Sphere. For he was wont to take away there that which disturbed them. And he is wont to put in motion the task-master who is over them, and cause them to be turned in their orbit quickly; and he is wont to take away their power which is in them, with the breath of their mouth, and with the tears of their eyes and with the sweat of their bodies. And Melkhisedek the Receiver of the Light is wont to purify those powers, and carry their light unto the Treasury of the Light: and all their matter, whatever it be, they are wont to gather it in, the Ministers of all the Rulers, [34^a] and are wont to take them the Ministers of all the Rulers of the Destiny, with the Ministers of the Sphere, these who (are) below the Aeons, and make them souls of man and of beast and of creeping thing and wild-beast and bird, and send them unto this World of the mankind: and further the Receiver of the sun, with the Receiver of the moon, whenever they should look unto the heaven and see the forms of the courses of the Aeons, with the forms of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere, and he is wont to take away the power of the light from them, and the Receivers of the sun are wont to prepare and put it (down), until they give it to the Receiver of Melkhisedek the purifier of light; and their material purgations they are wont to take it unto the Sphere which is below the Aeons [34^b], and make it for soul of man; and also they are wont to put it for creeping thing and beast and wild-beast and bird according to the cycle of the Rulers of that Sphere, and according to all the forms of its turning. And they cast them unto this World of the mankind, and they become for soul in that Place according as I finished saying to you. These therefore, they were completing, continuously, before that their power diminished in them, and they (were) impaired and they became weak, or they became powerless.

It happened therefore, they having become powerless, and their power began to cease in them, and they became weak in their power, and ceased their light which becometh in their Place, and their kingdom dissolved and the Universe was caught up [35^a] quickly. It happened therefore, they having known these (things) in the time, and whenever became the number of the ticket, of Melkhisedek, the Receiver was wont to come out also and go in unto the midst of the Rulers of all the Aeons, and unto the midst of all the Rulers of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere, and he is wont to disturb them and cause them to put away indeed their cycles quickly, and then they are wont to be distressed, and sow the power outside of them, out of the breath of their mouth and out of the tears of their eyes, and out of the sweat of their bodies. And is wont to purify them Melkhisedek the Receiver of the Light according as he is wont to do, continuously; and [35^b] to take their Light unto the Treasury of the Light: and the matter of their purgation all the Rulers of Aeon and the Rulers of the Destiny with those of the Sphere are wont to surround it and swallow it (down); and they are not wont to let them come to make soul in the World; they are wont therefore to swallow (down) their matter, that they should not become powerless and weak, and their power should cease in them, and their kingdom be dissolved, but they are wont to swallow it (down) that they should not be dissolved, but that they should tarry and spend much time, having not been completed the number of the perfect souls, these which will become in the Treasury of the Light. It happened therefore while the Rulers of the Aeons, with those of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere are abiding, doing this kind (of thing) [36^a] turning them round, eating the purgation of their matter, having not been allowed to make souls in the World of the mankind, that they should tarry being kings and spend much time outside this, namely the powers; these in which become the powers, namely the souls; these therefore remained making themselves for two cycles, continuously. It happened therefore, I having come, about to go up unto the service, having been invited because of it by the command of the First Mystery, I came up unto the midst of the Tyrants of the Rulers of the twelve Aeons, my vesture of light being upon me, enlightening greatly greatly, there not being measure for the light which was becoming from me. It happened therefore, they having seen the great light which becometh from me those Tyrants [36^b] the great Adamas the Tyrant with all the Tyrants of the twelve Aeons, they all began to war with the light of my vesture, wishing to hold (it) down together with them, that they should tarry still in their kingdom. These (things) therefore they were doing, not knowing with whom they were warring. They therefore having rebelled, having warred with the light, then I according to the command of the First Mystery I altered the paths with the courses of their Aeons, with the paths of their Destiny with their Sphere; and I caused them to spend six months looking unto (the) Left (hand) three-corners and unto the four-corners and unto those who were in front of them, and unto their eight-figure according as indeed they were at [37^a] first. But their turning, or their looking, I altered it unto other array; and I caused them to spend six other months looking at the works of their influences in the Right (hand) four-corners and in their three-corners and in those who are in front of them and in their eight-figure. And I caused them to be confused in great confusion, and I caused them to stray in straying even the Rulers of Aeons, and all the Rulers of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere; and I disturbed them greatly; and they were not able to prevail any more from this hour to turn them unto the purgation of their matter, for them to swallow it (down), that their Places should tarry continually, and that they should spend much time being kings. But having taken away a third part of their power, [37^b] I altered their Spheres for them to spend time looking to (the) Left, and to spend another time looking to (the) Right. I altered all their path with all their course, and I caused it to hasten even their path of their course, that should be purged quickly and be caught up quickly; and I shortened their orbit, and I caused to go more easily their path: and they hastened greatly, and they were confused in their path, and they prevailed not from this hour to swallow (down) the matter of the purgation of the purifying of their light: and also I shortened their periods with their times, that should be completed quickly the perfect number of the souls which will receive mysteries, these which will become in the Treasury of the Light. Except therefore that I altered [38^a] their courses, and except that I shortened their times, they would not have let any of the souls come unto the World, because of the matter of their purgation which they swallow (down), and they would have destroyed a multitude of souls. Because of this therefore I said to you once, that I shortened the times because of my chosen (ones), otherwise there is not any soul able to be saved. But I shortened the periods with the times because of the perfect number of the souls, which will receive mysteries, namely the chosen (ones): and if I did not shorten their times, there is not any material soul (which) will be saved. But they would have been consumed in the fire, this which becometh in the flesh of the Rulers. This therefore is the word about which thou enquirest of me in accuracy.

[38^b] But it happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, they all prostrated together, they worshipped to him, and said they to him, We are happy (ones) beyond every man, thou having revealed to us these great grandeurs.

Added also Jesus in the word, said he to his disciples, Hear, hear concerning the words which became to me among the Rulers of the twelve Aeons, with all their Rulers, with their Lords, with their Authorities, with their Angels with their Archangels. They having seen therefore the vesture of light which (is) upon me, they with their Unpaired (ones) every one of them saw the mystery of their name becoming in my vesture of light, this [39^a] which (is) upon me, they prostrated all one after another, they worshipped to the vesture of light which (is) upon me, and they all cried out together, saying, How did the Lord of the Universe pass through us, we having not known (it). And they all hymned together unto the inward part of the inward parts. And all their Triple powers, with their great Forefather and their Unbegotten (ones) with their Self-begotten (ones) with their Begotten (ones) with their Gods with their sparks with their luminaries, in one word, with all their great (ones) they saw the Tyrants of their Places abiding in feebleness, having their power diminished in them, and they became themselves in great weakness, and they became also in great fear, there being no measure unto it. And they were [39^b] beholding the mystery of their name in my vesture, and they had begun to come and worship the mystery of their name, which (is) in my vesture: and they were not able to prevail because of the great light which becometh with me. But they worshipped distant from me a little: but they worshipped the light of my vesture, and they all cried out together hymning unto the inward part of the inward parts. It happened therefore, these having happened, to the Tyrants, who become among the Rulers, they were all weakened, they fell down in their Aeons, and they became as the men of the world who are dead, having not breath in them, as also they did at the hour (in) which I took away their power from them. It happened therefore after these (things) I having come out to those Aeons, each [40^a] one of all those who become in the twelve Aeons, they were all bound in unto their arrays, and they completed their works according as I put them, for to spend six months turned to the Left, doing their works in their four-corners with their three-corners, with those who (are) in front of them.

And again to spend another six months beholding the Right in their three-corners and in their four-corners, with those who are in front of them. Thus also will move, those who become in the Destiny with the Sphere.

It happened therefore after these (things) I came unto the Height even unto the veils of the thirteenth Aeon (MS. Aeons). It happened therefore having come upon their veils, they drew (away) of their own (accord), they opened to me, I came [40^b] in unto the thirteenth of the Aeon (MS. Aeons), I found the PISTIS SOPHIA being below the thirteenth Aeon, she by herself, being none of them with her. But she was sitting at that place grieving and making lament, because they took her not unto the thirteenth Aeon, her Place which is at the Height. And also she was grieving concerning the tribulations which did to her the Self-willed (one), this who is one of the three Triple powers. But these whenever I should speak with you concerning their distribution, I shall say unto you the mystery, how these became. It happened therefore, she having seen me, the Pistis Sophia, as I am enlightening greatly greatly, there being not measure unto the light which is from me, she became in great disturbance [41^a], and she looked in the light of my vesture, she saw the mystery of her name in my vesture, and all the glory of its mystery: because she was becoming at first in the Place of the Height in the thirteenth Aeon. But she was wont to hymn the light which (is) at the Height, this which she saw in the veil of the Treasury of the Light. It happened therefore, she having continued hymning the Light which is at the Height, all the Rulers looked, who (are) together with the great two Triple powers and with her Invisible, who is joined unto her, and the other twenty-two emanation Invisibles. Since the Pistis Sophia with her partner, they with the other twenty-two emanations are wont to make (up) twenty-four emanations, [41^b] these which emanated them out the great Forefather Invisible, he with the great two Triple powers.

It happened therefore while Jesus saith these (things) unto his disciples came forward Mariham, said she, My Lord I heard thee once saying, The Pistis Sophia is not herself One out of the twenty-four emanations, and how she becometh not in their Place. But thou saidst that I found her being below the thirteenth Aeon.

Answered Jesus, said he to his disciples, It happened while the Pistis Sophia (was) in the thirteenth of the Aeons in the Place of all her brothers the Invisibles, namely twenty-four emanations of the great Invisible, it happened [42^a] therefore by the precept of the First Mystery, looked unto the Height the Pistis Sophia, she saw the light of the veil of the Treasury of the Light, and she desired to go unto that Place: and she could not prevail to go unto that Place. But she ceased doing the mystery of the thirteenth Aeon. But she was hymning unto the Light of the Height, that which she saw in the light of the veil of the Treasury of the Light. It happened therefore while she is hymning unto the Place of the Height, all the Rulers who become in the twelve Aeons hated her, these who (are) below, because that she ceased from their mysteries, and because that she wished to go unto the Height and be above them all. Because of this, therefore, they were angry against her and they hated her. [42^b] And the great Triple power Self-willed who is the third Triple powered, this who becometh in the thirteenth Aeon, this who was disobedient, having not emanated all the purgation of his power which (is) in him, nor did he give the purgation of his light at the time when the Rulers gave their purgations in him: wishing to be lord over all the thirteenth Aeon with those who become below it. It happened therefore, the Rulers of the twelve Aeons having been angry against the Pistis Sophia, she who is above them, they hated her greatly and the great Triple power Self-willed, this concerning whom I finished saying to you now, he [43^a] himself followed the Rulers of the twelve Aeons, and he was angry himself against the Pistis Sophia, and he hated her greatly, because she thought to go unto the Light, this which is higher than her. And he emanated out of him a great power of face of lion; and out of his matter which (is) in him, he emanated many other material emanations cruel exceedingly, and he sent them unto the Places below, unto the parts of the Chaos, that they should waylay the Pistis Sophia there, and take away her power from her; because that she thought to go unto the Height, this which (is) over all of them; and (because) that she ceased also doing their mystery. But she continued making lament, seeking for the light which she saw: and hated her the Rulers [43^b] who are living, or who continue unto the mystery, doing it; and also hated her all the Guards who (are) at the gates of the Aeons. It happened therefore after these (things) through the precept of the First precept the great Triple power Self-willed, being one of the three Triple powers, he pursued the Sophia in thirteenth Aeon, for her to look at the parts below, that she should see his power of light at that Place, this (power) which is of face of lion, and lusteth for her, and would come unto that Place, and take away her light from her. It happened therefore after these (things), she looked down, she saw his power of light in the parts below, and she was not knowing that it is that of the Triple power Self-willed: but she was [44^a] thinking of her (self) that it is out of the light, that which she saw from at first in the Height, this which is out (side) of the veil of the Treasury of the Light: and she thought in her (self), I am about to go unto that Place apart from my partner, and take away the light which fashioned for me some Aeons of Light, that I should be able to prevail to go unto the Light of the Lights, this which (is) in the Height of the Heights. These (things) therefore thinking, she came out of her Place of the thirteenth Aeon, and she came down into the twelve Aeons. Pursued her the Rulers of the Aeons, and they were angry with her, because she thought of greatness. But she came also out of the twelve Aeons, she came unto the Place of the Chaos, and she came up [44^b] unto the power of light of face of lion, that she should swallow it (down): but surrounded her all the material emanations of the Self-willed, and the great power of light of face of lion swallowed (down) the powers of light in the Sophia, and it purged her light she having swallowed it, and her matter was cast out unto the Chaos. It became a Ruler of face of lion in the Chaos, whose (one) half became fire and whose other half became darkness, namely, Ialdabaoth this which I said unto you many times. These therefore having happened, was weakened the Sophia greatly greatly; and also began that power of light of face of lion to cause itself to take away all the powers of light in the Sophia; and all [45^a] the material powers of the Self-willed surrounded the Sophia together, they afflicted her. She cried out greatly greatly the Pistis Sophia, she cried up unto the Light of the Lights, this which she saw from at first, having believed it, and she said this Repentance, saying thus, O Light of the Lights, this whom I believed from at first, Hear therefore now, O Light, my repentance. Deliver me, O Light, because evil thoughts came in unto me. I looked, O Light, unto the parts which (are) below, I saw a light at that place, I am thinking that I am about to go unto that Place and (to) take away that light: and I went, I became in the darkness which (is) in the Chaos below, and I was not able to prevail to fly out to go unto my Place: [45^b] because that I was afflicted in all the emanations of the Self-willed, and the power of face of lion took away my light which (was) in me: and I cried out for a help, and came not my shout up in the darkness, and I looked unto the Height that should help me, the Light which I trusted. And having looked unto the Height, I saw all the Rulers of the Aeons which are many. And they are looking upon me, rejoicing at me who did not anything to them for evil; but they were hating me without cause. And they having seen the Rulers of the Aeons rejoicing at me, (they) the emanations of the Self-willed, knew that would not help me the Rulers of the Aeons; and were glad of heart those emanations, these which were afflicting me in violence; and the light which I took not away from them indeed, they took it away from me [46^a]. Now therefore, O Light of the Truth, thou knowest that I did these (things) in my innocence, in thinking that (thy light) is belonging unto the light of the face of lion, and the sin which I did is manifest in thy presence. Let me not therefore be cut off, O Lord, because I trusted unto thy light from at first, O Lord, O light of the powers, let me not be cut off therefore from my light: for by reason of thy cause and thy light I became in my affliction and shame covered over me: and because of the pretext of thy light I became alien unto my brothers the Invisibles; and with the great emanations of the Barbelo: these (things) happened to me, O Light, because I was jealous of thine abode, and came up upon me the anger of the Self-willed, this who hearkened not unto thy command for him to emanate out of the [46^b] emanation of his power; because that I became in his Aeon, not doing his mystery: and were deriding me all the Rulers of the Aeons: and I became in that Place, making lamentations seeking after the light which I saw in the Height: and were seeking after me the Guards of the gates of the Aeons, and all were mocking me even those who are living in their mystery. But I, I was looking up unto the Height, up unto thee O Light. And I trusted unto thee: now therefore, O Light of the Lights, I am afflicted in the darkness of the Chaos: if thou wishest therefore to come to deliver me, great is thy mercy; hear me in truth and deliver me: deliver me out of the matter of this darkness, that I should not be drowned in it, that I should be delivered unto the emanations of the Self-willed God, [47^a] these which afflict me, and out of their evil: let not this darkness drown me, and this power with face of lion, let not it swallow (down) all my power for ever, and let not this Chaos cover over my power. Hear me, O Light, because good is thy mercy, and look upon me according to the multitude of mercifulness of thy light. Turn not thy face away from me because I am tormented greatly. Hasten, hear me and deliver my power, deliver me because of the Rulers who hate me, because thou art he who knoweth my affliction with my torment, with the torment of my power which they took away from me. They are being in thy presence, those who planted me in all these evils: use them according to that which thou willest. My power looked out of the midst of the Chaos, and (out) of the midst of the darknesses. I looked out [47^b] for my partner, that he should come and fight for me, and he came not. And I was looking that he should come and give power to me, and I did not find him. And having sought after the light, they gave to me a darkness, and having sought after my power they gave to me matter. Now therefore, O Light of the Lights, the darkness with the matter, which brought upon me the emanations of the Self-willed: let them become to them for a snare, and let them be entangled among them, and pay back to them; and (let) them stumble and not come unto the Place of their Self-willed: let them continue in the darkness and not see out unto the light, let them look unto the Chaos for every hour; and let them not look unto the Height. Bring upon them their vengeance and let catch them [48^a] thy judgment. Let them not go unto their Place from this hour together with their Self-willed God; and let not his emanations go unto their Places from this hour, because impious and self-willed is their God; and he was thinking that he did these evils through himself, not knowing of course that unless they humbled me according to the precept he would not have been able to prevail against me: but thou having humbled me by thy precept they pursued me the more, and their emanations added trouble to my humbling, and they took away a power of light in me. And also they began again, they afflicted me greatly for to take away all the light which (is) in me. Because of those in which they planted me, let them not [48^b] go up unto the thirteenth Aeon the Place of the righteousness, and let them not be reckoned unto the lot of those who purify themselves and their light. And let them not be reckoned unto those who will repent quickly, for them to receive mystery quickly in the light. Because that they took away my own light from me, and my power began to fail in me, and I was lacking of my light. Now therefore, O Light which is in me, that which becometh with me, I hymn thy name, O Light, in glory. And my hymn, O Light, let it be pleasing to thee as of a mystery surpassing this which taketh into the gates of the Light, this which will say those who will repent and will purge [49^a] his light. Now therefore let all the gates rejoice. Seek ye all after the Light, that may live the power of your soul which is in you: because the Light heard the (things of) matter and it would not leave any matter which it did not purge. Let the souls with the (things of) matter bless the Lord of all Aeons, with the matter, with all those who are in them: because God will deliver their souls out of every matter, and they will prepare a city in the Light: and all the souls who will be delivered will dwell in that city, and inherit it: and the souls of [49^b] those who will receive mystery will be in that Place, and those who receive mystery in his name will become in it.

It happened therefore, while Jesus is saying these words unto his disciples, said he to them, This is the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia in her first repentance, repenting because of her sin, and saying everything which happened to her. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear let him hear.

Came forward again Maria, said she, My Lord, my companion of light hath ear, and I hear in my power of light, and was wakeful in me thy spirit which (is) with me, hear, therefore, that I may speak concerning the repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, saying her sin with all the (things) which happened to her. Thy power [50^a] of Light prophesied about her once through David the prophet in the sixty-eighth psalm. O God, save me because waters came in unto my soul. I sank, or I was drowned, in the mire of the abyss and there was not strength (left): I came unto the depths of the sea. A whirlwind it is which drowned me. I toiled, crying out, my throat is that which flew away, mine eyes fail while I trust unto God: were multiplied more than the hairs of my head those who hate me without cause: prevailed my enemies, those who pursued me in violence: the (things) which I did not rob, they required them of me: O God thou knewest my foolishness and [50^b] my sins they hid them not from thee: let them not be ashamed because of me, those who wait for thee, O Lord. O Lord of the powers cause them not to be disgraced because of me, those who seek for thee, O Lord the god of Israel, O God of the powers! For because of thee I took up unto me reproach, the shame covered over my face, I was alien unto my brothers, strange unto the sons of my mother: because the zeal of thy house is that which ate me; the reproaches of those who reproached thee they fell upon me; I bowed my soul in fasting, it became for me unto reproach; I put a sackcloth upon me, I became to them for proverb. They lifted up their voice upon me, those who sit [51^a] in the gates; and were singing at me, those who drink the wine. But I was praying in my soul up unto thee, O Lord; the time of thy will it is, O God. In the multitude of thy mercy listen unto my salvation in truth. Save me from this mire, that I should not sink in it, (that) I should be saved from those who hate me, and out of the depth of the waters. Let not a flood of water drown me, let not the pit swallow me (down), let not a well take hold with mouth upon me. Hear me, O Lord, because kind is thy mercy. According to the multitude of thy compassion look upon me. Turn not thy face away from thy servant because I am afflicted. Hear me quickly, [51^b] take heed unto my soul and redeem it. Deliver me because of my enemies; for thou art (he) who knoweth my reproach with my shame and my disgrace: all those who afflict me (are) in thy presence. My heart looked out for a reproach with wretchedness; I looked out for him who will grieve with me, I found him not, and he who will comfort me I discovered him not. They gave gall for my food; they gave me to drink vinegar in my thirst. Let their table become in their presence unto a snare with a trap and a recompense with a scandal; and bow (down) their back every time. Pour upon them thy wrath and the anger of [52^a] thy wrath let it catch them. Let their abode be made desert; and let there be not him who dwelleth in their abodes. Because he whom thou smotest they pursued him; they added upon the pain of his wounds, they added unlawfulness upon their unlawfulnesses; and let them not come in unto thy righteousness; let them wipe them out of the book of those who live, and let them not write them with the righteous. I am a poor (one) suffering also pains; the salvation of thy face, O God, is that which accepted me. T shall bless the name of God in a song, and I shall exalt him in a blessing. It will please God more than a new calf which putteth forth horn and hoof. Let the poor [52^b] see and be glad. Seek after God that your souls may live. Because the Lord heard the poor (ones) and he despised not those who are in fetters of brass. Let the heavens with the earth bless the Lord, the sea with all the (things) which (are) in it, because the Lord will deliver Sion; and they will build the cities of the Ioudaia and dwell there and inherit it. The seed of his servants will possess it, and those who love his name will dwell in it.

It happened therefore, Mariham having finished these words unto Jesus in the midst of the disciples, said she to him, My Lord, this is the explanation (of the) mystery (in margin) of the repentance of the Pistis Sophia.

It happened therefore, Jesus having heard Mariham saying [53^a] these words, said he to her, Well (done) Mariham the happy, the Pleroma, or the all-blessed of Pleroma, this (woman) whom they will call happy in every generation.