Chapter VII: Part 7

Came forward [120^a] Petros, said he, My Lord, concerning the explanation of the words which thou saidst, thy power of light prophesied about them once by Solomon in his Odes, Came out an effluence it made a great river being wide, it drew all (things) and it turned itself toward the Temple. They were not able to lay hold on it with strong-banks, with places built: nor were able to lay hold on it the arts of those who lay hold on the waters: they brought it over all the earth, and it laid hold on all. Drank those who became upon the sand which is dry: their thirst was dissolved and it was quenched, they having given to them the drink from that which is exalted: happy (ones) are the deacons [120^b] of that drink, those who were entrusted with the water of the Lord: they turned lips which were dry, took a cheerful heart those who were brought low: they laid hold on souls giving up the breath, that they should not die: they set up the limbs which fell, they gave power to their boldness, and they gave light to their eyes: because they all knew themselves in the Lord, and they were delivered through a water of life eternal. Hear therefore, my Lord and I (shall) utter the word in boldness, according as thy power prophesied by Solomon. An effluence came out it became a great river being wide, namely, that the effluence of Light was wide [121^a] out in the Chaos in all the Places of the emanations of the Self-willed. And the word also which thy power said by Solomon, It drew all (things), it brought them toward the Temple, namely, that it drew all the powers of light out of the emanations of the Self-willed, these which they took away from the Pistis Sophia, and it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia another time. And the word also which thy power said, Were not able to lay hold on it strong-banks with places built, namely, that the emanations of the Self-willed were not able to lay hold on the effluence of Light in the wall of the darkness of the Chaos. And the word [121^b] also which it said, They brought it over all the earth, and it filled every thing, namely, that Gabriel with Mikhael they having brought it upon the body of the Pistis Sophia, it cast in unto her all the lights, these which took away from her the emanations of the Self-willed and became light the body of her matter. And the word which it said, Drank those who become upon the sand which is dry, namely, that received light all those which become in the Pistis Sophia, these whose light they took away at first. And the word which it said, Their thirst was dissolved and it was quenched, namely, that her power ceased being diminished of light and they were satisfied with light, because they gave (back) to them their light [122^a] which they took away from them. And also according as also said thy power, They gave to them the drink through him who is exalted, namely, that they gave the Light to them through the effluence of Light, this which came out of me, I the First Mystery. And according as said thy power of light, Happy are the deacons of that drink, namely, the word which thou saidst, Mikhael with Gabriel, these who served they took the effluence of Light unto the Chaos, and also they brought it up (from Chaos). They will give to them the mysteries of the Light of the Height, these who were entrusted with the effluence of the Light. And also according as said thy power, They turned [122^b] lips which were dry, namely, Gabriel with Mikhael took not away for themselves the light of the Pistis Sophia, these which they snatched from the emanations of the Self-willed, but they cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia. And also the word which it said, Received a cheerfulness of heart those who were dissolved, namely, that all the other powers of the Pistis Sophia, these which took not away the emanations of the Self-willed were cheerful very, and they were filled with light out of the other light, because they cast it in unto them. And the word which thy power said, They vivified souls giving-up the breath, that they should not die, [123^a] namely, that they having cast the lights in unto the Pistis Sophia they vivified the body of her matter, this from which they took away its light at first, this which was about to perish. And also the word which thy power said, They set up limbs which fell, (or that they should not fall), namely, that they having cast in unto her her lights, they set up all her powers, these which were about to be dissolved. And also according as thy power of light said, They gave a power to their boldness, namely, that they took again their light, and they became as they were being at first. And also the word which [123^b] said, They gave a light unto their eyes, namely, that they received perception from the light, and they knew the effluence of Light, that it is belonging unto the Height. And also the word which it said, They all knew them in the Lord, namely, that all the powers of the Pistis Sophia knew one another by the effluence of Light. And also the word which it said, They were delivered by a water of life eternal, namely, that they were delivered by the whole the effluence of Light. And the word which it said, Drew them all the effluence of Light. And it drew them toward the Temple, namely, that the effluence of Light [124^a] having taken up all the lights of the Pistis Sophia and having snatched them from the emanations of the Self-willed, it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia and it returned, it came out of the Chaos, it came upon thee, who thyself art the Temple. This is the explanation of all the words, these which said thy power of light by the Ode of Solomon. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Petros, said he to him, Well (done), O happy Petros, this is the explanation of the words which they said. But added also in the word the First Mystery said he, It happened therefore, I having not yet brought the Pistis Sophia up from the Chaos, because that they had not yet commanded to me by my Father, [124^b] the First Mystery who looked inward. Then therefore after these (things) having known the emanations of the Self-willed that my effluence of Light took away the powers of light from them, these which they took away from the Pistis Sophia, it cast them in unto the Pistis Sophia, and also they saw the Pistis Sophia becoming light as she was being from at first, they were angry with the Pistis Sophia, and also they cried up against their Self-willed for to come and help them and take away the powers which (are) in the Sophia another time. And the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height in the thirteenth Aeon, he dispatched another great power of light, it came down unto the Chaos as an [125^a] arrow flying, that he should help his emanations, and take away the lights of the Pistis Sophia another time. And having come down that power of light, the emanations of the Self-willed, these which become in the Chaos, which afflicted the Pistis Sophia, they were confident of heart greatly, and again they persecuted the Pistis Sophia with great fear and in a great disturbance; and they afflicted her some among the emanations of the Self-willed, one indeed among them changed himself unto a form of great serpent, another also changed himself unto a form of serpent of basilisk having seven heads: another also changed himself unto a form of dragon, and also the first [125^b] power of the Self-willed which is of face of lion, and also all his emanations which are many greatly came together they oppressed the Pistis Sophia, and also they brought her into the Places which are below (of) the Chaos, and also they disturbed her greatly. It happened therefore, they having disturbed her, she ran from them, she came unto the Places which (are) of the upper part of the Chaos, and ran after her the emanations of the Self-willed, they disturbed her greatly. It happened therefore after these (things), looked out of the twelve Aeons the Adamas the tyrant, this (one) also was being angry with the Pistis Sophia, because that she was wishing to go unto the Light of the Lights, this who was being above all of them: [126^a] because of this he was angry with her. It happened therefore, the Adamas the tyrant having looked out of the twelve Aeons, he saw the emanations of the Self-willed oppressing the Pistis Sophia, until they take away all the lights in her. But it happened the power of the Adamas having come down unto the Chaos (close) to all the emanations of the Self-willed, it happened therefore, that demon having come down unto the Chaos he thrust the Pistis Sophia down, and the power of face of lion, with the face of serpent, and with the face of basilisk serpent, and with the face of dragon, and with all the other emanations of the Self-willed which are [126^b] many greatly, they all surrounded the Pistis Sophia, wishing to take away her powers which (are) in her another time. And they oppressed the Pistis Sophia greatly, and they threatened her. It happened therefore, they having oppressed her and having disturbed her greatly, she cried again up towards the Light and she hymned saying, O Light thou (art) he who helped me: let thy light come upon me, because thou art my accepter, and I am coming (close) to thee, O Light. I am believing thee, O Light, because thou art my deliverer of me from the emanations of the Self-willed and with the Adamas the tyrant; and thou (art) he who delivereth me from all his [127^a] threats which are cruel.

But these having said the Pistis Sophia, then also by the command of my Father the First Mystery which looked inward, I sent also Gabriel with Mikhael with the ten (?) great effluences of Light, that they should help the Pistis Sophia. And I ordered unto Gabriel with Mikhael, that they should take away the Pistis Sophia upon their hands, that her feet should not touch the darkness below: and also I ordered unto them for to steer her from the Places of the Chaos, into those which they are about to bring her. It happened therefore, the angels having gone down unto the Chaos, they with the effluence of Light, and also all the emanations of the Self-willed [127^b] with the emanation of the Adamas, they saw the effluence of Light enlightening greatly greatly, there being not measure unto the light which becometh from it, they feared and they let go of the Pistis Sophia: and the great effluence of Light surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her on left of her and on right of her, and on every side of her, and it became a crown of light unto her head. It happened therefore, the effluence of Light having surrounded the Pistis Sophia, she was confident of heart greatly greatly, and it ceased not surrounding her on every side of her; and she feared not the emanations of the Self-willed, these which become in the Chaos, nor also she feared the other new [128^a] power of the Self-willed, this which he cast down unto the Chaos as an arrow flying; nor also she trembled at the demonic power of the Adamas, this which came out of the Aeons. And also by my command, I, the First Mystery who looked outward, enlightened greatly greatly my effluence of Light, this which surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her. And the Pistis Sophia remained in the midst of the light, there being a great light on left of her and on right of her and on every side of her, and being also a crown unto her head: and all the emanations of the Self-willed changed not also their face, nor were they able to support the rush of the great [128^b] light of the effluence, this which became a crown unto her head. And all the emanations of the Self-willed, a multitude among them fell on right of her, because that she is enlightening greatly greatly; and other multitudes fell on left of her, and they were not able to approach unto the Pistis Sophia at all, from the great light. Nevertheless they fell all upon one another (or they came all who are close to one another). And they were not able to do anything of evil to the Pistis Sophia, because that she was trusting unto the light. And through the command of my Father the First Mystery, who looked inward, I also, I came down unto the Chaos enlightening greatly greatly. [129^a] I came up to the power of face of lion, this (power) which was enlightening greatly, and I took away all its light which (is) in it, and I held down all the emanations of the Self-willed for them not to go unto their Place from this hour, which (is) the thirteenth Aeon. And I took away the power from all the emanations of the Self-willed: and they fell all in the Chaos being powerless. And I brought out the Pistis Sophia, being on (the) right of Gabriel with Mikhael. And the great effluence of Light, it went also in unto them; and filled her sight with her enemies the Pistis Sophia, because I took away their power of light from them, and I brought the Pistis Sophia out of the Chaos, she having trampled [129^b] upon the emanation of the Self-willed the face of serpent, and also she was trampling upon the emanation of face of basilisk having seven heads. And she is trampling upon the power of face of lion, with the face of dragon. I caused the Pistis Sophia to remain standing upon the emanation of the Self-willed, this which became of face of basilisk of serpent having seven heads, but it was being strong(er) than all of them in its evils. And I, the First Mystery, I stood upon it, and I took away all the powers which (are) in it, and I destroyed all its matter, that seed from it should not rise up from this hour.

But these while the First Mystery is saying unto the disciples, he answered saying, Understood ye in what manner I am speaking [130^a] with you. Came forward Iakkobos said he, My Lord, concerning the explanation therefore of the words which thou saidst, prophesied about them once thy power of light by David in the ninetieth psalm, He who dwelleth under the help of him who is high shall abide under the shadow of the God of the heaven. He will say to the Lord, Thou art my accepter, and my place of refuge: my God I am trusting unto him; because he it is who will save me from the snare of the snarer, and from a word being cruel. He will make shadow unto thee under his (thy, MS) breast, and thou wilt trust under his wing. His [130^b] truth will surround thee as an armour (weapon, MS). Thou wilt not fear for a fear of night, and for an arrow which flieth in the day, for a thing which moveth in the darkness; for a calamity of demon of the hour of mid-day. There are a thousand (who) will fall on left of thee and ten thousand on right of thee; but they will not approach unto thee. Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners: because thou art, O Lord my hope; thou placest for thee that which is high for place of refuge: there is not evil (which) will approach unto thee; there is not scourge (which) will approach in unto thy place of abiding: because he will order unto [131^a] his angels because of thee, for to keep thee in all thy ways; and they (will) lift thee upon their hands lest-at-any-time thou should dash against a stone with thy foot. Thou wilt mount upon a serpent with a basilisk, and trample upon a lion with a dragon. Because he trusted unto me I will save him; I will make shadow unto him, because he knew my name: he will cry up unto me, and I, I shall hear him, I am with him in his affliction, and I shall save him and (I shall) give glory to him; and (I shall) increase him in a multitude of days, and (I shall) teach him of my salvation. This is, O Lord, the explanation of the words which thou saidst. Hear therefore that I may say them in boldness. The word therefore which [131^b] thy power said by David, He who dwelleth under the help of him who is high, will abide under the shadow of the God of the heaven, namely, that when the Pistis Sophia had trusted unto the Light she abode under the light of the effluence of Light. This which came from the Height through thee. And the word which thy power said by David, I shall say to the Lord, Thou art my accepter and my place of refuge, my God I trusted unto him. That is the word with which hymned the Pistis Sophia, Thou art my accepter and I am coming (close) to thee. And also the word which thy power said, My God unto whom I am trusting, thou art [132^a] he who will save me from the snare of the snarers, and from a word being cruel. That is that which said the Pistis Sophia, O Light I am believing thee, because thou art he who will deliver me from the emanations of the Self-willed, and with those of the Adamas the tyrant. And thou also art he who will deliver me from all their threats which are cruel. And also the word which said thy power by David, He will make shadow unto thee under his (thy, MS) breast, and thou wilt trust under his wing, namely, that the Pistis Sophia became in the light of the effluence of Light, this which came out of thee, and she remained confident of heart, for the light which (is) on left of her [132^b] with that which (is) on right of her, namely the wings of the effluence of Light. And the word which thy power of light prophesied by David, The truth will surround thee as armour (a weapon, MS), that is the light of the effluence of Light, that which surrounded the Pistis Sophia on every side of her as armour. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear for a fear of night, namely, that the Pistis Sophia feared not for the fears with the disturbances, these in which they planted her in the Chaos which is the night. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear [133^a] for an arrow flying in the day, namely, that the Pistis Sophia did not fear for the power, this which the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height at the last, this which came unto the Chaos, being as an arrow flying, which thy power therefore of light said, Thou wilt not fear for an arrow flying in the day. Because that power came out of the thirteenth Aeon, that is (that) which is lord over the twelve Aeons, and that is (that) which enlighteneth unto all the Aeons. Because of this therefore he said, The day. And the word also which thy power said, He will not fear [133^b] for a thing, walking in the darkness, namely, that the Sophia did not fear for the emanation of face of lion (serpent, MS) which was giving fear to the Pistis Sophia in the Chaos, namely, the darkness. And the word which thy power said, He will not fear for an accident with a demon of the hour of mid-day, namely, that the Pistis Sophia did not fear for the emanation demonic of the Adamas, the tyrant, this which thrust the Pistis Sophia down in great calamity, this which came from Adamas out of the twelve Aeons. Because of this therefore said thy power, He will not fear [134^a] for a calamity of demon of the time of mid-day. The time of mid-day is because it came out of the twelve Aeons, namely, the time of mid-day. And also Night, because it came out of the Chaos, namely, the night, and it came out of the twelve Aeons, which are between the two. Because of this thy power of light said, The time of mid-day because the twelve Aeons are between the thirteenth Aeon and between the Chaos. And the word also which thy power of light said by David, There are thousand (who) will fall on left of him and a ten thousand on right of him; and they will not approach him, namely, [134^b] that when the emanations of the Self-willed One, these which are numerous greatly, they having not been able to support the great light of the effluence of Light, a multitude among them fell on left of the Pistis Sophia. And a multitude fell on right of her. And they were not being able to approach her to hurt her. And the word which thy power of light said by David, Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, and thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners, because thou, O Lord, art my helper, namely, the word that the Pistis Sophia filled her sight with her enemies which are the emanations of the Self-willed, those all of which fell (down) upon one another: [135^a] not only she filled her sight with them in this, but thou also, my Lord, the First Mystery, thou tookest away the power of light which becometh in the power of face of lion, and also thou tookest away the power of all the emanations of the Self-willed, and also thou heldest them down in Chaos for them to go unto their Place from that hour. Because of this therefore the Pistis Sophia filled her sight with her enemies, namely, the emanations of the Self-willed in every thing, which prophesied David about the Pistis Sophia, saying, Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, and thou wilt see the recompense of the sinners. Not only that she filled her sight with them, they fell upon one another in the Chaos, but she saw [135^b] also their recompense also this which they repaid to them: according as the emanations of the Self-willed thought to take away the light of the Pistis Sophia from her, thou repaidest to them, and thou recompensed to them. And thou tookest away the power of light which (is) in them instead of the light of the Sophia, this (one) who believed the light of the Height. And according as thy power of light said by David, Thou placedst him who is high for thee for place of refuge: there is not evil (which) will be able to approach thee, and there is not scourge (which) will approach in unto thy place of dwelling, namely, that when the Pistis Sophia had believed (closely) in the Light, and when she had been oppressed she hymned up unto him, were not able to do anything of evil to her the emanations of the Self-willed, [136^a] nor were they able to hurt her, and they were not able to approach her at all. And the word which thy power of light said by David, He will order to his angels concerning thee, that they should guard thee in all thy ways, and lift thee upon their hands lest-at-any-time thou should dash against a stone with thy foot. That also is the word that thou orderest to Gabriel with Mikhael for them to steer the Pistis Sophia through all the Places of the Chaos, until they brought her up and raised her in their hands, that her feet should not touch the darkness below, and (should not) also lay hold on her those of the darkness below. And the word which thy power of light [136^b] said by David, Thou wilt trample upon a serpent with a basilisk, and thou wilt trample upon a lion with a dragon. Because he trusted unto me I shall save him and I shall make shadow unto him, because he knew my name, namely, the word that when the Pistis Sophia came, coming up from the Chaos, she trampled upon the emanations of the Self-willed, she trampled upon those who have face of serpent, and upon those who have face of basilisk of serpent having seven heads. And she trampled upon the power of face of lion, with that which hath face of dragon, because that she believed the Light she was delivered from them all. This is, my Lord, the explanation of the words which thou saidst.

It happened therefore, the First [137^a] Mystery having heard these words said he: Well (done) Iakkobos, the beloved, But added also in the word the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, It happened, I having brought the Pistis Sophia up from the Chaos, she cried out also saying, I was delivered from the Chaos and I was loosed from the bonds of the darkness. I came (close) to thee, O Light, because thou becamest light on every side of me, thou art delivering me and thou art helping me: and the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are fighting against me, thou preventedst them by thy light, and they were not able to approach in unto me, because thy light was becoming with me, and it is delivering me by thy effluence of Light: because that [137^b] emanations of the Self-willed oppressed me, they took away my power from me: they cast me out in the Chaos there being not light in me. I became as a matter which is heavy in comparison with them. And after these (things) a power of effluence came to me from thee delivering me: it made light on left of me and on right of me, and it was surrounding me on every side of me, that should not any part of mine become being lightless. And thou coveredst over me with the light of thy effluence. And thou purged out of me all my matters evil. And I became above all my matters because of thy light, and thine effluence of Light: that is (that) which exalted me, and it took away from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are wont [138^a] to afflict me. And I became being confident of heart in thy light, and in the light which is purified by thy effluence. And were distant away from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me, and I became light by thy great power, because thou, thou art wont to deliver at every time. This is the Repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, she having come up from the Chaos, and having been loosened the bonds of the Chaos. Now therefore he who hath ear to hear let him hear. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words unto the disciples, came forward Thomas, said he, My Lord, there is ear to my light-dweller and my understanding understandeth the words [138^b] which thou saidst. Now therefore command to me that I may utter the explanation of the words clearly. But answered the First Mystery, said he to Thomas, I command to thee for to utter the explanation of the hymn, that which hymned up toward me the Pistis Sophia. But answered Thomas, said he, My Lord, concerning the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia, because she was delivered out of the Chaos, thy power of light prophesied about it once by Solomon the son of David in his Odes, I was delivered out of the bonds, I ran (close) up to thee, O Lord, because thou becamest to me on right (hand), [139^a] thou art delivering me, and thou art helping me. Thou preventedst those who fight against me, and they were not manifested; because thy face was becoming with me, delivering me in thy grace. I received insult in presence of a multitude, and they cast me out, I became as lead before them. Happened to me a power from thee helping me, because thou puttest torches on right of me and left of me, that not any part of me should be being lightless. Thou shelteredst me under the shadow of thy mercy, and I became above the coats of the skin. Thy right (hand) is that which exalted me, and thou tookest the weakness [139^b] away from me, I became prevailing in thy truthfulness, being cleansed in thy righteousness. Were distant away from me those who fight against me. And I was justified in thy kindness, because thy rest becometh ever unto age of the age. This therefore, O my Lord, is the explanation of the repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, having been delivered from the Chaos. Hear therefore, that I may say in boldness. The word therefore which thy power of light said by Solomon, I was delivered out of the bonds I ran (close) to thee, O Lord. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I was loosened from the bonds of the darkness, I came (close) to thee, O Light. [140^a] And the word which said thy power, Thou becamest to me on (the) right, thou art delivering me and thou art helping me. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou becamest light on every part of me, and thou art helping me. And the word which thy power of light said, Thou preventedst those who fight against me, and they were not manifested. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And the emanations of the Self-willed, these which fight against me, thou preventedst them by thy light, and they were not able to approach in unto me. And the word which thy power said, Thy face was becoming with me in thy grace. That is the word which said [140^b] the Pistis Sophia. Thy light was becoming with me delivering me by thy effluence of Light. And the word which thy power said, I was insulted before a multitude and they cast me out. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. Oppressed me the emanations of the Self-willed. And they took away my power from me, and I was despised with them. And they cast me out in the Chaos there being not light in me. And the word which thy power of light said, I became as lead before them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, they having taken away my light from me I became as matter being heavy with them [141^a]. And the word also which thy power said, And became to me a power from thee, helping me. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And after these (things) a power of light came to me from thee, delivering me. And the word which thy power said, Thou puttest torches on the right of me and on the left of me, that not anything about me should become being lightless. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thy power made light on right of me and left of me and (was) surrounding me on every part, that not anything about me should become lightless. And the word which thy power said, Thou shelteredst me [141^b] in the shadow of thy mercy. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And thou coveredst over me with the light of thy effluence. And the word which thy power said, I became above the coats of skin. That also is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And they purged away from me all my matters evil. And I was exalted above them through thy light. And the word which thy power said by Solomon, Thy right (hand) is that which exalted me, and it took the weakness away from me. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thine effluence of Light, that is that which exalted me by thy light, and it took away from me the emanations of Self-willed [142^a], these which were afflicting me. And the word which thy power said, I became prevailing in thy truth, and cleansed in thy righteousness. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I became prevailing by thy light. And I am becoming light which is purified by thy effluence. And the word which thy power said, Were distant from me those who fight against me. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Were distant from me the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me. And the word which thy power of light said by Solomon, And I was justified in thy kindness, because thy rest becometh [142^b] even unto age of age. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I was delivered in thy kindness, because thou, thou art wont to deliver every one. This therefore, my Lord is all the explanation of the repentance which said the Pistis Sophia, she having been delivered from the Chaos, and she was loosened out of the bonds.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard Thomas saying these words, said he to him, Well (done and) fairly, Thomas, the happy: this (is) the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But he added also the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, But [143^a] added also the Pistis Sophia, she hymned up unto me saying, I hymn up unto thee this, through thy precept; thou broughtest me from the Aeon which is high, which (is) the upper part, and thou broughtest me down unto the Places which (are) below. And also by thy precept thou deliveredst me out of the Places which (are) below. And through thyself thou tookest away the matter there which becometh in my powers of light, and I saw it. And thou art he who scatterest away from me the emanations of the Self-willed these which were oppressing me, and being enemies unto me. And thou gavest to me the authority for to loosen [143^b] the bonds of the emanations of the Adamas, and thou struckest the serpent of basilisk, that of the seven heads: thou castest him out of my hands, and thou madest me stand upon his matter, thou destroyedst it, that this seed should not rise (up) from this hour. And thou art he who was being with me, giving power to me in all these (things). And thy light surrounded me in every Place. And through thyself thou madest all the emanations of the Self-willed powerless: because thou tookest away the power of their light from them. And thou directedst my way to bring me out of the Chaos. And thou removedst me out of the material darkness, and thou tookest away all my powers from them, [144^a] these (powers) whose light they took away. Thou castest in unto them a light being purified, and all my members, these in which there is not light, thou gavest to them a light being purified out of the light of the Height. And thou directedst the way for them. And the light of thy face, it became to me manifest incorruptible. Thou broughtest me up to that which is above the Chaos, the Place of the Chaos with the destruction, that should be dissolved all the matters which (are) in it, these which become in that Place and became new all my powers by thy light, and thy light became in them all: thou puttest the light of thy effluence in me, I became light being purified.

[144^b] This again is the second hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. He who understandeth therefore this repentance, let him come forward and say it. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words, came forward Mathaios, said he, I understood the explanation of the hymn, this which said the Pistis Sophia, now therefore command to me that I may say it boldly. But answered the First Mystery, said he, I command to thee Mathaios for to utter the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But answered Mathaios, said he, Concerning the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light [145^a] prophesied about it once, the Ode of Solomon. It is he who brought me down from the Places which are high above, and he brought me up from the Places which are at the bottom below. He who there took away the (things) which are in the Middle, and he taught me them. He who scattered away mine enemies with my adversaries. He who gave to me authority over bonds to loosen them. He who struck the serpent which hath seven heads with my hands, He made me stand upon his root, that I should blot out his seed. And thou wast being with me, thou art helping me in every Place. Surrounded me thy name. Thy right hand destroyed the poison of the evil [145^b] speaker. Thy hand opened the road for thy faithful (ones). Thou redeemedst them out of the tombs, and thou removedst them out of the midst of the embalmed-corpses. Thou tookest bones being dead, thou clothedst them with a body; and those which move not, thou gavest to them an energy of life. Thy road became uncorruptness and with thy face. Thou broughtest thine Aeon upon the corruption, that they should all be dissolved and made new and thy light should be foundation to them all. Thou buildest thy richness on them, and they became a dwelling being holy. This therefore, my Lord, is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. Hear therefore, that I may say manifestly. The word which thy power said by Solomon, [146^a] He who brought me down out of the Places which are high above, and also thou broughtest me up from the places which are in the bottom below. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I hymn up unto thee, this through whose precept thou broughtest me out of this Aeon which is high above, and thou broughtest me unto the Places below. And also thou deliveredst me by thy precept, thou broughtest me up from the Places which are below. And the word which thy power said by Solomon, He who there took away those which are in the Middle and he taught me them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia. And also through thyself thou causedst to be purified the matter which is in the midst of my power, and I saw [146^b] it. And also the word which thy power said by Solomon, He who scattered away mine enemies with mine adversaries. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou art he who scattered away from me all the emanations of the Self-willed, these which were oppressing me, and these which were becoming enemy unto me. And the word which thy power said, He who gave to me his wisdom over bonds to loosen them. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And he gave to me his wisdom, for me to be loosened from the bonds of those emanations. And the word which thy power said, He who struck the serpent which hath seven heads with my hands, [147^a] and he made me stand upon his root, that I should blot out his seed. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou struckest the serpent, he of the seven heads through my hands. And thou settest me up upon his matter, thou destroyedst him that his seed should not rise up from this hour. And the word which thy power said, And thou wast being with me, and thou wast helping me. That is the word which said the [147^b] Pistis Sophia, And thou wast being with me, thou art helping me in all these (things). And the word which thy power said, And thy name surrounded me in every Place. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thy light surrounded me in all their Places. And the word which said thy power, And thy right (hand) destroyed the poison of the evil speaker. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And through thee were made powerless the emanations of the Self-willed, because thou tookest away the light of their power from them. And the word which thy power said, Thy hand opened the road of thy faithful (ones). That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou directedst my road to bring me out of the Chaos, because I believed thee. And the word which thy power said, Thou redeemedst them out of the tombs, and thou removedst them out of the midst of the embalmed-corpses. That is the word which said [148^a] the Pistis Sophia, And thou redeemedst me out of the Chaos, and thou removedst me out of the material darkness, namely, the emanations of darkness which (are) in the Chaos, these whose light thou tookest away from them. And the word which thy power said, Thou tookest away bones being dead, thou clothedst them with a body, and those which move not, thou gavest to them an energy of life. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou tookest away all my powers, these in which there is not light, thou puttest in unto them a light being purified. And all my members in which there is not light moving, thou gavest to them a light of life from thy Height. And the word which thy power said, Thy road became uncorruptness, with thy face. [148^b] That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou directedst thy road for me and (with, MS) the light of thy face became to me a life indestructible. And the word which thy power said, Thou broughtest thy Aeon upon the destruction, that they should loosen all the bonds. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou broughtest me even me, thy power, upon the Chaos and upon the destruction, that should be loosened all the matter which becometh in that Place, and should be made new all my powers by the light. And the word which thy power said, And thy light maketh foundation for them all. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thy light became in them [149^a] all. And the word which thy power of light said by Solomon, Thou puttest thy richness upon him. And he made a dwelling being holy. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, Thou strengthenest the light of thy effluence upon me, and I became light, being purified. This therefore, my Lord, is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Mathaios, said he, Well (done) Mathaios and fairly, the beloved. This is the explanation of the hymn which said the Pistis Sophia. But added also the First Mystery, said he, But added also the Pistis Sophia in this hymn, said she, I [149^b] shall say, Thou art the Light, that which is high, because thou deliveredst me; and thou broughtest me (close) to thee; and thou causedst them not to take away my light, even the emanations of the Self-willed, these which are enemy unto me: O Light of the Lights I hymned up at thee, thou deliveredst me, O Light, thou broughtest my power up from the Chaos. Thou deliveredst me from those who went down unto the darkness. These words also said the Pistis Sophia. Now therefore he whose mind became intelligent, having understood the words which said the Pistis Sophia, let him come forward and utter their explanation.

It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words unto the disciples, came forward Maria, said she, My Lord, my mind intelligent is at every time, for me to come forward at every moment and utter the explanation of the words which she said. But [150^a] I am fearing Petros, because he is wont to threaten me, and he hateth our sex. But these she having said them, said he to her the First Mystery, Every one who will be filled with the spirit of light for to come forward, and utter the explanation of the things which I say, there is not anyone (who) will be able to prevent him. Now therefore, thou O Maria, utter the explanation of the words, these which said the Pistis Sophia. Answered therefore Maria, said she to the First Mystery in the midst of the disciples, My Lord, concerning the explanation of the words which said the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light prophesied them once by David, I shall exalt thee, O Lord, because thou acceptedst me, and thou didst not cause to rejoice my enemies over me. O Lord my God, I [150^b] cried up unto thee and thou healedst me. O Lord, thou broughtest my soul up from Amente, thou savedst me from those who went down unto the pit. These having said them Maria, said he to her, the First Mystery, Well (done and) fairly, Maria the happy. But he added also in the word, said he to the disciples, Added also the Pistis Sophia in this hymn, said she, The Light became to me for deliverer, and turned my darkness for me unto light, and it rent asunder the Chaos, which surroundeth me, he girded me with light. It happened therefore when the First Mystery finished saying these words, came in front Martha, said she, My Lord thy power prophesied once [151^a] by David concerning these words, The Lord became to me helper, he turned my mourning for me unto joy, he rent asunder my sackcloth he girded me with gladness. But it happened, the First Mystery having finished hearing these words, saying them Martha, said he, Well (done and) fairly, Martha.

But added also the First Mystery, said he to the disciples. Added also in the hymn the Pistis Sophia and said she, My power hymn unto the light, and forget not all the powers of the light, these which he gave to thee; and all the powers which (are) in thee hymn unto the name of his mystery which is holy. He who forgiveth all thy transgression. He who delivereth thee [151^b] out of all their oppressions, those with which afflicted thee the emanations of the Self-willed. He who delivered thy light out of the emanations of the Self-willed, these which belonged unto the destruction. He who gave a crown of light unto thy head in his compassion until he delivered thee. He who filled thee with light being purified; and thy beginning will become new as an Invisible of the Height. These words the Pistis having hymned (with) them, because she was delivered, and remembering all the things which I gave to her: it happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished uttering these words unto the disciples, said he to them, He who understandeth the explanation of these words, let him come forward, and say them in boldness.