Contents•
PREFACE•
INTRODUCTION• The Askew Codex
• The Scripts
• The Contents
• The Title
• The Date of the MS.
• Translated from the Greek
• Originals composed in Egypt
• Date: The 2nd-century Theory
• The 3rd-century Theory
• The 'Ophitic' Background
• Three vague Pointers
• The libertinist Sects of Epiphanius
• The Severians
• The Bruce Codex
• The Berlin Codex
• The so-called Barbēlō-Gnostics
• The Sethians
• The present Position of the Enquiry
• The new and the old Perspective in Gnostic Studies
• The Ministry of the First Mystery
• The post-resurrectional Setting
• The higher Revelation within this Setting
• The Æon-lore
• The Sophia Episode
• The ethical Interest
• The Mysteries
• The astral Lore
• Transcorporation
• The magical Element
• History and psychic Story
• The P.S. a reserved Document
• Its general Value
• A Skeleton of the Scheme of the System
•
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY•
TRANSLATION. DIVISION I. THE FIRST BOOK OF PISTIS SOPHIA• Jesus hitherto instructeth his disciples only up to the regions of the First Mystery
• What the First Mystery surroundeth
• The regions of the great Invisible
• The Treasury of the Light
• The Light-world
• Jesus and his disciples are seated on the Mount of Olives
• A great light-power descendeth on Jesus
• It surroundeth him entirely
• Jesus ascendeth into heaven
• The confusion of the powers and the great earthquake
• Jesus descendeth again
• The nature of his glory
• Jesus addresseth them
• He draweth his light unto himself
• He promiseth to tell them all things
• How the Vesture of Light was sent unto him
• Of the souls of the disciples and their incarnation
• Of the incarnation of John the Baptizer
• That John was Elias in a former birth
• Of his own incarnation through Mary
• More concerning the light-powers in the disciples
• Why they should rejoice that the time of his investiture had come
• The mystery of the five words on the vesture
• The solution thereof
• The three robes of light
• The first vesture
• The second vesture
• The third vesture
• The day of 'Come unto us'
• Jesus putteth on his vesture
• He entereth the firmament
• The powers of the firmament are amazed and fall down and adore him
• He entereth the first sphere
• The powers of the first sphere are amazed and fall down and adore him
• He entereth the second sphere
• The powers of the second sphere are amazed and fall down and adore him
• He entereth the æons
• The powers of the æons are amazed and fall down and adore him
• Adamas and the tyrants fight against the light
• He taketh from them a third of their power
• He changeth the motion of their spheres
• Mary Magdalene asketh and receiveth permission to speak
• Mary interpreteth the discourse from the words of Isaiah
• Jesus commendeth Mary. She further questioneth him on the changing of the spheres
• Jesus explaineth further the conversion of the spheres
• Philip questioneth Jesus
• Why the path of the æons was changed
• Mary questioneth him again
• The coming of Melchisedec
• Of the fashioning of the souls of men
• The rulers devour their matter so that souls may not be fashioned
• Adamas and the tyrants fight against the light-vesture
• Jesus taketh from them a third of their power and changeth their course
• They no more have the power of devouring their matter
• The powers adore the light-vesture
• The tyrants become as the dead
• Jesus entereth the thirteenth æon and findeth Pistis Sophia
• Sophia and her fellow-powers behold the light
• Mary desireth to hear the story of Sophia
• THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA
• Sophia desireth to enter the Light-world
• The rulers hate her for ceasing in their mystery
• Self-willed uniteth himself with the rulers of the twelve æons and emanateth a lion-faced power to plague Sophia
• Sophia taketh the lion-faced power of Sell-willed for the true Light
• She descendeth to the twelve æons and thence into the chaos
• The emanations of Self-willed squeeze the light-powers out of Sophia
• The first repentance of Sophia
• Mary interpreteth the first repentance from Psalm lxviii.
• The second repentance of Sophia
• Peter complaineth of Mary
• Peter interpreteth the second repentance from Psalm lxx.
• Jesus promiseth to perfect the disciples in all things
• The third repentance of Sophia
• Martha asketh and receiveth permission to speak
• Martha interpreteth the third repentance from Psalm lxix.
• The fourth repentance of Sophia
• John asketh and receiveth permission to speak
• John interpreteth the repentance from Psalm ci.
• Jesus commendeth John
• The emanations of Self-willed again squeeze the light out of Sophia
• The fifth repentance of Sophia
• Philip the scribe complaineth
• Jesus explaineth that the appointed scribes are Philip and Thomas and Matthew
• Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus concerning the three witnesses
• Philip is now given permission to speak
• Philip interpreteth the fifth repentance from Psalm lxxxvii.
• Philip is commended and continueth writing
• The sixth repentance of Sophia
• Andrew interpreteth the sixth repentance from Psalm cxxix.
• Jesus commendeth Andrew. He promiseth that the tyrants shall be judged and consumed by the wise fire
• Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
• The repentance of Sophia is not yet accepted. She is mocked by the æons
• The seventh repentance of Sophia
• Thomas interpreteth the seventh repentance from Psalm xxiv
• Jesus commendeth Thomas
• Jesus leadeth Sophia to a less confined region, but without the commandment of the First Mystery
• The emanations of Self-willed cease for a time to oppress Sophia
• The eighth repentance of Sophia
• The emanations of Self-willed oppress her again
• She continueth her repentance
• Matthew interpreteth the eighth repentance from Psalm xxx.
• Jesus commendeth Matthew and promiseth his disciples that they shall sit on thrones with him
• Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
• The ninth repentance of Sophia
• James interpreteth the ninth repentance from Psalm xxxiv.
• Jesus commendeth James and promiseth the first place unto the disciples
• Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus
• The repentance of Sophia is accepted. Jesus is sent to help her
• The tenth repentance of Sophia
• Peter interpreteth the tenth repentance from Psalm cxix.
• Jesus commendeth Peter
• The eleventh repentance of Sophia
• Salome interpreteth the eleventh repentance from Psalm li.
• Jesus commendeth Salome
• Self-willed aideth his emanations and they again oppress Sophia
• The twelfth repentance of Sophia
• Andrew interpreteth the twelfth repentance from Psalm cviii.
• The thirteenth repentance of Sophia
• Martha interpreteth the thirteenth repentance from Psalm l.
• Jesus sendeth forth a light-power to help Sophia
• Sophia uttereth a song of praise
• Salome interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
• The power sent by Jesus formeth a light-wreath on Sophia's head
• Sophia uttereth another song of praise
• Mary, his mother, asketh and receiveth permission to speak
• Mary, his mother, interpreteth the song of Sophia from the xixth Ode of Solomon
• Jesus commendeth his mother
• The commandment of the First Mystery is fulfilled for taking Sophia entirely out of the chaos
• The First Mystery and Jesus send forth two light-powers to help Sophia
• Mary Magdalene interpreteth the mystery from Psalm lxxxiv
• Mary, the mother, further interpreteth the scripture
• The story of the phantom spirit
• Of the spiritual and material bodies of Jesus
• The other Mary further interpreteth the same scripture from the baptism of Jesus
• Mary, the mother, again further interpreteth the same scripture from the meeting of herself with Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer
• Of the incarnation of Jesus
• THE NOTE OF A SCRIBE
• A note by a later hand, copied from another scripture
•
DIVISION II. SUPERSCRIPTION: THE SECOND BOOK OF PISTIS SOPHIA• John further interpreteth the same scripture
• Of Sabaōth, Barbēlō, Yabraōth and the light-vesture
• Gabriēl and Michaēl are summoned to help Pistis Sophia
• The light-stream restoreth the light-powers to Sophia
• The light-stream, having accomplished its purpose, departeth from Sophia
• Peter interpreteth the narrative from the Odes of Solomon
• The emanations of Self-willed cry aloud to him for help
• He sendeth forth another more violent power like unto a flying arrow
• The fashioning of the serpent-, basilisk- and dragon-powers
• The demon power of Adamas dasheth Sophia down
• Sophia again crieth to the Light
• Gabriēl and Michaēl and the light-stream again go to her aid
• The transfiguration of Sophia
• Jesus, the First Mystery looking without, causeth Sophia to triumph
• James interpreteth the narrative from Psalm xc
• Sophia singeth a song of praise
• Thomas interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
• Sophia singeth another song of praise
• Matthew interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon
• Sophia continueth to sing
• Mary is afraid of Peter
• Mary interpreteth the song of Sophia from Psalm xxix
• Sophia continueth her song
• Martha interpreteth from Psalm xxix
• Sophia continueth her song
• Mary interpreteth from Psalm cii
• Sophia is led to a region below the thirteenth æon and given a new mystery
• She continueth to sing
• Andrew interpreteth from Psalm xxxix
• The conversation of Sophia and the Light
• The Light promiseth to seal the regions of Self-willed
• How Sophia will know that the time of her final deliverance hath come
• What will come to pass at that time
• The time for the final deliverance of Sophia is completed
• Adamas sendeth forth two emanations of darkness to plague Sophia
• Sophia again singeth a song to the Light
• James interpreteth the song from Psalm vii
• Sophia addresseth Adamas and his rulers
• Sophia again singeth to the Light
• Martha interpreteth the words of Sophia from Psalm vii
• Jesus bringeth Sophia again to the thirteenth æon
• Sophia singeth the praises of the Light to her fellow-invisibles
• Philip interpreteth the song from Psalm cvi.
• END OF THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA
• Mary questioneth Jesus
• Of the glory of the four-and-twenty invisibles
• Of the glory of the Fate
• Of the glory of the twelve æons
• Of the glory of the thirteenth Aeon
• Of the glory of the Midst
• Of the glory of the Right
• Of the glory of the Treasury
• Of the glory of the Inheritance
• Mary again questioneth Jesus
• Of the twelve saviours and their regions in the Inheritance
• Of the ascension of those of the Treasury into the Inheritance
• Of their respective ranks in the kingdom
• Of the powers of the Right and their emanation and ascension
• Of the powers of the Midst and their ascension
• But this shall not take place till the consummation of the æon
• Of the ascension of the souls of the perfect
• Of the rank of the souls of the perfect
• Mary interpreteth the discourse from the scriptures
• Of the last Helper
• That the regions beyond the Helpers are indescribable
• Mary further questioneth Jesus
• Of the second Helper
• Of the third, fourth and fifth Helpers
• Mary again questioneth Jesus
• Of those who receive the mystery in the last Helper
• John questioneth Jesus
• Of the first Commandment
• Of the first space
• Of the second space
• Of the third space
• Of the Thrice-spirituals in the third space, i.e. the first space of the Ineffable
• Of the master-mystery
• Of the gnosis of the master-mystery
• Of the gnosis of the mystery of the Ineffable
• The disciples lose courage
• Jesus explaineth that that mystery is really simpler than all mysteries
• Of the rending asunder and emanation of the powers of the universe
• Of those of the second space of the Ineffable
• Of those of the first space of the Ineffable
• Jesus promiseth to explain further all in detail
• Of the mystery succinctly
• Of the one and only word of the Ineffable
• Of the ascension of the soul of him who shall receive the one and only mystery
• Of the rank of such a soul
• Such souls are one with the First Mystery
• Of the dignity of the thrones in the kingdom
• Of the gnosis of the word of the Ineffable
• Of the distinction between the gnosis of the universe and the mysteries of the Light
• Of the ascension of the souls of those who receive the twelve mysteries of the First Mystery
• Mary again questioneth Jesus
• Of the three mysteries and five mysteries
• Of the first mystery
• Of the second mystery
• Of its efficacy
• Of the third mystery
• Of its efficacy for the uninitiated
• Of the three and five mysteries
• Of the mysteries of the three spaces
• Of the reign of a thousand years of the Light
• What is a year of the Light
• Of those of the first space in the kingdom of the thousand years
• Of those of the second space
• Of those of the third space, the first from without
• Of the Books of Yew
• Andrew questioneth Jesus
• That the disciples and the powers are from the same Mixture
• Of transcorporation and purification
• Of the purifying mysteries
• That all who are purified will be saved
• That finally they will be higher than all powers
• Jesus pardoneth the ignorance of Andrew
• SUB-SCRIPTION: A PORTION OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR. DIVISION III.
• THE CONCLUSION OF ANOTHER BOOK
• Of the Limbs of the Ineffable
• The Saviour is their treasury
• Of the dignity of those who have received the mysteries
•
A THIRD BOOK• Of the proclamation of the disciples
• What men should renounce
• The boundaries of the ways of the worthy
• Unto whom are the mysteries of the Light to be given
• The mysteries are for the forgiveness of sins
• Mary questioneth the Saviour
• Of the soul of the righteous man who hath not received the mysteries at death
• John questioneth Jesus
• The disciples are to forgive many times seven times
• Of the reward of the savers of souls
• John continueth his questioning
• That the mysteries shall be given again unto a repentant brother even up to the three of the second space
• The limit of the power of the disciples to forgive sins
• A former saying explained
• Of the master-mystery of the forgiveness of sins
• John continueth his questioning
• Further of the forgiveness of sins
• John continueth his questioning
• Of pretenders who receive the mysteries
• A former saying explained
• Mary again questioneth Jesus
• How the souls of those who have come out of the body may be helped by those on earth
• Mary continueth her questioning
• How he who possesseth the mysteries can come forth out of the body without suffering
• Mary continueth her questioning
• The mystery of the raising of the dead
• The disciples became frenzied at the sublimity of the prospect
• How the disciples shall make proclamation
• What mysteries they shall give
• The mystery of the raising of the dead not to be given to any
• Of the constitution of man
• Of the counterfeiting spirit
• The state of the sinful soul after death
• How a sinful soul is brought back to birth
• Of the ascension after death of the good soul that hath received the mysteries
• Of the state after death of one who hath received the mysteries and yet hath transgressed
• The apology of the rulers of the ways of the midst
• The apology of the rulers of the Fate
• Of the ascension of that soul into the Inheritance
• Mary interpreteth from former sayings
• The piece of money which was brought unto Jesus
• A saying of Paul
• The foes of one's own house
• A former saying concerning rebirth
• Mary continueth to question Jesus
• Of the retributive servitors
• How the soul of the sinner is stamped with his sins
• How the baptisms purify sins
• The separation of the portions by the mystery of baptism
• Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
• Mary further questioneth Jesus
• Of the forgiveness of sins according to the higher mysteries
• Mary interpreteth the same from the Psalm xxxi.
• Of forgiveness even unto twelve times of those who have received the mysteries of the First Mystery
• Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance
• Of the unending forgiveness of those who have received the mystery of the Ineffable
• Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance
• Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
• Of the unending compassion of the great mysteries for the repentant
• Of the unrepentant
• Mary interpreteth from a former saying
• If even men on earth are compassionate, how much more then the highest mysteries?
• Jesus trieth Peter
• Mary interpreteth the incident from a former saying
• In the case of repentance only higher mysteries than those previously received can remit sins
• There is no limit to the number of mysteries the faithful may receive
• The fate of the gnostic who sinneth is more terrible than that of the ignorant sinner
• Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
• Of those who procrastinate, saying they have many births before them
• Of the time of the completion
• Those who procrastinate are excluded from the Light
• Their entreaties at the gates of the Light
• Mary interpreteth the same
•
A FOURTH BOOK• Of the dragon of the outer darkness
• Of the rulers of the twelve dungeons and their names
• Of the doors of the dungeons
• The angels who watch the doors
• What souls pass into the dragon, and how
• The nature of the names of the dragon
• Of the severity of the chastisements of the dragon
• Of the degrees of the fires of the chastisements
• The disciples bewail the fate of sinners
• Mary further questioneth Jesus
• How to save the souls of the sinners
• A summary of the formulæ
• Of the light-beams and light-streams
• Mary pleadeth for those who have neglected the mysteries
• Of the efficacy of the names of the twelve angels
• The souls who know the names escape and are taken to Yew
• Of their subsequent fate
• Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying
• Of the cup of forgetfulness
• Of the light of the sun and the darkness of the dragon
• Of the cup of forgetfulness
• Of the counterfeiting spirit
• Of the fashioning of a new soul
• Of the inbreathing of the power
• Jesus promiseth to reveal all in detail
• Of the light-power and the counterfeiting spirit
• The parents we are to abandon
• Salome is in doubt
• Mary removeth the doubt of Salome
• Of the charge given to the counterfeiting spirit
• Of the charge given to the servitors
• Of conception
• Of the compulsion of the parents
• Of the process of gestation
• Of the incarnation of the soul
• Of the sealing of the plasm
• Of the destiny
• Of how a man cometh by his death
• There is no escape from the destiny
• Of the keys of the mysteries
• The mysteries are all for men
• A prophecy of John the Baptizer
• The criterion of orthodoxy
• The Books of Yew
• Few only will accomplish the mystery of the First Mystery
• No soul had entered into the Light before the coming of the First Mystery
• Of the prophets
• Of the patriarchs
• Of the souls of the righteous from Adam to Jesus
• The disciples know of a surety that Jesus is the Great Initiator
• SUB-SCRIPTION: A PORTION OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR. DIVISION IV.
•
A FIFTH BOOK• The disciples gather round Jesus
• The invocation of Jesus
• The grouping of the disciples
• The interpretation of iaō
• He continueth to make invocation
• The apocalypse of the heavens
• The figures of the disk of the sun and of the moon
• Jesus and the disciples are transported to the ways of the midst
• Of the repentant and unrepentant rulers
• Of the hierarchies of the unrepentant rulers and the names of their five regents
• Of the powers which Yew bound into the five regents
• Of the functions of Zeus, the chief regent
• The incorruptible names of the regents
• Mary questioneth Jesus on the ways of the midst
• Of the mysteries which Jesus will give unto his disciples
• Of the constitution of the ways of the midst
• Of Paraplēx
• Of Yew and Melchisedec
• How the demon rulers carry off souls
• The chastisements of Paraplēx
• Of Ariouth the Æthiopian
• Of triple-faced Hekatē
• Of Parhedrōn Typhon
• Of Yachthanabas
• The disciples beseech Jesus to have mercy upon sinners
• Jesus encourageth his disciples
• Jesus and his disciples ascend higher
• He breatheth into their eyes
• Their eyes are opened
• Jesus explaineth the vision of fire and water, and wine and blood
• The same explained from former sayings
• Jesus and his disciples descend to earth
• Jesus promiseth to give them the mystery of the forgiveness of sins
• The mystic offering
• The invocation
• The rite is consummated
• Directions as to the future use of the rite
• Of three other mystic rites
• Of the highest mysteries and of the great name
• Of the efficacy of that name
•
A SIXTH BOOK• Of the chastisement of the curser
• Of the chastisement of the slanderer
• Of the chastisement of the murderer
• Peter protesteth against the women
• Of the chastisement of the thief
• Of the chastisement of the arrogant
• Of the chastisement of the blasphemer
• Of the chastisement of him who hath intercourse with males
• Of the chastisement of a foul act of sorcery
• Of the after-death state of the righteous man who hath not been initiated
• Of the cup of wisdom
• A sinner suffereth for each separate sin
• Even the greatest of sinners, if he repent, shall inherit the kingdom
• Of the time favourable for the birth of those who shall find the mysteries
• The disciples beseech Jesus to have mercy upon them
• A LATER POSTSCRIPT
• The proclamation of the apostles
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Female Sacrifice in the Thirteenth Aeon 2, by Tara Carreon