On the Origin of the World 2017 - Wild Apricot...On the Origin of the World from The Rulers’ Rape...

Translation © Celene Lillie 2016

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On the Origin of the World

from The Rulers’ Rape of Eve by Celene Lillie

Sinceeveryone,boththegodsoftheworldandhumankind,saysthatnothingexistedbefore

chaos,Ishallshowtheyareallmistaken,becausetheydonotknowthenatureofchaosoritsroot.

Hereistheproof.Peoplegenerallyagreethatchaosisdarkness,itactuallycomesfromashadow.

Andtheshadowcomesfromsomethingthathasexistedfromthebeginning,andsoitisclearthatit

existedbeforechaoscameintobeing,andthatthelattercameafterthefirstwork.1Letusenter

intothetruthofthematter,andparticularlythefirstwork,fromwhichchaoscame.Andinthis

waythetruthwillbeclearlyshown.(97,24-98,11)

Aftertheorderoftheimmortalswasbroughttocompletionoutoftheinfinite,alikeness

flowedfromFaith—itiscalledWisdom.Itdesiredthatitbecomesomethinglikethefirstlight,and

immediatelyherdesireappearedasaheavenlylikenesswithincomprehensiblegreatness.Itwas

betweentheimmortalsandwhatcameafterthem,likewhatisabove,andWisdomservedasa

curtainseparatinghumanityfromthethingsabove.(98,11-99,23)

Nowtherealmoftruthhasnoshadowoutside(<within>)it,2becausethelimitlesslightis

everywherewithinit.Butoutsideitisshadow,whichhasbeencalleddarkness.Fromitappeared

apoweroutoverthedarkness,andthepowersthatcameafterwardcalledtheshadow“limitless

chaos.”Fromit,everykindofdeitywasloosed,oneafteranother,alongwiththeentireplace,so

thattheshadowcameafterthefirstwork.Itappearedintheabyss,whichalsocamefromFaith,

whowasmentionedbefore.(99,23-99,2)

1Cf.Gen.1:1-2.2Whilethetextsays,“outside,”NHC(Layton)thinksitshouldbeemendedto“inside.”

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Theshadowsensedthattherewassomethingstrongerthanit,andbecamejealous.And

whenitbecamepregnantbyitself,itsuddenlygavebirthtoenvy.Sincethen,theprincipleofenvy

hasappearedinalltherealmsandtheirworlds.Butenvywasfoundtobeanuntimelybirth

withoutanyspiritinit.Itcameintobeinglikeashadowinavastwaterysubstance.Thenbitter

wrathcameintobeingfromtheshadowandwascastintotheregionofchaos.Sincethatdaya

waterysubstancehasbeenvisible.Andwhatflowedwithinitflowedoutandappearedinchaos.

Aswithawomangivingbirthtoachild,theafterbirthflowsout,soalsothematterthatcameinto

beingfromtheshadowwascastout.Anditdidnotcomeoutofchaos,rather,matterwasinchaos,

inaregionofit.(99,2-22)

Afterthesethingshappened,thenFaithcameandappearedoverthematter(ofchaos,which

hadbeenexpelledlikeanuntimelybirth,withoutanyspiritinit.Forallofitwaslimitlessdarkness

andbottomlesswater.NowwhenFaithsawwhatcameintobeingthroughherdeficiency,shewas

disturbed.Andthedisturbanceappearedassomethingfrightening,anditfledtoherinthechaos.

Sheturnedtoitandblewintoitsfaceintheabyss,belowalltheheavens.(99,23-100,1)

AndwhenFaithWisdomdesiredtocausethethingwithnospirittobemadeintoalikeness

andtoruleovermatterandallitspowers,forthefirsttimearulerappeared,outofthewaters,

lion-likeinappearance,androgynous,havinggreatauthoritywithinhimself,andignorantofwhere

hecamefrom.NowwhenFaithWisdomsawhimmovingaboutthedepthofthewaters,shesaidto

him,“Child,moveoverhere,”whichisthemeaningof“Yaldabaoth.”Sincethatdaytheprincipleof

thewordhasbeenrevealed,whichreachedthegodsandtheangelsandhumankind.Andthegods

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andtheangelsandhumankindhavebroughttocompletionwhathascomeintobeingthroughthe

word.3(100,1-18)

NowtherulerYaltabaothisignorantofthepowerofFaith.Hedidnotseeherface,buthe

sawinthewaterthelikenessthatspokewithhim.Andbecauseofthatvoicehecalledhimself

Yaldabaoth.ButthosewhoareperfectcallhimAriael,becausehewaslikealion.Afterhecameto

haveauthorityovermatter,FaithWisdomwithdrewuptoherlight.(100,19-29)

Whentherulersawhisgreatness,hesawonlyhimselfandnothingelseexceptwaterand

darkness.Hethoughtthathealoneexisted.His[thought]wascompletedthroughspeech/the

word—itappearedasaspiritmovingtoandfrouponthewaters.4Whenthespiritappeared,the

rulerseparatedthewaterysubstanceinoneplace,andwhatwasdrywasdividedtoanotherplace.

Andfrommatterthehemadehimselfadwellingplaceandcalleditheaven,andfrommatterthe

rulermadeafootstoolandcalleditearth.5(100,29-101,9)

Next,therulerhadathoughtinaccordancewithhisnature,andhecreatedanandrogynous

beingthroughspeech/theword.Heopenedhismouthandcooedtohim.Whenhiseyesopened,

helookedathisfather,andsaidtohim,“EE,”sohisfathercalledhimYao.Nexthecreatedasecond

son.Hecooedtohim,andheopenedhiseyesandsaidtohisfather,“Eh!”Hisfathercalledhim

Eloai.Nexthecreatedathirdson.Hecooedtohim.Andheopenedhiseyesandsaidtohisfather,

“Asss!”HisfathercalledhimAstaphaios.Thesearethethreesonsofthefather.(101,9-23)

Sevenandrogynousbeingsappearedinchaos,andtheyhavemasculinenamesandfeminine

names.ThefemininenameisForesightSambathas,whichis“week.”AndhissoniscalledYao—his

femininenameisLordship.3Cf.Gen.1:3-31,2:19-20;John1:1-5—hereandbelow.4Cf.Gen.1:2.5Cf.Is.66:1LXX,“ThussaystheLord:Heavenismythroneandtheearthismyfootstool;whatisthehousethatyouwouldbuildforme,andwhatismyrestingplace?”

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Sabaoth’sfemininenameisDivinity. Adonaios’sfemininenameisKingship. Eloaios’sfemininenameisEnvy. Oraios’sfemininenameisWealth. Astaphaios’sfemininenameisWisdom.Thesearethesevenpowersofthesevenheavensof[chaos].Andtheywerebornandrogynousin

accordancewiththeimmortalpatternthatexistedbeforethem,accordingtothedesireofFaith,so

thatthelikenessofwhatwasfromthebeginningmightreignuntiltheend.Youwillfindthe

functionofthemasculinenamesandpowersintheArchangelicBookofMosestheProphet,andthe

femininenamesintheFirstBookofNoraia.(101,23-102,11)

Nowthechiefparent,Yaldabaothpossessedgreatauthorities,hecreatedbeautifulheavens

asdwellingplaces,throughhisspeech/word,andineachheavenhecreatedgreatglories,seven

timesglorious.Eachonehasthronesandmansionsandtemples,andalsochariotsandvirgin

spirits,andtheirglories,extendinguptoaninvisiblerealm,inhisheaven;andpowerfularmiesof

godsandlordsandangelsandarchangels—countlessmyriads—sothattheymightserve.Youwill

findapreciseaccountofthisintheFirstDiscourseofOraia.(102,11-102,25)

Andtheywerecompletedinthiswayuptothesixthheaven,theheavenofWisdom.The

heavenandhisearthweredisruptedbythetroublemakerwhowasbeneaththemall.Thesix

heavensshook,forthepowersofchaosdidnotknowwhohaddisturbedtheheavenbeneaththem.

WhenFaithfoundoutaboutthebreakagecausedbythetroublemaker,shesentherbreathand

boundhimandcasthimdownintoTartaros.Sincethentheheaven,alongwithitsearth,has

establisheditselfthroughWisdom,thedaughterofYaldabaoth,whoisbelowthemall.(102,25-

103,2)

Aftertheheavenswereestablished,alongwiththeirpowersandtheirentiregovernment,

thechiefparentexaltedhimself,andhewasglorifiedbythewholearmyofangels.Andallthegods

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andtheirangelspraisedandglorifiedhim.Andhewasdelightedandboastedagainandagainand

saidtothem,“Idon’tneedanything.”Hesaid,“IamGod,andthereisnootherbutme.”6Andwhen

hesaidthis,hesinnedagainstalltheimmortalswhospeakforth,andtheywatchedhimcarefully.

(103,3-15)

ThenwhenFaithsawtheimpietyofthechiefrulershebecameangry.Withoutbeingseen,

shesaid,“Youarewrong,Samael,”whichmeans,“blindgod.”“Thereisanimmortalhumanoflight

whoexistedbeforeyouandwhowillappearwithinyourmodeledforms.Hewilltrampleyouas

potter’sclayispounded,andyouwilldescendtoyourmother,theabyss,alongwiththosethat

belongtoyou.Andwhenyourworkcomestocompletion,allthedeficiencythatappearedfrom

truthwillbedissolved,anditwillceasetobeandwillbelikewhatneverwas.”AfterFaithsaidthis,

sherevealedthelikenessofhergreatnessinthewaters,andthenshewithdrewuptoherlight.

(103,15-32)

WhenSabaoth,sonofYaldabaoth,heardthevoiceofFaith,hesangpraisestoher,and[he]

condemnedhisfather[andmother]onaccountofthewordofFaith.Andhepraisedherbecause

shehadinstructedthemabouttheimmortalhumananditslight.ThenFaithWisdompointedher

fingerandpouredoverhimlightfromherlightasacondemnationofhisfather.WhenSabaothwas

enlightened,hereceivedgreatauthorityoverallthepowersofchaos,andsincethenhehasbeen

called“LordofthePowers.”(103,32-104,10)

Hehatedhisfather,thedarkness,andhismother,theabyss,andloathedhissister,the

thoughtofthechiefparentandwhomovestoandfrooverthewaters.7Andalloftheauthoritiesof

6Cf.Ex20.5;34:14;Deut.5:6-7;32:39;Isaiah45:5-6;46:9;Joel2:27.7Cf.Gen.1:2.

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chaoswerejealousofhimbecauseofhislight.Andwhentheybecamedisturbed,theywageda

greatwarinthesevenheavens.(104,10-17)

ThenwhenFaithWisdomsawthewar,shesentsevenarchangelstoSabaothfromherlight.

Theysnatchedhim8uptotheseventhheaven,andtheystoodbeforehimasattendants.Thenshe

sentthreemorearchangelstohimandestablishedhiskingdomovereveryonesothathemight

dwellabovethetwelvegodsofchaos.WhenSabaothoccupiedtheplaceofrestbecauseofhis

repentance,FaithalsogavehimherdaughterLife,togetherwithgreatauthority,sothatshemight

tellhimabouteverythingintheeighthheaven.(104,17-30)

Andsincehehadauthority,hefirstmadehimselfamansion.Itishuge,magnificent,seven

timesasgreatasallthoseinthesevenheavens.Andinfrontofhismansionhecreatedalarge

throneonachariotwithfourfaces,calledcherubim.Thecherubimhadeightfiguresoneachofthe

fourcorners,figuresoflions,bulls,humans,andeagles,foratotalofsixty-fourfigures.Seven

archangelsstandbeforeit.Heistheeighth,andhasauthority.Thereareseventy-twofiguresinall.

Fromthischariottheseventy-twogodstookshape.Theytookshapesothattheymightruleover

theseventy-twolanguagesoftheseventy-twonations.Andbesidethatthronehecreatedother,

angelsintheshapeofserpentscalledseraphim,whoglorifyhimunceasingly.(104,31-105,19)

Thenhecreatedanassemblyofangels—thousandsandmyriadswithoutnumber,which

wasliketheassemblyintheeighthheaven—andafirstborncalledIsrael—thatis,“thepersonwho

seesGod”—andanotherbeingcalledJesusChrist,whoislikethesavioraboveintheeighthheaven

andwhositsathisrightonareveredthrone.AndathisleftthevirginoftheholySpiritsitsupona

throneandglorifieshim.Andsevenvirginsstandbeforeher,withthirtylyresandharpsand

8Cf.Rev.12:5wherethechildofthewomanclothedinthesungets“snatchedaway”andtakentoGodandGod’sthrone.

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trumpets,glorifyinghim.Andallthearmiesofangelsglorifyhim,andtheypraisehim.(105,20-

106,3)

Hesitsuponathroneoflightinagreatcloudthatcovershim.Andnoonewaswithhimin

thecloudexceptWisdomofFaith,9andshetaughthimaboutallthethingsintheeighthheaven,so

thatthelikenessofthosethingsmightbecreatedinorderthathisreignmightcontinueuntilthe

completionoftheheavensofchaosandtheirpowers.(106,3-11)

FaithWisdomseparatedhimfromthedarknessandsummonedhimtoherright,andshe

putthechiefparentatherleft.Sincethenrighthasbeencalledjusticeandleftcalledinjustice.

Becauseofthis,theyallreceivedaworld/realmintheassemblyofjusticeandinjusticestandsupon

theirentirecreation.10(106,11-19)

WhenthechiefparentofchaossawhissonSabaothandthegloryinwhichhedwells,and

recognizedthathewasthegreatestofalltheauthoritiesofchaos,heenviedhim.Hewasangry,

andheproduceddeathfromhisowndeath.Andit(death)wasestablishedoverthesixthheaven,

forSabaothhadbeensnatchedupfromthere.Andthiswaythenumberofthesixauthoritiesof

chaoswasrealized.Sincedeathwasandrogynous,hehadsexwithhimself/hisownnatureand

producedsevenandrogynouschildren.(106,19-29)

Thesearethenamesofthemales:Envy,Anger,Weeping,Groaning,Mourning,Shouting,

TearfulGroans.Andthesearethenamesofthefemales:Anger,Pain,Pleasure,Groaning,Curse,

Bitterness,Quarreling.Theyhadsexwithoneanother,andeachoneconceivedseven,sothatthey

totalforty-nineandrogynousdemons.YouwillfindtheirnamesandfunctionsintheBookof

Solomon.(106,30-107,3)

9NotFaithWisdom,butⲧⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ <ⲛ̄> ⲧⲡⲓⲥⲧⲓⲥ.10Thetextis“corrupt”here(ⲁϩⲉ ⲉⲣⲁⲓ̈ ⲉϫⲛ̄ ⲟⲩⲥⲱⲛⲧ⸌ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ),i.e.neitherNHCorNHSIaresureofthetranslation.

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Andinthepresenceofthese,Life,whodwellswithSabaoth,createdsevengood

androgynouspowers.Thesearethenamesofthemales:theUnjealous,theBlessed,theJoyful,the

True,theUnenvious,theBeloved,theFaithful.Thesearethenamesofthefemales:Peace,

Gladness,Joyfulness,Blessedness,Truth,Love,Faith.Andmanygoodandinnocentspiritscome

fromthese.YouwillfindtheiraccomplishmentsandfunctionsintheConfigurationsoftheFateof

HeavenBeneaththeTwelve.(107,4-16)

AndhavingseenthelikenessofFaithinthewaters,thechiefparentwasdeeplydistressed,

especiallywhenheheardhervoice,whichwaslikethefirstvoicethatcalledtohimoutofthe

waters.Andwhenheknewthatshewastheonewhohadgivenanametohim,hegroaned.Hewas

ashamedbecauseofhistransgression.Andwhenhehadcometotrulyknowthatanimmortal

humanoflightexistedbeforehim,hewasverydisturbed,forhehadpreviouslysaidtoallthegods

andtheirangels,“IamGod.Thereisnootherbutme.”Forhefearedthattheymightknowanother

existedbeforehimandjudgehim.(107,16-34)

Buthewasafool.Hedistainedthejudgmentandactedboldly.Hesaid,“Ifanythingexisted

beforeme,letitappearsothatwemayseeitslight.”Andimmediately,look!,lightcameoutofthe

eighthheavenaboveandpassedthroughalltheheavensoftheearth.Whenthechiefparentsaw

thatthelightwasbeautifulasitradiated,hewasamazed,andhewasveryashamed.Asthatlight

appeared,ahumanlikenessappearedwithinit,itwaswonderful!Andnoonesawitexceptthe

chiefparentandForesight,whowaswithhim.Butitslightwasvisibletoallthepowersofthe

heavens.Becauseofthis,theywerealldisturbedbyit.(107,34-108,14)

ThenwhenForesightsawthismessenger,shefellinlovewithhim,buthehatedherbecause

shewasindarkness.Shedesiredtoensnarehim,andshewasnotable.Whenshewasunableto

healherlove,shepouredoutherlightupontheearth.Sincethatday,thismessengerhasbeen

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called“AdamofLight,”whichmeans“theenlightenedhumanofblood,”andtheearth<uponwhich

it(herlight)>spread,“holyAdamas,”whichmeans“theholyadamantineearth.”(108,14-24)

Sincethatday,alltheauthoritieshavehonoredthebloodofthevirgin,andtheearthwas

purifiedonaccountofthebloodofthevirgin.Further,thewaterwaspurifiedbythelikenessof

FaithWisdom,whohadappearedtothechiefparentinthewaters.Rightly,ithasbeensaid,

“throughthewaters,”sincetheholywatergiveslifetoall,purifiesit.(108,25-109,1)

Outofthisfirstblood,Erosappeared,beingandrogynous.HismasculinesideisHimireris,

(Himeros)becauseheisfirefromthelight.Hisfemininesideisasoulofbloodfromthesubstance

ofForesight.Heisverybeautifulinhisappearance,havingagracebeyondallthecreaturesof

chaos.WhenallthegodsandtheirangelssawEros,theyfellinlovewithhim.Heappearedwithin

themandsetthemafire.Justasmanylampsarelitfromasinglelamp,andthelightofeachoneis

thesame,butthesinglelamp(i.e.theonethatgavethelight)isnotdiminished,soEroswas

dispersedinallthecreaturesofchaosandwasnotdiminished.(109,1-16)

JustasErosappearedatthemidpointoflightanddarkness,andtheintercourseofEros

filledthemidpointofangelsandhumankind,sothefirstpleasurebloomedfromtheearth.Woman

followedearth,andmarriagefollowedwoman.Birthfollowedmarriage,dissolutionfollowedbirth.

(109,16-25)

AfterEros,agrapevinebloomedfromthebloodthatwasshedupontheearth,andsothose

whodrinkofitconceivethedesireofintercourse.Afterthegrapevine,afigtreeanda

pomegranatetreebloomedfromtheearth,togetherwiththerestofthetrees,allkinds,having

withinthemtheirseedfromtheseedoftheauthoritiesandtheirangels.(109,25-110,1)

ThenJusticecreatedParadise.Itisbeautifulandoutsidethecircuitofthemoonandthe

circuitofthesunintheLandofDelight,intheeastinthemidstofthestones.AndDesiredwellsin

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themidstofthebeautiful,talltrees.Andthetreeofeternallife,asitappearedbythewillofGod,is

tothenorthofParadisesothatitmightgiveimmortalitytothesoulsoftheholyones,whoshall

leavetheirmodeledformsofhungerattheendoftheage.Thecolorofthetreeoflifeislikethe

sun,anditsbranchesarebeautiful.Itsleavesarelikethoseofthecypress.Itsfruitislikeacluster

ofwhitegrapes.Itsheightreachesuptoheaven.(110,2-18)

Andnexttoitisthetreeofknowledge,whichhasthepowerofGod.Itisgloriouslikethe

moonshiningbrightly.Anditsbranchesarebeautiful.Itsleavesarelikefigleaves.Itsfruitislike

goodgranddates.AndthistreeistothenorthofParadisetoarousethesoulsfromthesleepofthe

daemons,sothattheymightcometothetreeoflife,eatitsfruit,andcondemntheauthoritiesand

theirangels.TheimpactofthistreeisdescribedintheSacredBook:Youarethetreeofknowledge,

whichisinParadise,fromwhichthefirsthumanate.Youopenedhismind,andhelovedhis

partner,andcondemnedtheother,strangelikenessesandloathedthem.(110,18-111,1)

Afterthistheolivetreebloomed,whichwastopurifykingsandhighpriestsofjusticewho

weretoappearinthelastdays,sincetheolivetreeappearedthroughthelightofthefirstAdamfor

thesakeoftheoilofanointingthattheyweretoreceive.(111,2-8)

Andthefirstsoul(Psyche)lovedEros,whowaswithher,andshepouredherbloodupon

himandupontheearth.Fromthatbloodtherosefirstbloomedfromtheearth,outofthethorn

bush,togivejoytothelightthatwouldappearinthebush.Next,beautiful,fragrantflowers

bloomedfromtheearth,differentkinds,fromeachoneofthevirgindaughtersofForesight.They

fellinlovewithErosandpouredtheirblooduponhimandupontheearth.(111,8-20)

Next,everyplantbloomedfromtheearth,differentkinds,andtheycontainedtheseedofthe

authoritiesandtheirangels.Then,theauthoritiescreatedeverydifferentkindofbeastoutofthe

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waters,andthereptilesandbirds,differentkinds,andtheycontainedtheseedoftheauthorities

andtheirangels.(111,20-28)

Butbeforeallthis,whenhehadappearedonthefirstday,heremainedontheearthfor

abouttwodays.HeleftthelowerForesightinheavenandascendedtowardhislight.And

immediatelydarknesscoveredthewholeworld.Whenshewished,Wisdom,whowasinthelower

heaven,receivedauthorityoverFaithandcreatedthegreatlightsandallthestars.Sheputthemin

theskytoshineupontheearthandtosetinorder/setup/erecttemporalsignsandseasonsand

yearsandmonthsanddaysandnightsandmomentsandsoon.Andinthiswaythewholeregion

oftheskywasadorned/organized.(111,29-112,17)

WhentheAdamofLightwishedtoenterhislight,whichistheeighthheaven,hecouldnot

dosobecauseofthepovertythathadmixedwithhislight.Sohecreatedagreatrealmforhimself,

andwithinthatrealmhecreatedsixrealmsandtheirworlds,sixinnumber,whichareseventimes

betterthantheheavensofchaosandtheirworlds.Alltheserealmsandtheirworldsexistwithin

theboundlessregionthatisbetweentheeighthheavenandchaosbelowit,theyareconsidered

partoftheworldthatbelongstopoverty.Ifyouwanttoknowtheorganizationofthese,youwill

finditwrittenintheSeventhWorldofHieraliastheProphet.(112,18-24)

BeforeAdamofLightwithdrewfromchaos,theauthoritiessawhimandlaughedatthechief

parentbecausehehadliedwhenhesaid,“IamGod.Nooneexistsbeforeme.”Whentheycameto

him,theysaid,“Isthisnotthegodwhoruinedourwork?”Heansweredandsaid,“Yes.Ifyoudo

notwanthimtobeabletoruinourwork,come,letuscreateahumanbeingoutofearthaccording

totheimageofourbodyandaccordingtothelikenessofthisbeing,toserveus,sothatwhenhe

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seeshislikenesshemightfallinlovewithit.11Thenhewillnolongerruinourwork,andweshall

makethosebornfromthelightourslavesforthisentireage.”(112,25-113,5)

AllofthishappenedaccordingtotheforesightofWisdomsothathumanitymightappear

afterhislikenessandcondemnthembecauseoftheirmodeledforms.Fortheirmodeledforms

becameenclosuresforthelight.Thentheauthoritiesreceivedtheknowledgetheyneededto

createhumanity.WisdomLife,whoiswithSabaoth,anticipatedthem.Andshelaughedattheir

decision,becausetheyareblindandtheyignorantlycreatedhimagainsttheirowninterests.And

theydidnotknowwhattheywereabouttodo.(113,6-16)

Sosheanticipatedthemandcreatedherownhumanfirstsothathemightinstructtheir

modeledformhowtodisregardthemandthustoescapethem.Thebirthoftheinstructor

happenedlikethis.WhenWisdomletadropoflightfall,itflowedontothewater,andimmediately

anandrogynoushumanbeingappeared.Shefirstformedthatdropintoafemalebody.

Afterwards,sheformeditintoabodyinthelikenessofthemotherwhichhadappeared.She

finisheditintwelvemonths.Anandrogynoushumanbeingwasborn,whomtheGreekscall

Hermaphrodite,andwhosemothertheHebrewscalltheEveofLife,whichmeansthefemale

instructorofLife.Herchildistheonebornwhoislord.(113,17-35)

Afterwards,theauthoritiescalledit“thebeast”tocauseittoleadtheirmodeledforms

astray.Themeaningof“thebeast”is“theinstructor,”foritwasfoundtobethewisestofall

creatures.Eveisthefirstvirgin,andshegavebirthtoherfirstchildwithoutaman.Shewasher

ownmidwife/physician.Forthisreasonsheisheldtohavesaid:

Iampartofmymother,andIamthemother. Iamthewife,Iamthevirgin. Iampregnant,Iamthephysician.

11Cf.Gen1:26.

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Iamthecomforterofbirthpains. Myhusbandbirthedme,andIamhismother, Andheismyfatherandmylord. Heismypower, hespeakshisdesiresreasonably. Iambecoming, ButIhavegivenbirthtoahumanlord.(113,35-114,15)ThiswasrevealedthroughthewillofSabaothandhisChristtothesoulsthatweregoingtoenter12

themodeledformsoftheauthorities,andaboutwhomtheholyvoicesaid,“Increaseandmultiply.

Ruleoverallcreatures.”13Andtheseweretheonestakencaptiveaccordingtotheirdestinies,by

thechiefparent,andtheywerelockedintotheprisonsofmodeledforms<until>14theendofthe

age.(114,15-24)

Atthattime,thechiefparentgavehisopinionabouthumanitytothosewhowerewithhim.

Theneachofthemcasthisspermintothemiddleofthenaveloftheearth.Sincethatday,theseven

rulershaveformedhumanitywithabodyliketheirbody,butalikenesslikethehumanwhohad

appearedtothem.15Hismodeledformcameintobeingpartbypart,andtheirleadercreatedthe

brainandthemarrow.Afterwards,heappearedliketheonebeforehim.16Hebecameasoul-ful

human,andhewascalledAdam,whichmeans“father,”accordingtothenameoftheonewhowas

beforehim.(114,24-115,3)

AndwhentheyhadfinishedAdam,heabandonedhimasalifelessvessel,sincehewas

formedlikeanuntimelybirthwithnospiritinhim.Regardingthiswork,whenthechiefruler

rememberedthewordsofFaith,hewasafraidthattherealhumanmighttake(over)hismodeled

12ThistranslationisbasedonareconstructionwhichbothNHCandNHSIuse.13Cf.Gen.1:28.14Reconstruction,textreads“orattheendoftheage.”15TheAdamofLight.16Texterroneous?

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formandruleoverit.Becauseofthis,helefthismodeledformwithoutasoulforfortydays,andhe

withdrewandabandonedit.(115,3-11)

Onthefortiethday,WisdomLifesentherbreathintoAdam,whohadnosoul.Hebeganto

moveontheground,buthecouldnotrise.Whenthesevenrulerscame,theysawhimandwere

verydisturbed.Theyrushedtowardhimandgrabbedhim,andhesaidtothebreathwithinhim,

“Whoareyouandwheredidyoucomefrom?”Itansweredandsaid,“Ihavecomefromthepower

ofthehumantodestroyyourwork…”17Whentheyheardthis,theyglorifiedhim,becausehegave

themrestfromtheirfearandanxiety.Thentheycalledthatday“Rest,”becausetheyrestedfrom

labor.WhentheysawthatAdamcouldnotstandup,theyrejoiced,andtheytookhimandputhim

inparadise,andtheywithdrewuptotheirheavens.(115,11-36)

Afterthedayofrest,WisdomsentherdaughterLife,calledEve,asaninstructortomake

Adam,whohadnosoul,arisesothatthosehewouldengendermightbecomevesselsoflight.

WhenEvesawherpartnerlyingdown,shegrievedforhim,andshesaid,“Adam,live!Arisefrom

theground!”Immediatelyherwordbecameawork.ForwhenAdamarose,heimmediately

openedhiseyes.Hesawherandsaid,“Youwillbecalled‘MotheroftheLiving,’becauseyouhave

givenmelife.”(115,36-116,8)

Theauthoritiesweretoldthattheirmodeledformwasaliveandhadarisen,andtheywere

verydisturbed.Theysentsevenarchangelstoseewhathadhappened.TheycametoAdam.When

theysawEvespeakingwithhim,theysaidtooneanother,“Whoisthisenlightenedwoman?Sheis

likethelikenessthatappearedtousinthelight.Come,letusgrabherandcastourspermintoher

sothatshebecomesdefiledandunabletoascendtoherlight.Andthosewhoshebearswillbe

subjecttous.ButletusnottellAdam,forheisnotoneofus.Andletusbringasleepoverhim,and

17Thetextseemstobeerroneousheregiventheawkwardtransition.

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teachhiminhissleepthatshecamefromhisribsothatthewomanmightbesubjected,andhemay

belordoverher.”18(116,8-25)

ThenEve,beingapower,laughedattheirdecision.Sheblindedtheireyesandstealthilyleft

herlikenesswithAdam.Sheenteredintothetreeofknowledgeandremainedthere.Theywent

afterher,andsherevealedtothemthatshehadenteredthetreeandhadbecomeatree.Then,

becomingveryfearful,theblindonesfled.19(116,25-33)

Afterwards,whentheyhadrecoveredfromtheirstupor,theycame[toAdam],andseeing

thelikenessofthiswomanwithhim,theyweredisturbed,thinkingshewasthetrueEve.Andthey

actedcruelly.Theyenteredherandpossessedherandcasttheirspermdownuponher.They

acteduponherwickedly.Theynotonlydefiledinnatural,butabominableways.Theydefiledthe

sealofherfirstvoice,whichhadsaidtothem,“Whatexistsbeforeyou?”intendingtodefilethose

whomightsayatthecompletion[oftheage]thattheywerebornofthetruehumanthroughthe

word.Andtheyerred.Theydidnotknowtheydefiledtheirownbody.Theauthoritiesandtheir

angelshaddefiledthelikenessineveryway.(116,33-117,14)

FirstshebecamepregnantwithAbelbythechiefruler.20Andshegavebirthtoother

childrenbythesevenauthoritiesandtheirangels.Allthishappenedaccordingtothechiefparent’s

Foresight,sothatthefirstmothermightbearwithinhereveryseed,mixedandjoinedwiththefate

oftheworldanditsschemas,andjustice.(117,15-24)

AplancameintobeingregardingEve,sothatthemodeledformsoftheauthoritiesmight

becomeenclosuresofthelight.Thenit(thelight)wouldcondemnthemthroughtheirmodeled

forms.ThefirstAdam,theoneoflight,isspirit-fulandappearedonthefirstday.ThesecondAdam

18Gen.2:21-22;3:16.19Cf.Mark16:8Coptic.20Cf.Gen.4:1-2whereAbelisbornafterCain.

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issoul-fulandappearedonthesixthday,whichiscalledAphrodite.ThethirdAdamisearthly,the

humanoflaw,andheappearedontheeighthday,thereposeofpoverty,whichiscalledSunday.

TheoffspringoftheearthlyAdammultipliedandfilled(theearth),andacquiredwithinitselfallof

theknowledgeobtainedbythesoul-fulAdam,buttheywereallinignorance.(117,24-118,6)

Letmecontinue.Whentherulershadseenhimandthewomanwhowaswithhiminerror

andignorance,likefarmanimals,theyrejoiced.Whentheyknewthattheimmortalhumanwould

againsurpassthem21yettheywouldstillhavetofearthewomanwhobecameatree,theywere

disturbed.Andtheysaid,“Perhapsthisisthetruehuman,thisonewhoblindedusandtaughtus

thatshewhowasdefiledislikehim,andsoweshallbeconquered!”(118,6-16)

Thenthesevenofthemplotted.TheyapproachedAdamandEveinfear.Theysaidtohim,

“YouallmayeatthefruitofeverytreecreatedforyouinParadise,buttakecareanddonoteat

fromtheTreeofKnowledge.Ifyoueat,youwilldie.”22Theygavethemagreatfrightandthey

withdrewuptotheirauthorities.(118,16-24)

Thenthewisestofallcreaturescame,whowascalled“Beast.”23Andwhenhesawthe

likenessofthemother,Eve,hesaidtoher,“WhatdidGodsaytoyouall?Wasit,“Donoteatfrom

theTreeofKnowledge?”Shesaid,“Henotonlysaid,‘Donoteatfromit,’but‘Donottouchit,oryou

willdie.’”24Hesaidtoher,“Donotbeafraid.Indeathyouallwillnotdie.Forheknowsthatwhen

youeatfromit,yourmindswillbecomesoberandyouwillbecomelikegods,knowingthe

21BothNHCandNHSIareconfusedaboutthisphrase.Itispossiblethatthenegativeⲁⲛ,itissupposedtobetheparticleⲟⲛgiventhehighconcentrationofthisvariationinOnOrig.22Cf.Gen.2:16-17.23Cf.Gen.3:1.24Cf.Gen.3:1-3.

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differencethatexistsbetweenevilhumansandgood.Hesaidthistoyouinjealousysothatyou

wouldnoteatfromit.”25(118,24-119,6)

Evehadconfidenceinthewordsoftheinstructor.Shegazedatthetreeandsawthatitwas

beautifulandgrand,andshelovedit.Shetooksomeofitsfruitandateit.Andshegavesometo

herhusbandalso,andheateit,too.Thentheirmindsopened.Forwhentheyhadeaten,thelight

ofknowledgeenlightenedthem.Whentheyclothedthemselveswithshame,theyknewthatthey

werestrippednakedofknowledge.Whentheybecamesober,theysawthattheywerenakedand

theylovedeachother.Whentheysawthatthosewhomoldedthemhadtheformofbeasts,they

loathedthem.Theyknewmuch.26(119,6-18)

Whentherulersknewtheyhadbrokentheircommandment,theyenteredParadiseand

cametoAdamandEvewithanearthquakeandgreatthreats,toseetheeffectofthehelpthey

received.ThenAdamandEvewereverydisturbed,andtheyhidunderthetreesinParadise.Then

therulersdidnotknowwheretheywereandsaid,“Adam,whereareyou?”Hesaid,“Iamhere.

Becauseyouallmademeafraid,Ihid.Iwasashamed.”Theysaidtohim,ignorantly,“Whotoldyou

abouttheshamewithwhichyouhaveclothedyourself?Unlessyouhaveeatenfromthetree!”He

said,“Thewomanyougavemegaveittome,andIate.”Thentheysaidtoher,“Whathaveyou

done?”Sheansweredandsaid,“Theinstructorgoadedme,andIate.”27(119,19-120,3)

Thentherulerscametotheinstructor.Theireyesbecameblindedbyit,andtheywerenot

abletodoanythingtoit.Theycursedhim,sincetheywerepowerless.28Afterwards,theycameto

thewomanandcursedherandherchildren.Afterthewoman,thecursedAdamandtheearthand

25Cf.Gen.3:4-5.26Cf.Gen.3:7.27Cf.Gen.3:8-13.28Cf.Gen.3:14-15.

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thecropsbecauseofhim.Theycursedallthethingstheyhadcreated.29Thereisnoblessing

throughthem.Thepowerofgoodcannotbebirthedfromevil.(120,3-12)

Fromthatday,theauthoritieshavetrulyknownthattherewassomethingstrongerthan

they.Theyonlyrecognizedthattheircommandmentshadnotbeenkept.Greatjealousywas

broughtintotheworldsolelybecauseoftheimmortalhuman.Whentherulerssawthattheir

Adamhadattaineddifferentknowledge,theywantedtotesthim.Theygatheredtogetherallthe

domesticanimalsandthewildbeastsoftheearthandthebirdsoftheskyandbroughtthemto

Adamtoseewhathewouldcallthem.Whenhesawthem,hegavenamestoalltheircreatures.30

(120,12-24)

TheybecamedisturbedthatAdamhadrecoveredfromallthestruggles.31Theygathered

andplotted,andtheysaid,“Look,Adamhasbecomelikeoneofus,andheknowsthedifference

betweenlightanddarkness.NowperhapshewillbedeceivedaswiththeTreeofKnowledgeand

alsowillcometotheTreeofLifeandeatfromitandbecomeimmortalandbelordanddisregardus

andthink[us]andallourglorytobeinsipid.Thenhewillcondemn[usandour]world.Come,let

uscasthimfromParadisedowntotheearth,theplacehewasbroughtfrom,sothatheisnolonger

abletoknowanythingbetterthanwecan.”AndsotheycastAdamfromParadise,alongwithhis

wife.(120,24-121,5)

Andwhattheyhaddonewasnotenoughforthem.Rather,theywereafraid.Theywentto

theTreeofLifeandsurroundeditwithgreatfearfulthings,fierylivingthingscalled“cherubim,”

29Cf.Gen.3:16-19.30Cf.Gen.2:19-20.31Whilea0gwniafitsthecontext,thereisspeculationbyNHCandNHSIthatthismightbea0gwsi/a,ignorance,thatheovercame.

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andtheyputaflamingswordintheirmidst,fearfullytwirlingatalltimes,sothatnoonefromearth

mighteverenterthatplace.32(121,5-13)

Afterthis,sincetherulerswerejealousofAdamtheywantedtoshortentheirlifespan.They

couldnotbecauseoffate,whichwasestablishedfromthebeginning.Toeachwasdesignateda

lifespanofathousandyearsaccordingtothecourseoftheluminaries.Thoughtherulerswerenot

abletodothis,eachoftheevilonessubtractedtenyears,andallthislifespanamountedtonine

hundredandthirtyyears,33andthesearespentinpainandweaknessandevildistractions.Andso

lifehasturnedouttobe,fromthatdayuntilthecompletionoftheage.(121,13-27)

WhenWisdomLifesawthattherulersofdarknesshadcursedherpartners,shewas

indignant.Andcomingoutofthefirstheavenwithallpower,shechasedtherulersfrom[their]

heavensandcastthemdownintothesinful[world]sothattheymightdwellthereintheformof

evildaemonsupontheearth.(121,27-35)

[…]sothatathousandyearsinParadiseitmightspendintheirworld—asoul-fulliving

creaturecalled“phoenix.”Itkillsitselfandbringsitselftolifeasawitnesstothejudgmentagainst

them,fortheydealtunjustlywithAdamandhisdescendants,untiltheendcompletionoftheage.

<…>are<…>threehumans,andalsotheirdescendantsuntilthecompletionoftheworld:the

spirit-fulofthedivinerealmandthesoul-fulandtheearthly.Likewise,thethreephoenixesin

Paradise:thefirstisimmortal;thesecondlivesathousandyears;asforthethird,itiswritteninthe

HolyBook,thatitisconsumed.(121,35-122,16)

Sotoo,therearethreebaptisms:thefirstisthespiritual,thesecondisbyfire,thethirdisby

water.Justasthephoenixappearsasawitnessconcerningtheangels,sothewaterhydriinEgypt

32Cf.Gen.3:24.33Cf.Gen.5:5,“ThusallthedaysthatAdamlivedwereninehundredthirtyyears;andhedied.”

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whichhasbeenawitnesstothosegoingdownforthebaptismofthetrueman.Thetwobullsin

Egyptareinamystery,thesunandmoon.TheyarewitnessestoSabaoth,thatoverthemWisdom

receivedtheworld,fromthedayshemadethesunandthemoonsheenclosedherheavenwitha

sealuponherheaven,intotheage.(122,16-33)

Thewormthatisbornfromthephoenixisahumanaswell.Itiswrittenofit,“Thejustone

willbloomlikeaphoenix.”Andthephoenixfirstappearsalive,anddies,andrisesagain.Itisasa

signwhichappearsandthecompletionoftheage.Thesegreatsigns[appeared]onlyinEgypt—

nowhereelse—indicatingthatitislikeGod’sParadise.Letusreturntotherulersofwhomwe

spoke,sowemayoffersomeexplanationofthem.(122,34-123,4)

Forwhenthesevenrulerswerecastdownfromtheirheavendowntoearth,theycreated

forthemselvesangels,numerous,demonic,toservethem.Thelattertaughthumankindinmany

kindsoferrorandmagicandpotionsandidolworshipandspillingbloodandaltarsandtemples

andsacrificesandlibationstoallthedaemonsoftheearth,havingtheircoworker,fate,whocame

intobeingbytheconcordbetweenthegodsofinjusticeandJustice.(123,4-15)

Andso,whentheworldcameintobeing,distracted.Iterredatalltimes.Allhumanson

earthservedthedaemonsfromthecreationuntilcompletion—boththeangelsofjusticeandthe

peopleofinjustice.Thustheworldexistedindistraction,inignorance,andinforgetfulness.They

allerred,untilthecomingofthetruehuman.(123,15-24)

Enoughonthis.Nowweshallconsiderourworldsothatwemayfinishthedescriptionof

itsstructureandadministrationaccurately.Thenitwillbeclearhowtrustinthehidden,apparent

fromthebeginningdowntothecompletionoftheage,wasrevealed.NowIcometothemainpoints

[about]theimmortalhuman.Ishallspeakofallthebeingsthatbelongtohim,explaininghowthey

happentobehere.(123,24-34)

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Whenamultitudeofhumanbeingshadcomeintobeingthrough[Adam],whohadbeen

formedfrommatter,andwhentheworldhadalreadybecomefull,therulersruledoverit—thatis,

theyhelditbackbyignorance.Forwhatreason?Itisthis:theimmortalFatherknowsthata

deficiencyoftruthcameintobeingamongtherealmsandtheirworld.Whenhewishedtoannul

therulersofcorruptionthroughthemodeledforms,hesenttheblessedlittleinnocentspirits,your

likenesses,downintotheworldofcorruption.Theyarenotstrangerstoknowledge.(123,24-

124,12)

Forallknowledgeisinoneangelwhoappearedbeforethem.Heisnotwithoutpowerinthe

presenceoftheFather,andgavethemknowledge.34Whenevertheyappearintheworldof

corruption,firsttheyrevealthepatternofincorruptibilityasacondemnationoftherulersand

theirpowers.(124,12-21)

Thenwhentheblessedonesappearedinthemoldedformsoftheauthorities,theywere

jealousofthem.Outofjealousytheauthoritiesmixedtheirspermwiththeminordertodefile

them,buttheywerenotable.Thenwhentheblessedonesappearedinenlightenedform,they

appearedindifferentways.Andeachoneofthem,startingoutintheirownland,revealedtheir

knowledgetotheekklesiathatwasrevealedinthemoldedformsofcorruption.Itwasfoundto

haveallkindsofseed,becausetheseedoftheauthorities[mixedwithit].(124,21-32)

Thenthesaviorcreated[…]ofthemall,andthespiritsofthese[aremanifestly]superior,

beingblessedanddifferentinchosenness.Therearealsomanyotherswhoarekinglessand

superiortoeveryonewhowasbeforethem.Sotherearefourraces/generations.Therearethree

thatbelongtothekingsoftheeighthheaven,butthefourthraceiskinglessandperfect,beingthe

highestofall.TheseshallentertheholyplaceoftheirFather,andtheywillgainrestinreposeand

34Thispassageiscopiedtwice.

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eternal,unspeakablegloryandjoywithoutend.Theyarekingswithinthemortaldomain,asthey

areimmortal.Theywillcondemnthegodsofchaosandtheirpowers.(124,32-125,14)

NowtheWord,whoisexaltedaboveeveryone,wassentforthisworkalone:thathemight

makeknownwhatisunknown.Hesaid,“Thereisnothinghiddenthatisnotrevealed,andwhat

hasnotbeenknownwillbeknown.”35Theseweresenttorevealwhatishidden,includingthe

sevenauthoritiesofchaosandtheirungodliness.Andsotheywerecondemnedtodeath.Sowhen

allthosewhoareperfectappearedinthemoldedformsoftherulersandrevealedthe

incomparabletruth,theyputallthewisdomofthegodstoshame.Andtheirfatewasfoundtobea

condemnation.Andtheirpowerdriedup.Theirlordshipwasdissolved.Theirforesightbecame

emptywiththeirglory.(125,14-33)

Beforethecompletion[oftheage],thewholeplacewillshakewithgreatthunder.Thenthe

rulerswillgrieve,[fearing]36theirdeath.Theangelswillgrievefortheirhumanbeings,andthe

daemonswillweepovertheirseasons,andtheirhumanbeingswillmournandcryattheirdeath.37

(125,33-126,4)

Thentheagewillbegin,andtheywillbedisturbed.Theirkingswillbedrunkwiththefiery

sword,andtheywillwagewaragainstoneanother,sothattheearthisdrunkfromthe

bloodshed.38Andtheseaswillbedisturbedbythewarsthroughthatplace.Thenthesunwill

becomedarkandthemoon’swillloseitslight.Thestarsoftheskywillcanceltheircourses,anda

greatthunderwillcomefromagreatpower,aboveallthepowersofchaos,wherethefirmamentof

thewomanis.(126,4-16)

35NHCcitesMark4:22,NHSIcitestheMatt.(10:26),Luke(8:17;12:2)andThomas(5:2;6:5-6)parallels.36Speculativereconstruction,NHCandNHSI.37Cf.Gal.4:8-10alsocf.Rev.18:9-11,15,19.38Cf.Rev.17:6.

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Havingcreatedthefirstwork,shewillabandonherwisefireofreflectionandclotheherself

withsenselesswrath.39Thenshewillpursuethegodsofchaos,whomshecreatedalongwiththe

chiefparent.Shewillcastthemdowntotheabyss.Theywillbedestroyedthroughtheirown

injustice.Fortheywillbecomelikevolcanoesandconsumeoneanotheruntiltheyareannihilated

bythehandoftheirchiefparent.Whenhehasannihilatedthem,hewillturnonhimselfand

annihilatehimselfuntilheisdestroyed.Andtheirheavenswillfalloneupononeanotherandtheir

powerswillburn.Theirrealmswillalsobeoverthrown.Andhisheavenwillfallandbreakin

two.40His…willfalldownuponthe[…]bearthem.Theywillfallintotheabyss,andtheabysswill

beoverthrown.(126,16-35)

Thelightwill[…the]darknessandobliterateit.41Itwillbelikesomethingthathasnever

been,andtheworkfromwhichthedarknesshadfollowedwilldissolve.Anddeficiencywillbe

pluckedbyitsroot(andcast)downintothedarkness.Andthelightwillwithdrawuptoitsroot.

Andthegloryoftheunbegottenwillappear,anditwillfillalltherealms.Whentheprophecyand

thewritingsofthosewhoarekingsarerevealedandfulfilledbythosewhoarecalledperfect,those

whohavenotbecomeperfectintheunbegottenFatherwillreceivetheirgloryintheirrealmsand

inthekingdomsoftheimmortals,buttheywillneverenterthekinglessrealm.(126,35-14)

Foreveryonemustgototheplacefromwhichtheyhavecome.Indeed,bytheiractionsand

theirknowledgeeachonewillmaketheiroriginknown.(126,14-17)

39Cf.Rev.12:1-5.40Cf.Mark15:38andMatt.27:51wherethesamephraseforthetemplecurtainbeingtornintwo.41Cf.John1:4-5.