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PISTIS SOPHIA: A GNOSTIC MISCELLANY
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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