not only hath she with her eyes beheld this, but thou also thyself, my Lord, the First Mystery, hast taken the light-power which is in the lion- faced power, and hast moreover taken the power of all the emanations of Self-willed and moreover thou hast imprisoned them in that chaos, [so that] from henceforth they have not gone forth to their own region. Therefore then hath Pistis Sophia with her eyes beheld her foes, that is the emanations of Self-willed, in all which David hath prophesied concerning Pistis Sophia, saying: * Nay rather with thine eyes wilt thou behold, and thou wilt see the requital of the sinners.' Not only hath she with her eyes beheld, how they fall one on another in the chaos, but she hath also seen the requital with which it was requited them. Just as the emanations of Self-willed have thought SECOND BOOK 123 to take away the light of Sophia from her, so hast thou requited them and repaid them in full, and hast taken the light-power in them instead of the Hghts of Sophia, who hath had faith in the Light of the Height.
** And as thy Hght-power hath spoken through David: ' Thou hast estabHshed the Most High for thyself as refuge; harm will not come nigh unto thee, scourge will not come nigh thy dweUing,' — that is: When Pistis Sophia had had faith in the Light and was afflicted, she sang praises unto it, and the emanations of Self-willed could not inflict on her any harm, | nor could they [injure] u?. her, nor could they at all come nigh her.
** And the word which thy light-power hath spoken through David: ' He will give command- ment to his angels on thy behalf, that they guard thee on all thy ways and bear thee on their hands, that thou mayest never strike with thy foot against a stone,' — it is again thy word: Thou hast given commandment to Gabriel and Michael, that they guide Pistis Sophia in all the regions of the chaos, until they lead her forth and that they up- lift her on their hands, so that her feet do not touch the darkness beneath, and [that] on the other hand they of the lower darkness do not seize hold of her.
** And the word which thy light-power hath spoken through David: * Thou wilt tread on serpent and basilisk and tread on lion and dragon; because he hath trusted in me, I will save him and I will overshadow him, because he hath known my name,' — that is the word: When Pistis Sophia was on the point of coming forth out of the chaos, she trod on the emanations of Self-willed, and she 124 PISTIS SOPHIA CHAP. 68.
148.
Sophia sing- eth a song of praise.
trod on the serpent-faced ones and on the basiHsk- faced ones, which have seven heads; and she trod on the Hon-faced power and on the dragon-faced one. Because she had had faith in the Light, is she saved from all of them.
** This, my Lord, is the solution of the words which thou hast spoken."
It came to pass then, when the First Mystery- had heard these words, that he said: *' Well said, James, | beloved one."
And the First Mystery continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: ** It came to pass, when I had led Pistis Sophia out of the chaos, that she cried out again and said: " ' 1. I am saved out of the chaos and loosed from the bonds of the darkness. I am come unto thee, 0 Light.
'* ' 2. For thou wert light on all sides of me, saving me and helping me.
" * 3. And the emanations of Self-willed, which fought against me, thou hast hindered through thy light, and they could not come nigh me; for thy light was with me and saved me through thy light-stream.
*' * 4. Because in sooth the emanations of Self- willed constrained me, they took from me my power and cast me out into the chaos with no light in me. So I became as heavy-weighing matter in comparison with them.
** * 5. And thereafter came a light-stream unto me through thee which saved me; it shone on my left and on my right and surrounded me on all sides of me, so that no part of me was without light.
*' * 6. And thou hast covered me with the light SECOND BOOK 125 of thy stream and purged from me all my evil matters; and I shall be relieved of all my matters because of thy light.
** * 7. And it is thy light-stream which hath raised me up and taken from me the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me.
*' * 8. And I I have become sure-trusting in 149. thy light and purified light in thy stream.
*' * 9. And the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me, have withdrawn themselves from me; and I shone in thy great power, for thou savest for ever.'
** This is the repentance which Pistis Sophist hath uttered, when she came forth out of the chaos and was freed from the bonds of the chaos. Now, therefore, who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
It came to pass then, when the First Mystery chap. 69. had finished saying these words unto his disciples, that Thomas came forward, and said: *' My Lord, my light-dweller hath ears and my mind hath understood the words which thou hast said. Now, therefore, give commandment unto me to set forth clearly the solution of the words."
And the First Mystery answered and said unto Thomas: "I give thee commandment to set forth the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia sang unto me."
Thomas answered and said: ** My Lord, con- Thomas in- cerning the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, th7song*of because she was saved out of the chaos, thy ^^p q^J^^^^ light-power prophesied aforetime thereon through Solomon. Solomon, the son of David, in his Odes: *' ' 1. I am saved | from the bonds and am fled i50. unto thee, 0 Lord.
126 PISTIS SOPHIA (( ( 2. For thou hast been on my right hand, saving me and helping me.
** * 3. Thou hast hindered my adversaries and they have not been revealed, because thy face was with me, saving me in thy grace.
** * 4. I was despised in the sight of many and cast out; I have become as lead in their sight.
** * 5. Through thee I have gotten a power which helped me; for thou hast set lamps on my right and on my left, so that no side of me may be without light.
** * 6. Thou hast overshadowed me with the shadow of thy grace, and I was relieved of the coats of skin.
'* * 7. It is thy right hand which hath raised me up, and thou hast taken the sickness from me.
it ^ 8. I have become powerful in thy truth and purified in thy righteousness.
** * 9. My adversaries have withdrawn them- selves from me, and I am justified by thy goodness, for thy rest endureth unto all eternity.'
*' This then, my Lord, is the solution of the repentance which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, when she was saved out of the chaos. Hearken, therefore, that I may say it in openness.
" The word then which thy light-power hath spoken through Solomon: * I am saved from the bonds and am fled unto thee, 0 Lord,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * I am loosed from the bonds of the darkness and am come unto thee, 0 Light.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: 151. ' Thou wert on my right hand, saving | and helping me,' — it is again the word which Pistis Sophia SECOND BOOK 127 hath spoken: * Thou art become a hght on all sides of me, [saving me] and helping me.'
*' And the word which thy light-power hath spoken: * Thou hast hindered my adversaries and they have not been revealed/ — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * And the emanations of Self-willed which fought against me, thou hast hindered through thy light, and they could not come nigh me.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Thy face was with me, saving me in thy grace,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * Thy light was with me, saving me in thy light- stream.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken: * I was despised in the sight of many and cast out,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * The emanations of Self-willed constrained me and took my power from me, and I have been despised before them and cast out into the chaos, with no light in me.'
'' And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' I have become as lead in their sight,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' When they had taken my light from me, I became as heavy- weighing matter before them.'
** And moreover the word which thy power hath spoken: ' Through thee | I have gotten a 152. power for me which helped me,' — it is again the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thereafter came a light-power unto me through thee which saved me.'
" And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' Thou hast set lamps on my right and on my left, so that no side of me may be without light,' — it 12S PISTIS SOPHIA is the word whicji Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * Thy power shone on my right and on my left and surrounded me on all sides of me, so that no part of me was without light.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Thou hast overshadowed me with the shadow of thy grace/ — it is again the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * And thou hast covered me with the light of the stream.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: * I was relieved of the coats of skin,' — it is again the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * And they have purified me of all my evil matters, and I raised myself above them in thy light.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: * It is thy right hand which hath raised me up, and hath taken the sickness from me,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * And it is thy light-stream which hath raised me up in thy light and hath taken from me the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me.' I 153. " And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' I have become powerful in thy truth and purified in thy righteousness,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' I have become powerful in thy light and purified light in thy stream.'
And the word which thy power hath spoken: * My adversaries have withdrawn themselves from me,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * The emanations of Self-willed which constrained me, have withdrawn themselves from me.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: * And I am justified in thy SECOND BOOK 129 goodness, for thy rest endureth unto all eternity,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' I am saved in thy goodness; for thou savest every one.'
*' This then, 0 my Lord, is the whole solution of the repentance which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, when she was saved out of the chaos and loosed from the bonds of the darkness."
It came to pass then when the First Mystery chap. 70. had heard Thomas say these words, that he said unto him: '' Well said, finely, Thomas, blessed one. This is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."
And the First Mystery continued again and said unto the disciples: '' And Pistis Sophia continued and sang praises unto me, saying: '' ' 1. I sing a song unto thee; | through thy 154. commandment hast thou led me down out of the SopMa singetn anhigher aeon which is above, and hast led me up to other song the regions which are below.
'' ' 2. And again through thy commandment thou hast saved me out of the regions which are below, and through thee hast thou taken there the matter in my light-powers, and I have seen it.
*' * 3. And thou hast scattered far from me the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me and were hostile to me, and hast bestowed power on me to loose myself from the bonds of the emana- tions of Adamas.
** * 4. And thou hast smitten the basilisk with the seven heads and cast it out with my hands and hast set me above its matter. Thou hast destroyed it, so that its seed may not raise itself up from now on.
5. And thou wert with me, giving me power (( ( 130 PISTIS SOPHIA in all this, and thy light surrounded me in all regions, and through thee hast thou made all the emanations of Self-willed powerless.
" ' 6. For thou hast taken the power of their light from them and made straight my way to lead me out of the chaos.
*' ' 7. And thou hast removed me from the material darknesses and taken from them all my powers, from which the light had been taken.
** * 8. Thou hast put into them purified light 155. and unto all my limbs, | in which was no light, thou hast given purified light from the Light of the Height.
** ' 9. And thou hast made straight the way for them [sc, my limbs], and the light of thy face hath become for me life indestructible.
'' * 10. Thou hast led me forth above the chaos, the region of chaos and extermination, in order that all the matters in it which are in that region, might be unloosed and all my powers be renewed in thy light, and thy light be in them all.
** * 11. Thou hast deposited the light of thy stream in me and Lam become purified light.'
'* This again is the second song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Who then hath under- stood this repentance, let him come forward and speak it." CHAP. 71. It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Matthew came forward and said: ** I have understood the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Now, therefore, give commandment unto me, that I speak it in openness."
And the First Mystery answered and said: ** I give commandment unto thee, Matthew, to SECOND BOOK 131 set forth the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."
And Matthew answered and said: '* Concerning the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, thus thy Hght-power prophesied aforetime thereon through the Ode of Solomon: *' * 1. He who hath led me down out of the Matthew higher regions which are above, hath led me up iht^gong^ot^ out of I the regions which are in the bottom below. SopWa from 2. Who hath there taken those in the midst, Solomon. he hath taught me concerning them. i^^- *' * 3. Who hath scattered my foes and my adversaries, he hath bestowed power on me over the bonds, to unloose them.
** ' 4. Who hath smitten the serpent with the seven heads with my hands, he hath set me up above its root, that I may extinguish its seed.
*' ' 5. And thou wert with me, helping me; in all regions thy name surrounded me.
*' ' 6. Thy right hand hath destroyed the venom of the slanderer; thy hand hath cleared the way for thy faithful.
*' * 7. Thou hast freed them out of the tombs and hast removed them from the midst of the corpses.
** ' 8. Thou hast taken dead bones and hast clothed them with a body and to them who stirred not, hast thou given the activity of life.
" ' 9. Thy way is become indestructibleness and thy face [also].
*' ' 10. Thou hast led thy aeon above decay, so that they all may be loosed and renewed and thy hght become a foundation for them all.
'' * 11. Thou hast piled thy riches upon them and they have become a holy dwelling-place.'
132 PISTIS SOPHIA '' This then, my Lord, is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered. Hearken, therefore, that I may say it in openness.
" The word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ' Who hath led me down out of the higher regions which are above, he hath also led me up out of the regions which are in the 157. bottom below,' — it is the word | which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' I sing praises unto thee; through thy commandment hast thou led me down out of this higher seon which is above, and hast led me to the regions below. And again through thy com- mandment thou hast saved me and led me up out of the regions which are below.'
" And the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ' Who hath there taken those in the midst and hath taught me concerning them,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophis hath spoken: ' And again through thy commandment hast thou caused the matter in the midst of my power to be purified, and I have seen it.'
'' And moreover the word which thy power hath spoken through Solomon: ' Who hath scattered my foes and my adversaries,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' Thou hast scattered far from me all the emanations of Self-willed which constrained me and were hostile to me.'
'' And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Who hath bestowed on me wisdom over the bonds, to unloose them,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And he hath bestowed on me wisdom to loose myself from the bonds of those emanations.'
" And the word which thy power hath spoken: 158. ' Who hath smitten | the serpent with the seven SECOND BOOK 133 heads with my hands, he hath set me up above its root, that I may extinguish its seed,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thou hast smitten the serpent with the seven heads through my hands and set me up above its matter. Thou hast destroyed it, so that its seed may not raise itself up from now on.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' And thou wert with me, helping me,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thou wert with me, giving me power in all this.'
" And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' And thy name surrounded me in all regions,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * And thy light surrounded me in all their regions.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' And thy right hand hath destroyed the venom of the slanderers,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And through thee the emanations of Self-willed became powerless, for thou hast taken from them the light of their power.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Thy hand hath cleared the way for thy faith- ful,'— it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' Thou hast made straight my way to lead me out of the chaos, because I have had faith in thee.'
" And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Thou hast freed them out of the tombs and hast removed them from the midst of the corpses,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: * Thou hast freed me out of the chaos and removed me out of the material darknesses, that is | out i69. of the dark emanations which are in the chaos, from which thou hast taken their light.'
134 PISTIS SOPHIA " And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' Thou hast taken dead bones and hast clothed them with a body, and to them who stirred not, thou hast given activity of Hfe,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thou hast taken all my powers in which was no light, and hast bestowed on them within purified light, and unto all my limbs, in which no light stirred, thou hast given life-light out of thy Height.'
*' And the word which thy power hath spoken: * Thy way is become indestructibleness, and thy face [also],' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thou hast made straight thy way for me, and the light of thy face hath become for me life indestructible.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: ' Thou hast led thy seon above decay, so that all might be loosed and renewed,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' Thou hast led me, thy power, up above the chaos and above decay, that all the matters in that region may be loosed and all my powers renewed in the Light.'
** And the word which thy power hath spoken: * And thy light hath [become] foundation for them all,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' And thy light hath been in them all.' | 160. '* And the word which thy light-power hath spoken through Solomon: ' Thou hast put thy riches over him, and he hath become a holy dwelling-place,' — it is the word which Pistis Sophia hath spoken: ' Thou hast stayed the Hght of thy stream over me, and I have become a purified light.'
*' This then, my Lord, is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."
SECOND BOOK 135 It came to pass then, when the First Mystery chap. 72. had heard Matthew speak these words, that he said: '' Well said, Matthew, and finely, beloved. This is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered."
And the First Mystery continued again and said: Sophia con- *' ' 1. I will declare: Thou art the higher sing. Light, for that hast saved me and led me unto thee, and thou hast not let the emanations of Self- willed, which are hostile unto me, take my light.
** * 2. 0 Light of lights, I sing praises unto thee; thou hast saved me.
*' ' 3. 0 Light, thou hast led up my power out of the chaos; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the darkness.'
" These words again hath Pistis Sophia uttered. Now, therefore, whose mind hath become under- standing, comprehending the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, let him come forward and set forth their solution."
It came to pass then, when the First Mystery Mary is had finished speaking these words unto thepeTer. ° disciples, that Mary came forward and said: *' My Lord, my | mind is ever understanding, at i6i. every time to come forward and set forth the solution of the words which she hath uttered; but I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex."
And when she had said this, the First Mystery said unto her: " Every one who shall be filled with the spirit of light to come forward and set forth the solution of what I say, — no one shall be able to prevent him. Now, therefore, 0 Mary, set forth then the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered," 136 PISTIS SOPHIA Mary inter- preteth the song of Sophia from Psalm xxix.
CHAP. 73.
162.
Sophia con- tinueth her song.
Martha in- terpreteth from Psalm XXIX.
Then Mary answered and said unto the First Mystery in the midst of the disciples: *' My Lord, concerning the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, thus hath thy light- power prophesied aforetime through David: *' * 1. I will exalt thee, 0 Lord, for thou hast received me, and thou hast not made glad my foes over me.
" * 2. 0 Lord, my God, I cried up unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
'* ' 3. 0 Lord, thou hast led up my soul out of hell; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the pit.' " And when Mary had said this, the First Mystery said unto her, '' Well said, finely, Mary, blessed one."
And he continued again | in the discourse and said unto the disciples: '* Sophia again continued in this song and said: *' ' 1. The Light hath become my saviour.
'* ' 2. And it hath changed my darkness into light, and it has rent the chaos which surrounded me and girded me with light.' " It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Martha came forward and said: " My Lord, thy power hath prophesied aforetime through David con- cerning these words: '* ' 10. The Lord hath become my helper.
'* * n. He hath changed my lamentation into joy; he hath rent my mourning-robe and girded me with joy.' " And it came to pass when the First Mystery had heard Martha speak these words, that he said: '' Well said^ and finely, Martha," SECOND BOOK 137 And the First Mystery continued again and said unto the disciples: *' Pistis Sophia again continued in the song and said: *' ' 1. My power, sing praises to the Light and Sophia con- forget not all the powers of the Light which it glJJig^ hath given unto thee.
*' * 2. And the powers which are in thee, sing praises to the name of his holy mystery; *' ' 3. Who forgiveth all thy transgression, who saveth thee from all the afflictions with which the emanations of Self-willed have constrained thee; " ' 4. Who hath saved thy light | from the i63. emanations of Self-willed which belong to de- struction; who hath wreathed thee with light in his compassion, until he saved thee; *' * 5. Who hath filled thee with purified light; and thy beginning will renew itself as an invisible of the Height.'
" With these words Pistis Sophia sang praises, because she was so-ved and remembered all things which I had done unto her."
It came to pass then, when the First Mystery chap. 74. had finished setting forth these words unto the disciples, that he said unto them: '* Who hath understood the solution of these words, let him come forward and say it in openness."
Mary again came forward and said: *' My Lord, concerning these words with which Pistis Sophia hath sung praises, thus thy light-power pro- phesied them through David: ** ' 1. My soul, praise the Lord, let all that is Mary inter- in me praise his holy name. F^^Ir"^ ** * 2. My soul, praise the Lord and forget not all his requitals.
138 PISTIS SOPHIA 164 Sophia is led to a region be- low the thir- teenth aeon and given a new mys- tery.
She con- tinueth to sing.
*' ' 3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy sicknesses; '* ' 4. Who redeemeth thy life from decay; who wreatheth thee with grace and compassion; *' * 5. Who satisfieth thy longing with good things; thy youth will renew itself as an eagle's.'
'' That is: Sophia will be as the invisibles who are in the Height; he hath, therefore, said ' as an eagle,' because the dwelling-place of the eagle is in the height, and the | invisibles also are in the Height; that is: Pistis Sophia will shine as the invisibles, as she was from her beginning."
It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had heard Mary say these words, that he said: " Well said, Mary, blessed one."
It came to pass then thereafter, that the First Mystery continued again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: " I took Pistis Sophia and led her up to a region which is below the thirteenth aeon, and gave unto her a new mystery of the Light which is not that of her aeon, the region of the invisibles. And moreover I gave her a song of the Light, so that from now on the rulers of the aeons could not [prevail] against her. And I removed her to that region until I should come after her and bring her to her higher region.
" It came to pass then, when I had removed her to that region, that she again uttered this song thus: *' * L In faith have I had faith in the Light; and it remembered me and hearkened to my song.
** ' 2. It hath led my power up out of the chaos and the nether darkness of the whole matter and it hath led me up. It hath removed me to a higher SECOND BOOK 139 and surer seon, lofty and firm; it hath changed my place on the way which leadeth to my region.
*' ' 3. And it hath given unto me a new mystery, which is not that of my aeon, and given unto me a song of the Light. Now, therefore, 0 Light, all the rulers will see what thou hast done unto me, and I be afraid and have faith in the Light.' 165.
** This song then Pistis Sophia uttered, rejoicing that she had been led up out of the chaos and brought to regions which are below the thirteenth seon. Now, therefore, let him whom his mind stirreth, so that he understandeth the solution of the thought of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, come forward and say it."
Andrew came forward and said: '' My Lord, this is concerning what thy light-power hath pro- phesied aforetime through David: '' ' 1, In patience I tarried for the Lord; he Andrew in- hath given heed unto me and ear unto my from Psaim weeping. ^^^^^• ** ' 2. He hath»led up my soul out of the pit of misery and out of the filthy mire; he hath set my feet on a rock and made straight my steps.
** * 3. He hath put in my mouth a new song, a song of praise for our God. Many will see and be afraid and hope in the Lord.' " It came to pass then, when Andrew had set forth the thought of Pistis Sophia, that the First Mystery said unto him: " Well said, Andrew, blessed one."
And he continued again in the discourse and chap. 76. said unto the disciples: " These are all adven- tures which have befallen Pistis Sophia. | It lee. came to pass then, when I had led her to the region which is below the thirteenth aeon, and was 140 PISTIS SOPHIA The con- versation of Sophia and the Light.
The Light promiseth to seal the regions of Self-willed.
CHAP. 76.
167.
about to go unto the Light and depart from her, that she said unto me: " ' 0 Light of hghts, thou wilt go to the Light and depart from me. And Tyrant Adamas will know that thou hast departed from me and will know that my saviour is not at hand. And he will come again to this region, he and all his rulers who hate me, and Self-willed also will bestow power unto his lion-faced emanation, so that they all will come and constrain me all together and take my whole light from me, in order that I may become powerless and again without light. Now, therefore, 0 Light and my Light, take from them the power of their light, so that they may not be able to constrain me from now on.'