Part 18

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

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

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

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

[152^a] Came again forward Maria, said she, My Lord, concerning these words with which hymned the Pistis Sophia, thy power of light prophesied them by David, My soul, bless the Lord, all those which (are) in my inward part bless his name which is holy. My soul, bless the Lord and forget not all his recompenses: he who forgiveth all thy unlawfulness; he who healeth all thy sicknesses. He who redeemeth thy life out of the destruction. He who giveth a crown of mercy upon thy head and (of) compassion. He who satiateth thy wish with good; thy youth (he) will make new as that of an eagle, namely, that the Sophia will become as the Invisibles which are at the Height: [152^b] having said therefore, As an eagle, because that the dwelling of the eagles is being in the height, and the Invisibles (are) also in the Height, namely, that the Sophia will become light as the Invisibles, as she was from her beginning. It happened therefore, the First Mystery having heard these words, saying them Maria, said he, Well (done), O Maria the happy. It happened therefore after these things added also in the word the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, I took away the Pistis Sophia, I brought her up unto a Place being below the thirteenth Aeon, and I gave to her a new mystery of the light which is not that of her Aeon, the Place of the Invisibles. And also I gave [153^a] to her a hymn of the light, that should not be able to prevail against her from this hour the Rulers of the Aeons. And I put her in that Place, until I come for her and take her unto her Place which is at the Height. It happened therefore, I having put her in that Place, she said also this hymn saying thus, In faith I believed the Light, and he remembered me, he heard my hymn: he brought my power up from the Chaos with the darkness below of all the matter. And he brought me up, he put me in an Aeon being exalted, and being firm. He put me on the road which goeth unto my Place, and he gave to me a new mystery which not my Aeon is, and he gave to me [153^b] a hymn of the light. Now therefore, O Light, all the Rulers will see the (things) which thou diddest with me, and they (will) fear, and they (will) believe the Light. This hymn therefore said the Pistis Sophia, rejoicing because they brought her up from the Chaos. And they brought her unto the Place which (is) below the thirteenth Aeon. Now therefore he whose mind moveth him, understanding the explanation of the meaning of the hymn, that which said the Pistis Sophia, let him come forward and say it. Came forward Andreas, said he, My Lord, this is that which thy power of light prophesied about it once by David: In patience I had patience with the Lord, [154^a] he gave heed unto me, and he heard my supplication. He brought my soul up from the pit of the misery with the mire of the filth, he set my feet upon a rock, and he directed my footsteps. He cast unto my mouth a new song, a blessing for our God. There are many (who) will see and they (will) fear, and they (will) hope in the Lord. It happened therefore, Andreas having uttered the meaning of the Pistis Sophia, said he to him the First Mystery, Well (done) Andrea the happy. But added also in the word, said he to the disciples, These are all the words which happened to the Pistis Sophia. It happened therefore, I having brought her unto the Place which is below of the [154^b] thirteenth Aeon. I came being about to go unto the Light, and cease (being) with her, said she to me, O Light of the Lights, being thou about to go unto the Light and cease from being with me: and (is about to) know the Adamas the tyrant, that thou ceasedst being with me, and to know that becometh not he who will deliver me: he cometh also unto me unto this Place, he with all his Rulers who hate me. And also the Self-willed will give power to his emanation of face of lion, and all (will) come and all oppress me at once, and (will) take away all my light from me, and I (shall) become powerless. And also I (shall) become lightless. Now therefore, O Light [155^a] and my Light, take away the power of their light from them, that they may not be able to prevail to oppress me from this hour. It happened therefore, I having heard these words saying them the Pistis Sophia, I answered to her, saying, Not yet did my Father command to me, he who emanated me out, for to take away their light from them. But I shall seal (up) their Places of the Self-willed with all his Rulers, these which hate thee, because thou believedst the Light. And also I shall seal (up) the Places of the Adamas with his Rulers, that they should not be able to war with thee, until their time is fulfilled, and until [155^b] cometh the season, and commandeth to me my Father, that I should take away their light from them. But afterwards also said I to her. Hear and I (will) speak with thee of their time in which these (things) will happen, namely, these which I said to thee, They are about to happen whenever (the) three times should be fulfilled. Answered the Pistis Sophia, said she to me, O Light, whereby shall I know when (will) happen the three times, that I might be glad and rejoice because approached the time for thee to lead me unto my Place, and also I shall rejoice because came the time (when) thou wilt take away the powers of light from all those who hate me, because I [156^a] believed thy light? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever thou wilt see the gate of the Treasury of the great Light, this which is open unto the thirteenth Aeon, namely the Left, whenever they should open that gate, then were fulfilled the three times. Answered also the Sophia, said she, O Light, whereby shall I know, being in this Place, that they opened that gate? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever they open that gate, will know those who become in all the Aeons, because of the great light which will become in all their Places: nevertheless therefore, behold, I appointed that they should not dare (to do) unto thee anything of evil, until were fulfilled [156^b] the three times. But thou, thou shalt become having the authority to go up unto their twelve Aeons at the time which thou wishest, and also thou (wilt) return and come unto thy Place, this which is below the thirteenth Aeon, this in which thou art becoming now. But thou wilt not have authority to go in unto the gate of the Height, this which becometh in the thirteenth Aeon, for thee to go in unto thy Place, this out of which thou camest. Nevertheless therefore whenever should be fulfilled the three times, will oppress thee the Self-willed with all his Rulers, for them to take away thy light from thee, [157^a] he being angry with thee, thinking that thou, thou restrained his power in the Chaos, and he is thinking that thou, thou tookest away its light from it: he will be exasperated against thee, for him to take away thy light from thee, that he should send it unto the Chaos, and give it in unto his emanation which is there, that it should be able to come up from the Chaos and come unto his Place. But these will begin the Adamas. But I, I shall take away all thy powers from him and give them to thee. And I shall come and take them away. Now therefore whenever they should oppress thee at that time, hymn up unto the Light, and I, I shall not fail thee for to help thee. And I am coming (close) to thee quickly out of the Places which are below. [157^b] And I am coming down unto their Places and take away their light from them. I am coming unto this Place in which I put thee, this which is below the thirteenth Aeon, until I lead thee unto thy Place, this out of which thou camest.

It happened therefore, the Pistis Sophia having heard these words, I saying them to her, she rejoiced in great joy. But I, I left her in the Place which is below the thirteenth Aeon. I went unto the light, I ceased from being with her. But all these words was the First Mystery saying to the disciples, that they happened to the Pistis Sophia. And he was sitting upon the hill of the Olives, saying all these words in the midst of the disciples.

But he added also, said he to them, But it happened also [158^a] after all these (things) while I am being in the World of the mankind, sitting by the road which is this Place, which is the mountain of the Olives, before that they dispatched my vesture, this which I left in the twenty-fourth Mystery (reckoning) from within, but the First itself it is (reckoning) from without, this which is that, the great Uncontainable, this in which I shone, and before that I went unto the Height to receive my other two vestures: sitting by you in this Place, namely, the mountain of the Olives, was fulfilled the time which I said to the Pistis Sophia, Will oppress thee the Adamas with all his Rulers. It happened therefore, having happened that [158^b] time, but I, I was becoming in the World of the mankind, sitting by you in this place which is the mountain of the Olives, looked the Adamas out of the twelve Aeons, he looked down unto the Place of the Chaos, he saw his power demonic which (is) in the Chaos, in which there is not light at all, because I had taken away its light from it: and he saw it being darkness, and it was not possible to come unto his Place which is the twelve Aeons. Remembered also the Adamas (about) the Pistis Sophia, and he was angry with her greatly greatly, thinking that it (is) she who restrained his power in the Chaos. [159^a] And thinking that it (is) she who took away its light from it, and he was exasperated greatly, and he added anger upon anger: he emanated out of him an emanation of darkness, and with another cruel (power) of evil Chaos, that he might disturb the Pistis Sophia with them.