Post on 23-May-2020
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.