The Gnostic Society Library

Pistis Sophia
translated by G. S. R. Mead


Index  Previous  Next 

p. v

CONTENTS

 

PAGE

PREFACE

xvii

INTRODUCTION

 

The Askew Codex

xxi

The Scripts

xxii

The Contents

xxiii

The Title

xxiv

The Date of the MS.

xxv

Translated from the Greek

xxvi

Originals composed in Egypt

xxviii

Date: The 2nd-century Theory

xxix

The 3rd-century Theory

xxix

The 'Ophitic' Background

xxxi

Three vague Pointers

xxxii

The libertinist Sects of Epiphanius

xxxiii

The Severians

xxxiv

The Bruce Codex

xxxv

The Berlin Codex

xxxvi

The so-called Barbēlō-Gnostics

xxxvii

The Sethians

xxxviii

The present Position of the Enquiry

xxxviii

The new and the old Perspective in Gnostic Studies

xxxix

The Ministry of the First Mystery

xl

The post-resurrectional Setting

xli

The higher Revelation within this Setting

xlii

The Æon-lore

xlii

The Sophia Episode

xliii

The ethical Interest

xliii

The Mysteries

xliv

The astral Lore

xlv

Transcorporation

xlv

The magical Element

xlvi

History and psychic Story

xlvii

The P.S. a reserved Document

xlviii

Its general Value

xlix

A Skeleton of the Scheme of the System

l

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

lii

p. vi

 

TRANSLATION

 

DIVISION I.

 

THE FIRST BOOK OF PISTIS SOPHIA

 

 

PAGE

Jesus hitherto instructeth his disciples only up to the regions of the First Mystery

1

What the First Mystery surroundeth

1

The regions of the great Invisible

2

The Treasury of the Light

2

The Light-world

2

Jesus and his disciples are seated on the Mount of Olives

3

A great light-power descendeth on Jesus

3

It surroundeth him entirely

4

Jesus ascendeth into heaven

4

The confusion of the powers and the great earthquake

4

Jesus descendeth again

5

The nature of his glory

6

Jesus addresseth them

6

He draweth his light unto himself

6

He promiseth to tell them all things

7

How the Vesture of Light was sent unto him

8

Of the souls of the disciples and their incarnation

8

Of the incarnation of John the Baptizer

9

That John was Elias in a former birth

9

Of his own incarnation through Mary

10

More concerning the light-powers in the disciples

11

Why they should rejoice that the time of his investiture had come

11

The mystery of the five words on the vesture

12

The solution thereof

12

The three robes of light

13

The first vesture

13

The second vesture

13

The third vesture

14

The day of 'Come unto us'

15

Jesus putteth on his vesture

15

He entereth the firmament

15

The powers of the firmament are amazed and fall down and adore him

15

He entereth the first sphere

16

The powers of the first sphere are amazed and fall down and adore him

16

He entereth the second sphere

17

The powers of the second sphere are amazed and fall down and adore him

17

He entereth the æons

17

The powers of the æons are amazed and fall down and adore him

18

Adamas and the tyrants fight against the light

19

He taketh from them a third of their power

19

He changeth the motion of their spheres

19

p. vii

 

 

PAGE

Mary Magdalene asketh and receiveth permission to speak

20

Mary interpreteth the discourse from the words of Isaiah

21

Jesus commendeth Mary. She further questioneth him on the changing of the spheres

22

Jesus explaineth further the conversion of the spheres

23

Philip questioneth Jesus

25

Why the path of the æons was changed

25

Mary questioneth him again

26

The coming of Melchisedec

27

Of the fashioning of the souls of men

27

The rulers devour their matter so that souls may not be fashioned

29

Adamas and the tyrants fight against the light-vesture

30

Jesus taketh from them a third of their power and changeth their course

30

They no more have the power of devouring their matter

31

The powers adore the light-vesture

32

The tyrants become as the dead

32

Jesus entereth the thirteenth æon and findeth Pistis Sophia

33

Sophia and her fellow-powers behold the light

33

Mary desireth to hear the story of Sophia

34

THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA

 

Sophia desireth to enter the Light-world

34

The rulers hate her for ceasing in their mystery

35

Self-willed uniteth himself with the rulers of the twelve æons and emanateth a lion-faced power to plague Sophia

35

Sophia taketh the lion-faced power of Sell-willed for the true Light

36

She descendeth to the twelve æons and thence into the chaos

36

The emanations of Self-willed squeeze the light-powers out of Sophia

37

The first repentance of Sophia

37

Mary interpreteth the first repentance from Psalm lxviii.

42

The second repentance of Sophia

45

Peter complaineth of Mary

47

Peter interpreteth the second repentance from Psalm lxx.

47

Jesus promiseth to perfect the disciples in all things

48

The third repentance of Sophia

49

Martha asketh and receiveth permission to speak

49

Martha interpreteth the third repentance from Psalm lxix.

50

The fourth repentance of Sophia

51

John asketh and receiveth permission to speak

53

John interpreteth the repentance from Psalm ci.

53

Jesus commendeth John

55

The emanations of Self-willed again squeeze the light out of Sophia

55

The fifth repentance of Sophia

55

Philip the scribe complaineth

57

Jesus explaineth that the appointed scribes are Philip and Thomas and Matthew

58

Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus concerning the three witnesses

58

Philip is now given permission to speak

59

Philip interpreteth the fifth repentance from Psalm lxxxvii.

59

p. viii

 

 

PAGE

Philip is commended and continueth writing

61

The sixth repentance of Sophia

61

Andrew interpreteth the sixth repentance from Psalm cxxix.

62

Jesus commendeth Andrew. He promiseth that the tyrants shall be judged and consumed by the wise fire

63

Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus

63

The repentance of Sophia is not yet accepted. She is mocked by the æons

64

The seventh repentance of Sophia

64

Thomas interpreteth the seventh repentance from Psalm xxiv

67

Jesus commendeth Thomas

68

Jesus leadeth Sophia to a less confined region, but without the commandment of the First Mystery

69

The emanations of Self-willed cease for a time to oppress Sophia

70

The eighth repentance of Sophia

70

The emanations of Self-willed oppress her again

71

She continueth her repentance

71

Matthew interpreteth the eighth repentance from Psalm xxx.

73

Jesus commendeth Matthew and promiseth his disciples that they shall sit on thrones with him

74

Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus

74

The ninth repentance of Sophia

75

James interpreteth the ninth repentance from Psalm xxxiv.

78

Jesus commendeth James and promiseth the first place unto the disciples

81

Mary interpreteth the words of Jesus

81

The repentance of Sophia is accepted. Jesus is sent to help her

81

The tenth repentance of Sophia

83

Peter interpreteth the tenth repentance from Psalm cxix.

83

Jesus commendeth Peter

84

The eleventh repentance of Sophia

84

Salome interpreteth the eleventh repentance from Psalm li.

85

Jesus commendeth Salome

86

Self-willed aideth his emanations and they again oppress Sophia

86

The twelfth repentance of Sophia

87

Andrew interpreteth the twelfth repentance from Psalm cviii.

90

The thirteenth repentance of Sophia

92

Martha interpreteth the thirteenth repentance from Psalm l.

93

Jesus sendeth forth a light-power to help Sophia

93

Sophia uttereth a song of praise

94

Salome interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon

95

The power sent by Jesus formeth a light-wreath on Sophia's head

96

Sophia uttereth another song of praise

97

Mary, his mother, asketh and receiveth permission to speak

97

Mary, his mother, interpreteth the song of Sophia from the xixth Ode of Solomon

98

Jesus commendeth his mother

98

The commandment of the First Mystery is fulfilled for taking Sophia entirely out of the chaos

98

The First Mystery and Jesus send forth two light-powers to help Sophia

98

Mary Magdalene interpreteth the mystery from Psalm lxxxiv

99

Mary, the mother, further interpreteth the scripture

100

p. ix

 

 

PAGE

The story of the phantom spirit

101

Of the spiritual and material bodies of Jesus

102

The other Mary further interpreteth the same scripture from the baptism of Jesus

103

Mary, the mother, again further interpreteth the same scripture from the meeting of herself with Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer

104

Of the incarnation of Jesus

104

THE NOTE OF A SCRIBE

 

A note by a later hand, copied from another scripture

105

DIVISION II.

 

SUPERSCRIPTION:

 

THE SECOND BOOK OF PISTIS SOPHIA

 

John further interpreteth the same scripture

106

Of Sabaōth, Barbēlō, Yabraōth and the light-vesture

107

Gabriēl and Michaēl are summoned to help Pistis Sophia

108

The light-stream restoreth the light-powers to Sophia

109

The light-stream, having accomplished its purpose, departeth from Sophia

110

Peter interpreteth the narrative from the Odes of Solomon

110

The emanations of Self-willed cry aloud to him for help

114

He sendeth forth another more violent power like unto a flying arrow

114

The fashioning of the serpent-, basilisk- and dragon-powers

115

The demon power of Adamas dasheth Sophia down

115

Sophia again crieth to the Light

116

Gabriēl and Michaēl and the light-stream again go to her aid

116

The transfiguration of Sophia

117

Jesus, the First Mystery looking without, causeth Sophia to triumph

117

James interpreteth the narrative from Psalm xc

118

Sophia singeth a song of praise

124

Thomas interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon

125

Sophia singeth another song of praise

129

Matthew interpreteth the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon

131

Sophia continueth to sing

135

Mary is afraid of Peter

135

Mary interpreteth the song of Sophia from Psalm xxix

136

Sophia continueth her song

136

Martha interpreteth from Psalm xxix

136

Sophia continueth her song

137

Mary interpreteth from Psalm cii

137

Sophia is led to a region below the thirteenth æon and given a new mystery

138

She continueth to sing

138

p. x

 

 

PAGE

Andrew interpreteth from Psalm xxxix

139

The conversation of Sophia and the Light

140

The Light promiseth to seal the regions of Self-willed

140

How Sophia will know that the time of her final deliverance hath come

141

What will come to pass at that time

141

The time for the final deliverance of Sophia is completed

142

Adamas sendeth forth two emanations of darkness to plague Sophia

143

Sophia again singeth a song to the Light

144

James interpreteth the song from Psalm vii

145

Sophia addresseth Adamas and his rulers

146

Sophia again singeth to the Light

147

Martha interpreteth the words of Sophia from Psalm vii

148

Jesus bringeth Sophia again to the thirteenth æon

148

Sophia singeth the praises of the Light to her fellow-invisibles

149

Philip interpreteth the song from Psalm cvi.

151

END OF THE STORY OF PISTIS SOPHIA

 

Mary questioneth Jesus

153

Of the glory of the four-and-twenty invisibles

155

Of the glory of the Fate

156

Of the glory of the twelve æons

156

Of the glory of the thirteenth Hon

157

Of the glory of the Midst

157

Of the glory of the Right

157

Of the glory of the Treasury

158

Of the glory of the Inheritance

158

Mary again questioneth Jesus

159

Of the twelve saviours and their regions in the Inheritance

160

Of the ascension of those of the Treasury into the Inheritance

162

Of their respective ranks in the kingdom

162

Of the powers of the Right and their emanation and ascension

162

Of the powers of the Midst and their ascension

163

But this shall not take place till the consummation of the æon

164

Of the ascension of the souls of the perfect

164

Of the rank of the souls of the perfect

165

Mary interpreteth the discourse from the scriptures

166

Of the last Helper

167

That the regions beyond the Helpers are indescribable

167

Mary further questioneth Jesus

168

Of the second Helper

169

Of the third, fourth and fifth Helpers

169

Mary again questioneth Jesus

169

Of those who receive the mystery in the last Helper

170

John questioneth Jesus

171

Of the first Commandment

171

Of the first space

171

Of the second space

171

Of the third space

172

Of the Thrice-spirituals in the third space, i.e. the first space of the Ineffable

172

Of the master-mystery

173

p. xi

 

 

PAGE

Of the gnosis of the master-mystery

173

Of the gnosis of the mystery of the Ineffable

176

The disciples lose courage

181

Jesus explaineth that that mystery is really simpler than all mysteries

182

Of the rending asunder and emanation of the powers of the universe

183

Of those of the second space of the Ineffable

183

Of those of the first space of the Ineffable

186

Jesus promiseth to explain further all in detail

188

Of the mystery succinctly

188

Of the one and only word of the Ineffable

189

Of the ascension of the soul of him who shall receive the one and only mystery

189

Of the rank of such a soul

191

Such souls are one with the First Mystery

192

Of the dignity of the thrones in the kingdom

193

Of the gnosis of the word of the Ineffable

194

Of the distinction between the gnosis of the universe and the mysteries of the Light

194

Of the ascension of the souls of those who receive the twelve mysteries of the First Mystery

196

Mary again questioneth Jesus

197

Of the three mysteries and five mysteries

197

Of the first mystery

198

Of the second mystery

198

Of its efficacy

199

Of the third mystery

200

Of its efficacy for the uninitiated

200

Of the three and five mysteries

201

Of the mysteries of the three spaces

201

Of the reign of a thousand years of the Light

202

What is a year of the Light

203

Of those of the first space in the kingdom of the thousand years

203

Of those of the second space

204

Of those of the third space, the first from without

204

Of the Books of Yew

205

Andrew questioneth Jesus

206

That the disciples and the powers are from the same Mixture

206

Of transcorporation and purification

207

Of the purifying mysteries

208

That all who are purified will be saved

209

That finally they will be higher than all powers

209

Jesus pardoneth the ignorance of Andrew

210

SUB-SCRIPTION:

 

A PORTION OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR

 

p. xii

 

DIVISION III.

 

THE CONCLUSION OF ANOTHER BOOK

 

 

PAGE

Of the Limbs of the Ineffable

210

The Saviour is their treasury

211

Of the dignity of those who have received the mysteries

211

A THIRD BOOK

 

Of the proclamation of the disciples

213

What men should renounce

213

The boundaries of the ways of the worthy

217

Unto whom are the mysteries of the Light to be given

218

The mysteries are for the forgiveness of sins

218

Mary questioneth the Saviour

219

Of the soul of the righteous man who hath not received the mysteries at death

219

John questioneth Jesus

221

The disciples are to forgive many times seven times

222

Of the reward of the savers of souls

222

John continueth his questioning

222

That the mysteries shall be given again unto a repentant brother even up to the three of the second space

223

The limit of the power of the disciples to forgive sins

224

A former saying explained

224

Of the master-mystery of the forgiveness of sins

225

John continueth his questioning

225

Further of the forgiveness of sins

225

John continueth his questioning

227

Of pretenders who receive the mysteries

228

A former saying explained

228

Mary again questioneth Jesus

229

How the souls of those who have come out of the body may be helped by those on earth

230

Mary continueth her questioning

231

How he who possesseth the mysteries can come forth out of the body without suffering

231

Mary continueth her questioning

232

The mystery of the raising of the dead

233

The disciples became frenzied at the sublimity of the prospect

233

How the disciples shall make proclamation

233

What mysteries they shall give

234

The mystery of the raising of the dead not to be given to any

234

Of the constitution of man

236

Of the counterfeiting spirit

236

The state of the sinful soul after death

236

How a sinful soul is brought back to birth

238

Of the ascension after death of the good soul that hath received the mysteries

238

Of the state after death of one who hath received the mysteries and yet hath transgressed

240

p. xiii

 

 

PAGE

The apology of the rulers of the ways of the midst

241

The apology of the rulers of the Fate

241

Of the ascension of that soul into the Inheritance

242

Mary interpreteth from former sayings

243

The piece of money which was brought unto Jesus

243

A saying of Paul

244

The foes of one's own house

245

A former saying concerning rebirth

245

Mary continueth to question Jesus

246

Of the retributive servitors

247

How the soul of the sinner is stamped with his sins

248

How the baptisms purify sins

249

The separation of the portions by the mystery of baptism

249

Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying

249

Mary further questioneth Jesus

251

Of the forgiveness of sins according to the higher mysteries

251

Mary interpreteth the same from the Psalm xxxi.

252

Of forgiveness even unto twelve times of those who have received the mysteries of the First Mystery

253

Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance

253

Of the unending forgiveness of those who have received the mystery of the Ineffable

253

Of such initiated who sin and die without repentance

254

Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying

255

Of the unending compassion of the great mysteries for the repentant

256

Of the unrepentant

256

Mary interpreteth from a former saying

257

If even men on earth are compassionate, how much more then the highest mysteries?

257

Jesus trieth Peter

258

Mary interpreteth the incident from a former saying

259

In the case of repentance only higher mysteries than those previously received can remit sins

260

There is no limit to the number of mysteries the faithful may receive

261

The fate of the gnostic who sinneth is more terrible than that of the ignorant sinner

261

Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying

261

Of those who procrastinate, saying they have many births before them

262

Of the time of the completion

263

Those who procrastinate are excluded from the Light

263

Their entreaties at the gates of the Light

263

Mary interpreteth the same

264

A FOURTH BOOK

 

Of the dragon of the outer darkness

265

Of the rulers of the twelve dungeons and their names

265

Of the doors of the dungeons

267

The angels who watch the doors

267

p. xiv

 

 

PAGE

What souls pass into the dragon, and how

267

The nature of the names of the dragon

268

Of the severity of the chastisements of the dragon

268

Of the degrees of the fires of the chastisements

268

The disciples bewail the fate of sinners

269

Mary further questioneth Jesus

269

How to save the souls of the sinners

270

A summary of the formulæ

270

Of the light-beams and light-streams

272

Mary pleadeth for those who have neglected the mysteries

273

Of the efficacy of the names of the twelve angels

275

The souls who know the names escape and are taken to Yew

275

Of their subsequent fate

276

Mary interpreteth the same from a former saying

277

Of the light of the sun and the darkness of the dragon

277

Of the cup of forgetfulness

278

Of the counterfeiting spirit

278

Of the fashioning of a new soul

278

Of the inbreathing of the power

279

Jesus promiseth to reveal all in detail

280

Of the light-power and the counterfeiting spirit

281

The parents we are to abandon

281

Salome is in doubt

282

Mary removeth the doubt of Salome

282

Of the charge given to the counterfeiting spirit

283

Of the charge given to the servitors

284

Of conception

285

Of the compulsion of the parents

286

Of the process of gestation

286

Of the incarnation of the soul

286

Of the sealing of the plasm

287

Of the destiny

288

Of how a man cometh by his death

288

There is no escape from the destiny

289

Of the keys of the mysteries

289

The mysteries are all for men

290

A prophecy of John the Baptizer

290

The criterion of orthodoxy

291

The Books of Yew

292

Few only will accomplish the mystery of the First Mystery

292

No soul had entered into the Light before the coming of the First Mystery

293

Of the prophets

293

Of the patriarchs

293

Of the souls of the righteous from Adam to Jesus

294

The disciples know of a surety that Jesus is the Great Initiator

294

SUB-SCRIPTION:

 

A PORTION OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR

 

p. xv

 

DIVISION IV.

 

A FIFTH BOOK

 

 

PAGE

The disciples gather round Jesus

295

The invocation of Jesus

295

The grouping of the disciples

295

The interpretation of iaō

295

He continueth to make invocation

296

The apocalypse of the heavens

296

The figures of the disk of the sun and of the moon

296

Jesus and the disciples are transported to the ways of the midst

297

Of the repentant and unrepentant rulers

297

Of the hierarchies of the unrepentant rulers and the names of their five regents

298

Of the powers which Yew bound into the five regents

298

Of the functions of Zeus, the chief regent

298

The incorruptible names of the regents

299

Mary questioneth Jesus on the ways of the midst

299

Of the mysteries which Jesus will give unto his disciples

300

Of the constitution of the ways of the midst

301

Of Paraplēx

301

Of Yew and Melchisedec

301

How the demon rulers carry off souls

302

The chastisements of Paraplēx

302

Of Ariouth the Æthiopian

303

Of triple-faced Hekatē

304

Of Parhedrōn Typhon

305

Of Yachthanabas

306

The disciples beseech Jesus to have mercy upon sinners

307

Jesus encourageth his disciples

307

Jesus and his disciples ascend higher

308

He breatheth into their eyes

308

Their eyes are opened

308

Jesus explaineth the vision of fire and water, and wine and blood

308

The same explained from former sayings

309

Jesus and his disciples descend to earth

309

Jesus promiseth to give them the mystery of the forgiveness of sins

310

The mystic offering

310

The invocation

310

The rite is consummated

312

Directions as to the future use of the rite

312

Of three other mystic rites

312

Of the highest mysteries and of the great name

313

Of the efficacy of that name

313

A SIXTH BOOK

 

Of the chastisement of the curser

315

Of the chastisement of the slanderer

316

Of the chastisement of the murderer

317

Peter protesteth against the women

318

p. xvi

 

 

PAGE

Of the chastisement of the thief

318

Of the chastisement of the arrogant

319

Of the chastisement of the blasphemer

320

Of the chastisement of him who hath intercourse with males

321

Of the chastisement of a foul act of sorcery

322

Of the after-death state of the righteous man who hath not been initiated

322

Of the cup of wisdom

323

A sinner suffereth for each separate sin

323

Even the greatest of sinners, if he repent, shall inherit the kingdom

324

Of the time favourable for the birth of those who shall find the mysteries

324

The disciples beseech Jesus to have mercy upon them

324

A LATER POSTSCRIPT

 

The proclamation of the disciples

325

 


Next: Preface