The Opening Words of the Living Gospel
A fragment of a writing ascribed to Mani, in Sogdian and Persian.
The most Beloved Son, the Savior Jesus, the head of all these gifts,
Who is a refuge for the holy and a blessing for the wise, is exalted.
May he be praised!The Maiden of Light, the chief of all wisdom, is exalted.
May she be praised!The Holy Religion, by the power of the Father,
by the blessing of the Mother and by the wisdom of the Son, is exalted.
May it be praised!Well-being and blessing to the sons of goodness
and to the speakers and hearers of the true Word!
Praise and honor to the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit and to the holy recollection!He (Mani) teaches the word of the Living Gospel
for Eye and Ear, and he preaches the fruit of righteousness.
I, Mani, the Apostle of Jesus the Friend, by the will of the Father,
the true God, of Him, by whom I have become ...
Everything that is and everything that was and will be is by His Power.
The blessed ones will receive this message,
the wise ones understand it,
the strong ones will take on the wisdom of the wise ....