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The Nag Hammadi Library
Zostrianos
(Scholar's Edition)
Translated by John D. Turner
This original translation is presented in the Gnostic Society Library by permission of Dr. John D. Turner, who retains all copyright. The headings shown in bold text are added to the text by Dr. Turner. Line numbers are given in suprascript, bold numbers indicate codex page. Dr. Turner's fully annotated version of this translation, including a full index of his complex outline of sections, is available here.
Zostrianos is a complex text, and the original manuscript is fragmentary in many places. Using outlined headings, this translation offers the reader a guide to the themes of the text. Dr. Turner has indicated lacunae with ellipses [...]. Several long sections of the codex are too fragmentary for interpretation. This edition makes every effort to reproduce all decipherable text in the original Coptic manuscript. Dr. Turner has provided an image of one of the manuscript pages of Zostrianos, along with his transcription and translation.
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ZOSTRIANOS
NHC VIII, 1: 1,1- 132,9
Authorial Ascription
1 1 [The book] of the [glory] of the 2 eternally living words [that] 3 I Zos[trianos wrote] 4 [ ... ] ... [ .... ] ... [ ... ] ... and Iolaos. 5 I came into the world for the sake of 6 my contemporaries and [posterity], 7 [the] living elect.
Kerygmatic Pronouncement
The God 8 [of] truth lives in very truth 9 [and] knowledge and eternal 10 light!
Zostrianos' Autobiographical Prologue
I. Rejection of Material and Psychic Associations
After I intellectually parted from the 11 corporeal darkness within me as well as 12 the psychic chaos 13 and the lustful femininity 14 [that is] in the darkness--since I did not concern myself with 15 it--and after I had discovered the boundlessness 16 of my material (nature) and reproved the 17 dead creation within me 18 and the perceptible divine world- 19 ruler, I powerfully 20 proclaimed wholeness to those 21 with unrelated parts. 22 Although I had tried their ways 23 for a little while insofar as 24 the necessity of birth brought me 25 visibility, I was never satisfied with 26 them. Instead, I always 27 used to separate myself from them 28 because I had come into being through 29 a holy--although procreative--[birth]. 30
II. Initial This-Worldly Vision of the Perfect Child
When I had improved my sinless 31 soul, then I strengthened 2 1 the intellectual [spirit within me] 2 and I [was able to awaken from] 3 the [dark sleep and find] 4 my [paternal] God [ ... ] 5 [ ... ]. Although I had [worked on this in every way], I 6 was fortified with a holy spirit 7 higher than god. [It settled] 8 upon me alone as I was improving myself, [and] 9 I saw the perfect Child--[who he is] 10 as well as what [he possesses]-- 11 often and [variously] 12 appearing to me like this--a 13 consenting [unity]--as I was seeking the 14 [male] father of all things [that are] 15 conceptual and sensible, 16 specific and generic, [partial] 17 and whole, 18 containing and contained, 19 corporeal and incorporeal, 20 essential and material, and [matters] 21 pertaining to all these, and the Existence that is 22 combined with them and with the god of 23 this <perfect child>, the ingenerate Kalyptos, even the power 24 [in] them all.
III. Initial Puzzles concerning the Relationship of the Ideal and Phenomenal Worlds
Now as for Existence: 25 How can beings--since they are from 26 the aeon of those who derive from 27 an invisible and undivided 28 self-generated Spirit as triform 29 unengendered images--both have 30 an origin superior to Existence 31 and pre-exist all [these] 32 and yet have come to be in the [world]? 33 How do those in its presence with all these 3 1 [originate from the] Good 2 [that is above]? What sort [of power] and 3 [cause, and] what is [the] place of that [one]? 4 What is its principle? 5 How does its product 6 belong both to it and all these? How, 7 [being a] simple [unity], 8 does it differ [from] itself, given that it exists as 9 Existence, Form, and 10 Blessedness, and, being vitally alive, 11 grants power? How 12 has Existence which has no being 13 appeared in a power that has being? 14
IV. Diligent but Fruitless Attempts to Find Answers
Pondering these things so as to understand them, 15 after the custom of my race 16 I would offer them up daily to the god 17 of my fathers. I would praise 18 them all, for my forefathers 19 and ancestors who sought found. 20
As for me, I did not stop seeking 21 a place of repose worthy of my spirit, 22 where I would not be bound in the perceptible 23 world. Then, as I was deeply 24 troubled and gloomy because of the 26 pettiness around me, 26 I dared to act and 27 to deliver myself to the wild beasts of the 28 desert for a violent death.
V. This-Worldly Appearance of the Angel of Knowledge
There stood 29 before me the angel of the knowledge 30 of eternal light, and he said to me, 31 "Zostrianos, why have you gone mad 32 as though you were ignorant of the great eternal beings 4 1 who are above? [And don't you know that] 2 [you are a chosen person] 3 and therefore you were informed about [what you shall do] 4 so that you might now be saved? Never 5 ever [become] destructive, nor [pay attention] 6 to those you are familiar with 7 in order to save others [whom] 8 the father on high will choose. [Do you] 9 [suppose] that you are the father of [your race]? 10 Or that Iolaos is your father? [You have] 11 a divine angel [that has shown] 12 you [the way] through holy persons! 13 Come and transcend these [realms]! 14 You will return to them another [time] 15 to proclaim a living [race], 16 to save those who are 17 worthy and to empower the elect. 18 For great is the struggle of this age, 19 but the time [in] this world is short." 20
Zostrianos' Spiritual Ascent through the Aeons
I. The Luminous Cloud
When he had said this [to me] 21 I very eagerly and very 22 gladly embarked with
him 23 upon a great luminous cloud, and [left] 24 my molded form upon the earth, 25 guarded by glories. [We] 26 eluded the entire world 27 and the thirteen aeons 28 in it, as well as their angelic host. 29 We were not seen, but their 30 chief was disturbed at [our] 31 [passage,] for [our] luminous cloud, 5 1 [being an essence] superior 2 [to every cosmic thing], 3 was ineffable. Its beauty 4 shines brightly, having an ability to 5 [guide] pure spirits, 6 existing as a vitalizing spirit 7 and intelligent reason-- 8 [not] like those things in the world 9 [that are made] of pliable matter 10 and persuasive reason. 11Then I knew that the power 12 in me presided over the darkness 13 because it contained total light. 14 I was baptized there, and 15 I received the image of the glories 16 there and became like 17 one of them.
II. The Atmospheric Realm and the Aeonic Copies
I traversed the 18 atmospheric [realm] and passed by the 19 Aeonic Copies after 20 immersing myself [there] seven times 21 [in] living [water], once for each 22 [of the] aeons without pausing until 23 [I had traversed] them all at once. 24
III. The Sojourn, Repentance, and Arrival at the Self-generated Aeon
1. Ascent through the Repentance and Sojourn to the Self-generated Aeons
I ascended to the [truly] existent Sojourn; 25 [I] was baptized, and 26 [I abandoned the world] and [I] ascended to the 27 truly existent Repentance 28 [and was] baptized there 29 [six] times. I passed through the 6 1 sixth; [I was empowered from this very one] 2 and I ascended to the [Self-generated] Aeons. 3 I stood there after having seen a truly existent light 4 of the truth truly existing from 5 its self-generated root [with] 6 great angels and glories [beyond] 7 measure.
2. The First of Five Baptisms in the Name of Autogenes
I was baptized in the [name of] 8 the divine Autogenes 9 [by]
those powers that preside [over the] 10 living water, Michar and Mi[cheus.] 11
I was purified by [the] great 12 Barpharanges.
I was [glorified] 13 and inscribed in glory. 14
I was sealed by 15 those who preside over these powers,
[Michar], 16 Micheus, Seldao, Ele[nos] 17 and Zogenethlos.
I [became] 18 a [contemplative] angel 19 and stood upon the first--20 that is the fourth--aeon 21 together with the souls. I blessed
the 22 divine Autogenes and
the 23 forefather Pigeradamas,
[an eye of] 24 the Autogenes, the first perfect 25 [human being]; and
Seth Emm[acha Seth], 26
the son of [A]damas, the [father of] 27 the [immovable race]; and
the [Four] 28 Lights, [Armozel], 29 [and Oroiael, Davithe and Eleleth]; 30 and Mirothea--she is the mother [ of Adamas]-- 31 and
Prophania--[she is the mother] 32 of the Lights--and
Ple[sithea] 7 1 the [mother of the angels].
3. The Second of Five Baptisms in the Name of Autogenes
I was 2 [baptized for the] second time in the name 3 of the divine Autogenes 4 by these same powers. I 5 became an angel of 6 masculine gender. I stood upon 7 the second-that is the third--aeon 8 along with the children of 9 Seth, and I blessed these same ones.
4. The Third of Five Baptisms in the Name of Autogenes
And I 10 was baptized for the third time 11 in the name of the divine Autogenes 12 by these same powers. 13 [I] became a holy angel and 14 stood upon the third-- 15 that is the second--[aeon], and I 16 [blessed] these same ones.
5. The Fourth of Five Baptisms in the Name of Autogenes
And I was baptized 17 for the fourth time by 18 these [same] powers. I became 19 [a] perfect [angel] 20 [and stood upon] the fourth-- 21 [that is the first]--aeon, and 22 [blessed these same ones.]
6. Zostrianos Seeks the Single Reality Underlying the Self-generated Aeons
Then I sought 23 [a single power belonging to these]. I spoke 24 [these words, saying]: "I 25 [ ... ] of 26
[ ... and] I 27 [was asking] him [about] the 28 [conception of these]: why [are there] 29 [differences] in the ability [that hears] 30 them differently in human auditions? 8 1 [Are these same ones] their 2 powers? Or are these things the same 3 but their names differ from one another? Does 4 soul differ from soul? 5 Why are human beings different 6 from one another? How and to what extent 7 are they human?"
7. The Revelation of Authrounios
a) Authrounios Offers to Explain the Realms Below the Self-generated Aeons
The great 8 pre-eminence, Authrounios, said to me: 9 "Are you asking about those things through 10 which you have passed? Or 11 why this atmospheric realm 12 has this worldly pattern? Or 13 how many Aeonic Copies 14 there are? Or why they are [not] perturbed? 15 Or about the Sojourn and 16 Repentance and about the [aeonic] creation 17 and the world which [does not truly exist (i.e. the psychic world)]? 18 [I will openly teach] 19 you about [all these things you seek] 20 of me. [Neither a revelation] 21 nor a [command appears] 22 to you, [even from the] 21 Invisible [Spirit, until you know these things] 24 and the [doctrine that ... ] 25 of [ ... ] 26 ... [ ... ] 27 [Eleleth ... ] 28 [that [will appear to you."
b) Zostrianos Joins the Aeons He Has Traversed
And with him] 29 and [with myself I joined with] 30 [these aeons] that I had [traversed.
c) Authrounios Explains the Origin of the Physical Cosmos and Sophia's Role
And] 9 1 The [great] pre-eminence 2 Authrounios said [to me]: "The 3 atmospheric realm came into being by a 4 rational principle, and it incorruptibly manifests generated 5 and perishable things 6 for the sake of the advent 7 of the great judges (i.e., stars), lest they 8 experience perception and 9 be enclosed in the creation. But when 10 they came upon it and thereby perceived 11 the works of the world, 12 they condemned its ruler to a perishability 13 that is a pattern for the world, since it 14 is a [substance] and principle of matter, 15 the dark, corrupt [product]. 16
When Sophia contemplated 17 [these (stars)], she emitted the darkness, 18 [fleeing what] is subject to the 19 [Archon, since it] is [an invisible] mold, 20 [a principle] of the [insubstantial] substance 21 [and the form]less form 22 [ ... ] a [shapeless] shape. 23 [It makes room] for 24 [every cosmic thing ... ] the All 25
[ ... the corrupt product] 26 [since it is a rational principle] 27 [that persuades ] the darkness. [He sows] 28 [from his] reason, since it [is im]possible 29 [for the archon] of [creation] to 30 see any of the eternal entities. 10 1 He saw a reflection, and with reference to 2 the reflection that he [saw] 3 therein, he created the world. 4 With a reflection of a reflection 5 he worked upon the world, 6 and then even the reflection of 7 the appearance was taken from him. But 8 Sophia was given a place of rest 9 in exchange for her repentance. 10 In consequence, because there was within her no 11 pure, original image, 12 either pre-existing in him or that had 13 already come to be through him, he 14 used his imagination and fashioned the remainder, 14 for the image belonging to Sophia 16 is always corrupt [and] 17 deceptive. But the Archon--[since he simulates] 18 and embodies by [pursuing the image] 19 because of the superabundance [that inclined downward]--looked 20 downward."
d) Zostrianos' Response
When [I heard these things and when] 21 I saw [them, I was able to understand] 22 the mind of [these who set their mind] 23 upon the things they do not [know]. 24 Since he has set [his mind upon ... the] 25 aeons [ ... ] 26 [greater than ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28
e) The Revelation of Authrounios Concludes
And [again he said, "Sophia became] 29 perfect through [the will of] 30 [the commander] through whom [the atmospheric] 31 [realm perseveres], having 11 1 [immutably averted] the destruction of the world. 2
(2) The Aeonic Copies and the Illumination of Souls
Now the 3 Aeonic Copies 4 exist as follows: they have not 5 attained an equipotent form, 6 [but] they possess eternal glories, 7 and they exist 8 as judgment seats for each of 9 the powers. But when l0 souls are illumined by 11 the light within these (Copies) and 12 by the pattern which often arises 13 [effortlessly] in them, 14 then she (the soul) thinks that she sees 15 [the truth] and the eternal 16 [cause in] the blessed [Idea] 17 [that exists] as the single Unity 18 [ ... ] each of 19 [ ... ] light that 20 [ ... ] all, and she 21 [ ... ] whole, and she 22 [ ... ] and a 23 [ ... ] and she 24 [ ... ] she who 25 [ ... ] she 26 [...] 27 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] of 28 [the Sojourn. And the reproof] 29 of the Repentance [is with the souls] 12 1 according to the power [within them that] 2 they might stand.
And the 3 inferior [souls] are trained 4 by the Aeonic Copies, 5 which receive a replica 6 of their souls while they are still in the 7 world. After the individual procession 8 of the aeons, they come into being 9 and they are individually transferred 10 from the 11 copy of the Sojourn 12 to the truly existent Sojourn, 13 from the copy of 14 the Repentance to the truly existent 15 Repentance, [and from the] 16 copy of the Self-generated (aeons) 17 [to the] truly existent [Self-generated (aeons)], 18 and so on. [ ... ] 19 The souls ... [ ... ] 20 exist in a [light ...] 21 them all [through the] Aeonic 22 [Copies.
On the one hand, they] 23 see, [but when ...] 24 and certain [...] 25 forth [ ... ] 26 the [ ... ] 27 outside [ ... ] 28 [light ...] 29 ... [ ... ] 30 of [ ... ] 31 [all] those [who] are ... as they] 3 1 [bless:
the god] above 2 the [great] aeons] and
the 3 [ingenerate] Kalyptos,
the great 4 male Protophanes,
the perfect 5 [Child] who is higher than god, 6 and
his eye, Pigeradamas." 7
f) Zostrianos invokes Ephesech, Child of the Child
I called upon the 8 Child of the Child Ephesech. He 9 stood before me and said: 10 "O messenger of god, son of the 11 father, [you are] the perfect human. 12 [Why] are you calling on me and 13 asking about the things you know, as 14 though you were [ignorant] of them?"
[But] 15 [I said,] " I am seeking after the 16 water: [So how does] it perfect and give 17 [its power]? What are [its] powers, 18 [the names] in which we receive baptism? 19 [Why are] these names 20 [different than those?] And why 21 [are the waters different] from one 22 [another? And are they complete] in the ... 23 [ ... from] others 24 [ ... ] humans 25 [ ... Why are they different] 26 [in this way from one another]?" 27
8. The Revelation of Ephesech I: Baptism and Assimilation to the Barbelo Aeon
a) The Three Powers of the Invisible Spirit and the Origin of the Barbelo Aeon
[The Child of the] 28 [Child Ephesech, the Savior, answered] 14 1 saying, "[Zost]trianos, 2 hear about [all] these things! 3 Now the pre-[existent] 4 principles are three in number, although they have 5 appeared from a single origin [of] the 6 Barbelo aeon, not as an indefinite number of 7 principles and powers, nor 8 as derivatives of any origin and any 9 power. (Rather)
they have manifested every principle 10
and empowered every power, 11
and have appeared in that which 12 is far superior to them,
these who are 13 Existence, Blessedness 14 and Life.[And these have appeared] 15 with one [another and appeared] 16 from a [single unity], 17 and therefore [ ... ] 18 they were named [for their] 19 greater [glory ... single ...] 20 and [certain ... ] 21 a perfect [ ... ] 22 from [a single principle, and] 23 [it is] a [simple unity ...] 24 always [ ...] 25 ... [...] 26 ... [ ...] 27 ... [ ...] 28 ... [ ...]
b) Three Baptismal Waters of the Barbelo Aeon, Three Powers of the Invisible Spirit
15 1 And [there exists] a water for 2 [each] of them. Therefore 3 they are [three] perfect waters: 4
It is the water of Life
that 5 belongs to Vitality
in which you now 6 have been baptized in the Autogenes. 7
It is the [water] of Blessedness 8
that [belongs] to Knowledge
in which you 9 will be [baptized] in the Protophanes. 10
It is the water of Existence 11
[which] belongs to Divinity, that is, 12 to Kalyptos. 13
And the water of Life 14 [exists with respect to] Power,
that of 15 [Blessedness] with respect to Essence, 16
and that of [Divinity] with respect to 17 [Existence].But all [these] 18 [are likenesses and forms of the] Triple Powered One. 19 It is [they] that 20 [flow from the] pure water 21 [ ... it] is also [the pattern ... ] 22 [ ... water] according to 23 [ ... when they] depart 24 [ ... male] 25 [ ... there] 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [...] 16 1 Existence [as he] is. 2
c) The Generation of Determinate Being: The Barbelo Aeon
Not only [did they dwell] 3 in thought, but he [made room for] 4 them, since he is [Becoming] in the following 5 way: he imposed a [limit] upon 6 Being, lest it become 7 endless and formless; 8 instead, it was truly delimited while it was a 9 new entity in order that [it] might become 10 something having 11 its own [dwelling], 12 Existence together with [Being], 13 standing with it, existing with it, 14 surrounding it, [and being like it] 15 on every side. [It withdrew] 16 from the [living water that it might] 17 receive the [pre] existent 18 [stability] of [ ... ] 19 activity [ ... ] 20 visible ... [ ... ] 21 his word also [ ... ] 22 ... these after [ ... ] 23 they became [ ... making room] 24 for a [ ... ] 25 ... [ ... ] 26 ... [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 17 1 And the power exists together with the 2 Essence and the Existence 3 of Being, while this water exists. 4 And the name in which one is baptized 5 is a rational expression of this water. 6
d) The Receipt of Enlightenment and Stable Being through Baptism
Therefore the first perfect water of 7 the Triple Powered One, <that of> Autogenes, 8 [is] Life for the perfect souls, 9 for it is a rational expression of 10 the coming into being of both the perfect [Mind] 11 [and of] that [one]. 12 For the source of all [those] 13 is the Invisible Spirit, while the others derive 14 [from knowledge], since 15 they are likenesses of him. [But] he who simultaneously knows 16 [how he exists] and what 17 [the] living [water is], 18 [such a one] lives within 19 [knowledge. That which belongs to knowledge] is the 20 [water of] Vital[ity]. And in 21 [becoming, Life] becomes [limitless] 22 [that it may receive] its [own Being]. 23 [ ... and ] the name 24 [ ... ] ... 25 [ ... ] ... 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 18 1 he truly exists; this is so since he 2 limits himself. They [approach] 3 this water according to this 4 equipotency and equivalence in rank. 5
Protophanes, the great male 6 invisible perfect mind, 7 has his own water, 8 as you [will see] 9 when you arrive at his place. So 10 also does the ingenerate Kalyptos. 11
e) The Structure of the Barbelo Aeon
(1) Autogenes, the Triple Male Child, Protophanes, and Kalyptos
In relation to each one there exists 12 a partial and [initial] form, 13 so that they might thus become complete, 14 for the Self-generated aeons are four 15 perfect instances of 16 the all-perfect ones [that exist before] 17 the [perfect individuals]. 18 And the [fifth] aeon [contains] 19 the [divine] Autogenes, 20 for [they] all [derive from the] 21 [perfect, divine Triple] Male [Child]. 22 For [they are] wholes [ ... ] 23 perfect [divine ... the Triple] 24 [Male ... the] 25 [perfect] individuals [ ... ] 26 in the [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [... ] 29 ...[ ... ] 30 ...[ ... ] 31 ...[ ... ] 1[9] 1 perfect (individuals?), those who exist by 2 species, genus, 3 whole, and partial difference. 4
The path of ascent that is higher 5 than perfect <is?> likewise with Kalyptos. 6
The divine Autogenes is 7 chief ruler of his 8 own aeons and angels 9 as parts of him: for 10 those that individually comprise the four 11 simultaneously comprise the fifth 12 aeon, and the 13 fifth exists in unity. Taken individually, the 14 four [comprise] the fifth. 15 But all these are 16 individually complete [because they] have a 17 [a (single) principle].
So also 18 [the Triple Male] is a 19 [perfect individual], for he is a [power] of 20 [the] divine [Autogenes]. And 21 [Protophanes], the invisible 22 [perfect] male mind, 23 [is the dwelling place] of those who 24 [are unified within the aeons]. A 25 [ ... ] ... 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] 29 [ ... like] 20 1 living and perfect parts. 2
Now as for the Entirety, both the all-perfect 3 kind and that which is higher than perfect 4 and blessed:
The 5 self-generated Kalyptos 6 is a pre-existent principle of 7 the Autogenes, a deity and 8 forefather, a cause of 9 Protophanes, a father 10 of his own parts, 11 a paternal deity, 12 apprehended, but 13 not comprehended. As he is a self-derived power, 14 he is father of himself, 15 therefore he is [fatherless]. 16
The invisible Triple Powered One, the 17 Forethought [of them] all, the 18 Invisible Spirit, is [source of them all] 19 and [an insubstantial Existence] 20 [prior to essence] 21 and existence [and being]. 22 [Existences are prior to] 23 life, [for it is] the [cause of] 24 Blessed[ness. And ... ] 25 the [ magnitude ... ] 26 all [these ... ] 27 the [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 30 ... [ ... ] 21 1 [exist] in them.(2) Baptism and the Ascent and Unification of Souls within the Barbelo Aeon
[They descended] 2 among others, but they [are all] 3 intermingled 4 in many places, whatever 5 place is desirable and pleasing. 6 They are everywhere and 7 they are nowhere. 8 They contain spirit-- 9 for they are incorporeal--yet transcend 10 incorporeal things. They are undivided, with 11 living thoughts and a power 12 of truth, together with those purer 13 than they, since in this respect 14 they are spiritually purer and 15 unlike bodies that 16 are in a single location. 17 Above all, they are without compulsion, 18 whether in whole 19 or part. Therefore 20 their path of ascent is pure 21 [since it is imperishable]. Each 22 [of their powers has] set [aside] 23 [for itself] its own [root]. And 24 [ ... ] them 25 [ ... ] ... 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... above all] 29 [ ... ] its 22 1 particular aeons. Then 2 [he knows] how he can 3 receive an 4 eternal pattern.
And 5 the universal intelligence joins in 6 when the 7 water of Autogenes is complete. 8 When one knows it and 9 all these, one has to do with the 10 water of Protophanes; when 11 one unites with him and all these, 12 one has to do with Kalyptos. 13
Similarly among the 14 aeons: as regards knowing these individually 15 along with their parts, they are [perfect]. Those 16 of the Entirety where 17 knowledge is and that which they know 18 have [become distinct], yet 19 they have something in common 20 with one another. The Entirety and all 21 [these have the] 22 immersion in the [baptism of the] 23 [Autogenes.
If the ... ] 24 [perfect ... ] 25 ... [ ... ] 26 ... [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... That] 23 1 one, exhibiting himself 2 as one who has come to know how 3 he belongs to him and experiences 4 mutual fellowship, 5 has washed in the baptism of Protophanes. 6
And if one understands their 7 origin, 8 how they are all manifest in 9 a single principle, and how l0 all who are joined come to 11 be divided, and how those 12 who were divided join 13 again, and how the parts 14 [join with] the wholes and the 15 species with the [genuses]--when 16 one understands these things--one has washed 17 in the baptism of Kalyptos.
According 18 to each locale one has 19 a portion of the 20 eternal ones [and] ascends 21 [to them. As] one 22 [becomes pure and] simple, 23 just so one continually [approaches] 24 unity. Being [always] 25 pure and [simple], 26 one is filled [with Mentality,] 27 with Existence, [and Spirit], 28 even a holy Spirit. There is 24 1 nothing of him outside of him. 2
On the one hand, with perfect soul he [sees] those 3 of the Autogenic ones;
with Intellect, 4 those of the Triple Male;
with 5 Holy Spirit, those of the Protophanic 6 ones.
On the other hand, He hears about Kalyptos 7 through the powers of the Spirit
from whom they 8 have come forth
in a far superior 9 revelation of the Invisible 10 Spirit.And by means of the thought 11 which now exists in silence and 12 within the First Thought,
(he hears) about the Triple 13 Powered Invisible Spirit;
it 14 is, moreover, an audition and a silent power 15 purified with life- giving Spirit, 16 the perfect, [first] perfect, 17 and all-perfect one. 18(3) Preservation of Those Who are Worthy by the Glories
Therefore there are glories appointed 19 as [nourishers] over them. Those who have 20 been truly baptized in knowledge 21 and those who are worthy are guarded, 22 but those who [are] not 23 from this kind [are mere things] 24 and they [return] to 25 [their own root. One] 26 [deriving from] the fifth is 27 [satisfied with those of the Aeonic] Copies. 28 [For each] of the aeons 29 [there is] a baptism 30 [of this sort].
(4) Various Baptisms and Degrees of Knowledge
Now if 31 [one] strips off the world 25 1 and lays aside [nature], 2 whether one is a sojourner without 3 dwelling place or power, 4 following the practices of 5 others, or whether one repents, 6 having committed no sin, 7 being satisfied with knowledge (and) 8 without concern for anything (worldly), 9 baptisms are appointed 10 respectively for these:
(There is) the path 11 into the Self-generated ones, the one 12 in which you have now been baptized each 13 time, which is appropriate for seeing the [perfect] 14 individuals--it is a knowledge 15 of everything, having originated l6 from the powers of the Self-generated ones. 17
(There is) the one you will perform when you transfer 18 to the all-perfect aeons. 19
When you wash in the third 20 baptism, [then] you will learn 21 about those [that] truly [exist] 22 in [that] place.
Now concerning [these] names, 23 they are like this: 24 there is a unity, [and it is a single genus] 25 like [things that are perfect] 26 by virtue of [coming into being among] 27 things that are, and [they have come into being because] 28 there is a rational expression of them [and because] 26 1 it is a name that truly exists 2 [as] they do.Now 3 on the one hand existing things exist 4 in an intellection similar to them, and one's 5 generic similarity is innate in one's own individuality; 6 on the other hand, an individual sees, understands, 7 enters, and 8 becomes like it (his genus) by audible 9 speaking and hearing. 10 But by (mere) hearing they are powerless, because they 11 are sensible and corporeal. 12 Therefore they take 13 things as they are able to receive them. 14 It is a [faint] image 15 arising like this 16 from sensation or reasoning, 17 superior to material nature 18 but inferior to the intellectual 19 essence.
f) Various Kinds of Souls and their Level of Aeonic Attainment
Do not be amazed about the 20 differences among souls. 21 When one thinks that they are different, 22 then they are [not] similar, although they are [parts] 23 of things that [endure].
[Now] 24 one [appears] 25 in a [soul] and has [completely] perished; 26
their [souls] 27 [are disem]bodied.
Another 28 [who is within] his time 29 [appears] for a time; 27 1
their soul is [em-] 2 bodied.
Now those who have 3 completely [perished] are four, 4
while those [within] 5 time are nine.
Each one 6 of them has its character 7 and habit.
Though similar, they 8 are different;
though distinct, 9 they are also stable.And other immortal souls 10 associate with all 11 these souls because of 12 the Sophia who looked down. 13 For there are three species of 14 immortal souls:
(2) Types of Disincarnate Souls in the Sojourn
The ones who have 15 taken root upon the Sojourn 16 do not have self-generated 17 power; they 18 follow the ways of 19 others. Now this is a 20 single species, 21 [self-contained].
(3) Types of Disincarnate Souls in the Repentance
(Second), those that 22 stand [upon the] Repentance, who 23 [were not ambivalent about] sin, 24 since knowledge is sufficient [for] them: 25 Since they are neophytes, [they still sin]. 26 Yet it (this species) also has distinctions: 27 there are [those] who have 28 sinned; others [also who] 28 1 have repented; and others 2 [who only intend (to repent)]. 3 For there are [three] classes of these (last ones): 4 those who have committed 5 all the sins and have repented; 6 (those who have sinned) partially, 7 or those who only intended (to sin). 8 Therefore, their aeons also are six 9 according to the place attained 10 by each of their (souls).
(4) Types of Disincarnate Souls in the Self-generated Aeons
The third 11 (major kind) is that of the souls of 12 the Self-generated ones; they 13 have a rational expression of the ineffable 14 truth existing in 15 knowledge as well as self-generated [power] 16 and eternal [life]. 17 [And] they have four distinctions 18 in the same manner: the forms 19 of angels, 20 those who love the truth, 21 those who hope, and those who believe. 22 [Indeed], they [also] have [syzygies], 23 and they exist [within them]. 24 They exist [as four places of] 25 the Self-generated ones. [The first] is 26 the one of [perfect Life]; 27 the [second] is [ the one of Mentality]. The 28 [third is the one of eternal] 29 Knowledge; the fourth is 30 the one [belonging to the] immortal [souls]. 29 1
g) The Relation of the Four Lights and Their Denizens to the Soul's Ascent
The Four Lights exist 2 [there] in the same way:
[Arm]ozel [is] 3 [set] over the first aeon, 4
a desire for god [and] 5 truth and a uniter of souls; 6
Oroiael, a seer 7 of truth, is set over the 8 the second;
Daveithe, a vision 9 of knowledge, is set over 10 the third;
Eleleth, an eager impulse 11 and preparation for truth, 12 is set over the fourth. 13The four exist as 14 rational expressions of truth and 15 knowledge. They exist, although they 16 belong not to Protophanes but 17 to the Mother (i.e. Barbelo).
It is a thought of 18 the perfect Mind of the 19 light that causes immortal souls 20 to acquire knowledge. 21 [He is the one who is sufficient] for them, the 22 [divine] Autogenes, Arse[n]oas (i.e. male mind? S]orso[r]oas?), a 23 revelation [of the power] of them all, 24 [for] he is an [intelligent], ineffable 25 rational expression [of the] truth 26 who [speaks openly] 27 about the [perfect Mind], 28 that it is [a principle] existing 29 above in an [indivisibility] 30 1 [with which it is joined] in a syzygy 2 within an [intellectual] light 3 and thought within 4 its aeon.
And Adam is the [perfect] 5 human, being an eye of Autogenes. 6 It is his knowledge that <knows> 7 that the divine Autogenes 8 is a rational expression of [the] perfect Mind 9 of truth.
The son of l0 Adam, Seth, comes to 11 each of the souls as knowledge 12 sufficient for them. Therefore, 13 [the] living [seed] originated 14 from him.
Mirothea is [the one in whom] 15 the divine Autogenes [appeared] 16 together with [Adamas]; she is a thought 17 of the perfect Mind concerning 18 her own Existence, what she is, 19 [how] she used to exist, 20 and that she exists.
Therefore 21 the divine Autogenes 22 is a rational expression and knowledge, and the 23 knowledge [derives from a rational expression]. 24 Therefore [the soul of] 25 Adamas [is simple. It is the power] 26 of the [simple ones to whom] it appeared 27 [and it is a] transformation of [the] 28 souls; it is also [a power of] 29 [the] perfect [Mind]. On behalf of [the] 30 [perfect ones and] the angelic host [31] 1 [it has often appeared]. 2
[If] therefore [there exists] 3 [the cosmic] soul [that produces] 4 [them and pre-exists] 5 [the perceptible world as well], 6 the Aeonic Copies 7 [that] truly [exist] 8 [and the Sojourn] that 9 [truly exists and] the Repentance 10 [are the ascent] to this place, up 11 [to the Self-generated] aeons that 12 [truly] exist.
If 13 [it (the soul) finds] and loves 14 [the truth], it will stand upon 15 [the fourth] aeon, 16 [possessing] the Light 17 Eleleth; [it will] become a 18 contemplative [thought]. 19[And if] it hopes and 20 perceives, it is an [angel] of the [male] 21 gender that has come to stand upon 22
[the third, possessing] 23 [the Light Daveithe].If 24 [ ... ] ... 25 [ ... ] ... 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] ... 29 [ ... ] ... 32 1
[If] it is joined [with] 2 [the truth, then it will] stand 3 [upon the] first [aeon], 4 [possessing the Light] 5 Ar[mozel.If you become] 6 an [angel of the intelligible] 7 [world, and if you ascend] 8 to [that power], you [will] 9 stand upon [the first aeon], 10 the light which [is over them all]. 11
h) Negative and Positive Prospects for Souls in the Self-generated Aeons
Immeasurable [and great is] 12 that aeon! [Now if you] 13 [attain] only those, [you will fall away] 14 from the perfect [aeons and] 15 that power, [whether] 16 or [not it is] possible for 17 one [to consolidate] 18 every [form] of his immortal] soul, 19 not [only] the perceptible and [measurable], 20 [but] also the in[expressibly] 21 individually [perfect] one. And 22 there is nothing [ ... ] 23 him [ ...] 24 which he [ ... ] 25 ... [ ... ] 26 ... [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 [in ... ] 29 [ ... ] 33 1 and in[corporeal ... ] 2 upon every one [ ... ] 3 every [one ... ] is 4 form[less ... ] 5 [ ... uncreated] and this one 6 [ ... ] and this [pattern] 9 [ ... ] nothing 8 [ ... ] eternal, nor 9 [ ... ] a whole [ ... ] 10 [ ... ] unceasing ...] of this 11 [ ... ] he that is subtle 12 [ ... ] having received 13 [ ... ] the perfect Mind 14 [ ... ] ... undivided 15 [ ... ] perfect light 16 [ ... ] and he is in 17 [ ... ] Adamas, and 18 [ ... the divine] Autoge[nes]. 19 And he ascends 20 [to the great perfect] Mind 21 [Protophanes]. The divine [ingenerate] Kalyptos 22 [who fore]knows 23 [ ... ] but 24 [ ... ] soul 25 [ ... ] there 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] 29 [ ... ] ... [34] 1 [ ... ] existence 2 [their completion] 3 [ ... ] root [ ...] 4 [ ... ] second 5 powers and [ ... ] 6 and third [ ... ] 7 appear [ ... ] 8 which [ ... ] 9 there is a [ ... free] 10 soul [ ... cause]. 11 And the aeons [ ... ] 12 dwelling place [ ... some] 13 souls and [ ... ] 14 [they are] gods [ ... ] 15 higher than god [ ... ] 16 of the [Self-generated ones ... ] 17 Autogenes [ ... ] 18 first ... [ ... ] 19 angel [ ... ] 20 invisible [ ... ] 21 ... some [ ... ] 22 soul and [ ... ] 23 aeons [ ... ] 24 and to the [soul ... ] 25 angel [ ... ] 26 shape [ ... angel] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 30 ... [ ... ] 35 1 she [has ... ] 2 [ ... ] eternal [many times]. 3 And [ ... often] 4 [she stands. And if] 5 a soul [ ... ] 6 [it again becomes] 7 [an angel], and [if the angels and the] 8 [other divine beings become] worldly, 9 the holy [soul] 10 [is] superior.
i) Aeonic Levels and Waters below the Self-generated Aeons
Now as for [the] aeons that are [below] 11 [Autog]enes, 12 [they too] have [other] waters, the [water] 13 [of this one (the holy soul) and also those of] the archons. 14 [But these waters] have 15 [still other distinctions] about which 16 it is not [fitting for] her (the soul) to speak. 17
j) The Triple Male Child and the Three Sub-Aeons of the Barbelo Aeon
[The invisible] male 18 [stands before] it and 19 [before] the divine [Autogen]es 20 [ ... ] which exists 21
[ ... ] hear 22 [ ... A]u[t]ogenes 23 [ ... ] of 24 [ ... ] ... 25 [ ... ] ... 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] 28 [ ... any] 3[6] 1 [pattern at all. He] has 2 [a rational expression] of Existence 3 [in order that he might become] Life [for] 4 [all those that] exist on account of [an] 5 [intelligent] rational expression [of the truth]. 6
The [perfect Triple] Male Child 7 [is] a form [of the] divine 8 [Autogenes, a power of the Invisible] 9 Spirit [and a thought within] 10 the perfect [Mind, and an] 11 agreement of [a prime principle] 12 with a principle [and of a prime] 13 source with [a source. He is a power] 14 of Barbel[o. And he is a revelation] 15 and a [thought within] 16 the perfect Mind (i.e., Barbelo).[Now the] 17 secondary (principles) are those of [the knowledge of] 18 [the] thought [that originated] 19 from the [light that exists] 20 in Barbel[o ... ]. 21 And Kalyptos [ ... ] 22 all these [ ... ] 23 virginal [ ... ] 24 she ... [ ... ] 25 in a [ ... ] 26 and [ ... ] 26 [beget ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 for [ ... ] 37 1 in that one. [Either she derives from] the power 2 [of] that one, [or else she] 3 derives from [its aeon]. But she 4 derives from the power of that one, 5 [the one who truly exists], since she 6 [exists] as his [image]. 7 [He is the pre-existent one]; although they are pre- 8 [existent, they are derivatives] of that (pre-existence) 9 [which is his]. And he is the 10 [the immutable one]; it is he alone 11 [that can] suffice for himself, 12 [for he has no] deficiency. 13 [ ... ] all, he gives 14 [ ... ] through the 15 [ ... ] For [because of him] 16 [they are parts of] her in order that he might become 17 [ ... ] and that one which 18 [ ... ] him 19 [ ... ] undivided 20 [ ... Ba]rbelo; he 21 [ ... ] in order that he might become 22 [ ... ] blessedness 23 [ ... ] ... 24 [ ... ] all 25 [ ... ] he 26 [knows ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] ... 29 [ ... perfect ... ]
[38] 1 [He (the Triple Male Child) is] a [thought] of the perfect 2 [Mind (i.e. Barbelo) since he is knowledge] and he [is] 3 [a] perfect [triple powered] spirit. 4 [He is a] perfect [male], living 5 forever [since he is an invisible god]. 6 And [he exists since] this one 7 exists [before him. He is the rational expression] 8 of the [perfect Mind since] 9 he is [a rational expression] from [ ... ] 10 which is in [ ... they have] 11 all these 12 eternally [ ... exist] 13 [in] the Triple [Powered ... ] 14 is in the [ ... they resemble] 15 those that [are unified, being] 16 perfect. ... [ ... ] 17 the Protopha[nes perfect] 18 Mind, but [ ... ] 19 pure [ ... ] 20 and he [ ... ] 21 of an image [ ... ] 22 appear [ ... ] 23 and the non-[ ... ] 24 ... [ ... ] 25 him [ ... ] 26 pattern [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 30 ... [ ... ] [39] 1 [ ... ] ... 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] namely 3 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] ... 5 [ ... ] because of him they 6 [ ... ] bounds him 7 [ ... ] he is simple 8 [ ... ] for he is 9 [ ... him] as if he [alone] exists 10 [and] as if [he is] other 11 [than existing things], that is, 12 [that which has] privation.
Concerning 13 [ ... ] Triple Male 14 [ ... ] truly [exists] as 13 [ ... mind] of knowledge 16 [ ... ] those who [truly] exist 17 [in the way] that he has 18 true existence 19 [ ... ] and a [ ... ] ... 20 [ ... ] and she 21 [ ... ] second 22 [ ... ] perfect which 23 [ ... ] appear 24 [ ... ] in him they 25 [ ... ] Kalyptos 26 [ ... ] ... 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] ... 29 [ ... species] 30 [ ... ] ... 31 [ ... ] these [40] 1 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 2 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] 5 two species ... [ ... ] 6
[His (the Triple Male Child's)] Knowledge [is Protophanes], 7 [the invisible] 8 [perfect male Mind. And] 9 he has [his own Existence] 10 within [the] ingenerate [Kalyptos]. 11 [He possesses the] 12 third [of those aeons], 13 [since he] possesses [Mentality]. 14 And he [contains those who] 15 dwell together [in order that they become] 16 all-perfect [and blessed], 17 since there is no [ ... ] 18 ... [ ... ] 19 ... From [ ... ] 20 god. The [(masc.) ... stood] 21 with him [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 [perfect ... ] 24 of the [ ... ] 25 Kalyptos [ ... ] 26 ... [ ... ] 27 ... [ ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 41 1 [ ... ] know 2 [ ... ] of 3 [ ... Pr]oto[phanes, the male] 4 [perfect] Mind, 5 [possesses all] the powers 6 [that dwell] entirely 7 [unified] within [him] and he [dwells] 8 [among them.
And] his knowledge 9 [is a great deity], the Auto[genes]. l0 And [the divine Autogenes] 11 [is a principle] of the [perfect] 12 Triple Male Child. [And] this male 13 [is a pattern and species] 14 [of the] perfect [Mind]--although it does not contain 15 [these] within a [single] knowledge l6 like that one-- 17 [and he is] a measure of the individuals 18 [and] a single knowledge of the 19 individuals, [both] the wholly 20 [and individually] perfect. 21
And the [perfect] male Mind 22 [is] a [knowledge of] the Kalyptos, 23 [and] the divine [ingenerate] Kalyptos 24 [is a principle and cause] and a power 25 [and an existence] of them all. 26 [ ... truly] 27 [ ... ] ... 28 [ ... ] ... 29 [ ... ] ... 30 [... Pro]to- 31 [phanes ... Pro-] 42 1 to[phanes ... ] one another 2 ... [ ... ] mind [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] they [exist] 4 [together ... ] 5 [wholly ... the] 6 ingenerate [Kalyptos.
k) Five Kinds of Person and their Prospects for Salvation
(1) Mortality Necessitates Salvation
... ] 7 human ... [ ... ] 8 since they [belong to all those who will be] 9 [saved] and to the one who [will save them]. l0
Now the [one who repents and] 11 the sojourner [and the one inhabiting] 12 the perceptible [world] 13 live with what is dead. [They] 14 all [resemble a single thing. They] 15 attain salvation [apart from] 16 the dead. Now [none] of them 17 needed salvation 18 initially, but salvation is needed more 19 now that they are degraded. 20
(2) Materialistic Persons with Dead Souls
As for the (type of) person that is dead: 21 its soul, [its mind] and 22 its body [are] all [dead]. 23 Sufferings [of the subtle], 24 fathers of [material men], 25 [they are demons that] 26 the fire [consumes]. 27 [They are worldly ... ] 28 ... [ ... ] 29 ... [ ... ] 30 ... [ ... ] 43 1 that is transformed.
(3) Materialistic Persons with Living Souls
The second (type of) 2 person is the immortal soul 3 that inhabits dead things, 4 concerning itself with them; [for] 5 it then [undertakes] a search for 6 particular benefits 7 [and it] experiences 8 bodily suffering. It (the soul) 9 [is treated corporeally], and it l0 [forgets that it has] 11 an eternal god; it 12 associates with daimons. 13
Now the humanity in the 14 Sojourn: if 15 it inwardly possesses a discovery of the 16 truth, it is far 17 from the deeds of others 18 who live [wickedly] and [stumble]. 19
As for the (type of) person that repents: 20 if it renounces 21 dead things and desires 22 real things--immortal 23 mind and immortal soul-- 24 [it is going to] be zealous about them 25 by first undertaking for itself an inquiry 26 not just about action 27 but of the results. 28 For from this he [receives another] 29 [conception. The entire place] and 30 [every] attainment [will be his].
[44] 1 Now the (type of) person that can be saved 2 is the one that seeks itself and 3 its intellect and finds each 4 of them. And how much power 5 this (type) has!
The person 6 that has been saved is one who has not known 7 about these things [merely] as 8 they (formally) exist, but one 9 who is personally involved with [the] rational faculty 10 as it exists [in him]. 11 He has grasped their [image that changes] 12 in every situation as though they had become 13 simple and one. For then 14 this (type) is saved who can 15 pass through [them] all; 16 [he becomes] 17 them all. Whenever it 18 [wishes], it again parts 19 from all these matters and 20 withdraws into itself; 21 for it becomes divine, 22 having withdrawn into god."
9. Zostrianos' Response to Ephesech's First Revelation
[Now] 23 this is what [I] heard, [and] 24 I offered up praise to:
the living 25 and ingenerate God [who is] 26 in truth, and
the ingenerate [Kalyptos], 27
Protophanes 28 the invisible male perfect 29 Mind,
the invisible 30 Triple Male Child, 31 [and
the] divine Autogenes.[4]5 1 I said to the child of the child 2 Ephesech who was with me, "Can 3 your wisdom instruct me about 4 the dispersion of the (type of) person 5 that is saved? Who 6 are the ones mixed with it, and 7 who are those that divide it, 8 so that the living elect 9 might know?"
10. The Revelation of Ephesech: Part II
a) Souls that can be Saved Need Assistance to Escape Reincarnation
Then the 10 child of the child 11 Ephesech, [speaking] openly, told me: 12 "When (this type) repeatedly withdraws 13 into itself alone 14 and is occupied with 15 the knowledge of other things, 16 since the intellect and immortal [soul] do [not] 17 intelligize, it thereupon 18 experiences deficiency, 19 for it too turns, has nothing, and 20 separates from it (the intellect) and 21 stands [apart] and experiences 22 an alien [impulse] 23 instead of becoming a unity. 24 So that (type of person) resembles many forms. 25 And when it turns aside, it 26 comes into being seeking those things that 27 do not exist. When it 28 descends to them in thought, 29 it cannot understand them 30 in any other way unless 46 1 it be enlightened, and it becomes 2 a physical entity. Thus this type of person 3 accordingly descends into generation, 4 and becomes speechless because of the 5 difficulties and indefiniteness 6 of matter. Although possessing 7 eternal, immortal power, 8 (this type) is bound in the clutches of 9 the body, [removed], 10 and [continually] bound 11 within strong bonds, 12 lacerated 13 by every evil spirit, until 14 it once more [reconstitutes itself] and begins again 15 to inhabit it.
b) The Glories Enable Salvation
Therefore, 16 for their salvation, there have been appointed 17 specific powers, and these same ones inhabit 18 this world. And among the Self-generated ones 19 there stand at each 20 [aeon] certain glories 21 so that one who is in the [world] 22 might be saved alongside [them]. The glories are 23 perfect living concepts; it is [im-] 24 possible that they perish because [they are] patterns 25 of salvation, that is to say, anyone 26 receiving them will be rescued to them, 27 and being patterned and 28 empowered by this same (pattern), and 29 having that glory as a helper, 30 one thus passes through the world 31 [and every aeon].
And there 4[7] 1 are the guardians of the immortal 2 soul:Gamaliel and 3 Strempsouchos;
Akramas 4 and Loel, and Mnesinous 5 [are] immortal spirits;
Yesseus 6 [M]azareu[s] Ye[s]sedekeus is 7 [the commander]
[who] belongs to the Child, 8 [the Savior],
the Child of the Child, even 9 [the one who knows you]; and
Ormos 10 is [Delimiter] over the living seed, 11 and
Kam[ali]el is the Spirit-giver; 12
The Attendants are 13 Isauel and Audael and [A]brasax; 14
the Myriads, Phaleris, Phalses, 15 [and] Eurios;
the Guardians of 16 glory, Stetheus, 17 Theo[pe]mptos, Eurumeneus 18 and Olsen.
The Helpers [in] 19 every matter are Ba[thor]mos, 20 [I]son, Eir[o]n, Lalameus, 21
Eidomeneus and Authrou[n]ios; 22
the Judges are Sumphthar, 23 Eukrebos and Keilar; 24
the Rapturer, Samblo; 25
the Angels who guide 26 the misty clouds, Sappho 27 and Thouro."
11. Zostrianos' Vision and Praise of Self-generated Aeons and the Triple Male Child
When he had said 28 these things, he told me about all of those 29 in the Self-generated 30 Aeons. They were all 48 1 eternal lights and perfect, 2 being individually complete. 3 At each of the 4 aeons I saw a living earth, a 5 living water, luminous [air] 6 and an [unconsuming] fire. 7 All [these], being 8 simple, are also immutable 9 and simple 10 [eternal living creatures], 11 possessing a variety [of] beauty, 12 trees 13 of many kinds that do not 14 perish, as well as plants 15 of the same sort as all these, 16 imperishable fruit, 17 human beings alive with every species, 18 immortal souls, 19 every shape and 20 species of intellect, 21 gods of truth, 22 angels dwelling in 23 great glory with an 24 indissoluble body [and] 25 ingenerate offspring and 26 unchanging perception. 27 There was also that which 28 impassively experiences passion, 29 for it was a power of a power.
[49] 1 [ ... ] ... 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] change 3 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] indissoluble 4 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] these 5 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] all 6 [ ... ] are. They 7 [ ... ] through them all 8 [ ... dwell] within 9 [ ... ] ... They are 10 [ ... ] come to be [ ... ] 11 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] (Lines 12 and following do not survive.) [50] 1 of [ ... all] 2 [ ... simple], 3 perfect [ ] ... 4 eternal [ ... ] ... 5 aeon ... [ ... ] 6 ... and the [ ... ] 7 receive power [from ...] 8 and their [ ... ] 9 in a
[ ... ] 10 for ... [ ... ] 11 [ ... ] not [ ... ] (Lines 12 and following do not survive.) [51] 1 [ ... ] ... in 2
[ ... ]thorsoês 3 [ ... ] silence 4 [ ... ] him is 5 [ ... ] ... is the god] 6 [ ... ] we were blessing: 7[the Autogenes and]
Pigeradamas 8 [and
Meirothea the] mother of [the one] 9 [glorified by] her who glorifies 10
[him who begets divinity], 11 [and
Prophania] the mother [of] 12 [the (Four) Lights], and
Plesithea 13 [the mother] of the angels, and 14
[the son] of Adam, Se[th] 15 [Emma]cha Seth, father of 16 [the] immovable [race],
and [those who belong to] 17 [the] four Lights,
Arm[ozel], 18 [Oria]el, Daveithe, Eleleth. 19[These] we blessed by name: 20 [the self-]seer, the ruler of glory, 21 the Triple [Powered] 22 [and] Triple Male Child. 23 [With] majesty we said: 24
"You are one, you are 25 [one], you are one, O Child [52] 1 of [ ... ] 2 Yato[menos ... ] 3 exist [ ... ] 4 ...
[ ... ] 5 you [ ... ]. 6You are one, you [are one ... ] 7 Semelel [ ... ] 8 Telmachae[l ... ] 9 Omothem[..] 10 male ... [ ... ] 11 [the] engenderer [of glory, the] 12 ruler of [glory, the] 13 lovable one, he [of] all [the] 14 absolutely all-perfect ones. 15 Akron [ ... ]. 16
O Triple Male: AA[AAA] 17 ÔÔÔÔÔ BI TREIS E[IS]! 18
(fivefold first and last; twice times 10,000 times three in one?)You are spirit from 19 spirit;
you are light 20 from light;
you are [silence] 21 from silence;
[you are] 22 thought from thought, 23
O [perfect] Child of 24 the god ...[ ... ] 25 ...
Let us say [ ... ] [53] 1
[ ... let us say] 2
[ ... let us say] 3
[ ... let us say] 4
[ ... ] word 5 [ ... ] ... the great 6 [ ... ] and the [great] 7 [ ... God] ... 8 [ ...."All together] we [blessed] 9 [ ... the] invisible l0 [aeon of B]arbelo [ ... ] 11 [ ... ] the un-[ ... ] 12 [ ... ] the [Triple] Male 13 Prônês, and the all- 14 glorious one, Youel. 15
12. The Fifth and Last of Five Baptisms in the Name of Autogenes
[When I was] baptized the fifth 16 [time] in the name of the 17 Autogenes by 18 these same powers, I 19 became divine. 20 [I] stood upon the [fifth] 21 aeon, a habitation for 22 all [of them]; I saw all those 23 belonging to [the] Autogenes, 24 [those] who truly exist. 25
13. Zostrianos Sees all the Self-generated Aeons
Indeed I was immersed five [54] 1 times [by ... ] 2 and I[saouel, the ... ] 3 of the [great Yesseus Ma]zareu[s] 4 [Yessedekeus, the one] 5 from [ ... ] 6 that one [and ... ] 7 perfect [ ... ] 8 and the great [virginal] 9 glory, [the all-glorious one, she of] 10 [the great divine male gender], 11 the [mother who] 12 revealed 13 [all] the doubly perfect [aeons, even] 14 the one belonging to all the male species, 15 the [ruler] 16 of the glory, the mother of 17 [the] glories Youel, and the 18 [four] luminaries of [the] 19 [male] Mind 20 Protophanes: Selmen [and those] 21 with him (Solmis?), the 22 god-[revealers] Zachth[os] 23 and Yachthos, Sethe[us] 24 and Antiphan[te]s, [Sel-] 25 dao and Ele[n]os.
[ ... ] [55] 1 [ ... ] ... 2 [ ... if ...] comes 3 [ ... ] the 4 [ ... ] ... 5 [ ... ] likeness 6 [ ... ] exist as 7 [ ... ] of the 8 [Autogenes], for [I] saw 9 [the aeons of the] aeons [since they] 10 [resemble ... ] more [than the] 11 [ ... ] light 12 [ ... ] more glorious [ ...] 13 [ ... ]
These are in relation to 14 [each] of the aeons: a 15 living [earth] and a 16 [living] water, and air made of 17 light and a blazing 18 fire which does not 19 [consume], and living animals and 20 [trees]; souls 21 [and] minds and human beings 22 [and] all those who dwell 23 [with them], gods 24 [or] powers or 25 even angels, for all these [56] 1 ... [ ... ] 2 and [ ... ] 3 and ... [ ... ] 4 exist [ ... ] 5 all [ ... ] 6 all ... [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] all 8 [ ... ] they are [ ... ] 9 and they are [ ... ] l0 [ ... ] and [ ... ] 11 [and] those [who come forth through] 12 the Autogen[es. And I] 13 was shaped by these. 14
[And] the aeons [of the] Autogenes 15 opened; a [great light] 16 came forth upon [me] 17 from the [perfect] 18 male aeons, and they [were glorified]. 19 The four 20 aeons were spread [out] 21 within a [single] aeon 22 in the form of a single [aeon] 23 existing [alone]. 24
IV. Zostrianos Approaches the Aeon of Protophanes
1. Ephesech Departs and Zostrianos Sees the Light-Crown and Seals
Then E[phesech], 25 the child of the child [brought me ... ] [57] 1 [ ... ] ... 2 [ ... ] ... 3 [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... there stood] 5 [Yesseus] Maza[reus] 6 [Yessede]keus [together with] 7 [those who give the crown] of 8 [light with seals] upon it, 9 [namely Gamaliel] and Gabrie[l], 10 [who are under the great Lights]. 11 [And] there were seals 12 of four kinds. 13
2. The Revelation of Yo(u)el
a) The Appearance of Yo(u)el
There came before me the 14 the glorious male 15 and [virginal] Yoel. 16 [I] wondered about the crowns, 17 (and) she [said] to me:
b) The Crowns and Their Seals
"Why 18 [does] your spirit wonder 19 [about] the crowns and the 20 [seals] on them? 21 [They] are the crowns which empower 22 every [spirit] and every soul; 23 and [the] seals which are 24 [upon] them are the triple-classes, even 25 [those belonging to] the Invisible Spirit. [58] 1 ... [ ... ] 2 virgin [ ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] 5 and ... [ ... ] 6 virgin [ ... ] 7 ... and [ ... ]. 8 He sought [ ... ] 9 strength in the [ ... ] 10 [in] them [ ... ] 11 [ ... ] and [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 12 [ ... ] he [empowered them all]. 13 And the seals [of these] kinds 14 are those belonging to [Autogenes] 15 and Protophanes and 16 Kalyptos.
The [Invisible] 17 Spirit [is] a psychic 18 and intellectual power, 19 a knower and 20 a foreknower. Therefore 21 he is mediated by [Ga]briel 22 the spirit-giver, [so that] 23 when he gives [a] 24 holy spirit, he might 25 seal one ("him") with the crown 26 and crown him, as though 27 [he has] gods [and] 5[9] 1 [ ... a] power 2 [ ... ] the 3 [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] ... 5 [ ... ] the [four] 6 [great Luminaries] will [... ] 7 [ ... ] they [live]. 8
c) The Perfect Individuals
[The individuals are] spirits 9 [that exist and know] 10 [him in order that they may] become 11 [perfect. They exist] 12 [by themselves] and they are 13 not [among] them (i.e., intermingled) in order that they may 14 [become] simple 15 and [might not] be replicated 16 [in] any respect. [These] are the simple, 18 perfect individuals. 19
d) The All-Perfect who are Unified
[The Entirety] and all these, 20 [the aeons] of aeons, 21 [complete] him, [as well as] all those 22 who are collectively 23 all-perfect. It takes great 24 [effort] to see them, 25 for [the invisible] 60 1 [Protophanes the great male] 2 [Mind ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] 4 perfect [ ... ] 5 in the [Existence ... ] 6 ... [ ... ] 7 every [power ... ] 8 [truly] exist, 9 [for] it [was a great thing for all those] 10 [who] hear him [openly]. 11 And [they were existing] 12 in thought [and] 13 Forethought, [since] 14 it is powerful [and] 15 perfect.
[But] 16 it is fitting for you to [declaim] 17 about everything and [about] 18 the things you will hear 18 through a thought 20 of those higher than perfect 21 and the things you will [recognize] 22 with a soul [of] 23 the perfect ones." 24
3. Youel Baptizes Zostrianos in Living Water
[When] she had said these things, she [baptized me] [61] 1 [in living water] 2 [ ... ] ... 3 [... ] of 4 [the great] 5 [male invisible] 6 [perfect Mind Protophanes-Armedon] 7 [ ... ] the first 8 [ ... ]. I received power 9 [from her] and [she appeared] 10 [to me and I] received form 11 [and semblance]. I received 12 [a light] that was beyond my [calculation], 13 [and I] received a holy spirit. 14 [I] became [truly] existing.15
4. Zostrianos Sees the Triple Male Child
Then she brought me 16 into the great [aeon] 17 where the perfect 18 Triple Male is. 19 I saw 20 [the] invisible Child 21 within an invisible 22 light.
5. Yo(u)el Administers Zostrianos' Last Baptism
Then [she] baptized me again in [62] 1 [living water ... ] 2 that [ ... ] 3 say [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] its [beauty ... ] 6 him ... [ ... ] 7 [and] I [ ... ] 8 I was able to [see] 9 [in the presence of] the great 10 and perfect [Self-generated ones.
And] 11 Yoel the all-[glorious] one 12 said to me: 13 "You have [received] all the [baptisms] 14 in which it is fitting to be] baptized, 15 and you have become [perfect] 16 [for] the hearing of all 17 [these matters]. Therefore [call] now 18 upon Salamex and S[emen] 19 and the all-perfect Ar[mê], 20 the luminaries of the Barbelo [Aeon], 21 the immeasurable 22 knowledge. [They] 23 will reveal [to you] [63] 1 [those of the] invisible, 2 [great perfect male] 3 [Protophanes, and] 4 [the ingenerate Kalyptos and] 5 [then they will teach you about] 6 [the virginal Barbelo aeon] 7 [and] the Invisible 8 [Triple] Powered Spirit."
6. Zostrianos Invokes the Luminaries of the Barbelo Aeon
[When] 9 the all-[glorious] Youel 10 [had said this] to me, she 11 [set me down] and went and stood 12 before the Proto[phan]es. 13 Then I 14 [stood at rest] upon my spirit, 15 praying fervently to the great 16 luminaries by 17 thought. I was calling 18 upon Salamex and Se[m]en 19 and the all-perfect 20 [Ar]mê.
V. Zostrianos is Anointed, Enters the Aeon of Protophanes, and Crowned
1. The Revelation from the Luminaries of the Barbelo Aeon: Part 1
And I saw 21 [glories] greater than powers, 22 [and] they anointed me. I was capable [64] 1 and I [ ... ] 2 in [this one ... ] 3 and [then] 4 the all-[perfect male virginal Youel departed], 5 [having] 6 covered [them] 7 all. [And I saw] 8 Salamex [and Semen], 9 [those] who revealed 10 everything [to me] saying, 11
a) Negative and Positive Predications of the One:
Victorinus, Adv. Arium 49,9-40; 50,9-10"Zostrianos, [hear] 12 about the things you sought: 13
[He] was a [unity] 14 and a single one, 15
existing prior to [all those] 16 that truly exist,
[an] 17 immeasurable Spirit, completely indiscernible 18 by anything else 19 that
[exists] 20 in him and [outside] 21 him and [remains] 22 after him.It is he alone 23 who delimits himself, [65] 1
[part]less, 2 [shape]less, [quality]less, 3
[color]less, [specie]less, 4 [form]less to them [all]. 5[He precedes] them all: 6
[he is pre-principle of] 7 [every principle],
fore[thought] 8 [of] every thought, 9
[strength] of every power. 10
[He is faster] <than> [his] 11 [motion],
he is more stable <than> 12 [stability],
he [surpasses] 13 compaction 14
[as well as] rarefaction. 15[And] he is farther than 16 any unfathomable(ness),
and he is 17 more [definite] than any corporeal entity, 18
he is purer than any incorporeal entity, 19
he is more penetrating <than> any 20 thought and any body. 21[Being] more powerful than them all, 22
any genus or species, 23
He is their totality: [66] 1
[the] whole of [true] existence 2 and
[those who truly] [exist; 3
he is] all [these;
for he is greater] 4 [than the whole,
corporeal] 5 [and incorporeal alike], 6
[he is more] particular [than] 7 [all the] parts. 8Existing by a [pure un-] 9 knowable [power,
he] from whom 10 [derive] all those 11 that truly exist, 12
(he) from whom derives 13 the [truly] existent Spirit, 14 the sole One.
b) The Three Powers of the Spirit: Victorinus, Adv. Arium 50,10-16; 50,7-10; 50,5-8
For they are [triple] 15 powers of his [unity], 16
[complete] Existence, 17 Life and 18 Blessedness.
In 19 Existence he exists [as] 20 a simple unity, 21
his own [rational expression] and idea. 22
Whomever he will find 23 he brings into 24 being.
[And in] 25 Vitality, he is alive [and] [67] 1 [becomes;
in Blessedness] 2 [he comes to] 3 [have Mentality]. 4[And he] knows [that]
all these 5 [become] uniquely him, 6 for
[no] divinity 7 [is concerned with anything] except
[what] 8 [is his] alone, and
he [is a unity] 9
within himself [and] 10 [by himself],
the single, [perfect] 11 [Spirit].For he dwells 12 [within] that which is his,
which [exists] 13 [as] an idea of an idea, 14
[a] unity of the 15 [Henad.
He exists as [the] 16 [Spirit],
inhabiting it 17 by intellect,
and it inhabits 18 him.
He is not about to come forth to any 19 place,
because he [is] a single 20 perfect, simple Spirit. 21
He is his own place, and 22
he is its inhabitant. 23
Indeed <he is> everything.And 24 on the other hand [there] is
the one who [68] 1 [comes to be in] 2 [Mentality] and [Life], 3
even [his] inhabitant. 4
And the Life 5 is [an] activity of the 6 insubstantial [Existence]. 7
That which exists in [them] 8 [exists] in him; 9
and because of [him
they exist as] 10 Blessed[ness] and 11 perfect[ion].
And [it (the Life) is the power] 12
that exists in [all those] 13 that truly exist. 14
c) Implications for Salvation
Blessed is the [Idea] 15 of the activity that exists! 16 By receiving Existence 17 it receives potential [for] 18 perfection. Since it never 19 divides, it is then 20 perfect. Therefore, 21 it is perfect 22 because it is not divisible 23 with itself. 24 For nothing exists 25 before it except 26 [the perfect] unity (Pages 69 to 72 were blank) [73] 1 [that is its] Existence, 2 [since] it is salvation [for] 3 [the wholes].
And he [of whom] 4 it is [not] even possible or [fitting] 5 [to speak], if one 6 [affirms] him for himself, all such things 7 [will eventuate], for he [who] 8 [abides] in the Existence 9 [of] this one l0 [exists] in every way in Life; by 11 Blessedness he knows; and 12 if he participates in the 13 [wholes], he is perfect. 14 But if he participates in 15 [two] or one, he is of the sort 16 that he has participated: 17
For [this] reason 18 there are those with soul 19 and those without soul; 20
for this reason those who will 21 be saved;
for this reason those who will 22 [perish] if they had no [share] 23 in him;
for [this] reason 24 there is matter and 25 bodies;
for this reason [74] 1 [there is a desirable] in-[corporeality]; 2
Therefore [they are derivatives] 3 [of a whole].For all [these reasons] 4
it is he who [pre-] 5 exists and [is pure], 6 since
he is a [simple] Unity, 7 [a] single, unnamable Spirit, 8
even his own [Existence], 9 Idea (and) 10 [Being], both
[in accord with the] 11 activity which is [his] Life, 12 and
in accord with the perfection 13 which [is] the luminous intellectual 14 power.
[And] 15 the three stand together, 16 moving together. 17It is everywhere and 18 nowhere that
he [empowers] 19 and activates them all. 20
The ineffable, 21 unnamable one--
it is 22 from himself that he [truly] exists, 23
resting himself [in] 24 in his perfection-- 25
has [not] shared in [any] form, [75] 1
therefore [he is invisible to] 2 them [all.
He has taken] 3 [no pattern for himself,
nor] 4 [is he anything at all of] those [that] 5 [exist
among the perfect ones] and
[those] 6 [that are unified].
The one 7 [belonging to the Entirety] exists in Existence 8 [and
he] dwells in the [Vitality] 9 of Life; and
in l0 Perfection and 11 [Mentality] <and> Blessedness. 12
d) The Attributes of the Spirit: Victorinus, Adv. Arium 50,18-21
All [these] were existing 13 [in the] indivisibility of 14 [the] Spirit.
And it is Mentality 15 on account of [which] is 16
[divinity] and {in}substan[tiality] 17 and
Blessedness 18 and Life and 19
Mentality and goodness. 20And Henad 21 and Unity 22 and
all these absolutely- 23
the purity of the ingenerateness--
pre-exist , 24 that is, 25
all these as well as the [76] 1 [ ...
e) The Emergence of the Barbelo Aeon from the Triple-Powered Spirit
... ] his [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] within [the] 3 [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] ... [ ... like] 5 [a fragrance it reaches] 6 [the] light [anterior to] 7 [their] aeon. It is a [power that] 8 inhabits a [part of the] 9 ingenerateness, for it 10 always exists. It [sought] 11 after him, seeing him [there] 12 and existing as a simple [unity]. 13 Since he is 14 Blessedness in 15 perfection, he [was] 16 a perfect and [blessed] unity. 17 She lacks this (unity) of that one 18 because she lacked him, 19 since he would supplement her 20 with knowledge. And 21 his knowledge dwells 22 outside of him with 23 that which contemplates him 24 inwardly. [A] 25 reflection and an [image] [77] 1 [that] lacks [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] simple 4 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] ... [ ... and] 6 [ ... ] ... it would [have fallen] 7 [down]. Therefore she [came to exist] 8 [outside his] fullness 9 It was not for herself that she desired 10 this aspect of her that she 11 [established] outside the 12 [perfection]; she became distinct 13 because she is [an] all-perfect instance 14 [of] perfection 15 existing as contemplation. 16
With respect to that one, 17 [she] is an offspring that supplements 18 him, even that which derives from 19 his ineffable power. 20 She has 21 a pre-potency, even 22 the primal ingenerateness 23 succeeding that one, 24 because with respect to all the 25 rest [she is] a first aeon. [78] 1 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 4 [all who are pure because of the insubstantial] 5 [Existence. It is she who] grants 6 [rest]. It is (s)he who knows] 7 and [who foreknows] 8 him(her)self, [truly existing] 9 as a [single] aeon l0 in act [and] 11 potency and [Existence]. 12 It is not [in] 13 time that she originated, but [she] 14 [appeared] eternally, 15 having eternally stood 16 in his presence. 17 She was overshadowed by the 18 majesty of his [goodness]. 19 She stood 20 looking at him and rejoicing. 21 Being filled with 22 kindness [she did not become separate]. 23 But when she was [filled] [79] 1 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] ... [of the glories]. 5 [And she is an insubstantial Existence] 6 [and a power] that [truly exists]. 7 [She is the] first [insubstantial] 8 Existence [after] 9 that one. 10
[And from] the undivided One toward 11 Existence in act 12 move the [intellectual] perfection 13 and intellectual Life 14 that were 15 Blessedness and 16 divinity. The [entire] Spirit, 17 perfect, simple 18 and invisible, 19 [has] become a unity 20 in existence and 21 act, even a 22 simple Triple [Powered] One, 23 an Invisible Spirit, an 24 image of the one that 25 truly exists, the one [80] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] able [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... It is impossible to comprehend] 6 true [existence] 7 since it is her [source], 8 while she is an image.
[She began to] 9 strive, since it was [im]possible 10 to unite with his [image]. 11 She saw its [privation] 12 while it was [in the presence of] 13 the all-perfection of 14 that one, since he 15 pre-exists and 16 is situated over all these, 15 pre-existing, being known 18 as three-powered. The 19 Invisible Spirit has 20 never [been] incognizant: [he (merely) did not] 21 make an act of knowing, but was instead [abiding in] 22 perfection [and] 23 Blessedness. [Now] when [she] [81] 1 became incognizant [ ... ] 2 and she [ ... ] 3 body after [ ... in] 4 another way [ ... ] 5 [en]lighten [ ... ] 6 she [was] existing [individually] 7 [as cause] of [the declination]. 8 Lest she come forth anymore 9 or get further away l0 from perfection, she 11 knew herself and him, 12 and she stood at rest 13 and spread forth 14 on his [behalf]-- 15 since she was 16 [from] true existence, 17 she was from what 18 truly exists in common with all 19 things--to know herself 20 and the one that pre-exists. 21
Having supplemented him, 22 they came into existence. {they 23 came into existence} And 24 they are manifest through those [82] 1 [who pre-]exist. And 2 [ ... ] through the [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] since they had appeared 4 [as a] second 5 [Mentality]. And they appeared 6 [through the one (Barbelo)] who 7 foreknows him, being 8 an eternal space, 9 having become l0 a secondary form of his knowledge, 11 even the duplication of 12 his knowledge, the ingenerate 13 Kalyptos. And [the] 14 truly existent ones also 15 stood at rest upon it (Kalyptos), 16 for she accordingly knew him 17 in order that those following 18 her might come into being having 19 a place, and that 20 those that come forth 21 might not precede her but 22 might become holy 23 and simple.
She is the 24 introspection of the god [83] 1 who pre-[exists. She ] 2 spread [forth ... ] 3 to the simple [ ... ] ... 4 salvation [ ... ] 5 salvation [ ... ]. 6 [And] he ... [ ... ] 7 [the] light that is fore- 8 [known]. She was called 9 Barbelo by virtue of 10 thought, the 11 perfect virginal male of three 12 kinds. And it is her own knowledge 13 through which she originated 14 lest 15 [she be drawn] down and 16 come forth further 17 by the things that exist 18 in her and that follow 19 her. Rather, she is 20 simple in order that she might 21 be able to know the god 22 who pre-exists, since 23 she became better than 24 those when she 25 [revealed her product] [84] 1 ingenerate[ly]. 2
[And she became a] third 3 [aeon. There are] two [differences] 4 [in form] among [aeons], 5 [and they differ in this] 6 [way:
On the one hand she is a first] 7 [aeon] with the [second] 8 ingenerate [nature], 9 a second [image]. 10 She stood at rest [as the] 11 first instance of that [which] 12 truly exists.
In [another way] 13 [she is] truly the Blessedness 14 of the Invisible [Spirit], 15 the knowledge of the primal 16 Existence within the 17 Simplicity of the 18 Invisible Spirit-- 19 `within the Henad' resembles 20 `within the Unity'--that which 21 is pure and shape[less]. 22
And he who [ ... ] 23 exists [ ... ] [85] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] and knows 8
[ ... ] and the 9 [Mentality] and the [perfection] 10 acted upon it and 11 [it came to rest], the first [divine] Kalyptos, 12 all of them: 13 existence and activity, 14 divinity, kind 15 and species. And the powers are 16 a unity.Now how 17 is he a unity, that is, 18 not as a particular but 19 as a whole? What 20 is the unity that is the Henad? 21
[And] by 22 [its] activity [and the] vitality 23 and [ ... ] of 24 [ ...] And the Entirety [86] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 ... [ ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 power [ ... ] 9 ... as [ ... ] 10 [Existence.
(3) Kalyptos Praises her Source
A] perception [of the] 11 truth of [that] all-perfect one 12 said [by way of praise]: 13
`You are great, Aphr[edon]. 14 You are perfect, Neph[redon].' 15
To his existence she says: 16
`You are great, Deipha[neus]'-- 17 she [is] his activity and life 18 and divinity-- 19 `You are great, Harmedo[n], 20 the [all-]glorious one, Epiph[aneus]'-- 21
his Blessedness and 22 the perfection [of] the 23 unity.All [of that which belongs to a single one] 24 is unified [ ... ] [87] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] ... 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 [ ... ] ... 7 [ ... ] eternal 8 [ ... ] intellectual 9 [ ... perfect] 10 [the virginal Barbelo] 11 through the simplicity 12 of the Blessedness 13 of the Triple Powered 14 Invisible Spirit.
She 15 who has known that one 16 has known herself. And that one, being 17 everywhere one, being 18 undivided, [brought] 19 [her to] himself [so that] she might know 20 [herself as] his activity. 21 [He] who does not know 22 [himself is one] who is known 23 [while existing] within another [88] 1 [one. ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 ...[ ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 ... [ ...
(4) Praise of Barbelo as the Primal Kalyptos by her Denizens
`We ] 9 bless [you ... ] 10
O Be[ritheus, Erigenaor], 11 Or[imeni]os, Ar[amen], 12
Alphl[eges], Elilio[upheus], 13 Lalameus, Noetheus! 14
Your name is great [and] 15 strong.
He who knows [you] 16 knows everything.
You are 17 one, you are one, Sious, Ei[ron], 18 Aphredon!
You are the [aeon] 19 of the aeons of the 20 perfect great one,
the first 21 Kalyptos of the [third] 22 activity!'
f) Implications of the Foregoing for Zostrianos
[Now he] is [the one] 23 we have [before ...] 24 his image [ ... ] 25 of his, he [ ... ] [89] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] ... 5 [ ... ] ... 6 [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] 8 [ ... ] ... 9 [ ... existence ] 10 [ ... ] and he 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] ... 13 [ ... ] in 14 [ ... the glory] 15 [ ... ] glories 16 [ ... ] a 17 [ ... ] in 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] 20 [ ... ] ... 21 [ ... ] aeon 22 [ ... ] ... 23 [ ... ] ... 24 [ ... ] .. [90] 1[ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] 8 [ ... ] 9 exist [ ... ] 10 ... [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 [and] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 ... [ ... ] 15 ... [ ... ] 16 [blessed ... ] 17 ... [ ... ] 18 perfect [ ... ] 19 ... [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 ... [ ... ] 24 ...[ ... ] 25 ... [ ... ] [91] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] 8 [ ... ] ... 9 [ ... ] divine 10 [ ... ] ... 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] ... the thought of] 13 [the thought] that was fore- 14 [known] together with certain powers: 15 [an] all-perfect [receptacle] 16 [and a foundation] of 17 them all and a cause 18 of [them] all, since 19 [she is perfection, even] Barbelo, 20 [and he reckons her] to himself and 21 [and to the one who bears] all these 22 [within himself], since he has not put 23 [any ... ] and his 24 [ ... ] become 25 [ ... ] ... but [92] 1 [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] 3 [ ... ] 4 [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] 6 [ ... ] 7 [ ... ] 8 [ ... ] 9 [ ... ] 10 of ... [ ... ] 11 from [ ... ] 12 [and ... ] become [ ... ] 13 who [ ... ] ... 14 single [ ... the one] who [exists] 15 with a multitude ... [ ... ] 16 within [a ... ] 17 according to the [concept] which 18 really [exists], which is [un-] 19 namable [and] un- 20 [knowable, a] hidden (Kalyptos) [Epinoia] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 triple [ ... ] 24 ... [ ... ] 25 but [ ... un-] [93] 1 namable.
All these are, 2 as it were, emerging 3 from him who is inferior. 4 If you give glory 5 because of him, and if you 6 [think that he is] Existence 7 [or the Triple Powered One is] his 8 [existence, or he is a unique Spirit] 9 [that is] simple 10 [ ... ] ... 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] he will 13 [ ... ] ... 14 [ ... ] that one 15 [ ... know] him 16 [ ... ] ... 17 [ ... ] perfect 18 he is [ ... perfect] 19 and [ ... ] ... which 20 is ... [ ... ] complete 21 ... [ ... ] ... 22 [ ... ] his 23 [ ... ] ... 24 [ ... ] him 25 [ ... ] see the 26 [ ... ] those ones, [94] 1 he was not able to see her. 2
Therefore, it is impossible to receive 3 him in this way in 4 majestic purity, 5 since he is a unity, more perfect than 6 [what] is in a [form] of 7 the [ ... ] which 8 [they do not wish to know] 9 on account of [ ... in]effable 10 [ ... ] ... 11 ... [ ... ] 12 ... [ ... ] 13 which [ ... ] 14 together [ ... ] 15 ... [ ... ] 16 which [ ... ] for 17 ... [ ... invisible] 18 ... [ ... exist] together 19 ... [ ... ] and [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] ... 21 ... [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 ... [ ... ] 24 ... [ ... ] 25 ... nor [ ... differences] [9]5 1 between these and 2 angels, and differences 3 between these and human beings, 4 and differences between 5 these [and] an existence 6 and [insubstantial substances] 7 [and a substance and] an 8 [intellection] and [a perception] 9 [ ... ] truly 10 [ ... ] those 11 [ ... ] truly 12 [ ... ] ... 13 [for even ... ] the [perceptible] 14 world [according to ] the way 15 ... [ ... ] an 16 [existence ... ] 17 for ... [ ... ] 18 and [ ... ] ... 19 ... [ ... ] ... 20 [ ... ] 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... the one who] [96] 1 will approach him knowledgeably 2 is empowered, but he who is 3 far from him is inferior." 4
2. Zostrianos' Response to the Luminaries
And I said, "Why 5 then have the judges come 6 into being? What is the [suffering] of 7 the [ ... ] for 8 ... [ ... the ignorance] 9 and [ ... ] 10 ... [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 but [ ... ] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 through [ ... ] who [discovers] 15 the suffering [that occurs] through 16 the [body and through his five] 17 [senses, that it] exists 18 [outside ... ] she 19 dwells [ ... ]division?" 20
3. The Revelation of the Luminaries of the Barbelo Aeon: Part II
a) Damaged Text: 96,20-113,14
[ ... ] ... 21 [ ... ] ... 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] [97] 1 male, since she is knowledge [of] 2 the Triple Powered great Invisible 3 Spirit, the image of 4 [the primal] Kalyptos, the 5 [Blessedness] abiding in the 6 [Invisible] Spirit, [without] the non- 7 [ ... ] non- 8 [ ... ] for 9 [ ... ] he knows 10 [ ... ] 11 [ ... the] first 12 [ ... ] non- 13 [ ... ] ... 14 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] she is 15 visible [ ... ] 16 knowledge [ ... ] she 17 stands [ ... ] ... 18 ... [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] 20 [ ... ] ... 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] [98] 1 [and] a perfect Henad of 2 a complete unity.
[And] 3 when she had completely separated 4 from the Entirety [ ... ] 5 Existence and [ ... ] 6 ... [and] the thoughts [ ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 ... [ ... ] 9 [perception ... ] 10 ... [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 ... [ ... ] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 15 ... [ ... ] that 16 ... [ ... ] ... 17 ... [ ... ] ... 18 ... [ ... ] 19 ... [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ]
[99] 1 [ ... ] ... she stands at rest [ ... ] 2 [ ... existence ... ] ... 3 [ ... ] which 4 [ ... ] ... 5 [ ... ] knowledge 6 [ ... ] him 7 [ ... ] ... 8 [ ... ] ... 9 [ ... ] she blesses l0 [ ... ] ... 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] ... 13 [ ... ] ... 14 [ ... ] which 15 [ ... ] ... 16 [ ... ] and 17 [ ... ] ... 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [... ] ... 20 [... ] ... 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] [100] 1 ... [ ... ] three [ ... ] 2 ... [ ... ] which [ ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] 5 ... [ ... ] 6 Arm[ozel ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 [ ... the ... [ ... ] 9 is the [ ... ] 10 [through ... ] 11 power [ ... first] 12 ... [ ... ] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 ... [ ... ] 15 which [ ... ] 16 forth [ ... ] 17 ... [ ... ] 18 ... [ ... ] 19 first [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] [101] 1 [ ... ] invisible [ ... ] 2 [ ... ] that one [ ... ] 3 [ ... this] is the [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 5 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] species 6 [ ... ] ... 7 [ ... ] ... 8 [ ... ] of a 9 [ ... ] ... 10 [ ... ] ... 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] Kalyptos 13 [ ... ] undivided 14 [ ... ] ... 15 [ ... ] ... 16 [ ... ] ... 17 [ ... thought] 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] ... 20 [ ... ] 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] [102] 1 ... [ ... ] which exist [ ... ] 2 ... [ ... ] the [ ... ] 3 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 4 and [ ... ] ... [ ... all] 5 ... [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 6 ... [ ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 ... [ ... ] 9 he [ ... ] 10 ... [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 ... [ ... ] 13 and [ ... ] 14 those [ ... ] 15 a [ ... ] 16 ... [ ... ] 17 ... [ ... ] 18 ... [ ... ] 19 some [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] [103] 1 principles of [ ... ] 2 [that truly] exist. But [those] ... 3 [that] exist [ ... essence] 4 [ ... ] in 5 [ ... this] is 6 [ ...] the 7 [ ...] ... 8 [ ...] ... 9 [ ... ] ... 10 [ ...] ... 11 [ ...] forth 12 [ ...] they 13 [ ...] not 14 [ ...] ... 15 [ ...] this 16 [ ...] ... 17 [ ... ] ... 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] and 20 [ ... ] 21 [ ... ] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 28 [104] 1 [ ... ] she reveals 2 [ ... ] of those who [dwell] 3 [ ... ] ... of that one 4 and [ ... ] this ... [ ... ] 6 Epinoia [ ... ] 7 ...[ ... ] 8 see [ ... ] 9 ...[ ... ] l0 ... [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 ... [ ... ] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 he [ ... ] 15 really [ ... ] 16 ... [ ... ] 17 that [ ... ] 18 and [ ... ] 19 ... [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 ... [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 28 [ ... ] [105] 1 are those who [stand within] 2 the aeon of [ ... ] 3 come up to [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] joined [ ... ] which 5 exist in [ ... ] that one 6 on the one hand [ ... ] how much 7 [ ... ] that one 8 [ ... ] One 9 [ ... an] origin 10 [ ... ] male 11 [ ... ] and 12 [ ... ] this one 13 [ ... ] matter 14 [ ... ] single 15 [ ... ] ... 16 [ ... exist] 17 [ ... ] ... 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] which 20 [ ... ] and 21 [ ... ] ... 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] [106] 1 ... [ ... ] and he exists 2 ... [ ... ] he is [ ... ] and [in] 3 ... [divisible ... ] boundary of a [ ... ] 4 ... [ ... ] a principle [ ... ] 5 ... [ ... ] nor of [ ... ] 6 ... [ .... For] the one who [ ... ] 7 ... [ ... ] 8 [others ... ] 9 ... [ ... ] 10 and [ ... ] 11 ... [ ... ] 12 number [ ... ] 13 ... [ ... ] 14 according to [ ... ] 15 which [ ... ] 16 ... [ ... ] 17 ... [ ... ] 18 ... [ ... ] 19 ... [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 ... [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] [107] 1 them [within the hypostasis] 2 and [ ... their] 3 existence [ ... ] ... 4 [ ... ] and the [ ... ] exists 5 as [ ... ] a 6 form [ ... ] first 7 [ ... ] ... 8 [ ... ] first 9 [ ... ] of the 10 [ ... ] ... 11 [ ... ] ... 12 [ ... ] this one 13 [ ... ] ... 14 [ ... ] three 15 [ ... ] ... 16 [ ... ] ... 17 [ ... ] ... 18 [ ... ] ... 19 [ ... ] ... 20 [ ... ] ... 21 [ ... one] 22 [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ...] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 28 [ ... ] [108] 1 [ ... ] not, they give [them] 2 [ ... ] he who exists 3 [from] all [ ... ] and 4 he [ ... ] a multitude 5 of shapes [ ... ] creation 6 ... [ ... ] 7 and [ ... ] 8 forth [ ... ] 9 rank [ ... ] 10 the non-[ ... ] 11 three [ ... ] 12 in the [ ... ] 13 these [ ... ] 14 the [ ... ] 15 of [ ... ] 16 appears [ ... ] 17 ... [ ... ] 18 ... [ ... ] 19 ... [ ... ] 20 ... [ ... ] 21 in [ ... ] 22 ... [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] (Pages 109-112 do not survive.)
b) The Kalyptos Aeon
(1) The Contents of the Kalyptos Aeon
[113] 1 and angels, 2 daimons, minds, 3 souls, living creatures, 4 trees and bodies and 5 those prior to them,
those 6 of the simple elements 7 of simple principles, and 8those that are in [mixture] 9 and
those that are unmixed:air 10 [and] water, earth 11 and
number, pairing 12 and motion,
[limitation] and 13 order, and breath, and 14 all the rest.
There are 15 fourth powers that are 16 [in] the fourth aeon],
those 17 [that] are in the [totalities] and 18 perfections of all these,
the powers 19 [of] powers,
[wholes] of 20 [the wholes],
[genera] of 21 [the genera,
angels] 22 [of the] angels,
souls 23 [of the] souls,
living animals 24 [of the] living animals,
trees [of] 25 [the trees],
bodies [of the] 26 [bodies].And [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 28 [ ... ] [114] 1 his own.
There are [those] 2 that are as if generated, and 3
those that are in an ingenerate 4 generation; and
there are those 5 that are holy and eternal, 6
those that are changeless 7 within change and 8
in corruption within incorruptibility. 9And there are those that exist as 10 wholes;
there are those [that are] 11 [generic] and
those that inhabit [an] 12 order and a rank;
there are 13 those in [incorruptibility], 14 and
there are the primary ones [that stand] 15 at rest with the secondary ones [among] 16 them all,
[all] those [that] 17 [derive] from them and
[those that] 18 exist [among] them and
[from] 19 these that [follow] them [and] 20
[from them] ... [ ... ] 21
these [ ... ] ... [ ... ]. 22And [they] stood at rest [upon the] 23 fourth aeon [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] they dwell [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... they dwell [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] the whole [ ... ] [11]5 1 in them, since it is scattered abroad. 2 They do not conflict with one another, 3 but they too are alive; among themselves 4 they exist and 5 agree with one another as 6 those who derive from a single 7 principle. They dwell united 8 because they all inhabit 9 a single aeon of Kalyptos, 10 [although] they become distinct in capability. 11 For aeon by aeon 12 they abide, standing at rest 13 as they ought. 14
[But] Kalyptos is [a] single aeon; 15 [it] contains four different 16 aeons. 17 Each of the aeons 18 has capabilities, not 19 like firsts and seconds, 20 for they [are] all 21 eternal, [and] they differ 22 (merely) [in] rank and glory. 23 [And the others] that are 24 [within the] fourth aeon and 25 [in the aeons] that preexist (it) 26 [are] divine. [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] they are [ ... ] 28 [ ... ] [116] 1
All of them exist 2 in unity,
unified 3 and individually, 4
perfected in fellowship and 5
filled with the aeon that 6 truly exists.There are 7 those among them that have come to stand 8 as if they exist essentially. 9 And there are those that are l0 actively or [passively] quasi-[essential]; 11 they exist secondarily, for 12 it is the ingenerateness of the truly existent ingenerate 13 entities that indwells them. 14 When the ingenerate ones 15 have come into being, their power 16 stands at rest.
There is there an 17 incorporeal essence
with [an] 18 imperishable [body];
in [that place] 19 there is the [truly] existent immutable] 20 [one,
even] 21 that which changes [with] 22 change;
[with all of them] 23 stands
[the unconsuming] 24 [and in]destructible fire.(2) The Ideal Cosmos of the Kalyptos Aeon and the Modes of Non-Being:
Victorinus, Ad Candidum 8,8-21; 11,1-12[And ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 1[1]7 1 he stands.
It is there that 2 all living creatures are, 3
existing individually,
although 4 unified.
The knowledge 5 of the knowledge is there 6
as well as a basis for ignorance. 7
Chaos is there 8
as well as a [place] 9 for all of them,
it being [complete]
while they are incomplete. 10
True light (is there),
as well as 11 enlightened darkness (i.e. intelligible matter)
together with 12 that which truly is non-existent (i.e. gross matter), 13
that [which] is not-truly existent (i.e. souls), 14
[as well as] the non-existent ones that are not at all (i.e. sensibles). 15But he <is> the l6 [Good]
from which derives 17 what is good and pleasant, 18
even the god
from 19 [whom] derives the divine
as well as that which 20 [is beyond divine], that which is great. 21For [there is nothing] partial; 22 [there is no] form together with the god 23 [of that one] and that [which] 24 [is superior to] god. [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] all these [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] guilessness [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 1[1]8 1 and genus.
He has not 2 commingled with anything,
but he remains 3 alone in himself and 4
rests himself within his 5 limitless limit. 6
He is [the] god of those that 7 truly exist,
a self-[seer] 8 and god-revealer. 9(3) Barbelo Praises herself and the Invisible Spirit
Having empowered him who [knows], 10 Barbelo--the Aeon, the Knowledge 11 of the Invisible Triple 12 Powered perfect Spirit--[glorified] 13 herself as she said:
`He [is alive with] 14 life.
I am alive in [unity]. 15
You, O Unity, are alive.
He is alive, [he] 16 who is three.
You are the [triad] 17 who [is] thrice [replicated: AAA] 18 EEE.'[They are] the first seven [vowels]. 19 The third [seven and] 20 the second [seven are EEE] 21 EEEE AAAAAAA [ ... ] 22 And this [has four ... ] 23 [ ... ] knowledge [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] [11]9 1 part.
(4) The Four Luminaries of the Kalyptos Aeon
His 4 luminaries are given names:
the first 5 [is Arme]don and his consort (is) 6 [Armê;
the] second is Diphane[us] 7 [and] his consort (is) Deiph[anea]; 8
the third is 9 [Aphred]on and his consort (is) 10 [ ... ];
the fourth is 11 [Solmi]s and his consort (is) Olmis. 12And there is Kalyptos, having 13 [joined] with his Idea. And 14 [he is] invisible to all 15 these so that they all might be 16 empowered by him, since 17 [<he is> a god] dwelling in 18 [the] all-perfect [aeon].
There are 19 fourths that dwell 20 [beside him] and the First. 21 [And the fourths] are in accord with a 22 [syzygy proper] to him alone 23 [and B]arbelo; [he is next after] 24 [her since she is their totality.The] 25 [first] luminary [ ... ] 26 [ ... he who] 1[20] 1 knows him and the one who is placed 2 second. Now the first 3 of the aeons is Harmedon, 4 the paternal glory.
The second 5 luminary <is> one that [does know] 6 him, but all the [individuals] 7 <are> a wisdom [of him who] resides 8 in the fourth [aeon], 9 which has revealed [him] l0 and all the glories.
[The third] 11 luminary <is> one [who] does not [see] 12 him, being the rational expression of all 13 [the forms] as well as the [glory]. 14 [He is] the understanding [that is] 15 in the third [aeon]. 16 Four inhabit him: 17 Malsedon and M[..]nios. 18
The fourth luminary 19 is the one who sees [him, he] 20 of all the forms [that are] 21 unified, dwelling [in] 22 an instruction and glory [and] 23 truth of the [four aeons] 24 O[l]mis, [ ... ] and the [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 27 [ ... the] [121] 1 fifth.
The first--that 2 is, the second--is 3 the all-perfect Kalyptos, 4 for there are the four luminaries. 5 It is Kalyptos who has 6 divided again. They are unified, and 7 these knowers are all those that 8 are glories; all of them 9 are perfect. It is he 10 [that] knows everything about 11 them all, since he is all-perfect. 12
From him is every 13 power, and every one is with 14 its entire aeon.
It is to him 15 and from him that 16 they all come, 17
the power of them 18 all, the principle of them all. 19When he knows 20 [himself],
he becomes a 21 [second] aeon and
a 22 [second] ingenerateness. 23[They have] other aeons 24 [within] them [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 28 [ ... ] 29 [ ... If he] 1[2]2 1 becomes a Barbelo, he 2 becomes a first aeon 3 because of the eternity of the 4 Invisible Spirit; (since Kalyptos is) the second 5 ingenerateness.
(5) The Glories of the Kalyptos Aeon
These are all 6 the glories:
the limitless 7 Aphredons,
[the] 8 ineffables,
the revealers, 9
the immutables,
all [the ...], 10
the glory-revealers; 11
the pairwise manifested Marsedons, 12
the limitless Solmises, 13
the self-revealers, 14
those who are [full] 15 of glory,
those who [attend the] 16 glories,
the blessers,
the M[alse]dons, 17
the hidden ones (Kalyptoi) that [are manifest], 18
the limits [that] 19 exceed the limits,
[and the thoughts] 20 that are [above the thoughts]. 21[And he establishes them] 22 [upon ... ] ... [ ... ] 23 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 28 [ ... having] [123] 1 ten thousand glories 2 in them. Therefore, it is 3 a complete glory so that whenever 4 it can 5harness and control, it may become complete. 6 Thus, even if it enter 7 a body and a material transformation, 8 they do not 9 receive greater honor for 10 their all-perfection which is from him; 11 all these and their associates 12 are perfect.
So too each 13 aeon has 14 ten thousand aeons 15 in itself, so that 16 it may collectively become a complete 17 aeon, and each dwells in the 18 [Blessedness] of the 19 perfect Invisible Triple Powered 20 [Spirit in the presence of] the silence 21 [of the God] who is fore- 22 [known], even the knowledge 23 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 24 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ...
c) The Protophanes Aeon
(1) Protophanes as the Image of Kalyptos
[ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] entire [ ... ], 12[4] 1 a silence of the second 2 knowledge, the first thought 3 within an agreement of the Triple 4 Powered One, since he commanded her 5 to know him so that he might become 6 all-perfect. And he is inherently 7 perfect. It is by simplicity 8 and Blessedness that he is 9 recognized. [He received] 10 goodness through that 11 successor of the Barbelo Aeon 12 who grants him being. 13 It was not the power of the former, but of the latter. 14 The aeons that truly 15 exist abide silently. 16 Existence was inactivity, 17 and the knowledge of the self-established 18 Kalyptos was ineffable. 19
Having come [from the] 20 fourth, the [thought of his] 21 thought, the Proto[phanes], 22 the great perfect male [Mind, ... ] 23 [ ... Arme]do[n ... ] 24 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] [1]25 1 He is his image, equal to 2 him in glory and power, 3 superior to him in rank, 4 though not in aeonic level. 5 Like him he possesses them all, 6 alive, dwelling together 7 in unity with the aeon 8 within the aeons. He shares 9 a fourfold difference 10 with all the rest that 11 are there.
And 12 Kalyptos truly exists, 13 and with him is located the 14 all-glorious one, Youel, the male 15 virginal glory, through 16 whom are seen all the 17 all-perfect ones.
Those 18 that stand before him are the three: 19[the divine] Child,
the Triple 20 [Male, and]
the [divine] 21 [Autogenes].He possesses 22 [three] within one which [makes four]. 23 [The one who] also dominates the 24 [ ... ] dwelling upon [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] 12[6] 1 ... ten thousand-fold.
(2) The Four Aeons of the Protophanes Aeon
The 2 first aeon 3 inhabiting him <is ...>, from whom 4 comes
the first luminary Solmis 5and the god-revealer (Selmen?), 6
infinite according to the 7 pattern in the Kalyptos 8 and Doxomedon aeons.9
The second aeon is Akremon l0 the ineffable, containing 11
the second luminary 12 Zachthos and Yachthos.
The 13 third aeon is Ambrosios 14 the virgin, containing 15
the third luminary 16 Setheus and Antiphantes. 17
The fourth aeon 18 is the [triple-]gendered blesser (Hymneos?) 19 containing
[the] 20 fourth luminary [Seldao] 21 and Elenos.He is [dominated] 22 by [the perfect Mind Protophanes] 23 Arm[edon ... ] 24 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 25 [ ... ] 26 [ ... ] 27 [ ... ] [1]27 1
`PHOÊ ZOÊ ZÊOÊ ZÊ[OÊ] ZÔSI 2 ZÔSI ZAÔ ZÊOOO ZÊSEN ZÊSEN!
The individuals and the four 4 who are eightfold are alive! 5
ÊOOOO ÊA ÊÔ!
It is you who are before 6 them, you who are in them 7 all!'They are within 8 the perfect male Armedon- 9 Protophanes, the actuality 10 of all these dwelling together. 11
d) The Autogenes Aeon and its Four Sub-Aeons
Since all the individuals were 12 existing as perfect ones, 13 the activity of all the 14 individuals appeared again. As for 15 the divine Autogenes, he 16 stands within an 17 aeon containing 18 four different 19 Self-generated Aeons.
The 20 first aeon in him 21 of the first Light 22 is
[Harmozel], Orneos, Euthrounios, 23 also called 24 [ ... ] ... [ ... ] 25 [...
The] second [aeon of] 26 [the second Light is] 27
[Oraiael, Io]udas[i]os, Ap[..], 1[28] 1 Arros[iel].
The third (aeon) 2 of the third Light (is) 3
Daveithe, Laraneus, Epiphanios, 4 Eideos.
The fourth 5 (aeon) of the fourth Light 6 is
Eleleth, Kodere, Epiphanios, 7 Allogenios.
e) Conclusion: Those that Reside in Matter
Now 8 all the others that reside in 9 matter were all persistent. 10 It was because of their knowledge of 11 majesty, their audacity and power, that 12 they came into existence and 13 adorned themselves. Because they did not 14 know God, they shall pass away. 15
Behold, Zostrianos, you have heard 16 all these things of which the gods 17 are ignorant and that are 18 undefined for angels." 19
4. Zostrianos' Response to the Luminaries' Revelation
As for me, I became bold and said: 20 "I am [still] wondering about the Triple 21 Powered Invisible perfect Spirit-- 22 how it exists for itself, [even the] 23 [cause] for them all [and of] those that 24 truly exist [ ... ] ... 25 [ ... ] what is the [place of] 26 [that one] and [of what sort is it]?" 27 [And after I] said [these things, I was] [12]9 1 greatly [glorified], and they set [me] down and left. 2
Apophantes and Aphropais the 3 Virgin-light came before me 4 and brought me to Protophanes, 5 the great male perfect 6 Mind.
There I saw all of them 7 as they dwell 8 in unity.
I united 9 with them all and blessedthe l0 Kalyptos aeon,
the 11 virginal Barbelo, and
the Invisible 12 Spirit.I became all-perfect 13 and was empowered.
I was inscribed 14 in glory and sealed. 15
There I received 16 a perfect crown.
Zostrianos' Descent from the Aeons and Recording of the Revelation
I came 17 forth to the perfect individuals. 18 All of them were questioning 19 me, listening to the 20 majesty of the knowledge, 21 rejoicing and 22 receiving power.
When I again 23 came down to the 24 Self-generated Aeons, I received a true 25 image, pure, worthy 26 of perception.
I came 27 down to the Aeonic copies 28 and came down here 130 1 to the atmospheric [realm].
I wrote 2 three wooden tablets and left them 3 as knowledge for those who would 4 come after me, the living elect. 5 Then I came down to the perceptible 6 world and put on 7 my image. Because it was uninstructed, 8 I empowered it and went about 9 preaching the truth to everyone. l0 Neither the angelic beings of 11 the world nor the archons 12 saw me, for I nullified a multitude 13 of [disgraces] that brought me near death. 14
Zostrianos Issues the Call to Awakening
But an errant multitude 15 I awakened, saying: 16 "Understand, you who are alive, the holy 17 seed of Seth! Do not [be] 18 disobedient to me. [Awaken] 19 your divine part as divine, and 20 empower your sinless elect soul. 21 Mark the 22 passing of this world and 23 seek the immutable 24 ingenerateness. The [Father] of 25 all these invites you 26 as he awaits you. And even when you are ill-treated, 131 1 he will not abandon you. 2
Do not baptize yourselves with death 3 nor entrust yourselves to things 4 inferior to you as if to 5 superior things. Flee the madness 6 and the bondage of femininity, 7 and choose for yourselves the salvation 8 of masculinity.
You have 9 not come to suffer; rather, you have l0 come to escape your bondage. Release 11 yourselves, and that which has bound 12 you will be nullified. Save 13 yourselves, that that one (your soul) 14 may be saved.
The kind Father 15 has sent you the Savior 16 and empowered you! Why 17 do you hesitate? Seek when you are 18 sought; when you are invited, 19 listen. For the time is 20 short. Do not be led 21 astray.
Great is the aeon 22 of the aeons of the living ones, 23 and the [punishment] 24 of those who are unconvinced. 25 Many bonds and chastisers 26 surround you. 1[3]2 1 Flee quickly 2 before destruction reaches you. 3 Behold the light! Flee 4 the darkness. May you not be led 5 astray to destruction." 6
Colophon
ZOSTRIANOS 7 Words of Truth of 8 Zostrianos. God of Truth. 9 Words of Zoroaster.
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