Apocalypse Of James 1 and 2
Translated by William R. Schoedel.
The Apocalypse of James.
It is the Lord who spoke with me , "See now the completion of my redemption. I have given you a sign of these things, James, my brother. For not without reason have I called you my brother, although you are not my brother materially. And I am not ignorant concerning you ; so that when I give you a sign - know and hear." "Nothing existed except Him-who-is. He is unnameable and ineffable. I myself am also unnameable, from Him-who-is, just as I have been given a number of names - two from Him-who-is. And I, I am before you. Since you have asked concerning femalenesss, femaleness existed, but femaleness was not first. And it prepared for itself powers and gods. But it did not exist when I came forth, since I am an image of Him-who-is. But I have brought forth the image of him so that the sons of Him-who-is might know what things are theirs and what things are alien to them. Behold, I shall reveal to you everything of this mystery. For they will seize me the day after tomorrow. But my redemption will be near." I, James, said: "Rabbi, you have said , ´they will seize me` But I, what can I do?" He said to me, "Fear not, James. You too will they seize. But leave Jerusalem. For it is she who always gives the cup of bitterness to the sons of light. She is a dwelling place of a great number of archons. But your redemption will be preserved from them. So that you may understand who they are and what kinds they are, you will [...]. And listen. They are not [...] but [...archons]. These twelve [...] down [...] archons [...] upon his own hebdomad." James said,"Rabbi, are there then twelve hebdomads and not seven as there are in the scriptures?" The Lord said, "James, he who spoke concerning this scripture has limited understanding. I , however, shall reveal to you what has come forth from him who has no number. I shall give a sign concerning their number. As for what has come forth from him who has no measure, I shall give a sign concerning their measure" James said,"Rabbi, behold then, I have received their number. There are seventy-two measures!" The Lord said, "These are the seventy-two heavens, which are their subordinates. These are the powers of all their might ; and they were established by them ; and these are they who were distributed everywhere, existing under the authorities of twelve archons. The inferior power among them brought forth for itself angels and unnumbered hosts. Him-who-is, however, has been given [...]on account of [...] Him-who-is [...] they are unnumbered. If you want to give them a number now, you will not be able to do so until you cast away from your blind thought , this bond of flesh which encircles you. And then you will reach Him-who-is. And you will no longer be James; rather you are the One-who-is. ANd all those who are unnumberd will all have been named." I,James, said : "Rabbi, in what way shall I reach Him-who-is, since all these powers and these hosts are armed against me?" He said to me , "These powers are not armed against you specifically, but are armed against another. It is against me they are armed. And they are armed with the powers. But they are armed against me in judgment. They did not give [...] to me in it [...] through them [...]. In this place [...] suffering , I shall [...].He will [...] and I shall not rebuke them. But there shall be within me a silcence and a hidden mystery. But I am fainthearted before their anger." I, James, said: "Rabbi, if they arm themselves against you, then is there no blame?
You have come with knowledge, that you might rebuke their forgetfulness. You have come with recollection, that you might rebuke their ignorance. But i was concerned because of you. For you descended into a great ignorance, but you have not been defiled by anything in it. For you descended into a great mindlessness, and your recollection remained. You walked in mud, and your garments were not soiled, and you have not been buried in their filth, and you have not been caught. And I was not like them, but I clothed myself with everything of theirs. There is in me forgetfulness, yet I remember things that are not theirs, There is in me [....], and I am in their [...]
[...] knowledge [...] not in their sufferings [...]. But I have become afraid before them, since they rule. For what will they do? What will I be able to say? Or what word will I be able to say that I may escape them?" The Lord said , "James, I praise your understanding and your fear. If you continue to be distressed, do not be concerned for anything else except your redemption. For behold, I shall complete this destiny upon this earth as I have said from the heavens. And I shall reveal to you your redemption" James said,"Rabbi, how, after these things, will you appear to us again? After they seize you, and you complete this destiny, you will go up to Him-who-is." The Lord said, "James, after these things I shall reveal to you everything, not for your sake alone but for the sake of the unbelief of men, so that faith may exist in them. For a multitude will attain to faith and they will increase [in ...]. And after this I shall appear to reproof to the archons. And I shall reveal to them that he cannot be seized. If they seize him, then he will overpower each one of them. But now I shall go. Remember the things that I have spoken and let them go up before you." James said,"Lord, I shall hasten as you have said." The Lord said farewell to him and fulfilled what was fitting. When James heard of his suffering and was much distressed, they awaited again the sign of his coming. And he came after several days. And James was walking upon the mountain which is called "Gaugelan", with his disciples, who listened to him [because they had been distressed], and he was [...] a comforter, saying , "This is [...] the second [..." Then the ] crowd dispersed, but James remained [...] prayer [...] , as was his custom." And the Lord appeared to him. Then he stopped his prayer and embraced him. He kissed him, saying, "Rabbi, I have found you! I have heard of your sufferings, which you endured. And I have been much distressed My compassion you know. Therefore, on reflection, I was wishing that I would not see this people. They must be judged for these things that they have done. For these things they have done are contrary to what is fitting" The Lord sad, "James, do not be concerned for me or for this people. I am he who was within me. Never have I suffered in any way, not have I been distressed. And this people has done me no harm. But this people existed as a type of the archons, and it deserved to be destroyed through them. But [...] the archons, [...] who has [...] since it [...] angry with [...The] just [...] is his servant. Therefore your name is "James the Just". You see how you will become sober when you see me. And you stopped this prayer. Now since you are a just man of God, you have embraced and kissed me. Truly I say to you that you have stirred up a great anger and a wrath against yourself. But this has happened so that these others might come to be." But James was timid and wept. And he was very distressed. And they both sat down upon a rock. The Lord said to him, "James, thus you will undergo these sufferings. But do not be sad. Fot the flesh is weak. It will receive what has been ordained for it. But as for you, do not be timid or afraid". The Lord ceased. Now when James heard these things, he wiped away the tears in his eyes and very bitter [...] which is [...]. The Lord said to him, "James, behold, I shall reveal to you your redemption. When you are seized, and you undergo these sufferings, a multitude will arm themselves against you that they might seize you. And in particular three of them will seize you - they who sit there as toll collectors. Not only do they demand toll, but they also take away souls by theft. When you come into their power, one of them who is their guard will say to you, "Who are you or where are you from?" You are to say to him , "I am a son, and I am from the Father" He will say to you, "What sort of son are you, and to what father do you belong?" You are to say to him, "I am from the Pre-existent Father, and a son in the Pre-existent One" [When he says] to you, [...], you are to [...say to him] in the [...] that I might [...]." "[...of] alien things?" You are to say to him, "They are not entirely alien, but they are from Achamoth, who is the female. And these she produced as she brought down the race from the Pre-existent One. So then they are not alien, but they are ours. They are indeed ours because she who is mistress of them is from the Pre-existent One. At the same time they are alien because the Pre-existent One did not have intercourse with her, when she produced them." "But when you come to these three detainers who take away souls by theft in that place [...] these. You [...] a vessel [...] much more than [...] of the one whom you [...] for [...] her root. You too will be sober [...]. But I shall call upon the imperishable knowledge, which is Sophia who is in the Father and who is the mother of Achamoth. Achamoth had no father nor male consort, but she is female from a female. She produced you without a male, since she was alone and in ignorance as to what lives through her mother because she thought that she alone existed. But I shall cry out to her mother. And then they will fall into confusion and will blame their root and the race of their mother. But you will go up to what is yours [...] you will [...] the Pre-existent One." "They are a type of the twelve disciples and the twelve pairs, [...] Achamoth, which is translated "Sophia". And who I myself am, and who the imperishable Sophia is through whom you will be redeemed, and who are all the sons of Him-who-is - these things they have known and have hidden within them. You are to hide these things within you, and you are to keep silence. But you are to reveal them to Addai. When you depart, immediately war will be made with this land. Weep, then, for him who dwells in Jerusalem. But let Addai take these things to heart. In the tenth year let Addai sit and write them down. And when he writes them down [...] and they are to give them [...] he has the [...] he is called Levi. Then he is to bring [...] word [...] from what I said earlier [...] a woman [...] Jerusalem in her [...and] he begets two sons through her. They are to inherit these things and the understanding of him who [...] exalts. And they are to receive [...] through him from his intellect. Now, the younger of them is greater. And may these things remain hidden in him until he comes to the age of seventeen years [...] beginning [...] through them. They will pursue him exceedingly, since they are from his [...] companions. He will be proclaimed through them, and they will proclaim this word. Then he will become a seed of [...]." James said, [I am] satisfied and they are [...] my soul. Yet another thing I ask you : who are the seven women who have been your disiciples? And behold all women bless you. I also am amazed how powerless vessels have become strong by perception which is in them." The Lord said, "You [...] well [...] a spirit [of...], a spirit of thought, a spirit of counsel of a [...] , a spirit [...a,] spirit of knowledge of their fear. [...] when we had passed through the breath of this archon who is named Adonaios [...] [...] him and [...] he was ignorant [...] when I came forth from him, he remebered that I am a son of his. He was gracious to me at that time as his son. And then, before I appeared here, he cast them among this people. And from the place of heaven the prophets..." James said, "Rabbi, [...] I [...] all together [...] in them especially [...] " The Lord said, "James, I praise [you...] walk upon the earth [...] the words while he [...] on the [...]. For cast away from you the cup, which is bitterness. For some from [...] set themselves against you, For you have begun to understand their roots from the beginning to end. Cast away from yourself lawlessness. And beware lest they envy you. When you speak these words of this perception, encourage these four : Salome and Mariam [ and Martha and Arsione ...] since he takes some [...] to me he is [...] burnt offerings and [...]. But I [...] not in this way ; but [...] first-fruits of the [...] upward [...] so thar the power of God might appear. The perishable has gone up to the imperishable and the female element has attained to this male element." James said, "Rabbi, into these three things, then, has their [...] been cast. For they have been reviled, [and they have been] persecuted [...]. Behold [...] everything [...] from anyone [...]. For you have received [...] of knowledge. [And...] that what is the [...] go [...] you will [find...]. But I shall go [forth] and shall reveal that they believed in you that they may be content with their blessing and salvation, and this revelation may come to pass." And he went at that time immediately and rebuked the twelve and cast out of them contentment concerning the way of knowledge [...]. [...] And the majority of [them...] when they saw, the messenger took in [...]. The others [...] said, "[...] him from this earth. For he is not worthy of life." These, then, were afraid. They arose, saying, "We have no part in this blood, for a just man will perish through injustice" James departed so that [...] look [...] for we [...him].
The Apocalypse of James.
Apocalypse of James 2
The Second Apocalypse of James
Nag Hammadi Codex V,4
Translated by Charles W. Hedrick
This is the discourse that James the just spoke in Jerusalem, which Mareim, one of the priests wrote. He had told it to Theuda, the father of the Just One, since he was a relative of his. He said, "Hasten, Come with Mary, your wife and your relatives [...] therefore [...] of this [...] to [him, he will] understand. For behold, a multitude are disturbed over his [...], and they are greatly angry [at him....] and they pray [...]. For [he would] often say these words and others also."
"He used to speak these words while the multitude of people were seated. But (on this occasion) he entered and did
"[...]. I am he who received revelation from the Pleroma (of) Imperishability. (I am) he who was first summoned by him who is great, and who obeyed the [Lord] - he who passed [through] the [worlds...] he who [...he who] stripped [himself and] went about naked, he who was found in a perishable (state), though he was about to be brought up into imperishability. - This Lord who is present [came] as a son who sees, and as a brother [was he sought]. He will come to [...] produced him because [...] and he unites [...] make him free [...] in [...] he who came [to...].
"Now again am I rich in knowledge [and] I have a unique [understanding], which was produced only from above and the [...] comes from a [...]. I am the [...] whom I knew. That which was revealed to me was hidden from everyone and shall only be revealed through him. These two who see I <...> (and) they have already proclaimed through these [words]: "He shall be judged with the [unrighteous]". He who lived [without] blasphemy died by means of [blasphemy]. He who was cast out they [...]. """ [...the] flesh [and] it is by knowledge that I shall come forth from the [flesh]. I am surely dying, but it is in life that I shall come forth [in...] judge [...I do] not bring blame against the servants of his [...]. I hasten to make them free and want to take them above him who wants to rule over them. If they are helped, I am the brother in secret , who prayed to the Father [until he...] in [...] reign [...imperishability ...] first in [...].
I [am the] first [son] I who was begotten. -
He will destroy the dominion of [them] all. -
I am the beloved.
I am the righteous one.
I am the son of [the Father].
I speak even as [I] heard.
I command even as I [received] the order.
I show you (pl.) even as I have [found].
Behold, I speak in order that I may come forth. Pay attention
in order that you may see me!<"br"> "If I I have come into existence, who then am I? For I did
For I used to exist for a brief period of time [. . .]."
"'Once when I was sitting Deliberating, [he] opened [the] door.
That one whom you hated and persecuted came in to me.
He said to me, "Hail, my brother; my brother, hail." As I raised my
[face] to stare at him, (my) mother said to me, "Do not be frightened,
my son, because he said 'My brother' to you , For you (pl.) were nourished
with this same milk. Because of this he calls me "My mother". For he is not
a stranger to us. He is your [step-brother...]."
"'"[. . .] these words [. . .] great [. . .] I shall [find] them, and [they shall come] I forth.
[However], I am the stranger, and they have no knowledge of me in [their] thoughts,
for they know me in [this place]. But it was fitting that others know through you.
"'"
for a multitude, when they hear, will be slow witted. But you, understand as I shall be able to tell you.
Your father is not my father. But my father has become a father to [you].
"This virgin about whom you hear - this is how; . . . [...] virgin
[...] namely, the virgin. I [...], how [...] to me for [ ...] to know not as [. . .] whom I [. . .].
For this one (masc.) [ . . .] to him, I and this also is profitable for you.
Your father, whom you consider to be [rich], shall grant that you inherit all these (things)
that you see.
''''I proclaim to you to tell you these (words) that I shall speak.
When you hear, therefore, open your ears and understand and walk
(accordingly)! It is because of you that they pass by, activated by that one who is glorious.
And if they want to make a disturbance and (seize) possession [...] he began [. . .] not, nor
those who are [coming], who were sent forth [by] him to make this present [creation].
After [these things, when he] is ashamed, he shall be disturbed that his labor, which is far [from]
the aeons, is nothing. And his inheritance , which he boasted to be great, shall appear small.
And his gifts are not blessings. His promises are evil schemes.
For you are not an (instrument) of his compassion, but it is through you that he does violence.
He wants to do injustice to us, and Will exercise dominion for a time allotted to him.
"'"But I understand and know the Father who has compassion.
He was not given an inheritance that was unlimited, [nor] does (his inheritance) [have] a (limited) number of days, but it is as [the] eternal [day . . . ]
" it is [. . .] perceive [. . .]. And he used [. ..]
For in fact he is not one (come) from [them], (and) because of this he [is despised].
Because of this he [boasts], so that he may not be reproved. For because of this he is superior
to those who are below, for those who are below, those by whom you were looked down upon.
After he imprisoned those from the Father, he seized them and fashioned them to resemble himself.
And it is with him that they exist.
"I saw from the height those (things) that happened, and I have explained how they happened. They^
were visited while they were in another form, while I was watching, [they] came to know
as I am through those whom I know.
'''''Now before those (things) [have happened] they will make a [...].
I know [how] they attempted [to come] down to this place [that] he might approach
[ . . . ] the small children, [but, I] wish to reveal through you and the [spirit of power],
in order that he might reveal [to those] who are yours. and those who wish to enter, and
who seek to walk in the way that is before the door, open the good do or through you.
And they i follow you; they enter [and you] escort them inside, and give a reward to each one who is ready for it.
For you are not the redeemer
nor a helper of strangers.
You are an illuminator and a redeemer
of those who are mine,
and now of those who are yours.
You shall reveal (to them);
you shall bring good among them all.
You [they shall] admire
because of every powerful (deed).
You are he whom the heavens bless.
You he shall envy,
he [who has] called himself your [lord].
I am the [...]
[those who] are instructed in these
(things) with [you].
For your sake
they will be told [these (things)],
and will come to rest.
For your sake
they will reign,
[and will] become kings
.
For [your] sake
they will have pity
on whomever they pity.
For just as you are first
having clothed yourself,
you are also the first who will strip himself.
and you shall become las you were
before you were stripped."
"'And he kissed my mouth. He took hold of me saying,
"My beloved! Behold, I shall reveal to you those (things) that (neither) [the] heavens nor their archons
have known. Behold, I shall reveal to you those (things) that he did not know, he who [boasted,
there is no] other except me. Am I not alive? I Because I am a father, [do] I [not have power] for everything?"
Behold, I shall reveal to you everything, my beloved. [Understand] and know them [that]
you may come forth just as I am. Behold, I [shall] reveal to you him who [is hidden].
But now, stretch out your [hand]. Now, take hold of me."
[And] then I stretched out my I hands and I did not find him as I thought (he would be).
But afterward I heard him ''Understand and take hold of me." Then I understood, and I was afraid.
And I was exceedingly joyful.
"'Therefore, I tell you (pl.), judges, you have been judged. And you did not spare, but you were spared. Be sober and [. . . ] you did not [know].
He was that one whom he who created the heaven and the earth
and dwelled in it, did not see.
He was [this one who] is the life.
He was the light.
He was that one who will come to be.
And again he shall provide
[an] end for what has begun
and a beginning for what is about to be ended.
He was the Holy Spirit and the Invisible One, who did
descend upon the earth.
He was the virgin, and that which he wishes happens to him.
I saw that he was naked, and there was no garment clothing him.
That which he wills happens to him [...].
"'[Renounce] this difficult way, which is (so) variable, I [and] walk
in accordance with him who desires [that] you become free men
[with] me, after you have passed above every [dominion].
For he will not [Judge] (you) for those (things) that you did, but will have mercy
on you. For (it is) not you that did them, but it is [your] Lord (that did them).
[He was not] a wrathful one, but he was a kind Father.
"But you have judged [yourselves], and because of this you will remain in their fetters.
You have oppressed yourselves, and you will repent, (but) you will not profit at all.
Behold him who speaks and seek him who is silent. Know him who came to this place,
and understand him who went forth (from it). I am the Just One, and
I do (not) judge. I am not a master, then, but I am a helper.
He was cast out before he stretched out his hand. I [. . .].
'''[...] and he allows me to hear. and play your trumpets,
your flutes and your harps [of this house]. The Lord has taken you captive from the Lord,
having closed your ears, that they may not hear the sound of my word.
Yet you [will be able to pay] heed in your hearts, [and] you will call me "the just one."
Therefore, I tell you: Behold, I gave you your house, which you say that God has made,
- that (house) in which he promised to give you an inheritance through it.
This (house) I shall doom to destruction and derision of those who are in ignorance.
For behold, those who judge deliberately [...]
"[On] that day all the [people] and the crowd were disturbed, and they showed that they had not been
persuaded. And he arose and went forth speaking in this manner]. And he entered (again) on the same
day and spoke a few hours. And I was with the priests and revealed nothing1 of the relationship, since all of
them were saying with one voice, 'come, let us stone the just one.' and they arose saying,
'Yes, let i us kill this man, that he may be taken from our midst. For he will be of no use to us.'
'And they were there and found him standing beside the columns of the temple beside the mighty corner stone
. And they decided to throw him down from the height, and they cast him down. And they [...] they [...].
They seized him and [struck] him as they dragged him upon the ground. They stretched him out, and placed a
stone on his abdomen. They all placed their feet on him, saying ' You have erred ! '
"Again they raised him up, since he was alive, and made him dig a hole. They made him stand in it.
After having covered him up his abdomen, they stoned him in this manner.
"And he stretched out his hands and said this prayer - not that (one) which it is his custom to say:
'My God and my father,
who saved me from this dead hope,
who made me alive through a mystery of what he wills,
do not let these days of this world be prolonged for me,
but the day of your (sg.) [light . . .] remains
in [...] salvation.
Deliver me from this I [place of] sojourn!
Do not let your grace be left behind in me,
but may your grace become pure!
Save me from an evil death!
Bring me from a tomb alive,
because your grace - love - is alive in me
to accomplish a work of fullness!
Save me from sinful flesh,
because l trusted in you with all my strength!
because you are the life of the life,
save me from a humiliating enemy!
Do not give me into the hand of a judge
who is severe with sin!
Forgive me all my debts of the days (of my life)!
Because I am alive in you, your grace is alive in me.
I have renounced everyone,
but you I have confessed.
Save me from evil affliction!
But now is the [time] and the hour.
O Holy [Spirit], send [me]
salvation [ . . . ] the light [ . . . ]
the light [...] in a power [...]. "After he [spoke, he] fell silent [. . .] word [. . . afterward . .] the discourse [...]."
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