Matthew

CHAPTER 72

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had heard Matthew speak these words, that he said: “Well said, Matthew, and finely, beloved. This is the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered.”

And the First Mystery continued again and said:

Sophia continueth to sing."‘1. I will declare: Thou art the higher Light, for that hast saved me and led me unto thee, and thou hast not let the emanations of Self-willed, which are hostile unto me, take my light.

“‘2. O Light of lights, I sing praises unto thee; thou hast saved me.

“‘3. O Light, thou hast led up my power out of the chaos; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the darkness.’

“These words again hath Pistis Sophia uttered, Now, therefore, whose mind hath become understanding, comprehending the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, let him come forward and set forth their solution.”

Mary is afraid of Peter.It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished speaking these words unto the disciples, that Mary came forward and said: “My Lord, my |161. mind is ever understanding, at every time to come forward and set forth the solution of the words which she hath uttered; but I am afraid of Peter, because he threatened me and hateth our sex.”

And when she had said this, the First Mystery said unto her: “Every one who shall be filled with the spirit of light to come forward and set forth the solution of what I say,–no one shall be able to prevent him. Now, therefore, O Mary, set forth then the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered.”

Then Mary answered and said unto the First Mystery in the midst of the disciples: “My Lord, concerning the solution of the words which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, thus hath thy light-power prophesied aforetime through David:

Mary interpreteth the song of Sophia from Psalm xxix."‘1. I will exalt thee, O Lord, for thou hast received me, and thou hast not made glad my foes over me.

“‘2. O Lord, my God, I cried up unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

“‘3. O Lord, thou hast led up my soul out of hell; thou hast saved me from them which have gone down into the pit.’”

CHAPTER 73

And when Mary had said this, the First Mystery said unto her, “Well said, finely, Mary, blessed one.”

And he continued |162. again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: “Sophia again continued in this song and said:

Sophia continueth her song."‘1. The Light hath become my saviour.

“‘2. And it hath changed my darkness into light, and it has rent the chaos which surrounded me and girded me with light.’”

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Martha came forward and said: “My Lord, thy power hath prophesied aforetime through David concerning these words:

Martha interpreteth from Psalm xxix."‘10. The Lord hath become my helper.

“‘11. He hath changed my lamentation into joy; he hath rent my mourning-robe and girded me with joy.’”

And it came to pass when the First Mystery had heard Martha speak these words, that he said: “Well said, and finely, Martha.”

And the First Mystery continued again and said unto the disciples: “Pistis Sophia again continued in the song and said:

Sophia continueth her song."‘1. My power, sing praises to the Light and forget not all the powers of the Light which it hath given unto thee.

“‘2. And the powers which are in thee, sing praises to the name of his holy mystery;

“‘3. Who forgiveth all thy transgression, who saveth thee from all the afflictions with which the emanations of Self-willed have constrained thee;

“‘4. Who hath saved thy light |163. from the emanations of Self-willed which belong to destruction; who hath wreathed thee with light in his compassion, until he saved thee;

“‘5. Who hath filled thee with purified light; and thy beginning will renew itself as an invisible of the Height.’

“With these words Pistis Sophia sang praises, because she was saved and remembered all things which I had done unto her.”

CHAPTER 74

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished setting forth these words unto the disciples, that he said unto them: “Who hath understood the solution of these words, let him come forward and say it in openness.”

Mary again came forward and said: “My Lord, concerning these words with which Pistis Sophia hath sung praises, thus thy light-power prophesied them through David:

Mary interpreteth from Psalm cii."‘1. My soul, praise the Lord, let all that is in me praise his holy name.

“‘2. My soul, praise the Lord and forget not all his requitals.

“‘3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy sicknesses;

“‘4. Who redeemeth thy life from decay; who wreatheth thee with grace and compassion;

“‘5. Who satisfieth thy longing with good things; thy youth will renew itself as an eagle’s.’

“That is: Sophia will be as the invisibles who are in the Height; he hath, therefore, said ‘as an eagle,’ because the dwelling-place of the eagle is in the height, and the |164. invisibles also are in the Height; that is: Pistis Sophia will shine as the invisibles, as she was from her beginning.”

It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had heard Mary say these words, that he said: “Well said, Mary, blessed one.”

Sophia is led to a region below the thirteenth æon and given a new mystery.It came to pass then thereafter, that the First Mystery continued again in the discourse and said unto the disciples: “I took Pistis Sophia and led her up to a region which is below the thirteenth æon, and gave unto her a new mystery of the Light which is not that of her æon, the region of the invisibles. And moreover I gave her a song of the Light, so that from now on the rulers of the æons could not [prevail] against her. And I removed her to that region until I should come after her and bring her to her higher region.

“It came to pass then, when I had removed her to that region, that she again uttered this song thus:

She continueth to sing."‘1. In faith have I had faith in the Light; and it remembered me and hearkened to my song.

“‘2. It hath led my power up out of the chaos and the nether darkness of the whole matter and it hath led me up. It hath removed. me to a higher and surer æon, lofty and firm; it hath changed my place on the way which leadeth to my region.

“‘3. And it hath given unto me a new mystery, which is not that of my æon, and given unto me a song of the Light. Now, therefore, O Light, all the rulers will see what thou hast done unto me, and be |165.afraid and have faith in the Light.’

This song then Pistis Sophia uttered, rejoicing that she had been led up out of the chaos and brought to regions which are below the thirteenth æon. Now, therefore, let him whom his mind stirreth, so that he understandeth the solution of the thought of the song which Pistis Sophia hath uttered, come forward and say it.”

Andrew came forward and said: “My Lord, this is concerning what thy light-power hath prophesied aforetime through David:

Andrew interpreteth from Psalm xxxix."‘1. In patience I tarried for the Lord; he hath given heed unto me and ear unto my weeping.

“‘2. He hath led up my soul out of the pit of misery and out of the filthy mire; he hath set my feet on a rock and made straight my steps.

“‘3. He hath put in my mouth a new song, a song of praise for our God. Many will see and be afraid and hope in the Lord.’”

It came to pass then, when Andrew had set forth the thought of Pistis Sophia, that the First Mystery said unto him: “Well said, Andrew, blessed one.”