The library · Edition and sources
Hypostasis of the Archons
Samuel Zinner, edited by Mark M. Mattison; Other Gospels · Translated text
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Chapter 2
1. The archons schemed, and said: “Come, let us create a man to be soil of the earth.”
2. They fashioned their creation as an entirely earthly being.
3. The archons possess bodies that are both female [and male], and their faces are faces of beasts.
4. They took [soil] from the earth and fashioned [their man] according to their own bodies and [according to the image] of God that had appeared [to them] on the water.
5. They said:
“[Come], let us lay hold of the image through the form we have molded, [in order that] the image can gaze on its male counterpart [and grow enamored with it], ⟦page 88⟧ and in order that we can grasp it in the form we have molded.”
6. Being powerless, they understood not the power of God.
7. He blew into his face, and the man came to possess a soul, and he remained on the ground for several days.
8. Being powerless, the archons were unable to make him arise.
9. They continued to blow like tempestuous winds, attempting to seize hold of the image that had appeared to them on the waters, and they knew not its power.
10. All of these events transpired by the will of the Father of the All.
11. The Spirit subsequently gazed on the soulish man on the ground.
12. The Spirit came forth from the Adamic Land.
13. It descended and took up its abode inside him, and that man became a living soul, and the Spirit called his name Adam, because he was found moving on the ground.
14. A voice from indestructibility came forth to be a help to Adam.