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The Secret Book of John
Samuel Zinner, edited by Mark M. Mattison; Other Gospels · Translated text
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Chapter 4 — Berlin Codex
1. In this way I would be able to speak with you. His aeon is beyond destruction, in repose, resting in silence, the one existing before everything. He is the leader of all aeons, if anything indeed exists beside him, because no one has understood the attributes of that one beyond measure with the exception of him who has dwelt inside himself. He is the one who explained to us these things.
2. He is the one who studies himself inside his own light that surrounds him, that is, the spring of living water, the completely pure light. The spring of the Spirit poured forth of the living water of light, and he supplied all aeons and ⟦page 27⟧ worlds. In every direction (at once) he observed his own image by beholding it inside the pure light-water that surrounds him, and his (potential) thought became actual, and she approached and attended him inside the glow of the light.
3. She is the power who is before the All, who issued forth.
4. She is the perfect Providence of the All, the light, the appearance of the light, the image of the unseen one,
5. the perfect power, Barbelo, the perfect aeon of glory,
6. extolling him, because she had issued forth on account of him, and she understands him.
7. She is the first thought, his (own) image.