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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 — Codex II & IV
1. This is because [we do] not [understand unspeakable things, and we] do not understand what [cannot be measured], apart from him who originated [from] him, that is, [the] Father, because he [alone] is the one who [explained] it to us, given that he is the one who studies him[self] inside his light that surrounds [him], that is, the spring [of] living water, and he is the one who supplies [every aeon], and in every direction (at once) he [observes] his image by gazing in the spring of the [Spirit].
2. He is the one who places his desire inside his [water]-light, [which dwells in the] spring of the [pure light]-water [that] surrounds him, and [his (potential) thought became] actual, and she approached, [that is], she who had [appeared] in front of him inside [the glow of] his light.
3. This is the first [power, which existed] before the All, and [which issued] forth from his mind.
4. She [is the Providence of the All] — her light [glows like his] light — the [perfect] power who is [the] image of the perfect unseen, virginal Spirit.
5. [The first power] (is) the glory of Barbelo, the perfect ⟦page 5⟧ glory inside the aeons, the glory of the revelation.
6. She extolled the virginal Spirit, and she is the one who praised him, because on account of him she had come forth.
7. This is the first thought, his image.