The library · Edition and sources
The Secret Book of John
Samuel Zinner, edited by Mark M. Mattison; Other Gospels · Translated text
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Chapter 5 — Berlin Codex
1. She became Primal Man, the virginal Spirit, the triple-male, the ⟦page 28⟧ triple-powerful, the triple-named, the triple-begotten, the aeon that is androgynous and unaging, who issued forth from his Providence.
2. Barbelo also entreated him to grant ‹her› Precognition; he agreed.
3. After agreeing, Precognition approached and stood attending together with Thought, which is Providence,
4. glorifying the unseen one and the perfect power, Barbelo, because they had come into being on account of her.
5. This power again entreated to grant her Indestructibility, and he agreed.
6. After agreeing, Indestructibility approached and stood attending together with Thought and Precognition.
7. She extolled the unseen one and Barbelo, because she had come to be on account of her,
8. and she entreated that she be granted ⟦page 29⟧ eternal life, and he agreed, and agreeing, Eternal Life approached.
9. They attended and extolled him and Barbelo, because they had come to be on account of her, from the emergence of the unseen Spirit.
12. This is the aeonic pentad of the Father, which is the Primal Man, the image of the unseen one.
13. This is Barbelo, and Idea, and Precognition, and Indestructibility, and Eternal Life.
14. This is the androgynous pentad, being the aeonic decad, the Father of the unbegotten Father.