The (Second) Apocalypse of James
The (Second) Apocalypse of James
The (Second) Apocalypse of James
This is the discourse that James the Just spoke in Jerusalem, which
Mareim, one of the priests, wrote. He had told it to Theuda, the father of
the Just One, since he was a relative of his. He said, "Hasten! Come with
Mary, your wife, and your relatives [...] therefore [...] of this [...] to him,
he will understand. For behold, a multitude are disturbed over his [...],
and they are greatly angry at him. [...] and they pray [...]. For he would
often say these words and others also."
"He used to speak these words while the multitude of people were seated.
But (on this occasion) he entered and did <not> sit down in the place, as
was his custom. Rather he sat above the fifth flight of steps, which is
(highly) esteemed, while all our people [...] the words [...]."
"If I have come into existence, who then am I? For I did <not> come as I
am, nor would I have appeared as I am. For I used to exist for a brief
period of time [...]."
"Once when I was sitting deliberating, he opened the door. That one
whom you hated and persecuted came in to me. He said to me, "Hail, my
brother; my brother, hail." As I raised my face to stare at him, (my)
mother said to me, "Do not be frightened, my son, because he said 'My
brother' to you (sg.). For you (pl.) were nourished with this same milk.
Because of this he calls me "My mother". For he is not a stranger to us.
He is your step-brother [...]."
"[...] these words [...] great [...] I shall find them, and they shall come
forth. However, I am the stranger, and they have no knowledge of me in
their thoughts, for they know me in this place. But it was fitting that
others know through you.
"<You are> the one to whom I say: Hear and understand - for a
multitude, when they hear, will be slow witted. But you, understand as I
shall be able to tell you. Your father is not my father. But my father has
become a father to you.
"This virgin about whom you hear - this is how [...] virgin [...] namely,
the virgin. [...], how [...] to me for [...] to know [...] not as [...] whom I
[...]. For this one (masc.) [...] to him, and this also is profitable for you.
Your father, whom you consider to be rich, shall grant that you inherit all
these things that you see.
"I proclaim to you to tell you these (words) that I shall speak. When you
hear, therefore, open your ears and understand and walk (accordingly)! It
is because of you that they pass by, activated by that one who is glorious.
And if they want to make a disturbance and (seize) possession [...] he
began [...] not, nor those who are coming, who were sent forth by him to
make this present creation. After these things, when he is ashamed, he
shall be disturbed that his labor, which is far from the aeons, is nothing.
And his inheritance, which he boasted to be great, shall appear small.
And his gifts are not blessings. His promises are evil schemes. For you
are not an (instrument) of his compassion, but it is through you that he
does violence. He wants to do injustice to us, and will exercise dominion
for a time allotted to him.
"But understand and know the Father who has compassion. He was not
given an inheritance that was unlimited, nor does it have a (limited)
number of days, but it is as the eternal day [...] it is [...] perceive [...].
And he used [...]. For in fact he is not one (come) from them, (and)
because of this, he is despised. Because of this he boasts, so that he may
not be reproved. For because of this he is superior to those who are
below, those by whom you were looked down upon. After he imprisoned
those from the Father, he seized them and fashioned them to resemble
himself. And it is with him that they exist.
"I saw from the height those things that happened, and I have explained
how they happened. They were visited while they were in another form,
and, while I was watching, they came to know <me> as I am, through
those whom I know.
"Now before those things have happened they will make a [...]. I know
how they attempted to come down to this place that he might approach
[...] the small children, but I wish to reveal through you and the spirit of
power, in order that he might reveal to those who are yours. And those
who wish to enter, and who seek to walk in the way that is before the
door, open the good door through you. And they follow you; they enter
and you escort them inside, and give a reward to each one who is ready
for it.
"And then I stretched out my hands and I did not find him as I thought
(he would be). But afterward I heard him saying, "Understand and take
hold of me." Then I understood, and I was afraid. And I was exceedingly
joyful.
"Therefore, I tell you judges, you have been judged. And you did not
spare, but you were spared. Be sober and [...] you did not know.
"But you have judged yourselves, and because of this you will remain in
their fetters. You have oppressed yourselves, and you will repent, (but)
you will not profit at all. Behold him who speaks and seek him who is
silent. Know him who came to this place, and understand him who went
forth (from it). I am the Just One, and I do <not> judge. I am not a
master, then, but I am a helper. He was cast out before he stretched out
his hand. I [...].
"[...] and he allows me to hear. And play your trumpets, your flutes and
your harps of this house. The Lord has taken you captive from the Lord,
having closed your ears, that they may not hear the sound of my word.
Yet you will be able to pay heed in your hearts, and you will call me 'the
Just One.' Therefore, I tell you: Behold, I gave you your house, which
you say that God has made - that (house) in which he promised to give
you an inheritance through it. This (house) I shall doom to destruction
and derision of those who are in ignorance. For behold, those who judge
deliberarate [...]."
On that day all the people and the crowd were disturbed, and they
showed that they had not been persuaded. And he arose and went forth
speaking in this manner. And he entered (again) on that same day and
spoke a few hours. And I was with the priests and revealed nothing of the
relationship, since all of them were saying with one voice, 'Come, let us
stone the Just One.' And they arose, saying, 'Yes, let us kill this man, that
he may be taken from our midst. For he will be of no use to us.'
And they were there and found him standing beside the columns of the
temple beside the mighty corner stone. And they decided to throw him
down from the height, and they cast him down. And they [...] they [...].
They seized him and struck him as they dragged him upon the ground.
They stretched him out and placed a stone on his abdomen. They all
placed their feet on him, saying 'You have erred!'
Again they raised him up, since he was alive, and made him dig a hole.
They made him stand in it. After having covered him up to his abdomen,
they stoned him in this manner.
And he stretched out his hands and said this prayer - not that (one) which
it is his custom to say:
"After he spoke, he fell silent [...] word [...] afterward [...] the discourse
[...]."
The translation presented here has been edited, modified and formatted for use in
the Gnostic Society Library.
For academic citation, please refer to published editions of this text.