LITERATURE OF GNOSTIC WISDOM 175appeared in the final ages, and these authorities will be restrained. And these
authorities cannot defile you and that race,^63 for your abode is in incorrupt-
ibility, where the virgin spirit lives, who is superior to the authorities of chaos
and to their universe."
But I^64 said, "Sir, teach me about these authorities. How did they come into
being? By what genesis, and out of what material, and who created them and
their power?"
The great angel Eleleth, understanding, spoke to me: "Incorruptibility in-
habits limitless realms. Sophia, who is called Pistis,^65 wanted to create some-
thing, alone, without her partner, and what she created was celestial.
"A veil exists between the world above and the realms below, and shadow
came into being beneath the veil.^66 That shadow became matter, and that
shadow was projected apart. And what she had created came to be in matter,
like an aborted fetus. It assumed a shape molded out of shadow, and
became an arrogant beast resembling a lion. It was androgynous, as I have
already said, because it derived from matter.^67
"Opening his eyes he saw a vast quantity of endless matter, and he turned
arrogant, saying, 'I am god, and there is no one but me.'^68
"When he said this, he sinned against all. And a voice came from above
the realm of absolute power, saying, 'You are wrong, Samael,' that is, god of
the blind.^69
"And he said, 'If any other thing exists before me, let it become visible to
me!' Immediately Sophia pointed her finger and introduced light into matter,
and she pursued it down to the region of chaos. And she returned up to her
light. Once again darkness returned to matter.^70
"This ruler, by being androgynous, made himself a vast realm, an endless
precinct. And he contemplated creating offspring for himself, and created
seven offspring, androgynous like their parent.- The unshakable race, the offspring of Seth.
- Again, Norea.
- Pistis Sophia, faith wisdom, as above.
- The veil or curtain between heaven and earth keeps the light of heaven from shining upon
the earth and produces a shadow. Similar ideas are found in Jewish thought, for example, in
Philo of Alexandria. In a more general sense, see Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 40:22. - The arrogant demiurge is also lionlike in the Secret Book of John and elsewhere.
- Isaiah 45:5-6, 21, 46:9.
- Or possibly "blind god."
- Partially restored; the meaning is uncertain. The basic sense is that Sophia brings light into
the dark world of matter.
m*.