478 LITERATURE OF GNOSTIC WISDOM
The Gospel of Mary was composed in Greek, probably in the second cen-
tury. Two fragments of the text have survived in Greek. The rest of the surviv-
ing text is preserved in Coptic in the Berlin Gnostic Codex.THE GOSPEL OF MARY
2
STUDENTS SPEAK WITH THE SAVIOR
"Will matter be destroyed or not?"
The savior said, "All natures, all formed things, all creatures exist in and
with one another and will be resolved into their own roots. The nature of mat-
ter is resolved into its nature alone. Whoever has ears to hear should hear."
Peter said to him, "Since you have explained everything to us, tell us also,
what is the sin of the world?"
The savior said, "There is no sin, but you create sin when you mingle as in
adultery, which is called sin.^3 That is why the good came to be with you, to
enter the essence of each nature, and to restore it to its root." He continued,
"That is why you become sick and die, for you love what deceives you.^4 Who-
ever understands should understand.
"Matter gave birth to a passion that has nothing like it and came from
what is contrary to nature. Then there arises a disturbance in the whole body.
That is why I said to you, 'Be of good courage,'^5 and if you are discouraged,
still take courage in the diverse forms of nature. Whoever has ears to hear
should hear."
When the blessed one said these things, he greeted all of them, saying,
"Peace be with you.^6 Receive my peace. Be careful that no one leads you astray- The Gospel of Mary: Berlin Gnostic Codex 8502,1, pp. 7,1 to 19,5; translated by E. R. Hardy in
Grant, Gnosticism: An Anthology, pp. 65-68, George W. MacRae and R. McL. Wilson in Parrott,
NagHammadi Codices V, 2-5 and VI with Papyrus Berolinensis 8502,1 and 4, pp. 453-71, and
Karen L. King, MacRae, and Wilson in Robinson, NagHammadi Library in English, rev. ed., pp.
523-27; adapted by Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer. - On adultery as improper mingling with the world, see Herakleon's Commentary on the
Gospel of John 18, and the Exegesis on the Soul. - This discussion of sin recalls that of Paul in Romans 7. The clause "for you love what deceives
you" is from the reconstruction in the translation of Karen King in The Complete Gospels, p. 355. - See Luke 24:38; John 14:27.
- See John 14:27; 20:19, 21, 26.