LITERATURE OF GNOSTIC WISDOM 439
beginning there is the light above, the darkness below, and the spirit in be-
tween. This view of the origin of the world probably comes from the opening
verses of Genesis 1, with its introduction of the light, the darkness of the wa-
tery chaos, and the spirit (or wind) of god moving over the watery darkness.
In the present text the darkness becomes active and emerges as a threat to the
integrity of the spirit and the mind. The actions of the darkness are described
in sexually graphic terms, so that the creation of the world of nature is de-
picted as an orgy of cosmic sexuality. Derdekeas, as the child and emissary of
the light, intervenes in these affairs, but the opposition continues against the
spirit and the mind and the people of Shem, the gnostics. The forces of dark-
ness send a flood and try to destroy the people of Sodom, who are here seen
as gnostics. Through it all, however, with the help of Derdekeas, the people of
Shem persevere. As Derdekeas says to Shem at the close of the text, "go in
grace and continue in faith upon the earth. For every power of light and fire
will be completed by me because of you."
The Paraphrase of Shem is one of the Coptic texts from the Nag Hammadi
library. It was composed in Greek, and the existing Coptic version presents
significant problems of understanding.
THE PARAPHRASE OF SHEM
3
ABOUT THE UNCONCEIVED
The paraphrase about the unconceived spirit; what Derdekeas revealed to me,
Shem, according to the will of the majesty.^4
SHEM HAS A VISION
My thought, which was in my body, snatched me away from my race. It took
me up to the top of the world, which is close to the light that shone upon the
- The Paraphrase of Shem: Nag Hammadi library, Codex VII,i, pp. 1,1 to 49,9; translated by
Frederik Wisse, "The Paraphrase of Shem," in Birger Pearson, ed. Nag Hammadi Codex VII.
Nag Hammadi and Manichean Studies 30 (Leiden & New York: E. J. Brill, 1996), pp. 25-127,
English version on odd-numbered pages only; revised by Willis Barnstone. Reprinted by per-
mission of Brill Academic Publishers. - Such lines constitute opening titles (incipits) describing the contents of the text.