6.the (Second) Apocalypse of James
6.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 [...]."
shall (only) be revealed through him. These two who see I <...> (and) they
have already proclaimed through these words: "He shall be judged with the
unrighteous". He who lived without blasphemy died by means of blasphemy.
He who was cast out, they [...]."
"[...] the flesh and it is by knowledge that I shall come forth from the flesh. I
am surely dying, but it is in life that I shall be found. I entered in order that
they might judge [...] I shall come forth in [...] judge [...] I do not bring blame
against the servants of his [...]. I hasten to make them free and want to take
them above him who wants to rule over them. If they are helped, I am the
brother in secret, who prayed to the Father until he [...] in [...] reign [...]
imperishability [...] first in [...]."
I am the first son who was begotten. He will destroy the dominion of them all. I am the beloved.
I am the righteous one.
I am the son of the Father.
"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
"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.
For your sake, they will be told these things, and will come to rest.
For your sake, they will reign, and will become kings.
For your sake, they will have pity on whomever they pity.
"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.
He was that one whom he who created the heaven and the earth
and dwelled in it, did not see.
He was this one who is the life.
He was the light.
He was that one who will come to be.
"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:
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