Selections from “Pistis Sophia” – Chapters 71 and 72, Part 1 of 2

Today it is a pleasure to share selections from Chapter 71 of Pistis Sophia, where Pistis Sophia is immensely grateful to the First Mystery for freeing her, leading her out of the chaos and darkness, and surrounding her with Light in all the regions.

CHAPTER 71

“It came to pass then, when the First Mystery had finished saying these words, that Matthew came forward and said: ‘I have understood the solution of the song which Pistis Sophia has uttered. Now, therefore, give commandment unto me, that I speak it in openness.’ And the First Mystery answered and said: ‘I give commandment unto thee, Matthew, to set forth the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia has uttered.’

Matthew interprets the song of Sophia from the Odes of Solomon.

And Matthew answered and said: ‘Concerning the interpretation of the song which Pistis Sophia has uttered, thus Thy light-power prophesied aforetime thereon through the Ode of Solomon: 1. He who has led me down out of the higher regions which are above, has led me up out of the regions which are in the bottom below. 2. Who has there taken those in the midst, he has taught me concerning them. 3. Who has scattered my foes and my adversaries, he has bestowed power on me over the bonds, to unloose them. 4. Who has smitten the serpent with the seven heads with my hands, he has set me up above its root, that I may extinguish its seed. 5. And Thou were with me, helping me; in all regions Thy name surrounded me. 6. Thy right hand has destroyed the venom of the slanderer; Thy hand has cleared the way for Thy faithful. 7. Thou have freed them out of the tombs and have removed them from the midst of the corpses. 8. Thou have taken dead bones and have clothed them with a body and to them who stirred not, have Thou given the activity of life. 9. Thy way is become indestructibleness and Thy face [also]. 10. Thou have led Thy æon above decay, so that they all may be loosed and renewed and Thy Light become a foundation for them all. 11. Thou have piled Thy riches upon them and they have become a holy dwelling-place. […]’

And the word which Thy power has spoken: ‘And Thy name surrounded me in all regions,’ it is the word which Pistis Sophia has spoken: ‘And Thy Light surrounded me in all their regions.’”