Mary

From the Nag Hammadi Library in English

Gospel of Mary :1   “[…] (pp. 1‑6 missing) will matter then be [destroyed] or not?” The Savior said, “All natures, all formations, all creatures exist in and with one another, and they will be resolved again into their own roots.  For the nature of matter is resolved into (the roots of) its nature alone. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Gospel of Mary :2   “Peter said to him, “Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also: What is the sin of the world?” The Savior said, “There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery, which is called sin. That is why the Good came into your midst, to the essence of every nature, in order to restore it to its root.” Then he continued and said, “That is why you [become sick] and die, for […] of the one who […. He who] understands, let him understand. [Matter gave birth to] a passion that has no equal, which proceeded from (something) contrary to nature.  Then there arises a disturbance in the whole body. That is why I said to you, ‘Be of good courage,’ and if you are discouraged, (be) encouraged in the presence of the different forms of nature. He who has ears to hear let him hear.”

Gospel of Mary :3   “When the blessed one had said this, he greeted them all, saying, “Peace be with you.  Receive my peace to yourselves.  Beware that no one lead you astray, saying, ‘Lo here!’ or ‘Lo there!’ For the Son of Man is within you. Follow after him! Those who seek him will find him.  Go then and preach the gospel of the kingdom.  Do not lay down any rules beyond what I appointed for you, and do not give a law like the lawgiver lest you be constrained by it.”  When he had said this, he departed.”

Gospel of Mary :4   “But they were grieved.  They wept greatly, saying, “How shall we go to the Gentiles and preach the gospel of the kingdom of the Son Of Man?  If they did not spare him, how will they spare us?”  Then Mary stood up, greeted them all, and said to her brethren, “Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for his grace will be entirely with you and will protect you. But rather let praise his greatness, for he has prepared us (and) made us into men. When Mary said this, she turned their hearts to the Good, and they began to discuss the words of the [Savior].”

Gospel of Mary :5   “Peter said to Mary, “Sister, we know that the Savior loved you more than the rest of women.  Tell us the words of the Savior which you remember – which you know (but) we do not nor have we heard them.”  Mary answered and said,  “What is hidden from you I will proclaim to you.”  And she began to speak to them these words: “I,” she said, “I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to him, Lord, I saw you today in a vision.’ He answered and said to me, ‘Blessed are you, that you did not waver at the sight of me.  For where the mind is, there is the treasure.’ I said to him, ‘Lord, now does he who sees the vision see it <through> the soul <or> through the spirit?’ The Savior answered and said, ‘He does not see through the soul ‘ nor through the spirit, but the mind which [is] between the two – that is [what] sees the vision and it is […].” (pp. 11‑14 missing)

Gospel of Mary :6   “[…] it.  And desire said, ‘I did not see you descending, but now I see you ascending.  Why do you lie, since you belong to me?’ The soul answered and said, I saw you.  You did not see me nor recognize me. I served you as a garment, and you did not know me.’ When it had said this, it went away rejoicing greatly.”

Gospel of Mary :7   “Again it came to the third power, which is called ignorance.  [It (the power)] questioned the soul, saying, ‘Where are you going?  In wickedness are you bound. But you are bound; do not judge!’ And the soul said, ‘Why do you judge me, although I have not judged?  I was bound, though I have not bound.  I was not recognized. But I have recognized that the All is being dissolved, both the earthly (things) and the heavenly.”

Gospel of Mary :8   “When the soul had overcome the third power, it went upwards and saw the fourth power, (which) took seven forms.  The first form is darkness, the second desire, the third ignorance, the fourth is the excitement of death, the fifth is the kingdom of the flesh, the sixth is the foolish wisdom of flesh, the seventh is the wrathful wisdom.  These are the seven [powers] of wrath.  They ask the soul, ‘Whence do you come, slayer of men, or where are you going, conqueror of space?’ The soul answered ‘ and said, ‘What binds me has been slain, and what turns me about has been overcome, and my desire has been ended, and ignorance has died.  In a [world] I was released from a world, [and] in a type from a heavenly type, and (from) the fetter of oblivion which is transient. From this time on will I attain to the rest of the time, of the season, of the aeon, in silence.”

Gospel of Mary :9   “When Mary had said this, she fell silent, since it was to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.  But Andrew answered and said to the brethren, “Say what you (wish to) say about what she has said. I at least do not believe that the Savior said this.  For certainly these teachings are strange ideas.”  Peter answered and spoke concerning these same things. He questioned them about the Savior: “Did he really speak privately with a woman (and) not openly to us?  Are we to turn about and all listen to her?  Did he prefer her to us?”

Gospel of Mary :10   “Then Mary wept and said to Peter, “My brother Peter, what do you think?  Do you think that I thought this up myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the Savior?”  Levi answered and said to Peter, “Peter, you have always been hot-tempered. Now I see you contending against the woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her?  Surely the Savior knows her very well.  That is why he loved her more than us. Rather let us be ashamed and put on the perfect man, and separate as he commanded us and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.”  When […] and they began to go forth to proclaim and to preach.”