'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas) - Segment 9

[Guest guest]

A./ 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas'

 

Segment 9:

 

(P.115) [1] Judas said, " Teacher, just as you listened to all of them, now

listen to me also. [2] For I have seen a great vision. "

 

[3] But when Jesus heard, he laughed. [4] He said to him, " Why are you getting

all worked up, thirteenth god? [5] But you too speak, and I will hold you up. "

 

[6] Judas said to him, " I saw myself in a vision. [7] The twelve disciples were

stoning me; [8] they were persecuting [me severe]ly. [9] And I [ca]me also to

the place [.........] after you. [10] I saw [a house .....] but my eyes were not

able [to measure] its extent. [11] But some elders of great stature were

surrounding it, [12] and that house was roofed with greenery. [13] In the midst

of the house wa[s a] cr[owd ..............]. [14] Teacher, let me be taken [in

wi]th these people. "

 

[15] [Jesus] replied. He said, " Your star is leading you astray, Judas, [16]

since no mortal human offspring is worthy to enter the house that you saw. [17]

For that is the place which is preserved for the holy ones, [18] the place where

neither the sun nor the moon will rule them nor the day, [19] but they will

stand firm for all time in the realm with the holy angels. (P.116) [20] Behold,

I have told you the mysteries of the kingdom [21] and I have taught you [about

the er]ror of the s[tar]s and ['about one and a half lines are untranslatable']

upon the t[w]elve realms. "

 

[22] Judas said, " Teacher, surely the rulers are not subject to my seed? "

 

[23] Jesus answered. He said to him, " Come... [[24] 'about two lines are

untranslatable'] [25] ut because you will groan deeply when you see the

kingdom and its entire race. "

[26] When Judas heard these things, he said to him, " What benefit have I

received because you separated me for that race? "

[27] Jesus answered. He said, " You will become the thirteenth [28] and you will

be cursed by the rest of the races - [29] but you will rule over them. [30] In

the last days, they will and you will go up to the holy ra[ce]. "

('English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - Pg. 115-116)

B./ 'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas) - Segment 9

[1]-[5] of Segment 9

Judas said, " Teacher, just as you listened to all of them, now listen to me

also. For I have seen a great vision. " But when Jesus heard, he laughed. He said

to him, " Why are you getting all worked up, thirteenth god? But you too speak,

and I will hold you up. "

Comments:

(P.140) Now Judas has a great vision and asks Jesus to listen to him as well as

to " the twelve. " Jesus responds to his request by laughing, again leading us to

ask what is wrong with Judas's request. Judas is " all worked up " - showing a

kind of instability of character readers have come to associate with " the

twelve " - but Jesus offers to " hold (him) up. " The metaphor indicates that

Jesus's teaching supports Judas, helping him to stand firm and gain the

stability he needs in order to develop spiritually.

Jesus here calls Judas " thirteenth god. " The word translated " god " here is

'daimon', which Christians will later understand as a negative entity ( " demon " ).

In Greek thought, however, the term 'daimon' was used to indicate gods of a

lower rank, or sometimes an individual's lot or fortune. Indeed, Plato wrote

that everyone possesses a 'daimon':

As regards the most lordly kind of soul found in us, we must conceive of it like

this: we declare that God has given to each of us a 'daimon' that kind of soul

which is housed in the top of our body and which raises us up from the earth

towards our kindred ['suggeneian'] in heaven, seeing that we are not an earthly

plant but a heavenly one. [12]

By devoting one's life to cultivating this 'daimon', one can achieve likeness to

God and immortality, which is one's supreme happiness ('eudaimonia' - literally,

the state of a good 'daimon'). If, on the other hand, a person cultivates the

lower parts of the soul, which are devoted to mortal things like wealth and

appetite, then that person truly becomes mortal.

(P.141) The number thirteen is also significant. It signals that Judas is beyond

or outside the group of " the twelve. " Moreover, as noted above (Judas 2:29), the

number twelve belongs to the rulers of the lower world, whom the twelve

disciples worship. Thus the number thirteen also expresses that Judas has

surpassed the twelve rulers of the world, implying that he is no longer under

the dominion of the twelve rulers of the lower world.

[6]-14] of Segment 9

Judas said to him, " I saw myself in a vision. The twelve disciples were stoning

me; they were persecuting [me severe]ly. And I [ca]me also to the place

[.........] after you. I saw [a house .....] but my eyes were not able [to

measure] its extent. But some elders of great stature were surrounding it, and

that house was roofed with greenery. In the midst of the house wa[s a] cr[owd

...............]. Teacher, let me be taken [in wi]th these people. "

Comments:

(P.141) When Judas tells Jesus about his dream, the reader understands why he is

upset: He sees himself being stoned and persecuted by the twelve disciples. Like

other Christians in the author's day who face the possibility of suffering and

martyrdom, Judas is afraid.

But his vision does not end there. He sees himself ascending to the heavenly

realm, probably following " after [Jesus]. " There Judas sees a great house. In

contrast to the dream of " the twelve " , he sees not an earthly building but the

heavenly temple of the true God above. [13] No priests are offering sacrifices

there; instead, it is described as a place of greenery surrounded by wise elders

[script looks similar to '2NNOX NPWME'], literally " some large, great, or old

people " ). This language is used as a title of respect for an elder, especially a

person of notable stature (like the Christian use of " presbyter " ). It is

reminiscent, too, of the biblical figure of God as " Ancient One " in 'Daniel'

7:9, 13, 22; and the image of God reigning and manifesting his glory " before his

elders " ('Isaiah' 24:23). Here the elders appear to be distinguished members of

the divine court standing before the heavenly temple of God. This temple, too,

is filled with a crowd (presumably the great and holy race?), and Judas asks

Jesus to let him join them.

Not only the contrast but also the 'similarity' between the two dreams (the two

temples, the two groups who lead, and the two crowds who worship at each) is

deliberate, for this likeness points to the way in which everything in this

world is but an inferior and misleading imitation of the true reality in the

divine realm above, as Jesus will reveal to Judas, beginning in chapter 10.

[15]-[21] of Segment 9

(P.115) [Jesus] replied. He said, " Your star is leading you astray, Judas, since

no mortal human offspring is worthy to enter the house that you saw. For that is

the place which is preserved for the holy ones, the place where neither the sun

nor the moon will rule them nor the day, but they will stand firm for all time

in the realm with the holy angels. (P.116) Behold, I have told you the mysteries

of the kingdom and I have taught you [about the er]ror of the s[tar]s and

['about one and a half lines are untranslatable'] upon the t[w]elve realms. "

Comments:

(P.142) We now learn what it is that Judas has misunderstood: He apparently

thought that members of the mortal human race could enter the heavenly temple.

But Jesus corrects this mistake, saying that it is reserved for the holy ones.

Here all those who have escaped the dominion of the heavenly bodies - the sun,

the moon, and the day - will live forever with the holy angels. Judas had

apparently thought that after suffering death his body would be resurrected.

Such is the " teaching " of the errant heavenly bodies - the stars (planets) of

the lower world. But Jesus's teaching lets him know that death is nothing to

fear.

[22]-[25] of Segment 9

(P.116) Judas said, " Teacher, surely the rulers are not subject to my seed? "

Jesus answered. He said to him, " Come... ['about two lines are untranslatable']

ut because you will groan deeply when you see the kingdom and its entire

race. "

Comments:

(P.142) At last Judas begins to understand Jesus's deeper message. He is

astonished to realize that " (his) seed " - that is, all those who belong to the

holy immortal race - is superior to the lower angels who rule the world. Since

Judas and those like him possess the immortal divine spirit while the angelic

rulers exist only for an allotted time, the seeming order of things is reversed:

It is the lower angels who are in fact subject to the immortal race. This view

is reminiscent of 'Hebrews' 1-2, which stresses that Christ is superior to the

angels, citing a " revisionist " Christianized version of Psalm 8 (which declares

that " man " was made " little less than God " ).

Judas's realization is balanced, however, with yet another prophecy that he will

" groan deeply " over his role in this world, for his understanding of the truth

about the kingdom of this world and the mortal human race will lead him to

grieve over their fate.

[26]-[30] of Segment 9

(P.116) When Judas heard these things, he said to him, " What benefit have I

received because you separated me for that race? "

Jesus answered. He said, " You will become the thirteenth and you will be cursed

by the rest of the races - but you will rule over them. In the last days, they

will and you will go up to the holy ra[ce]. "

Comments:

(P.142) Now Judas begins to wonder if it is all worth it, but Jesus comforts

him. While it is true that he will be cast out ( " become the thirteenth " ) and

cursed, in the end he will rule over them all and ascend to the holy race.

The text in verse 30 is difficult, for it appears that the scribe made a

mistake, leaving out one or more words by accident (indicated by pointed

brackets). The text that remains suggests that the disciples are going to do

something to Judas (perhaps stone him? - a suggestion from Stephen Emmel in

conversation), after which he will ascend to the holy race.

Reading Judas - The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity,

'Comments on the Translation' Pg. 140-143)

Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King

Penguin Group - London, England

ISBN 978-0-713-99984-6

Notes:

[12] Plato, 'Timaeus' 90a-b; 'Plato', Vol. IX, translated by R.G. Bury, Loeb

Classical Library edition, (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1929),

p.245, modified.

[13] For an important recent study of the heavenly Temple and sacrificial

practice, see Jonathon Klawans, 'Purity, Sacrifice, and the Temple: Symbolism

and Supersessionism in the Study of Ancient Judaism' (Oxford: Oxford University

Press, 2006), especially pp. 111-174. The book examines how contemporary biases

against sacrifice have distorted our views about the meaning of the Temple,

purity law, and sacrifice among Jews and Christians in the ancient world. In

particular, Klawans demonstrates that criticisms of the Temple cult, sacrifice,

and " impure priests " did not necessarily entail complete rejection of those

institutions and practices as such.

, " Violet " <violetubb

wrote:

>

> A./ 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas'

>

> Segment 8:

>

> (P.114) [1] Judas said to [him, " Rabb]i, What fruit does this race

possess? "

>

> [2] Jesus said, " The souls of every human race will die. [3] But

when those (who belong to the holy race) have completed the time of

the kingdom and the spirit separates from them, [4] their bodies will

die but their souls will be alive and they will be lifted up. "

>

> [5] Judas said, " What, then, will the rest of the race of humans do? "

>

> (P.115) [6] Jesus said, " It is not possible to sow (seeds) upon a

ton[e] and have their [fr]uit be harvested. [7] Again [thi]s is the

way [...........] the race [which is pollut]ed and perishable wisdom.

[8] [..] the hand which created mortal humanity so that their souls

[g]o up to the realms which are on high. [9] T[rul]y I say to you

(pl.) th[at no ruler nor a]ngel [nor p]ower will be able to see [the

places t]here, [10] which [this great] (and) holy race [will see]. "

[11] After Jesus said these things, he departed.

>

> ('English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - Pg. 114-115)

>

>

>

> B./ 'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas) - Segment 8

> [Note: A comprehensive Commentary is given for the totality of

[1]-[8], but no 'Commentary' is given for [9]-[11].]

>

> Comments:

>

> (P.138) Judas asks about Jesus's interpretation of the " fruit " -

presumably the fruit of the tree of knowledge or the tree of life,

from the 'Genesis' story of the trees of paradise, which Jesus had

been discussing in chapter 7. In response to his question, Jesus again

talks about the two races. All the souls of people who belong to the

mortal race will die when their bodies perish and the divine Spirit

leaves them. (P.139) But those who belong to the immortal race will

have a different fate: When their bodies perish, the Spirit will lift

up their souls to eternal life. Judas can't seem to understand what

Jesus is saying, because he asks again about what happens to those who

don't ascend at death. Although Jesus's response is in a section of

severely damaged manuscript, he seems to answer Judas that it is

possible for them to ascend as well. Jesus refers first to the parable

of the sower (e.g., Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15; Thomas

9), indicating that those who are polluted with the wisdom of the

world (see also Judas 10:4) are like seeds falling on stone: Nothing

can be harvested from them. But then he speaks about a " hand " that

created human beings so that they 'can' ascend to the heavenly realm.

>

> It would appear that the fate of one's soul depends upon whether one

turns inward to discover the Spirit within or whether one lives

according to the standards of the world ( " corruptible wisdom " ),

notions common in the second century. Plato had already argued

something similar in the 'Phaedo', in which Socrates, about to be put

to death by poisoning, discusses with friends the fate of the soul. He

argues that when the soul is in bondage to the body, pains and

pleasures are like nails that rivet the soul to the body and make the

soul " corporeal. " The result is that the soul then " fancies the things

are true which the body says are true. For because it has the same

beliefs and pleasures as the body, it is compelled to adopt also the

same habits and mode of life, and can never depart in purity to the

other world, but must always go away contaminated with the body....

Therefore it has no part in communion with the divine and pure and

absolute. " In contrast, those who cultivate the virtuous life of the

soul have no fear at the death of the body, knowing that death will

only free the soul for immortal life with the divine. (P.139) Those

with a prophetic spirit, Socrates claims, go to their deaths with joy,

because " they are to go to the god whose servants they are. " [11] In

the 'Gospel of Judas', too, this fate belongs to the one disciple who

has a prophetic spirit capable of receiving divine revelation: Judas.

We can assume that all those who accepted the teaching of the 'Gospel

of Judas' also thought that they, too, were on the spiritual path to God.

>

> Reading Judas - The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity,

> 'Comments on the Translation' Pg. 138-140

> Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King

> Penguin Group - London, England

> ISBN 978-0-713-99984-6

>

> Notes:

>

> [11] See 'Phaedo' 66-69; 83d-84b; 84e-85b; quotation from 83d-e,

'Plato', Vol. 1, translated by Harold North Fowler, Loeb Classical

Library edition (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1914), p.291.

>

>

>

>

> , " Violet " <violetubb@>

> wrote:

> >

> > A./ 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas'

> >

> > Segment 5:

> >

> > (P.113) [1] Jesus said to them, " 'You' are the ones you saw

> receiving offerings at the altar. [2] That is the 'God' you serve. [3]

> And you are the twelve men whom you saw. [4] And the domestic animals

> you saw being brought for sacrifice are the multitude you are leading

> astray upon that al[t]ar. [5] [The ruler of chaos will es]tablish

> himself, [6] and this is how he will make use of my name. [7] And the

> race of the pious will adhere tenaciously to him. [8] After this,

> another man will take the side of the for[n]ic[ators], [9] and another

> one will stand with those who murder children, [10] and yet another

> with those who lie with men, [11] and those who fast, [12] and all the

> rest of impurity and lawlessness and error, [13] and those who say,

> 'We are equal to angels' - [14] and they are the stars which bring

> everything to completion. [15] For it has been said to the races of

> humans, 'Behold God received your sacrifice from the hands of a

> priest' - that is to say, from the minister of error. [16] But it is

> the Lord - the one who is the Lord over the entire universe - who

> commands that they will be put to shame at the end of days. "

> >

> > [17] Jesus said [to them], " Cease sac[rificing .............]. [18]

> It is upon the alt[a]r that yo[u ..........] [for they are] over your

> stars and your angels, having already been completed there. [19] Let

> them become [....] again right in front of you, and let them ...

> >

> > ('English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - Pg. 113-114)

> >

> >

> >

> > B./ 'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas)

> > [Note: Here is a comprehensive summary for the totality of Segment 5]:

> >

> >

> > (P.137) Now Jesus gives them the full interpretation of the dream,

> equating " the twelve " with the priests at the altar and the offerings

> with people that they lead astray. All the immoral acts and violence

> they witnessed in the dream result from worshipping the lower " God " ,

> who uses Jesus's name to set himself up falsely as the true God. It is

> this lower " God " who demands sacrifices, but he is merely a " minister

> of error " (5:15). Jesus calls upon his disciples to stop this

> behaviour, to quit sacrificing themselves and others to this false

> " God " who said that at the resurrection they will " be like angels " -

> even as the 'Gospel of Luke' said that Jesus taught that " those who

> are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection

> of the dead...cannot die anymore, because they are like angels

> (literally " equal to angels " ) and are children of God " ('Luke'

> 20:35-36). (P.138) Here Jesus teaches that if people do not stop this

> behavior, at the end of days the true Lord of the universe will put

> them all to shame. The mention of the " end of days " is yet another

> instance where the author draws upon apocalyptic imagery and belief in

> God's final condemnation of the unrighteous. This will happen when the

> stars complete everything - a reference to Jesus's teaching about the

> heavenly sphere, which will become more clear later.

> >

> > In 5:7: " And the race of the pious will adhere tenaciously to him " ,

> Jesus says that the pious will adhere to something. But what?

> Grammatically, the referent is ambiguous. It could mean that the

> so-called pious will adhere to the ruler of chaos or it could mean

> that they will adhere to Jesus's name. In either case, it is clear

> that the world ruler leads people astray through Jesus's name.

> >

> >

> >

> > Segments 6-7:

> >

> >

> > 6./

> >

> > (P.114) ['about fifteen and a half lines are missing from the

> manuscript']

> >

> > to the races [...]. It is not possible for a bak[er] to feed the

> whole creation under [heaven]. And

> >

> > ['about three and a half lines are untranslatable']

> >

> >

> > 7./

> >

> > (P.114) [1] Jesus said to them, " Stop struggling against me. [2]

> Each one of you has his own star a[nd every] o[ne...

> >

> > ['about eighteen lines are missing from the manuscript or

> untranslatable']

> >

> > He came to those who [........sp]ring of the tree of ['about one

> line is untranslatable'] [sea]son of this realm [..... af]ter a time

> [..........]. Rather he came to water God's paradise and the [ra]ce

> that will endure, because [he wi]ll not pollute the way of [life of]

> that race. Bu[t ......] for all eternity. "

> >

> > Comments:

> >

> > (P.138) These pages are heavily damaged, so we have to speculate

> about what is being conveyed. One clear point of interest is Jesus's

> insistence that everyone has a star - again referring to teaching

> about the heavenly bodies that Jesus will clarify later in his

> revelation to Judas.

> >

> > The end of chapter 7 seems to contain an interpretation of the

> garden paradise described in 'Genesis'. It refers to the springs that

> water it and to a tree. Someone (Christ) provides " water " (knowledge?)

> to the " race that will endure " (the children of Seth?) so that they

> will not be polluted. It may be an amplification of what Jesus means

> when he later tells Judas that God gave knowledge to Adam and those

> with him so that they could escape the domination of the lower-world

> rulers (see 'Judas' 13:16-17).

> >

> > Reading Judas - The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity,

> > 'Comments on the Translation' Pg. 137-138

> > Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King

> > Penguin Group - London, England

> > ISBN 978-0-713-99984-6

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > , " Violet " <violetubb@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > A./ 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - by Karen L. King

> > >

> > > Segment 4:

> > >

> > > [1] On another day, Jesus came up to [them]. [2] They said to [him],

> > " Teacher, we saw you in a [vision]. [3] For we saw some great dr[eam]s

> > [at] night [...]

> > >

> > > [4] [He said], " Why have [you ......] hid yourselv[es]? "

> > >

> > > [5] For their part, they s[aid, " We] sa[w] a great hou[se in which

> > there was a g]reat alta[r and] twelve men, whom we say are priests,

> > and a name. [6] But there was a crowd persevering tenaciously at that

> > altar u[ntil] the priests [finish]ed [receiving] the offerings. [7] As

> > for us, we too [were] tenacious[ly per]severing.

> > >

> > > [8] Je[sus said], " What ki[nd] of [priests are they]?

> > >

> > > [9] They [said,] " [so]me [abstain for t]wo [w]eeks. [10] Yet

> > [others] sacrifice their own children, others their wives, [11] all

> > the while praising and acting humbly toward each other. [12] Some are

> > lying with ma[l]es. [13] Others work at slaughtering. [14] Yet others

> > were committing a [mul]titude of sins and injustices. [15] [An]d the

> > men who stand [ove]r the altar are invoking your na[me]! [16] And so

> > in all the labors of cutting up their sacrifices, that altar stays

> > full. " [17] And when they had said these things, they were silent for

> > they felt deeply disturbed.

> > >

> > > [18] Jesus said to them, " Why are you disturbed? (P.113) [19] Truly

> > I say to you, all the priests who stand ove[r that] altar are invoking

> > my name. [20] And ag[ain] I say to you that they wrote my name upon

> > the [...] of the races of the stars through the races of human beings.

> > [21] [An]d in my name, they shamefully planted fruitless trees. "

> > >

> > > ('English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - Pg. 112-113)

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > B./

> > >

> > > 'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas) - Segment 4

> > >

> > > [1]-[7] of Segment 4

> > >

> > >

> > > (P.112) " On another day, Jesus came up to [them]. They said to

> > [him], " Teacher, we saw you in a [vision]. For we saw some great

> > dr[eam]s [at] night [...]

> > >

> > > [He said], " Why have [you ......] hid yourselv[es]? "

> > >

> > > For their part, they s[aid, " We] sa[w] a great hou[se in which there

> > was a g]reat alta[r and] twelve men, whom we say are priests, and a

> > name. But there was a crowd persevering tenaciously at that altar

> > u[ntil] the priests [finish]ed [receiving] the offerings. As for us,

> > we too [were] tenacious[ly per]severing. "

> > >

> > > Comments:

> > >

> > > (P.136) The 'Gospel of Judas' contains accounts of two dreams, the

> > first by the twelve disciples, the second by Judas. Both come to Jesus

> > to help them understand the meaning of what they have seen, and in

> > both cases Jesus uses the dreams to correct the false beliefs and

> > practices of his disciples. The dream of " the twelve " , however, stands

> > in contrast to the dream Judas will have, for while " the twelve " see

> > only the violence and immorality of life in this world, Judas grasps a

> > partial vision of the realm above.

> > >

> > > In their dream the twelve disciples see " a great house " . This is a

> > temple (a house of God) before which sacrifices are offered, most

> > likely understood to be the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Twelve priests

> > stand before the altar, receiving offerings from a crowd. They also

> > perceive " a name " . The disciples see themselves in the dream among the

> > crowd, devoted to the altar.

> > >

> > >

> > > [8]-[21] of Segment 4

> > >

> > > (P.112) Je[sus said], " What ki[nd] of [priests are they]?

> > >

> > > They [said,] " [so]me [abstain for t]wo [w]eeks. Yet [others]

> > sacrifice their own children, others their wives, all the while

> > praising and acting humbly toward each other. Some are lying with

> > ma[l]es. Others work at slaughtering. Yet others were committing a

> > [mul]titude of sins and injustices. [An]d the men who stand [ove]r the

> > altar are invoking your na[me]! And so in all the labors of cutting up

> > their sacrifices, that altar stays full. " And when they had said these

> > things, they were silent for they felt deeply disturbed.

> > >

> > > Jesus said to them, " Why are you disturbed? (P.113) Truly I say to

> > you, all the priests who stand ove[r that] altar are invoking my name.

> > And ag[ain] I say to you that they wrote my name upon the [...] of the

> > races of the stars through the races of human beings. [An]d in my

> > name, they shamefully planted fruitless trees. "

> > >

> > > Comments:

> > >

> > > (P.136) Jesus directs the disciples' attention more closely to the

> > priests (or " the crowd " ? - a reading would fit in the lacunae as well

> > as " the priests " , but the meaning is not clear, since it is the job of

> > priests to sacrifice, although it is plausible that the author wants

> > us to think that the crowd adopts the immoral behaviour of its

> > leaders). The disciples then tell him more about what they are doing.

> > (P.137) It is shocking: They are sacrificing their own wives and

> > children, engaging in illicit sex, slaughter, and " a multitude of sins

> > and injustices " . And yet the altars stay full! Readers also learn here

> > that " the name " the priests are invoking is that of Jesus.

> > >

> > > Again the disciples are upset and silent. Jesus condemns the

> > priests, because they are using his name shamefully to plant

> > " fruitless trees " - a charge closely resembling those that other

> > Christians aimed at one another. In the New Testament book of 2

> > 'Peter', for example, the author charges other Christians as " false

> > prophets " and " false teachers " , who " indulge their flesh in depraved

> > lust " and entice others into " licentious desires " ; they are " slaves of

> > corruption " , " like irrational animals " , " waterless springs " , and so

> > on. The author assures his readers that they will all be condemned and

> > punished (2'Peter' 2:1-22). The charges of murder and same-sex

> > relations, too, belong to the general theme in ancient thought that

> > impiety leads to violence and sexual immorality (see, for example,

> > 'Romans' 1:18:32). [10] The 'Apocalypse of Peter' also calls those

> > Christians who are praising Jesus for his death on the cross " blind

> > and deaf " (73:13-14) - showing yet again that charges of error and

> > immorality were flying in all directions.

> > >

> > > Reading Judas - The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity,

> > > 'Comments on the Translation' Pg. 136-137

> > > Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King

> > > Penguin Group - London, England

> > > ISBN 978-0-713-99984-6

> > >

> > >

> > > Notes:

> > >

> > > [10] For an excellent examination of views of same-sex relations in

> > antiquity and Christianity, see Bernadette J. Brooten, 'Love Between

> > Women: Early Christian Responses to Female Homoeroticism' (Chicago:

> > University of Chicago Press, 1996).

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > , " Violet " <violetubb@>

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > A./ 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - by Karen L.

King

> > > >

> > > > Segment 3:

> > > >

> > > > [1] When morning came, he [appear]ed to his disciples, [2] [and]

> > > they said to him, " Teacher, where did you go? [3] What did you do

> > > after you left us? "

> > > >

> > > > [4] Jesus said to them, " I went to another great and holy race. "

> > > >

> > > > [5] His disciples said to him, " Lord, what great race is there

that

> > > is more exalted and holier than we are, yet is not in these realms? "

> > > >

> > > > [6] Now when Jesus heard these things, he laughed. [7] He said to

> > > them, " What are you contemplating in your heart about the strong and

> > > holy race? [8] [T]ruly say to you that no offspring [of t]his

> > > realm will see that [race], [9] nor will any angelic army of the

stars

> > > rule over that race, [10] nor will any mortal human offspring be

able

> > > to belong to it. [11] For [t]hat rac[e] does not come from [this

> > > realm] which came into being [but ..... [12] The r]ace of humans

[who

> > > are] among [you (pl.)] is from the [r]ace of human[ity]. [13]

> > > [...............] power which [....... some ot]her for[ces .......]

> > > since you rule i[n their midst]. "

> > > >

> > > > [14] When [his] disciples heard these things, each one of them was

> > > troubled i[n their] spirit, [15] and they could not find a word to

> say.

> > > >

> > > > ('English Translation of the Gospel of Judas' - Pg. 111-112)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > B./

> > > >

> > > > 'Comments on the Translation' (Gospel of Judas) - Segment 3

> > > >

> > > > [1]-[13] of Segment 3

> > > >

> > > > (Pg.111) " When morning came, he [appear]ed to his disciples, [and]

> > > they said to him, " Teacher, where did you go? What did you do after

> > > you left us? "

> > > >

> > > > Jesus said to them, " I went to another great and holy race. "

> > > >

> > > > His disciples said to him, " Lord, what great race is there that is

> > > more exalted and holier than we are, yet is not in these realms? "

> > > >

> > > > Now when Jesus heard these things, he laughed. He said to them,

> > > " What are you contemplating in your heart about the strong and holy

> > > race? [T]ruly say to you that no offspring [of t]his realm will

> > > see that [race], nor will any angelic army of the stars rule

over that

> > > race, nor will any mortal human offspring be able to belong to

it. For

> > > [t]hat rac[e] does not come from [this realm] which came into being

> > > [but ..... The r]ace of humans [who are] among [you (pl.)] is

from the

> > > [r]ace of human[ity]. "

> > > >

> > > > Comments:

> > > >

> > > > (P.135) When Jesus left his disciples, he ascended " to another

great

> > > and holy race. " Readers learn here that Jesus is by no means trapped

> > > in " the prison of his body " and needing to be saved from it, as some

> > > church fathers from the second century claimed heretics believed.

> > > Instead, he is easily able to move between this world and the world

> > above.

> > > >

> > > > The disciples are surprised to learn that there is a race

living in

> > > realms beyond this world. Their ignorance and disbelief again cause

> > > Jesus to laugh - signaling the reader that important teaching is to

> > > follow. Here Jesus distinguishes clearly between the mortal children

> > > of the lower world and the race that comes from the realm above. The

> > > race from above is strong and holy, and is not subject to the angels

> > > or stars that govern the lower world - a point Jesus will stress

again

> > > (see also 9:17-19). In contrast, people who worship the lower angels

> > > are thereby enslaved to them, reminding one of Paul's teaching in

> > > 'Galatians' 4:8-11: " Formerly, when you did not know God, you were

> > > enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. Now, however,

that you

> > > have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you

turn

> > > back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? whose slaves

> > > you want to be once more? How can you want to be enslaved again?

> > > (P.136) You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and

> > > years. I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted. " Here

> > > Paul upbraids Christians in the Galatian churches for following the

> > > ritual calendar, seeing it as enslavement to the elemental spirits,

> > > which are associated with the heavenly bodies that set the calendar.

> > > Similarly, the 'Book of Revelation' pictures pure believers living

> > > eternally in the New Jerusalem, where they will " need no light

of lamp

> > > or sun, for the Lord God will be their light " ('Revelation' 22:5).

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > [14]-[15] of Segment 3

> > > >

> > > > (P.112) " When [his] disciples heard these things, each one of them

> > > was troubled i[n their] spirit, and they could not find a word

to say.

> > > >

> > > > Comments:

> > > >

> > > > (P.136) Again the twelve disciples' reaction shows that they don't

> > > really understand, for Jesus's teaching upsets them and they don't

> > > even know how to ask Jesus to clarify what he is saying.

> > > >

> > > > 'Comments on the Translations' (Gospel of Judas) - (P.135-136)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , " Violet "

<violetubb@>

> > > > wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > Dear All,

> > > > >

> > > > > Appended, is the 'English Translation of the Gospel of Judas'

> which

> > > > is translated by Karen L. King. But firstly, the authors Elaine

> Pagels

> > > > and Karen L. King give this explanation:

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.107) " In the more than fifteen hundred years since the

> 'Gospel of

> > > > Judas' was inscribed in the Tchacos Codex, the text has suffered

> > > > considerable damage. The worst came after its rediscovery in the

> > > > 1970s, when improper handling and storage reduced much of it

to tiny

> > > > fragments. Despite the diligent work of an expert restoration

> team, it

> > > > still contains many holes (called lacunae). Sometimes only a few

> > > > letters are obscured, but some lacunae are quite extensive,

leaving

> > > > more than half a page empty. In the translation below, these

are all

> > > > marked with brackets: [...]; the number of ellipsis points

> within the

> > > > brackets indicates approximately how many letters are missing.

> As much

> > > > as possible, scholars have attempted to determine what was

> written in

> > > > these lacunae, and these suggestions are also placed in

brackets. In

> > > > addition, I have supplied other material to render the translation

> > > > into more fluid English prose or to suggest to readers the

referents

> > > > for some obscure pronouns; these materials are placed in

> > > parentheses: ( ).

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.108) This new translation is based on the Coptic text

> established

> > > > by Rodolphe Kasser and Gregor Wurst*; all modifications of

that text

> > > > by myself or others are noted in the Comments section. "

> > > > >

> > > > > *The Gospel of Judas. Coptic Text. The National Geographic

> Society,

> > > > > April 2006, published online at

> > > > http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/document.html with

> > > > modifications based on an advance copy of the critical edition

> of the

> > > > Tchacos Codex edited by Rodolphe Kasser and Gregor Wurst; English

> > > > translation by Marvin Meyer and F. Gaudard; notes by Marvin

> Meyer and

> > > > Gregor Wurst, to be published by the National Geographic Society,

> > > > Washington, D.C., spring 2007. We would like to thank Marvin

> Meyer for

> > > > generously allowing us to see an advance copy of this edition. Any

> > > > restorations proposed here, however, remain tentative until

they can

> > > > be confirmed by examination of the original manuscript of the

> > > > announced facsimile edition.

> > > > >

> > > > > So folks, here is the 'English Translation of the Gospel of

Judas'

> > > > which has been divided up into 16 Sections. The authors'

> 'Comments on

> > > > the Translations' are very extensive. i will post these

separately,

> > > > with their Individual 16 Sections, so that the 'English

Translation'

> > > > comes first and its accompanying 'Comments on the Translation'

comes

> > > > right after it.

> > > > >

> > > > > Words just fail me in what Jesus told Judas, and in what

> > > > circumstances He told them, i.e., they were told " for eight days,

> > > > three days before he observed Passover " . And then Judas had to

> do what

> > > > Jesus requested him to do, which was to give Him over to the

> priests.

> > > > What a role Judas had to play! How obedient Judas was! But he

> could do

> > > > it because what Jesus told him in those eight days must have

> made all

> > > > that Jesus had taught previously, fall into place. i believe

it must

> > > > do the same for us who read these teachings of Jesus as given

in the

> > > > ancient 'Gospel of Judas'.

> > > > >

> > > > > yours 'In Christ',

> > > > >

> > > > > violet

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Part Two - English Translation of the Gospel of Judas

> > > > >

> > > > > - Translated by Karen L. King

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 1./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] This is the hidden word of the pronouncement, [2]

> containing the

> > > > account about wh[en Je]sus spoke with Judas scari[ot] for eight

> > > > days, three days before he observed Passover.

> > > > >

> > > > > [3] When he appeared on earth, he performed signs and great

> wonders

> > > > for the salvation of humanity. [4] For although some people

> continued

> > > > to [walk] along the path of righteousness, [5] others were walking

> > > > along the path of their transgression. [6] So twelve disciples

were

> > > > called, [7] (and) he began to speak to them about the mysteries

> which

> > > > are beyond the world and about the things which will occur at

> the end.

> > > > >

> > > > > [8] Frequently, however, he would not reveal himself to his

> > > > disciples, but you would find him in their midst as a child.

> > > > >

> > > > > [9] And he dwelled in Judaea with his disciples.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 2./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] One day he found them sitting, assembled together (and)

> training

> > > > (themselves) in godliness. [2] When he [came upon] his disciples

> > > > assembled together, sitting and offering thanks over the

bread, [3]

> > > > [he] laughed.

> > > > >

> > > > > [4] The discipl[e]s said to him, " Teacher, why do you laugh at

> [our]

> > > > offering thanks? Or what did we do? [5] [This] is what is right. "

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.110) [6] He replied, telling them, " It is not you I am

laughing

> > > > at - [7] you are not even doing this by [yo]ur own will - [8]

> but (I'm

> > > > laughing because) in this (offering of thanks), your 'God' will

> > > > receive praise. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [9] " Teacher, 'you' are [.....] the Son of our God, " they said.

> > > > >

> > > > > [10] Jesus said to them, " Do you (really think you) know me

- how?

> > > > [11] Truly I say to you, no race from the people among you

will ever

> > > > know me. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [12] Now when his disciples heard this, [they] began to be

> > > > displeased and [become] angry, and to blaspheme against him in

their

> > > > heart.

> > > > >

> > > > > [13] But when Jesus perceived their foolishness, [14] [he

said] to

> > > > them, " Why are you letting anger disturb you? [15] Your God who is

> > > > within you and [his ....] are displeased [together with] your

souls.

> > > > [16] Let whoever is [strong] among you humans bring forth the

> perfect

> > > > human [17] and stand up to face me. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [18] And they all said, " We are strong! " [19] But their

> spirits did

> > > > not have the courage to stand up to face him - except Judas

> > > > [is]cariot. [20] He was able to stand up to face him, [21] even

> though

> > > > he was not able to look him in the eyes, bu[t] turned his face

> aside.

> > > > >

> > > > > [22] Judas said to him, " I know who you are and which place

> you came

> > > > from - [23] you came from the realm of the immortal Barbelo -

> [24] but

> > > > I am not worthy to proclaim the name of the one who sent you. "

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.111) [25] Then Jesus, recognizing that he perceived even

> more of

> > > > such exalted matters, said to him, " Separate from them. [26] I

will

> > > > tell you the mysteries of the kingdom. [27] It is possible for

> you to

> > > > reach that place, [28] but you will suffer much grief. [29] For

> > > > another [will] take your place, so that the twelve di[sciples]

might

> > > > again be complete in their 'God.' "

> > > > >

> > > > > [30] And Judas said to him, " When will you tell these things

> to me,

> > > > [31] and when will the great [da]y of the light dawn for the

> [......]

> > > > race? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [32] But after he said these things, Jesus left him.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 3./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] When morning came, he [appear]ed to his disciples, [2] [and]

> > > > they said to him, " Teacher, where did you go? [3] What did you do

> > > > after you left us? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [4] Jesus said to them, " I went to another great and holy race. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [5] His disciples said to him, " Lord, what great race is there

> that

> > > > is more exalted and holier than we are, yet is not in these

realms? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [6] Now when Jesus heard these things, he laughed. [7] He

said to

> > > > them, " What are you contemplating in your heart about the

strong and

> > > > holy race? [8] [T]ruly say to you that no offspring [of t]his

> > > > realm will see that [race], [9] nor will any angelic army of the

> stars

> > > > rule over that race, [10] nor will any mortal human offspring be

> able

> > > > to belong to it. [11] For [t]that rac[e] does not come from [this

> > > > realm] which came into being [but ..... [12] The r]ace of humans

> [who

> > > > are] among [you (pl.)] is from the [r]ace of human[ity]. [13]

> > > > [...............] power which [....... some ot]her for[ces

........]

> > > > since you rule i[n their midst]. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [14] When [his] disciples heard these things, each one of

them was

> > > > troubled i[n their] spirit, [15] and they could not find a word to

> > say.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 4./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] On another day, Jesus came up to [them]. [2] They said to

> [him],

> > > > " Teacher, we saw you in a [vision]. [3] For we saw some great

> dr[eam]s

> > > > [at] night [...]

> > > > >

> > > > > [4] [He said], " Why have [you ......] hid yourselv[es]? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [5] For their part, they s[aid, " We] sa[w] a great hou[se in

which

> > > > there was a g]reat alta[r and] twelve men, whom we say are

priests,

> > > > and a name. [6] But there was a crowd persevering tenaciously at

> that

> > > > altar u[ntil] the priests [finish]ed [receiving] the offerings.

> [7] As

> > > > for us, we too [were] tenacious[ly per]severing.

> > > > >

> > > > > [8] Je[sus said], " What ki[nd] of [priests are they]?

> > > > >

> > > > > [9] They [said,] " [so]me [abstain for t]wo [w]eeks. [10] Yet

> > > > [others] sacrifice their own children, others their wives,

[11] all

> > > > the while praising and acting humbly toward each other. [12]

> Some are

> > > > lying with ma[l]es. [13] Others work at slaughtering. [14] Yet

> others

> > > > were committing a [mul]titude of sins and injustices. [15]

[An]d the

> > > > men who stand [ove]r the altar are invoking your na[me]! [16]

And so

> > > > in all the labors of cutting up their sacrifices, that altar stays

> > > > full. " [17] And when they had said these things, they were

> silent for

> > > > they felt deeply disturbed.

> > > > >

> > > > > [18] Jesus said to them, " Why are you disturbed? (P.113) [19]

> Truly

> > > > I say to you, all the priests who stand ove[r that] altar are

> invoking

> > > > my name. [20] And ag[ain] I say to you that they wrote my name

upon

> > > > the [...] of the races of the stars through the races of human

> beings.

> > > > [21] [An]d in my name, they shamefully planted fruitless trees. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 5./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] Jesus said to them, " 'You' are the ones you saw receiving

> > > > offerings at the altar. [2] That is the 'God' you serve. [3]

And you

> > > > are the twelve men whom you saw. [4] And the domestic animals

> you saw

> > > > being brought for sacrifice are the multitude you are leading

astray

> > > > upon that al[t]ar. [5] [The ruler of chaos will es]tablish

himself,

> > > > [6] and this is how he will make use of my name. [7] And the

race of

> > > > the pious will adhere tenaciously to him. [8] After this,

> another man

> > > > will take the side of the for[n]ic[ators], [9] and another one

will

> > > > stand with those who murder children, [10] and yet another with

> those

> > > > who lie with men, [11] and those who fast, [12] and all the

rest of

> > > > impurity and lawlessness and error, [13] and those who say,

'We are

> > > > equal to angels' - [14] and they are the stars which bring

> everything

> > > > to completion. [15] For it has been said to the races of humans,

> > > > 'Behold God received your sacrifice from the hands of a priest'

> - that

> > > > is to say, from the minister of error. [16] But it is the Lord

- the

> > > > one who is the Lord over the entire universe - who commands that

> they

> > > > will be put to shame at the end of days. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [17] Jesus said [to them], " Cease sac[rificing .............].

> [18]

> > > > It is upon the alt[a]r that yo[u ..........] [for they are] over

> your

> > > > stars and your angels, having already been completed there.

[19] Let

> > > > them become [....] again right in front of you, and let them ...

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 6./

> > > > >

> > > > > ['about fifteen and a half lines are missing from the

manuscript']

> > > > >

> > > > > to the races [...]. It is not possible for a bak[er] to feed the

> > > > whole creation under [heaven]. And

> > > > >

> > > > > ['about three and a half lines are untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 7./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] Jesus said to them, " Stop struggling against me. [2] Each

> one of

> > > > you has his own star a[nd every] o[ne...

> > > > >

> > > > > ['about eighteen lines are missing from the manuscript or

> > > > untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > > He came to those who [........sp]ring of the tree of ['about one

> > > > line is untranslatable'] [sea]son of this realm [..... af]ter

a time

> > > > [..........]. Rather he came to water God's paradise and the

[ra]ce

> > > > that will endure, because [he wi]ll not pollute the way of

[life of]

> > > > that race. Bu[t ......] for all eternity. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 8./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] Judas said to [him, " Rabb]i, What fruit does this race

> possess? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [2] Jesus said, " The souls of every human race will die. [3] But

> > > > when those (who belong to the holy race) have completed the

time of

> > > > the kingdom and the spirit separates from them, [4] their bodies

> will

> > > > die but their souls will be alive and they will be lifted up. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [5] Judas said, " What, then, will the rest of the race of humans

> > do? "

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.115) [6] Jesus said, " It is not possible to sow (seeds)

upon a

> > > > ton[e] and have their [fr]uit be harvested. [7] Again [thi]s

> is the

> > > > way [...........] the race [which is pollut]ed and perishable

> wisdom.

> > > > [8] [..] the hand which created mortal humanity so that their

souls

> > > > [g]o up to the realms which are on high. [9] T[rul]y I say to you

> > > > (pl.) th[at no ruler nor a]ngel [nor p]ower will be able to

see [the

> > > > places t]here, [10] which [this great] (and) holy race [will

see]. "

> > > > [11] After Jesus said these things, he departed.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 9./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] Judas said, " Teacher, just as you listened to all of

them, now

> > > > listen to me also. [2] For I have seen a great vision. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [3] But when Jesus heard, he laughed. [4] He said to him,

" Why are

> > > > you getting all worked up, thirteenth god? [5] But you too

> speak, and

> > > > I will hold you up. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [6] Judas said to him, " I saw myself in a vision. [7] The twelve

> > > > disciples were stoning me; [8] they were persecuting [me

severe]ly.

> > > > [9] And I [ca]me also to the place [.........] after you. [10]

I saw

> > > > [a house .....] but my eyes were not able [to measure] its extent.

> > > > [11] But some elders of great stature were surrounding it,

[12] and

> > > > that house was roofed with greenery. [13] In the midst of the

house

> > > > wa[s a] cr[owd ..............]. [14] Teacher, let me be taken [in

> > > > wi]th these people. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [15] [Jesus] replied. He said, " Your star is leading you astray,

> > > > Judas, [16] since no mortal human offspring is worthy to enter the

> > > > house that you saw. [17] For that is the place which is

> preserved for

> > > > the holy ones, [18] the place where neither the sun nor the moon

> will

> > > > rule them nor the day, [19] but they will stand firm for all

time in

> > > > the realm with the holy angels. (P.116) [20] Behold, I have

told you

> > > > the mysteries of the kingdom [21] and I have taught you [about the

> > > > er]ror of the s[tar]s and ['about one and a half lines are

> > > > untranslatable'] upon the t[w]elve realms. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [22] Judas said, " Teacher, surely the rulers are not subject

to my

> > > > seed? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [23] Jesus answered. He said to him, " Come... [[24] 'about two

> lines

> > > > are untranslatable'] [25] ut because you will groan deeply

> when you

> > > > see the kingdom and its entire race. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [26] When Judas heard these things, he said to him, " What

benefit

> > > > have I received because you separated me for that race? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [27] Jesus answered. He said, " You will become the

thirteenth [28]

> > > > and you will be cursed by the rest of the races - [29] but you

will

> > > > rule over them. [30] In the last days, they will and you

will go

> > > > up to the holy ra[ce]. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 10./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] Jesus said, [ " Com]e and I will [te]ach you about the

> > > > [things..... that] no human will see. [2] For there exists a great

> > > > realm and a boundlessness whose measure no angelic race has

> > > > comprehended. [3] [in] it is the great invis[ib]le Sp[irit] -

> [4] the

> > > > one whom no a[ngeli]c eye has seen nor any inner thought of heart

> > > > contained nor has anyone called it by any name. [5] And a luminous

> > > > cloud appeared in that place.

> > > > >

> > > > > [6] " And he said, 'Let an angel come into being to attend

me.' [7]

> > > > And a great angel - the luminous divine Autogenes - came forth

from

> > > > the cloud. [8] And another four angels came forth because of him

> from

> > > > another cloud, [9] and they came into being to attend the angelic

> > > > Autogenes.

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.117) [10] " And [A]uto[genes] said, 'Let [Adamas] come into

> > > > be[ing],' and [..........] came into being. [11] And he

> c[reated] the

> > > > first luminary so that [it] might rule over it. [12] Next he said,

> > > > 'Let angels come into being to worship it,' [13] and immeasurable

> > > > myriads came into being. [14] And he said, '[Le]t [a] luminous

> [re]alm

> > > > come into being,' [15] and it came into being. [16] He

> established the

> > > > second luminary to rule over it, [17] along with innumerable

angelic

> > > > myriads to worship (it). [18] And in this way, he created the

> rest of

> > > > the realms of light, [19] he established (luminaries) to rule over

> > > > them, [20] and he created for them innumerable angelic myriads for

> > > > their service.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 11./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] " Adamas dwelled in the first cloud of the light, [2] (yet)

> none

> > > > among the angels - who are all called 'divine' - has seen that

> > > > (cloud). [3] And he ['about two lines are untranslatable'] [4] the

> > > > image [...........] and according to the likeness of t[hat

> an]gel. [5]

> > > > He made the imperishable [race] of Seth appear [......] the twelve

> > > > [.......] the twenty [fo]ur [.......]. [6] By the will of the

> Spirit,

> > > > he made seventy-two luminaries appear in the imperishable

> ra[ce]. [7]

> > > > Then by the will of the Spirit, the seventy-two luminaries

> themselves

> > > > made three hundred sixty luminaries appear in the imperishable

> race in

> > > > order that their number might become five for each.

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.118) [8] " And their father is the twelve realms of the twelve

> > > > luminaries, [9] with six heavens for every realm so that the

> > > > seventy-two heavens might come into being for the seventy-two

> > > > luminaries, [10] with [five fi]rmaments for each one [of them so

> that]

> > > > three hundred sixty [firmaments might come into being .....]. [11]

> > > > They were given [an] authority with a [great, innumerab]le angelic

> > > > army for glory and wor[ship], [12] [and] then [in addition]

virginal

> > > > [sp]irits for gl[o]ry and [wor]ship of all the realms and the

> heavens

> > > > and their [fi]rmaments.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 12./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] " Now it is that crowd of deathless ones who are called

> 'cosmos',

> > > > that is, 'what perishes.' [2] It was by the Father and the

> seventy-two

> > > > luminaries who are with Autogenes and his seventy-two realms

> that the

> > > > first Human appeared in the place (the perishable cosmos) with his

> > > > imperishable powers. [3] For this realm, along with its race which

> > > > appeared, is the one that has within it the cloud of knowledge

> and the

> > > > angel who is called 'El.' [4]['about 3 lines missing']

> > > > >

> > > > > [5] " [Af]ter these things, he [....] said, 'Let the [tw]elve

> angels

> > > > come into being [so they might r]ule over the chaos and the

> > > > ob[livion].' [6] And behold an a[ngel] ap[pear]ed from the cloud

> whose

> > > > face was pouring forth fire, [7] while his likeness was

defiled with

> > > > blood. [8] And he had [one n]ame, 'Nebro,' which is interpreted as

> > > > 'apostate,' [9] but some others call him 'I[al]dabaoth.' [10] And

> > > > again another angel came forth from the cloud (called) 'Saklas.'

> [11]

> > > > Nebro then created six angels along with Saklas to attend (him).

> [12]

> > > > And these produced twelve angels in the heavens, [13] and each

> of them

> > > > received an allotted portion in the heavens. (P.119) [14] And the

> > > > twelve rulers, along with the twelve angels said, 'Let each one of

> > > > you...'[[15] 'about three lines untranslatable'] [five] angels.

> > > > >

> > > > > [16] " The first is [se]th, who is called 'Christ'. [17] The

> [secon]d

> > > > is Harmathoth, whom [...........]. [18] The [thir]d is Falida.

[19]

> > > > The forth is Iobel. [20] The fifth is Adonaios. [21] These

> are the

> > > > five who ruled over oblivion and are first over chaos.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 13./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] " Then Saklas said to his angels, 'Let us create a human

being

> > > > [ac]cording to the likeness and according to the image.' [2]

> Then they

> > > > formed Adam and his wife, Eve. [3] But in the cloud, she was

called

> > > > 'Zoe' ('Life'). [4] For in this name all the races shall seek

> after it

> > > > (life), [5] and each one of them calls her by their names.

> > > > >

> > > > > [6] " But [sa]klas did not com[mand .......] exce[pt

> ...........] the

> > > > ra[ce]s [.........] this one [..............]. [7] And the [ruler]

> > > > said to him, 'Your life and that of your children will last

> (only) for

> > > > a season.' "

> > > > >

> > > > > [8] Judas said to Jesus, " [What] is the longest that a human

being

> > > > might live? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [9] Jesus said, " Why are you surprised that the lifespan of

> Adam and

> > > > his race is numbered in this place? [10] It is in this place

that he

> > > > received his kingdom, with its ruler, for a (limited) number. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [11] Judas said to Jesus, " Does the human spirit die? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [12] Jesus said, " This is the way it is: God commanded

Michael to

> > > > loan the spirits of human beings to them so they might worship

> (him).

> > > > [13] Then the Great One commanded Gabriel to give the spirit

> with the

> > > > soul to the spirits of the great undominated race. (P.120) [14]

> > > > Because of this, the re[mai]ning souls will... ['about one and a

> half

> > > > lines are untranslatable'] ... light ... ['about one and a half

> lines

> > > > are untranslatable'] ... [15] to seek [after the] spirit

within you

> > > > (pl.) [which y]ou make to dwell in this [fle]sh among the races

> of the

> > > > an[gel]s. [16] Then God required knowledge [to be given] to

Adam and

> > > > those with him [17] in order that the rulers of chaos and oblivion

> > > > should not lord it over them. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 14./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] [Then] Judas said to Jesus, " What, then, will those

races do? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [2] Jesus said, " Truly I say to you (pl.), it is the stars that

> > > > bring completion upon all things. [3] For when Saklas has

completed

> > > > his times which are fixed for him, [4] their first star will be

> about

> > > > to come along with the races, [5] and those things which were

spoken

> > > > will be completed. [6] Then they will fornicate in my name,

[7] and

> > > > they will kill their children, [8] and...

> > > > >

> > > > > [[9-10] 'about eight and a half lines are untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > > ...i]n my name, [11] and your star will r[ule] over the

> [thi]rteenth

> > > > realm. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [12] But afterward, Jesus [lau]ghed.

> > > > >

> > > > > [13] [Judas sai]d, " Teacher, [why are you laughing at us?] "

> > > > >

> > > > > [14] [Jesus] re[pli]ed. [He said,] " It is not [yo]u (pl.) I am

> > > > lau[gh]ing [at, bu]t at the error of the stars, [15] because

> these six

> > > > stars go astray with these five warriors, [16] and all of them

> will be

> > > > destroyed along with their creations. "

> > > > >

> > > > > (P.121) [17] Then Judas said to Jesus, " What will those who are

> > > > baptized in your name do? "

> > > > >

> > > > > [18] Jesus said, " Truly I say [to you], This baptism

> [..........] my

> > > > name ...

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > ['about eight lines are untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > > ...die [........] to me. "

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 15./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] " Truly [i sa]y to you, Judas, those [who of]fer up

> sacrifice to

> > > > Sakla[s .....g]od... [[2]'about three lines are

untranslatable'] ...

> > > > everything [for they are w]icked. [3] As for you, you will surpass

> > > > them all. [4] For you will sacrifice the human being who bears

> me. [5]

> > > > Already your horn is raised up, [6] your anger is full, [7] your

> star

> > > > has passed by, [8] and your heart has [preva]iled.

> > > > >

> > > > > [9] " Tr[uly I say to you,] 'Your end ...'

> > > > >

> > > > > [[10-11] 'about five and a half lines are untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > > ...the ru[ler] who is destroyed. [12] [An]d then the pl[a]ce

> of the

> > > > great race of Adam will be exalted, [13] because prior to

heaven and

> > > > earth and the angels, through the realms that race exists.

> > > > >

> > > > > [14] " Behold, everything has been told you. [15] Lift up

your eyes

> > > > and see the cloud and the light which is in it and the stars which

> > > > surround it. [16] And the star that leads the way, that is your

> star. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [17] Then Judas lifted up his eyes. [18] He saw the luminous

cloud

> > > > [19] and he entered into it. [20] Those standing upon the ground

> heard

> > > > a voice coming from the cloud, saying, " [............] great ra[ce

> > > > .....im]age... "

> > > > >

> > > > > ['about six and a half lines are untranslatable']

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 16./

> > > > >

> > > > > [1] [Then] their chief priests murmured because [he (Jesus)]

> entered

> > > > [in]to the guest room for his prayer. [2] And some scribes were

> there

> > > > watching closely in order to catch him at prayer, [3] for they

were

> > > > afraid of the people because he was held to be a prophet by them

> all.

> > > > >

> > > > > [4] And they approached Judas. [5] They said to him, " What

are you

> > > > doing in this place? [6] You are the disciple of Jesus. "

> > > > >

> > > > > [7] But as for him, he answered them according to their

will. [8]

> > > > Then Judas received some copper coins. [9] He handed him over to

> them.

> > > > >

> > > > > [10] The Gospel of Judas

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Comments:

> > > > >

> > > > > ['Comments on the Translations' to come separately as explained

> > > above.]

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Reading Judas - The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of

> Christianity,

> > > > > Part Two, The Gospel of Judas

> > > > > Pg.107-122

> > > > > Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King

> > > > > Penguin Group - London, England

> > > > > ISBN 978-0-713-99984-6

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>