Apocalypse of Paul

Paul ascends through the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth heavens — confronts the old man on the seventh heaven who would detain him, and is recognized by his fellow spirits in the place of light.

1And we ascended unto the sixth heaven. And the light of the sixth heaven shone upon me; and the angels rejoiced when they beheld me, for they recognized me as one of their own.

2And we ascended unto the seventh heaven. And there I beheld an old man, sitting upon a throne; his garment was as the white snow, and his face shone as the sun. And he said unto me: Whither goest thou, O Paul, thou blessed one, set apart from thy mother's womb?

3I beheld the Spirit; he was nodding his head, saying unto me: Speak with him. And I answered, and said unto the old man: I shall go unto the place from which I came forth.

4And the old man said: Whence art thou?

5And I answered, and said: I shall go down into the world of the dead, that I might lead captive the captivity which was led captive in the captivity of Babylon. And the old man answered me, saying: How shalt thou be able to depart from me? Behold, the rulers and the principalities.

6And the Spirit said unto me: Give him the sign which thou hast — and he shall open up unto thee. And I gave him the sign. He turned his face down unto his creation, and unto them that are his own authorities.

7And then was opened the seventh heaven. And we ascended up unto the eighth heaven. And I beheld the twelve apostles. They saluted me; and we ascended up unto the ninth heaven.

8I saluted all them that are in the ninth heaven; and we ascended up unto the tenth heaven. And I saluted my fellow spirits.

9And there I beheld the great Light. And the Spirit said unto me: This is the place of thy rest. This is the inheritance which the Father hath prepared for thee from before the foundation of the world.

10And I bowed down, and worshipped. And I gave thanks. And the Spirit said: Now art thou one with thy fellow spirits. Henceforth shalt thou no more be alone. Thou shalt walk in the Light; thou shalt rest in the rest; thou shalt reign with the Lord for ever.

11Then the Spirit brought me down again. And I came again into my body. And I arose; and I went forth, that I might preach the gospel which I had received.

12And these things did I, Paul, behold; and I bear witness, and my witness is true. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.