Book of Thomas the Contender
The Saviour speaks privately with Judas Thomas, His twin brother, on the way to His Passion — concerning self-knowledge, the body of fire, and the wrath that consumes the foolish.
1These are the secret words which the Saviour spake unto Judas Thomas, which I — even Mathaias — wrote down, as I was walking and listening as they spake one with another.
2The Saviour said: Brother Thomas, hearken unto me while there is yet time in this world; for I shall reveal unto thee the things which thou hast pondered in thy mind.
3Now since it hath been said that thou art my twin and my true companion, examine thyself, that thou mayest understand who thou art, and in what way thou existest, and how thou shalt come to be. Inasmuch as thou shalt be called my brother, it is not fitting that thou be ignorant of thyself.
4And I know that thou hast understood; for thou didst understand that I am the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, while thou accompaniest me — even though thou art uncomprehending — thou hast already come to know. Thou shalt be called he that knoweth himself. For he that hath not known himself hath known nothing; but he that hath known himself hath at the same time achieved knowledge concerning the depth of the All.
5Now Judas, called Thomas, said: Therefore I beseech Thee, O Lord: tell me concerning these things which I ask Thee before Thy ascension. And when I hear from Thee concerning the things hidden, then I can speak about them. And it is plain unto me that the truth is difficult to perform before men.
6The Saviour answered, and said: If the things which are visible unto thee are obscure, in what manner canst thou hear concerning the things which are not visible? If the works of the truth which are visible in the world are difficult for thee to perform, how shalt thou perform those works which pertain unto the exalted height and unto the Pleroma which are not visible?
7And how shalt thou be called a labourer? For this cause, thou art a beginner, and thou hast not yet received the height of perfection.
8Judas said: Speak unto us about the things which Thou sayest are not visible — those which are hidden from us.
9The Saviour said: All bodies have been begotten in the same way as the bodies of beasts; they are begotten irrational. So they appear unto God, who hath made them. Wherefore the bodies of these are like the bodies of beasts. Now what is begotten ariseth from a beast, and is unable to make manifest, but is changed and is brought to nothing — even as a beast.
10These are the things which trouble the soul, that it cannot recognize itself: it is mingled with the body. He that knoweth himself, he is the one who knoweth not the body which encompasseth him. He shall be set apart unto himself; he shall behold himself, and shall be free.
11Take heed unto yourselves of the world. Cleave not unto the things that perish. Lay not up treasure where moth and rust do corrupt; lay it up rather where neither moth nor rust may consume.
12Woe unto you that love the body, and the work of the body, and the cares of the body. Woe unto you that abide in your error, and that consider not the lights of heaven, neither the lights of your own being. Ye walk in darkness; and ye know not whither ye go.
13Woe unto you in the fire that burneth in you. For there is an unquenchable fire which inhabiteth the bodies of men. The lust of the flesh is the fuel; the wrath is the flame. They burn within, even when ye know it not. They consume your strength; they devour your peace.
14But blessed are ye that turn from the body unto the Spirit. Blessed are ye that have light within you. Blessed are ye that have known yourselves. Ye shall not be consumed by the fire; rather, ye shall be illuminated by the Light.
15Judas said: Lord, what shall we say in the face of these things? What shall we do to be saved?
16And the Saviour said: Watch and pray. Renounce the love of the body. Cleave unto the Spirit. Be ye sober; for the time is short. Be ye vigilant; for the powers shall come upon you swiftly. Be ye loving; for love is the sign by which ye shall be known.
17And He blessed Thomas, and embraced him; and the disciples gave thanks.
