Book of Thomas the Contender

The woes against the foolish, the blessings upon the wise, and the Saviour's promise of rest unto the contenders.

1Woe unto you, ye that hope in the flesh, and in the body that perisheth. How long shall ye remain in your forgetfulness? How long shall ye think that the imperishable shall perish?

2Your hope is set upon the world; and ye think it is your god. Ye are corrupting your souls. Woe unto you in the flame which burneth within you, for it is insatiable.

3Woe unto you because of the wheel that turneth in your minds. Woe unto you because of the burning within. How shall ye endure when ye are stripped of the body in the day of your death? How shall ye answer the powers when they question you at the gates of the heavens?

4Woe unto you that love your enemies, and forsake your friends. Woe unto you that bow before the rulers, and refuse the Light. Woe unto you that dwell in the darkness, and call it day. Woe unto you that are wise in your own conceit, and despise the wisdom of the Father.

5But blessed are ye, the wise. Blessed are ye that have understood the parable of the kingdom. Blessed are ye that have washed your robes; ye shall enter into the gates of the city.

6Blessed are ye that have set your hope upon the things which are above, and not upon the things of the earth. For the earth shall pass away; but the things which are above shall endure for ever.

7Blessed are ye that mourn for the slumber of your brethren. Blessed are ye that bear witness unto the truth, even when men receive it not. Blessed are ye that contend; for ye are the contenders, and ye shall reign.

8Blessed are ye that pray without ceasing; ye shall be heard. Blessed are ye that fast; ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that have left father and mother and brethren and sisters and houses and lands for my name's sake; ye shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

9Watch and pray that ye come not into temptation. The flesh is weak; the powers are strong. But the Spirit which I shall send is mightier than they. Lean upon Him; trust in Him; obey Him.

10And ye shall pass through the gates of death without harm; and ye shall stand in the courts of light; and ye shall be received unto your rest. The Father shall greet you; the Son shall embrace you; the Spirit shall fill you. Ye shall be of the unshakable race for ever.

11And the Saviour said: Now have I spoken plainly unto thee, my brother Thomas. Take these words; write them down; preserve them. Reveal them unto the worthy; conceal them from the unworthy. For pearls are not for swine; and the holy thing is not for dogs.

12Be of good cheer. The labour is short; the rest is long. The night is far spent; the day is at hand. Walk in the Light, while ye have the Light, lest the darkness overtake you.

13Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Glory be unto the Saviour who hath taught us. Glory be unto the contender who hath kept the faith. Forever and ever. Amen.