On the Origin of the World

The chaos beneath the limit, the shadow of Sophia, the coming-forth of Yaldabaoth, and the appointing of the powers of the lower heavens.

1Forasmuch as everyone — both the gods of this world and men — saith that there is nothing existing before chaos, I shall demonstrate that they are all mistaken. For they are not acquainted with the foundation of chaos.

2Now chaos came to be from the shadow. And the shadow came to be from a work that hath existed from the beginning. So is it manifest that this work existed before the chaos came to be — and that the chaos was after the first work.

3Now let us consider the matter; and from the matter, let us discover what was the source of chaos.

4After the natural structure of the immortal beings was complete out of the boundless, then likeness fell down from Pistis. And it was called Sophia. It exercised volition; and it became a work resembling the light which existed at first. Yea, its volition came forth as a likeness of the light.

5And as soon as her volition emerged, it became as the rising of a star — like the dawning of a sun upon the boundless. And the work of Sophia, having appeared, was the veil between the immortals and the things that came forth after them, even according to the likeness of the eternal realm.

6And the shadow of the veil cast upon the abyss became matter. And the matter took form; and out of the matter took form the chaos.

7Now Pistis Sophia, beholding what had come forth from her shadow, was distressed. And she desired that her shadow should not become a deficiency. And she breathed her breath upon the chaos; and the chaos was set in motion.

8And out of the chaos came forth a ruler — a likeness of a lion, androgynous, with great authority within him. And he was ignorant of the source whence he had come.

9Now this ruler, called Yaldabaoth — and also called Saklas, and also called Samael — saith in his pride: I am God; and there is none other beside me.

10And as he said this, he sinned against the All. And his speech ascended unto the imperishable place. And there came forth a voice, saying: Thou art mistaken, Samael. There is the immortal Man of Light; he hath existed before thee. He shall appear among thy moulded creations; he shall trample thee underfoot, even as the potter's clay is trampled. And thou shalt go down unto the abyss with thy mother.

11And Yaldabaoth was sore afraid. He withdrew himself unto the chaos. He set himself a throne in the midst of the lower place. He fashioned the firmament about himself. He fashioned a great seat upon the chariot of the cherubim.

12And he begat for himself sons. He begat them out of the waters of the chaos. He named them: Yao, Sabaoth, Adonaios, Eloai, Oraios, Astaphaios, Iao. And these are the seven powers of the seven heavens.

13Now Sabaoth, the second, when he beheld the great power of his father, repented. He condemned his father, and his mother — that is, the matter. He praised Pistis Sophia. And Pistis loved him; and she set him over the seventh heaven. And he is the just one, who hath ever loved the truth.

14But Yaldabaoth was wroth with Sabaoth. He warred against him. But Sabaoth, with the help of Pistis, prevailed; and he was set in the seventh heaven, in glory.

15And Sabaoth, in his place, made a chariot of cherubim, and a throne of fire. And about him stood holy ones; and they sang unto him. And he begat a son, even Israel — that is, the man that beholdeth God. And he is the seer of God.