Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles

Peter and the apostles set sail; they come to a city in the midst of the sea where they meet the pearl merchant Lithargoel, who calls them unto a hidden city.

1It came to pass that, after the Lord was taken up from us, we went forth from Jerusalem. We were eleven brethren; and we sailed in a ship upon the sea.

2And the wind drove us unto a city in the midst of the waters, even the city which is called Habitation. And we entered into the city, that we might rest there, and inquire of the inhabitants concerning the will of the Lord.

3And as we were going through the streets, we beheld a man come forth from the gate. He carried a satchel about his neck, and a staff in his hand. And he was crying out: Pearls! Pearls!

4And I, even I, Peter, said unto him: My brother and friend, what is thy name?

5And he answered, and said: My name is Lithargoel — that is to say, the light gazelle stone.

6And I said unto him: Whence comest thou?

7He said: From a city which is far off — even Nine Gates. The way thither is hard. Robbers lie in wait by the way. Wild beasts are in the desert. The road goeth through hunger and thirst. None can travel it that beareth bread, water, sandals, fine garments, or money. He that taketh upon himself nothing of these things shall arrive thither in safety. He shall enter the city, and shall be received.

8And I said unto him: This is a hard way; for who can go without bread, or water, or sandals, or garment, or coin?

9And Lithargoel said: Yet they that go thus shall arrive. They that take with them the things of the world shall fall by the way. Take heed, my brother. Cast off the cares of this city, even Habitation; gird thyself for the journey unto the city of Nine Gates. The pearls thereof are without price.

10And we marvelled at his words. And we asked the inhabitants of the city: Have ye heard of this city of Nine Gates? And they said: We have heard rumour; but none of us hath gone there.

11Then I, Peter, said unto my brethren: Let us follow Lithargoel. Let us cast off the cares of Habitation. Let us journey unto Nine Gates. For I believe that the Lord hath sent this man unto us.

12And we cast off our garments and our coin and our sandals and our bread. And we went forth in the way; and we travelled in poverty; and we were as men that are nothing.

Lithargoel reveals himself as the Lord; He commissions the apostles to return unto Habitation, to heal the sick, and to give the pearl freely unto the poor.

1And we travelled, fasting, until we came unto a place in the way. And there appeared unto us Lithargoel — yet not in the form in which we had first seen him. He was clothed now in the garments of a physician, and had a chest of medicines under his arm.

2And we knew him not until he revealed himself. He said: Peace be unto you. And He embraced us. And we beheld; and lo, it was the Lord.

3And we fell at His feet, and worshipped Him. And He said: I am the pearl merchant. I am the physician. I am the gazelle stone. I am Lithargoel; and I am Jesus.

4Now hearken: ye have done well to leave the city of Habitation, and to walk in poverty toward Nine Gates. The poverty itself is the way; for he that hath nothing of the world is unburdened, and he is light, and he can pass through the narrow gate.

5But now I send you back unto the city of Habitation. Go ye unto the poor; preach the gospel unto them. Heal the sick; comfort the sorrowful; feed the hungry; lift up them that are bowed down.

6Take this chest of medicines that I bear; and use it. The medicines are the words of life. Apply them unto the souls of the sick; and the souls shall be healed. Apply them unto the bodies of the sick, also; and many of the bodies shall be healed.

7And give the pearl freely. Take no price for it. Sell not the gospel; barter it not for silver or gold. He that selleth the pearl is a thief; he that giveth it freely is a son of the kingdom.

8And take heed unto the rich. Their riches shall be a snare unto them. The wealthy shall not enter the city of Nine Gates, save they cast off their wealth. Therefore exhort them to give unto the poor; for in giving they shall be made light.

9Be ye not as the rich young man who turned away because his possessions were many. Be ye as the widow, who gave her two mites — yea, all that she had. The Father seeth the heart; He weigheth the gift not by quantity, but by sincerity.

10And as ye go, the Spirit shall be with you. The angels of the heavens shall minister unto you. The Father shall provide for your needs. Be ye not anxious for the morrow; for sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof.

11And we bowed before Him; and we received the chest of medicines. And He blessed us; and He went up out of our sight.

12And we returned unto the city of Habitation. And we did even as He had commanded. And many were healed; and many believed; and the gospel of the kingdom was preached.

13Glory be unto Lithargoel, the pearl merchant; even unto our Lord Jesus the Christ, who came down to seek the lost. Forever and ever. Amen.