Second Apocalypse of James

James the Just preaches in the temple, recounts the words of the Lord his brother, and is taken by the priests of Jerusalem.

1This is the discourse which James the Just delivered in Jerusalem, which Mareim, one of the priests, wrote down. He had told it unto Theuda, the father of the Just One — for he was a kinsman of his.

2Now James was speaking these words concerning the consummation. And he sat upon the wall of the temple, and he was preaching the word of life unto the multitudes.

3I, even I, am he that received the revelation from the Pleroma — even from the Pre-existent. I am he whom my Lord hath revealed unto from the place of fulness — even He that is the Lord, my brother.

4And he, my brother — even Jesus — He was with us before the time was. He was the firstborn from before the worlds were. He was the Word of the Father, sent forth in the silence.

5And He came down unto us. He took unto Himself flesh of a virgin. He walked among us; He taught us. He showed us the way of the Father. He gave Himself for us, that we might be redeemed.

6And He revealed unto me, His brother, the things which are hidden. He took me upon a high mountain. He embraced me; He kissed me; He said: My beloved! Behold, I shall reveal unto thee the things that are hidden. None hath beheld them; none shall behold them save thee, and they unto whom thou shalt declare them.

7And He said: Thou shalt be numbered with the saints. Thou shalt sit at the right hand of the Father with Me. They shall hate thee for My name's sake; but the Father shall vindicate thee. They shall cast thee down from the temple; but I shall lift thee up unto the place of My glory.

8I, even I, shall be with thee. The Father shall be with thee. The Spirit shall be with thee. Be of good cheer. The labour is short; the rest is long.

9And these are the things which I declare unto you, ye children of Israel: hearken; know the truth; turn from the cycle of the powers; receive the seal of the Light. The kingdom is at the door. The Son of Man is at hand.

10But the priests, hearing these things, were filled with wrath. They said: This man blasphemeth. Let us cast him down.

11And they laid hands upon him; and they cast him from the wall of the temple. And they took stones, and stoned him.

12And as they were stoning him, James lifted up his voice, and prayed: Lord, be Thou my God and my Father; my Saviour; save me from this evil life. Receive me unto Thyself; for I am of Thee.

The prayer of James as he is martyred — his ascent through the heavens, his reception by the Lord, and the sealing of his testimony.

1And as the stones fell upon him, James continued to pray, saying: Father which art on high — even from before the foundation of the world — receive me into Thy bosom.

2Father — the Father of every Father, the Father of every aeon, the Father of every Pleroma — receive Thy son. I have done the work which Thou hast given me to do. I have borne witness unto Thy name. I have kept the faith.

3Father — Thou that hast no Father, Thou that hast no kin, Thou that hast no equal — receive Thy son. The crown is at hand; the rest awaiteth me; the bridal chamber is open.

4And the Spirit came upon him; and his soul departed his body. And the angels received him, and bare him up through the heavens.

5And he passed through the gates of the powers without being detained; for he had the password — the name of the Lord his brother. And the powers stood mute as he passed; for they had no claim upon him.

6And he came unto the Pleroma. And the Lord was there to receive him. And the Lord embraced him, and kissed him, and said: Welcome, my beloved brother. Thou hast finished thy course. Thou hast kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness.

7And the Father received him; and He set him at the right hand of the Son. And James gave thanks; and he worshipped.

8And these are the things which Mareim hath written, and which he hath given unto Theuda, the father of the Just One. Theuda hath kept them; and he hath given them unto his children; and they have come down unto us in this generation.

9Whosoever shall read these words, blessed is he. Whosoever shall keep the testimony of James, blessed is he. He shall sit with James, and with the Lord, and with all the saints, in the kingdom of the Father, for ever and ever.

10Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Glory be unto James the Just, the brother of the Lord. Forever and ever. Amen.