

The Book of Thomas - The Nag Hammadi Library - John D. Turner Annotated Translation

    (Above image of the Gospel of Thomas courtesy of the
    Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University)

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The Nag Hammadi Library

    The Book of Thomas (the Contender)

Translated by John D. Turner

      This original translation is presented in the Gnostic Society Library      by  permission of Dr. John D. Turner, who retains all copyright.  The headings shown in bold text are added to the text by  Dr. Turner. The numbers in parenthesis indicate the original  page and line numbers within  Codex 2 (NHC II,7 138,1-145,19).  Dr. Turner's  fully annotated version of this translation, including the complete  line numbering referenced by his translation, is available here.

      I. Incipit introducing the Savior, Thomas and Mathaias (138,1-4)

The secret sayings that the savior spoke to  Judas Thomas which I, even I, Mathaias,  wrote down, while I was walking, listening to them speak with  one another.

            II. Dialogue between Thomas and the Savior (138,4-142,21)

       Ignorance versus Self-Knowledge (138,4-138,21)

      The savior said, "Brother Thomas  while you have time in the world, listen to me,  and I will reveal to you the things you have pondered  in your mind.

          "Now, since it has been said that you are my  twin and true companion, examine yourself, and learn  who you are, in what way you exist, and  how you will come to be. Since you will be called my brother,  it is not fitting that you be  ignorant  of yourself. And I know that you have understood,  because you had already understood that I am the knowledge of the truth.  So while you accompany me, although you are uncomprehending,  you have (in fact) already come to know, and you will be called 'the one who  knows himself'. For he who has not known  himself has known nothing, but he who has known himself  has at the same time already achieved knowledge about the depth of the all.  So then, you, my brother Thomas, have beheld what is obscure  to men, that is, what they ignorantly stumble against."

      Visible versus Invisible Reality (138,21-139,12)

      Now Thomas said to the lord,  "Therefore I beg you to tell me  what I ask you before your ascension,  and when I hear from you about  the hidden things, then I can speak about  them. And it is obvious to me that the truth is difficult to  perform before men."

          The savior answered, saying,  "If the things that are visible to you are obscure  to you, how can you hear  about the things that are not visible? If the deeds of the truth  that are visible in the world are difficult for you to perform,  how indeed, then, shall you perform those that pertain to the  exalted height and to the pleroma which are not visible?  And how shall you be called 'laborers'?  In this respect you are apprentices, and have not yet received  the height of perfection."

          Now Thomas answered  and said to the savior, "Tell us about these things  that you say are not visible, [but are] hidden  from us."

          The savior said, "[Every human] body, [like] the  the beasts, is begotten [irational].  Doesn't it appear like [a creature erect]  [among other creatures? For] this very reason, those that are above  [do not appear among] things that are visible, but they are visible   in their own root, and it is their fruit  that nourishes them. But these visible bodies  survive by devouring creatures similar to them  with the result that the bodies change. Now that which changes will  decay and perish, and has no hope of life from then on,  since that body is bestial. So just as the body of the beasts  perishes, so also will these formations  perish. Do they not derive from intercourse  like that of the beasts? If it, too derives from intercourse,  how will it beget anything different from  beasts? So, therefore, you are babes until  you become perfect."

       The Illumination of the Invisible by the Savior's Light (139,12-31)

      And Thomas answered,  "Therefore I say to you, lord, that those who speak  about things that are invisible and difficult  to explain are like those who shoot their arrows at a  target at night. To be sure, they shoot their arrows as  anyone would - since they shoot at the target - but it is not visible.  Yet when the light comes forth and  hides the darkness, then the work of each will appear.  And you, our light, enlighten, O lord."

          Jesus said, "It is in light that light exists."

          Thomas, spoke, saying, "Lord,  why does this visible light that shines  on behalf of men rise and set?"

          The savior  said, "O blessed Thomas, of course this visible light  shines on your behalf - not in order [that]  you remain here, but rather that you might come forth  - and whenever all the elect abandon  bestiality, then this light will withdraw  up to its essence, and its essence will welcome it,  since it is a good servant."

       The Wise Flee while the Ignorant Succumb to Bodily Passions (139.31-141,2)

      Then  the savior continued and said, "O  unsearchable love of the light! O bitterness of  the fire that blazes in the bodies of men and in  their marrow, kindling in them night and  day, and burning the limbs of men and  [making] their minds become drunk and their souls become deranged.  [And that which is imprisoned] in them (bodies)—within males and females  [by day and] night—and that moves them  [powerfully, burns] secretly and visibly.  For the males [move; they move upon the females]  and the females upon [the males. Therefore it is]   said, "Everyone who seeks the truth from  true wisdom will make himself wings so as to  fly, fleeing the lust that scorches the spirits  of men." And he will make himself wings to flee  every visible spirit."

          And Thomas answered,  saying, "Lord, this is exactly what I am asking  you about, since I have understood that you  are the one who is beneficial to us, as you say."

          Again the savior  answered and said, "Therefore it is necessary  for us to speak to you, since this is the doctrine of the perfect.  If, now, you desire to become perfect, you shall  observe these things; if not, your name is 'Ignorant',  since it is impossible for an intelligent man to dwell with a  fool, for the intelligent man is perfect in all wisdom.  To the fool, however, the good and bad are  the same—indeed the wise man will be nourished  by the truth and (Ps.1:3) "will be like a tree growing by  the meandering stream"—seeing that there are some who, although having wings,  rush upon the visible things, things that  are far from the truth. For that which guides them,  the fire, will give them an illusion of truth,  [and] will shine on them with a [perishable] beauty,  and it will imprison them in a dark  sweetness and captivate them with fragrant pleasure.  And it will blind them with insatiable lust  and burn their souls and become  for them like a stake stuck in their heart  which they can never dislodge. And like  a bit in the mouth, it leads them according to its  own desire. And it has fettered them with its  chains and bound all their limbs  with the bitterness of the bondage of lust for those  visible things that will decay and change  and swerve by impulse. They have  always been attracted downwards; as they are killed,  they are assimilated to all the beasts of   the perishable realm."

          Thomas answered and said, "It  is obvious and has been said, '[Many are those who cry  [out] to those who do not know [the repose of]  [their] soul.'"

          And [the savior] answered, saying,  "[Blessed is] the wise man who [sought  after the truth, and] when he found it, he rested   upon it forever and was unafraid of those  who wanted to disturb him."

      The Inevitable Reincarnation of Non-ascetic Christians (141,2-18)

      Thomas answered  and said, "It is beneficial for us, lord, to rest  among our own?"

          The savior said, "Yes, it is useful.  And it is good for you, since things visible  among men will dissolve: for the vessel of   their flesh will dissolve, and when it is brought to naught  it will come to be among visible things, among things that are seen.  And then the fire which they see gives them pain  on account of love for the faith they  formerly possessed. They will be gathered back to that which is visible.  Moreover, those who have sight among things that are not visible, without  the first love they will perish in the concern for this  life and the scorching of the fire. Only a little while longer,  and that which is visible will dissolve; then  shapeless shades will emerge, and  in the midst of tombs they will forever dwell upon the corpses  in pain and corruption of soul."

       Infernal Punishment and Reincarnation for the Merely Well-intentioned (141,19-142,21)

      Thomas answered and said, "What have we  to say in the face of these things? What shall we say to  blind men? What doctrine should we express to these miserable  mortals who say, "We came to [do]  good and not to curse," and yet [claim],  "Had we not been begotten in the flesh, we would not have known  [iniquity]"?"

          The savior said, "Truly, as for  [those], do not esteem them as men, but regard them [as]  beasts, for just as beasts devour one another,  so also men of this sort  devour one another. On the contrary, they are deprived of [the kingdom]  since they love the sweetness of the fire and  are servants of death and rush to the works of corruption.  They fulfill the lust of their fathers. They will  be thrown down to the abyss and be afflicted  by the torment of the bitterness of their evil nature.  For they will be scourged so as to make them  rush backwards, whither they do not know, and  they [will recede] from their limbs not patiently, but  with despair. And they rejoice over [their]  [involvement with life in] madness and derangement, since they are [fools].  [They] pursue this derangement without realizing [their  madness, thinking] that they [are] wise. [They love]  [the beauty] of their body [...]   Their mind is directed to their own selves, for their thought is occupied  with their deeds. But it is the fire that will burn them."

          And Thomas answered and said, "Lord, what will the one  thrown down to them do? For I am most anxious  about them; many are those who fight them."

          The savior answered and said, "What is your own  opinion?"

          Judas - the one called  Thomas - said, "It is you, lord, whom it befits  to speak, and me to listen."

          The savior replied, "Listen to what I am going to tell you  and believe in the truth. That which sows and that which is sown  will dissolve in the fire - within the fire  and the water - and they will hide in tombs of darkness.  And after a long time they shall show forth  the fruit of the evil trees, being punished,  being slain in the mouth of beasts and men  at the instigation of the rains and winds and air  and the light that shines above."

       How to Preach these Misunderstood Sayings (142,21-26)

      Thomas  replied, "You have certainly persuaded us, lord.  We realize in our heart, and it is obvious, that this  [is so], and that your word is sufficient. But these sayings  that you speak to us are ridiculous and contemptible to the world  since they are misunderstood.  So how can we go  preach them, since we are [not] esteemed  [in] the world?"

            III. Monologue of the Savior [Secret Sayings] (142,26-145,16)

       The Imprisonment of the Scoffers in Hades (142,26-143,7)

      The savior answered and said,  "Truly I tell you that he who will listen to  [your] word and turn away his face or sneer  at it or smirk at these things, truly  I tell you that he will be handed over to  the ruler above who rules over  all the powers as their king, and he will turn  that one around and cast him from heaven down to  the abyss, and he will be imprisoned in a narrow  dark place. Moreover, he can neither turn nor move on account of   the great depth of Tartaros and the [heavy bitterness]  of Hades that is steadfast. [And] they  [are drawn] into it [so that they will not]  [escape]. They will not put away [their madness. And]  [the people that will] persecute you will be handed  over [to the] angel Tartarouchos  [who bears whips of] fire, pursuing them   [as] fiery scourges cast a shower of sparks into  the face of the one who is pursued. If he flees westward, he  finds the fire. If he turns southward, he finds it there as well.  If he turns northward, the threat  of seething fire meets him again. Nor does he find the way to the east  so as to flee there and be saved, for he did not find it in the day  he was in the body, so that he might find it in the day of judgment."

       Twelve Woes against the Scoffers (143,8-145,1)

      Then the savior continued, saying,

          "Woe to you, godless ones, who have no hope,  who rely on things that will not happen!

          "Woe to you  who hope in the flesh and in the prison that will perish!  How long will you be oblivious? And how long will you suppose that the imperishables  will perish too? Your hope is set  upon the world, and your god is this life!  You are corrupting your souls!

          "Woe to you within  the fire that burns in you, for it is insatiable!

          "Woe to you because of the wheel that turns in  your minds!

          "Woe to you within the grip of the burning  that is in you, for it will devour your flesh openly  and rend your souls secretly,  and prepare you for your companions!

          "Woe to  you, captives, for you are bound in caverns!  You laugh! In mad laughter you rejoice!  You neither realize your perdition, nor  do you reflect on your circumstances, nor have [you]  understood that you dwell in darkness and [death]!  On the contrary, you are drunk with the fire and [full]  of bitterness. Your mind is deranged on account of the [burning  that is in] you, and sweet to you are the poison and  the blows of your enemies! And the darkness rose for  you like the light, for you surrendered your freedom  for servitude! You darkened your hearts  and surrendered your thoughts  to folly, and you filled your thoughts  with the smoke of the fire that is in you! And  your light [has hidden] in the cloud  [of darkness] and the garment that is put upon you, you [pursued]  [with deceit]. And [you] were seized [by  the hope that] does not exist. And whom is it [you  have] believed? Do you [not know that you]  all dwell among those who [...]  [… and you boast] as though [you had hope].   You baptized your souls in the water of darkness!  You walked by your own whims!

          "Woe  to you who dwell in error, heedless  that the light of the sun which judges and  looks down upon the all will circle around all things  so as to enslave the enemies. You do not even notice  the moon, how by night and day it  looks down, looking at the bodies of your slaughters!

          "Woe  to you who love intimacy with womankind  and polluted intercourse with them!

          And woe  to you in the grip of the powers of your body,  for they will afflict you!

          Woe to you in the grip of  the forces of the evil demons!

          Woe to you who beguile your limbs with fire!  Who is it that will rain a refreshing dew on you  to extinguish the mass of fire from you  along with your burning? Who is it that will cause the sun to  shine upon you to disperse the darkness in you  and hide the darkness and polluted water?

          "The sun  and the moon will give a fragrance to you together with the air and  the wind (spirit) and the earth and the water. For if the sun does not  shine upon these bodies, they will wither and perish  just like weeds or grass. If  the sun shines on them, they prevail and choke  the grapevine; but if the grapevine  prevails and shades those weeds  [and] all the other brush growing alongside, and  [spreads] and flourishes, it alone  inherits the land in which it grows;  and every place it has shaded it dominates.  And when it grows up, it dominates all the land  and is bountiful for its master, and it pleases him  even more, for he would have suffered great pains  on account of these plants until he uprooted them. But the  grapevine alone removed them and choked  them, and they died and became like the soil."

          Then  Jesus continued and said to them,

          "Woe to  you, for you did not receive the doctrine, and those who are [...]  will labor at preaching [...].  And [you] are rushing into … [...]  […] will send [them] down …  [...] you kill them daily   in order that they might rise from death.

       Three Macarisms (145,1-8)

      "Blessed are you  who have prior knowledge of the stumbling blocks and who flee  alien things.

          "Blessed are you who are reviled  and not esteemed on account of the love  their lord has for them.

          "Blessed are  you who weep and are oppressed by  those without hope, for you will be released from  every bondage.

       Pray to Exit the Body and Find Rest with the King (145,8-16)

"Watch and pray that you not come to be  in the flesh, but rather that you come forth from the bondage of the bitterness  of this life. And as you pray,  you will find rest, for you have left behind the suffering and the disgrace.  For when you come forth from the sufferings and  passions of the body, you will receive rest  from the good one, and you will reign with the king,  you joined with him and he with you, from now on,  for ever and ever, Amen."

      IV. Subscript Title

 The Book of Thomas  The Contender Writing  To the Perfect

        V. Colophon

      Remember me also, my brethren,
          [in] your prayers:

Peace to the saints and those who are spiritual.

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