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Pistis Sophia · 66 of 160 · tr. George Horner

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He brought my soul up from the pit of the misery with the mire of the filth, he set my feet upon a rock, and he directed my footsteps. He cast unto my mouth a new song, a blessing for our God. There are many (who) will see and they (will) fear, and they (will) hope in the Lord. It happened therefore, Andreas having uttered the meaning of the Pistis Sophia, said he to him the First Mystery, Well (done) Andrea the happy. But added also in the word, said he to the disciples, These are all the words which happened to the Pistis Sophia. It happened therefore, I having brought her unto the Place which is below of the [154 ] thirteenth Aeon. I came being about to go unto the Light, and cease (being) with her, said she to me, O Light of the Lights, being thou about to go unto the Light and cease from being with me: and (is about to) know the Adamas the tyrant, that thou ceasedst being with me, and to know that becometh not he who will deliver me: he cometh also unto me unto this Place, he with all his Rulers who hate me. And also the Self-willed will give power to his emanation of face of lion, and all (will) come and all oppress me at once, and (will) take away all my light from me, and I (shall) become powerless. And also I (shall) become lightless. Now therefore, O Light [155 ] and my Light, take away the power of their light from them, that they may not be able to prevail to oppress me from this hour. It happened therefore, I having heard these words saying them the Pistis Sophia, I answered to her, saying, Not yet did my Father command to me, he who emanated me out, for to take away their light from them. But I shall seal (up) their Places of the Self-willed with all his Rulers, these which hate thee, because thou believedst the Light. And also I shall seal (up) the Places of the Adamas with his Rulers, that they should not be able to war with thee, until their time is fulfilled, and until [155 ] cometh the season, and commandeth to me my Father, that I should take away their light from them. But afterwards also said I to her. Hear and I (will) speak with thee of their time in which these (things) will happen, namely, these which I said to thee, They are about to happen whenever (the) three times should be fulfilled. Answered the Pistis Sophia, said she to me, O Light, whereby shall I know when (will) happen the three times, that I might be glad and rejoice because approached the time for thee to lead me unto my Place, and also I shall rejoice because came the time (when) thou wilt take away the powers of light from all those who hate 84 me, because I [156 ] believed thy light? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever thou wilt see the gate of the Treasury of the great Light, this which is open unto the thirteenth Aeon, namely the Left, whenever they should open that gate, then were fulfilled the three times. Answered also the Sophia, said she, O Light, whereby shall I know, being in this Place, that they opened that gate? But I, I answered, said I to her, Whenever they open that gate, will know those who become in all the Aeons, because of the great light which will become in all their Places: nevertheless therefore, behold, I appointed that they should not dare (to do) unto thee anything of evil, until were fulfilled [156 ] the three times.
Themes
Aeonscosmology

Divine archetypal beings or eternal attributes dwelling within the Pleroma, often arranged in male-female syzygies.

The text explicitly references the 'thirteenth Aeon' and mentions Rulers associated with it.

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Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

The divine is addressed directly as 'Light of the Lights' and 'Father'.

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Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

The soul is described as being brought up from the 'pit of the misery with the mire of the filth'.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

A clear opposition exists between the Light and those who hate the Light.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

The passage is structured around the conflict between the 'Light of the Lights' and those who oppress the Pistis Sophia.

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Eschatological Judgmentsoteriology

Final, collective cosmic judgment as an event in which the wicked are sentenced and the cosmos restored; distinct from psychopomp_journey (individual passage at death) and emphasising verdict where Zoroastrian frashokereti emphasises restoration.

The text outlines a future time when powers will be taken away from those who hate the Light.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

The passage describes the soul's ascent from a pit of misery and setting feet upon a rock.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

Salvation is linked to knowing the Adamas tyrant and believing the Light rather than faith alone.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The Pistis Sophia contains esoteric words reserved for those who hear them.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

The divine is depicted as an active agent who brings the soul up and commands powers.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

Specific numbers like 'three times' are used to mark the fulfillment of events.

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Prayerpraxis

Direct address to the divine, whether petitionary, contemplative, or liturgical; speech and silence offered upward.

The text includes direct address and petitionary language such as 'O Light... take away the power of their light'.

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Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The narrative centers on the soul's journey back to its divine origin and place.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

The soul is described as being brought up from a pit of misery with mire, implying purification.

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Separation From Sourcesoteriology

The felt condition of exile from one's divine origin — Rumi's reed flute torn from its bed, Plotinus's 'we have forgotten,' the Gnostic forgetfulness; the affective wound that complements return_to_source and gives the return its motive.

The Pistis Sophia describes her state of powerlessness and lightlessness before the Light intervenes.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

The text details the soul's journey from a pit of misery to a rock and the Light, reversing the fall into matter.

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Related passages · 3 parallels
christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 14 (part 7)
This light moderates the action of the fiery will still active in them, the blessings of their good deeds surround them, the hope for still greater glorification is their life, and from the trouble and persecution which they have suffered t…”
Both passages describe a mystical journey and the role of divine light in guiding and protecting the soul. They share themes of redemption, hope, and the transformation of the soul through divine intervention.
egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 29 (part 1)
PLATE XXI. "Thou dost place thy disk in the west, and my two hands are [raised] in adoration [of thee] when thou settest (30) as a living being. Behold, thou art the maker of eternity, and thou art adored [when] thou settest in the heaven…”
Both passages depict a dialogue between a divine being and a seeker, focusing on themes of light, salvation, and the overcoming of darkness or adversity. They share a mystical tone and emphasize the intervention of a higher power to aid the seeker.
renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori)|Fifth Dialogued
The fourth with the viola sang : And pierced anon with such a light as this; Blindness worth more than every other sight, Pains sweeter far than other pleasures are, For to the fairest light Thou art thyself a guide, Show to the soul all lo…”
Both passages explore themes of divine guidance, the triumph of the soul or spirit over worldly illusions, and the ultimate revelation of hidden truths. They share a mystical perspective on the relationship between the divine and the material world, though they come from different religious traditions.