1 [I also] asked to [understand it; and he said] to me: “The monad [is a unity with nothing] higher than it. (APJ) 2 [It is that which exists] as [God] and as Father of the All, [the unseen] one, who is higher than [the All, who exists as] indestructability, [as] pure light, at which no [eye] can gaze. (APJ) 3 He [is the] unseen [Spirit] of whom it is improper [to think of] as a god or as anything similar, because he is more than a god, given that nothing exists that is higher than him, because no one «3» rules over him. (APJ) 4 [This is because he does] not [exist] inside something subordinate [to him, given that everything] exists inside him, self-[established]. (APJ) 5 [He is eternal], given that he stands in need of [nothing], because [he] is complete perfection. (APJ) 6 [He lacked nothing] so that he would need to be perfected by [it]. (APJ) 7 [Instead], he is forever completely perfect in [light]. (APJ) 8 He is [limitless], given that no one exists [before him] who could place limits on him. (APJ) 9 He is unfathomable, [given that there] exists before him no one who could [fathom him]. (APJ) 10 [He is] beyond measuring, given that no one [existed before him who could measure] him. (APJ) 11 [He is unseen, given that no] one has seen [him]. (APJ) 12 [He is eternal], given that he [exists] eternally. (APJ) 13 He is [unspeakable, given that] no one existed who could conceive of him in order to speak [of him]. (APJ) 14 He cannot be named, given that [no one existed before him] who could name [him]. (APJ) 15 He is [light beyond measure], being pure, sacred, [unstained]. (APJ) 16 He is unspeakable, [existing in perfect] indestructability. (APJ) 17 (He exists) [not] (confined) inside perfection, nor inside blessedness, nor inside divinity, but he is highly exalted (above these). (APJ) 18 He is neither somatic, [nor] non-somatic. (APJ) 19 He is neither large, [nor] small. (APJ) 20 [It is impossible] to say that he has a quantity or that [he has a quality], because no one can [understand him]. (APJ) 21 He is not a being among [beings, but he is] highly exalted, [not] as [though he were loftier], but (he is lofty in) himself. (APJ) 22 He neither [participates] in the aeons nor in temporality, because he who participates in [an aeon] that was set up previously [...]. (APJ) 23 He [was not] not assigned a temporal measurement, [given that] he does not obtain anything from another, [because it would be obtained] as a loan, given that he who exists before someone (else) [has no need] to accept (something) from [another]. (APJ) 24 This is because he is the one who gazes at himself, waiting, in «4» [his] light, given that the [...] is glorious. (APJ) 25 To him belongs purity beyond measure. (APJ) 26 He is an aeon that bestows aeons. (APJ) 27 He is [life] that bestows life. (APJ) 28 He is a blessed one who bestows blessednes… (APJ)
Apocryphon of John 3:1–34
Semantically similar passages
Epistle to Diognetus 8:4–6
4 Nay, all this is the quackery and deceit of the magicians; (DIO) 5 and no man has either seen or recognised Him, but He revealed Himself. (DIO) 6 And He revealed (Himself) by faith, whereby alone it is given to see God. (DIO)
Odes of Solomon 7:12–14
12 Wherefore He pitied me in His abundant grace: and granted me to ask from Him and to receive from His sacrifice: (ODE) 13 Because He it is that is incorrupt, the fulness of the ages and the Father of them. (ODE) 14 He hath given Him to be seen of them that are His, in order that… (ODE)
Apocryphon of John 4:2–4
2 He is the one who places his desire inside his [water]-light, [which dwells in the] spring of the [pure light]-water [that] surrounds him, and [his (potential) thought became] actual, and she approached, [that is], she who had [appeared] in front of him insid… (APJ)
Gospel of Truth 1:47–49
47 He gave a name to him alone. He alone sees him, he alone having the power to give him a name, because whoever doesn’t exist has no name. For what name will they give one who doesn’t exist? But the one who exists, exists also with his name, and he alone knows… (GTR) 48a … (GTR)
Sirach 43:27–29
27 We may say many things, but couldn’t say enough. The summary of our words is, “He is everything!” (WEB) 28 How could we have strength to glorify him? For he is himself the greater than all his works. (WEB) 29 The Lord is awesome and exceedingly great! His power is marvelous! (WEB)
Baruch 3:24–26
24 O Israel, how great is the house of God! How large is the place of his possession! (WEB) 25 It is great and has no end. It is high and unmeasurable. (WEB) 26 Giants were born that were famous of old, great of stature, and expert in war. (WEB)
2 Enoch 33:2–4
2 And now, Enoch, all that I have told thee, all that thou hast understood, all that thou hast seen of heavenly things, all that thou hast seen on earth, and all that I have written in books by my great wisdom, all these things I have devised and created from t… (2EN)
Apocryphon of John 6:1–3
1 He also peered into Barbelo with the pure light that surrounds the unseen Spirit, and his spark, and from him she conceived. (APJ) 2 He begot a light-spark by means of a light similar to blessedness, but (the latter) is not equal to his greatness. (APJ) 3 Such was an only-bego… (APJ)
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