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 blessedness. (APJ) 29 He is knowledge that bestows knowledge. (APJ) 30 [He is] goodness that bestows goodness. (APJ) 31 [He is] mercy and redemption [that bestow mercy]. (APJ) 32 He is grace that bestows grace, (APJ) 33 [not] because it belongs to him, but because he bestows [the light] that is beyond measure and comprehension. (APJ) 34 [How can I speak] with you of him, [given that] his [aeon] is beyond destruction, in repose, and abiding in [silence, resting], existing before [everything, because he] is the leader of [all] aeons, [and] he is the one who grants them strength with his goodness? (APJ)
Apocryphon of John 3
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