Book of Thomas the Contender 5

1Thomas replied, “What can we say after these things? What can we say to the blind? What teaching should we communicate to these pitiable mortals who say, ‘We came here to [do] good and not to curse,’ and yet [say], ‘If we had not been begotten in the flesh, we would never have known [sin]’?”

2The Savior said, “Truly, regarding [those], do not consider them human, but consider them [as] animals, because just as animals eat each other, so these people also eat each other. It is exactly the opposite: they have forfeited [the kingdom] through their love, the sweet fire, becoming servants of death and rushing to perform deeds of decay. They practice the lust of their ancestors. They will be cast down into the abyss to suffer the torment of the bitter evil of their nature, because they will be whipped, making them run backward to where they cannot see, and they [will be separated] from their limbs, not enduring it bravely, but [in] despair. And they are glad because [. . .] insanity and irrationality [. . .] [They] pursue this irrationality without recognizing [their insanity, believing] that they [are] wise. [They . . .] their body [. . .] [] Their mind is selfishly directed, because their thinking is preoccupied with their actions, but the fire will scorch them.”

3Thomas replied, “Lord, what will the person cast down to them do? I am deeply concerned for them, since many attack them.”

4The Savior answered, “What do you yourself think?”

5Judas, called Thomas, said, “Lord, it is right for you to speak and for me to listen.”

6The Savior replied, “Pay attention to what I will tell you, and believe what is true. What sows and what is sown will vanish in the fire, in fire and water, and they will cover themselves in dark graves. After much time has passed, they will reveal the fruit of evil trees, being reproved and killed in the mouths of animals and humans, driven on by the rains, winds, air, and the light shining from above.”

7Thomas replied, “Without a doubt, you have convinced us, Lord. We know in our hearts, and it is clear that this [is the case] and that your word is sufficient. Yet these words you speak to us are laughable and detestable to the world because they are misinterpreted. So how can we go and preach them, since we are [not] respected [in] the world?”

8The Savior replied, “Truly I tell you, whoever hears [your] word and rejects it, mocks it, or laughs at these matters—truly I tell you, he will be handed over to the ruler on high, who rules as king over every power. He will spin that person around in circles and cast him out of heaven and down into the abyss, and he will be confined in a narrow, gloomy place. Furthermore, he will be unable to turn or move because of the tremendous depth of Tartaros and the [ponderous bitterness] of unwavering Hades. [. . .] them to it [. . .] they will not forgive [. . .] chase you. They will hand [. . .] over to [. . .] angel Tartarouchos [. . .] fire chasing them. [] [. . .] fiery whips that spew a shower of sparks into the face of the one being chased.

9If he runs to the west, he will encounter the fire.

10If he runs to the south, he will encounter it there too.

11If he turns to the north, the danger of boiling fire will meet him again.

12Nor will he find a way to the east to flee there and be rescued.

13Because he did not find it in the day when he lived in the body, he will not find it on the day of judgment.”