Gospel of Truth 3

1The Father—the one who cannot be contained—is the one who kept the All within himself, and the All is within him, and all have need of him. He kept their wholeness within himself; he was not jealous, for what jealousy could there be between him and his members? If, in this way, the All had already received it, they could not have come to him. He keeps it for them within himself, to give it to them so that they may return to him with a single knowledge in rest, in one body.

2Like one who is unknown, he desires to be known and to be loved—for what did all need except the Father’s knowledge? He became a guide—peaceful and unhurried. He came into the places of learning and spoke the Word as a teacher. Those who were wise in their own hearts came up to test him; yet he confounded them, for they were vain. They hated him because they were not wise in the Truth. After them the little children came also—theirs is the Father’s knowledge. When they were strengthened, they received instruction about the Father’s expressions. They knew, and they were known. They received glory and gave glory. In their heart the Living Book of the Living was revealed, written in the thought and in the mind of the Father, and before the foundation of all, within his incomprehensibility—a book that no one has the power to take, since it is appointed for the one who takes it to be killed. It is impossible that anyone be manifested among those entrusted with salvation unless that book should appear.

3Because of this, the merciful and faithful Jesus endured patiently until he took that book, for he knows that his death is life for many. As long as a testament has not been opened, the wealth of the deceased master of the house is hidden; so also, while the Father of the All was invisible, all things were hidden, for they are from him, from whom every realm comes. Because of this, Jesus was manifested; he put on that book; he was nailed to a tree; he published the Father’s decree on the cross.

4O the great teaching! He drew himself down to death; he clothed himself in eternal life; he stripped off the perishable rags; he put on incorruptibility, which no one can take from him. When he entered the empty places of dread, he passed by those who had been stripped by forgetfulness—being knowledge and completion—proclaiming what is in the heart to those who are ready to receive instruction.