Tripartite Tractate 16

1When the deficient Word became enlightened, his Fullness came into being. He escaped from those who had troubled him at first. He disentangled himself from them. He stripped off that prideful thought. When those who had at first disobeyed him prostrated and humbled themselves before him, he became mingled with the Repose.

2And <he> rejoiced because of the visitation of his visiting brothers. He glorified and praised those who had shown themselves to be a help to him. He gave thanks for escaping from those who had rebelled against him, and he esteemed and honored the Greatness and those who were determined to reveal themselves to him. He generated living images of the living figures. They are pleasing and good because they come from living things and resemble them in beauty, yet they are not equal to them in truth, because they do not come from a unification between him who produced them [] and the one who revealed himself to him. Even so, he works in wisdom and knowledge, completely mingling the Word with himself. Therefore, those produced from him are great, just as He Who Is is truly great.

3After he marveled at the beauty of those <who> had appeared to him, he declared his gratitude for this visitation. The Word carried out this work with the help of those who aided him, because of the firmness of those who had come into being through him, so that they could obtain something good. For he remembered to pray for the plan of salvation for all those whom he had produced, which was made firm in order to establish them.

4Therefore, those whom he purposefully produced are on chariots, like those who came into being, those who appeared so that they could pass through every place of what is below, so that each of them could be granted the place appropriate to his nature.

5This is destructive for those of the likeness, but beneficial for those of the memory—a revelation of those from the decision of the aeons, which was a unity and a mercy—whereas they are only seeds that have not yet reached full existence.

6The one who appeared was a face of the Father and of the harmony. He was a garment of all graces and food for those whom the Word produced while praying, glorifying, and praising. This is the one he glorified and praised [] while gazing at those whom he beseeched, so that he could perfect them with the images he had produced.

7The Word increased their mutual assistance and their hope in the promise, because they possess joy, a wealth of repose, and unsullied delights. Bestowing perfection with vision as the goal, he generated those whom he had remembered at first, when they were not yet with him. He remains in hope and faith in the perfect Father, as do the Totalities. It is revealed to him before he intermingles with it, so that those who have come into being would not perish by gazing upon the light, since they are unable to bear the great, lofty stature.