On the Origin of the World
NHC XIII, 2
The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Nag Hammadi Codex XIII, 2 and the British Library Fragments (Oeyen). The Nag Hammadi texts were written in the fourth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in 1945. On the Origin of the World reframes the creation account of Genesis. This fragmentary version from Codex XIII corresponds to the nearly complete version in Codex II. This translation by Samuel Zinner is from the Coptic texts in:
NHC XIII, 2, 50, 25-34: James M. Robinson, editor. The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices. Volume 5. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2000, 456.
The British Library Fragments (Oeyen): James M. Robinson, editor. The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices. Volume 2. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2000, 101-130.
Samuel Zinner’s translation was edited by Mark M. Mattison with the generous support of Other Gospels.
NHC XIII, 2 Fragment
Introduction (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 97-98)
Given that everyone, (both) cosmic gods and humans, says that nothing existed before Chaos, in contrast to them, I will prove [that] all of them have been in error, because they are ignorant of the origin of Chaos and of its root as well. Here, however, is the proof:
When it comes to the topic of Chaos, how it pleases all people to claim that it is a type of darkness! Actually, it originates from a shadow [called by the name] “Darkness,” but the shadow [originates from an] active entity that has existed from the beginning. […]
British Library Fragments (Oeyen)
The Seven Heavens of Chaos (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 102)
[. . .] and tied him and thrust him down [into] Tartaros. From that day, Sophia, [the daughter of] Yaldabaoth, has established the heaven together with the earth. […]
The Transgression of Yaldabaoth (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 103)
Now when the heavens had established themselves together with their hosts and all of their government, then the Primal Parent grew arrogant, and he bragged because of the host of the angels, [and] all of the gods and their [. . .].
“[. . . all of your] works, the whole deficiency that has been exposed [by] the truth will be abrogated, and it will be as though it had never been.” […]
That is what Pistis spoke, and to the archon she manifested her likeness in the waters, and she retreated back up into her light. […]
Sabaoth Sings Praises to Pistis (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 103)
When Sabaoth, the son of Yaldabaoth, [had heard] Pistis, he sang praises to her, and [he . . .].
Sabaoth Creates Angels, Israel, and Jesus Christ (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 106)
[. . . right has] been called “justice,” [left (has been called) “evil.”] On account of this, [justice and evil] stand [over all of their created entities].
Yaldabaoth Begets Death (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 106)
[In this way, when] the Primal [Parent of Chaos witnessed his son Sabaoth . . .].
The Creation of Heavenly Bodies (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 112)
[. . .] Pistis, who formed large shining bodies, and every star, and she placed them in the sky in order to shine on the earth, and to determine temporal signs, and seasons, and years, and months, and days, and nights, and [minutes], and so on, [. . . on the] sky [. . . he . . .].
The Creation of the Man (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 112)
[. . . the Prime] Parent because [he had] lied when he said: “I am the one who is God. No one existed before me.”
When they approached him together, and said: “[Is this] not the god [. . .].”
“[. . .] you [. . .] want [. . .], come, [let us create a man] out of [the earth . . .].”
The Seven Archons Fashion Adam (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 115)
[. . . an] abortion, [without . . .] the chief [archon . . .], he [feared . . .] in case [. . .].
The Authorities and their Angels Assault the Likeness of Eve (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 116)
[. . .] their decision [. . .] she covertly left her [likeness with] Adam, and she entered into [the] tree of [knowledge] and [lingered] inside it, [and they] chased after [her], and she disclosed [. . .].
The Offspring of the Archon, the Authorities, and their Angels (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 117)
[. . .] the Primal Mother [could bear every] seed inside her, [being mixed and . . . ] to the destiny of their [universe] and [the] structures, and to Justice. [A] plan designed beforehand [. . .].
The Tree of Knowledge (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 119)
[. . . the tree] some of its [fruit . . .] ate of it. [. . .] the [light of knowledge . . .]. [. . . they were] naked [without knowledge . . . they realized] that they [. . .]. [When they realized . . .].
The Archons Curse Eve, Adam, and All Creation (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 120)
[. . . he assigned names to] all of [their creatures].
[They grew disturbed on account of] Adam [recovering from every test. They gathered] and concocted [schemes, and they said, “Behold Adam!] He has become [like one of us, in that he knows] the [difference between light and darkness. Now] perhaps [he will be fooled . . . as is the case] with the [tree of knowledge, and will even approach the tree] of [life . . .].
The Deathless Man (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 124)
[. . ., and each] of them appeared [on the earth] and revealed its knowledge [to the] church [made visible] by the [shaped forms of] perdition, [and she was found to] contain every kind of seed, [on account of the seed of the] authorities [. . .].
The Logos (Corresponds to NHC II, 5, 125)
[. . . Nothing that is hidden] is not revealed, and [no] one will not become known, [and] these [were] dispatched to make known what is hidden, [making known] the seven authorities as well as [their] impiety, and in this way [they were sentenced [together with] this aeon.
[. . . when . . .].