and savest as one that hath no need,
that didst catch the fish for the breakfast and the dinner and madest all satisfied with a little bread.
Jesu, that didst rest from the weariness of wayfaring like a man, and walkedst on the waves like a
God. 48 Jesu most high, voice arising from perfect mercy, Saviour of all, the right hand of the
light, overthrowing the evil one in his own nature, and gathering all his nature into one place; thou
of many forms, that art only begotten, first-born of many brethren God of the Most High God,
man despised until now (Syr. and humble). Jesu Christ that neglectest us not when we call upon
thee, that art become an occasion of life unto all mankind, that for us wast judged and shut up in
prison, and loosest all that are in bonds, that wast called a deceiver and redeemest thine own from
error: I beseech thee for these that stand here and believe on thee, for they entreat to obtain thy
gifts, having good hope in thy help, and having their refuge in thy greatness; they hold their
hearing ready to listen unto the words that are spoken by us. Let thy peace come and tabernacle
in them and renew them from their former deeds, and let them put off the old man with his deeds,
and put on the new that now is proclaimed unto them by me.
49 And he laid his hands on them and blessed them, saying: The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ shall be upon you for ever. And they said, Amen. And the woman besought him, saying:
O apostle of the Most High, give me the seal, that that enemy return not again unto me. Then he
caused her to come near unto him (Syr. went to a river which was close by there), and laid his
hands upon her and sealed her in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost; and
many others also were sealed with her. And the apostle bade his minister (deacon) to set forth a
table; and he set forth a stool which they found there, and spread a linen cloth upon it and set on
the bread of blessing; and the apostle stood by it and said: Jesu, that hast accounted us worthy to
partake of the eucharist of thine holy body and blood, lo, we are bold to draw near unto thine
eucharist and to call upon thine holy name: come thou and communicate unto us (Syr. adds
more).
50 And he began to say: Come, O perfect compassion, Come O communion of the male,
Come, she that knoweth the mysteries of him that is chosen, Come, she that hath part in all the
combats of the noble champion (athlete), Come, the silence that revealeth the great things of the
whole greatness, Come, she that manifesteth the hidden things and maketh the unspeakable things
plain, the holy dove that beareth the twin young, Come, the hidden mother, Come, she that is
manifest in her deeds and giveth joy and rest unto them that are joined unto her: Come and
communicate with us in this eucharist which we celebrate in thy name and in the love-feast
wherein we are gathered together at thy calling. (Syr. has other clauses and not few variants.)
And having so said he marked out the cross upon the bread, and brake it, and began to distribute
it. And first he gave unto the woman, saying: This shall be unto thee for remission of sins and
eternal transgressions (Syr. and for the everlasting resurrection). And after her he gave unto all
the others also which had received the seal (Syr. and said to them: Let this eucharist be unto you
for life and rest, and not for judgement and vengeance. And they said, Amen. Cf. 29 fin.).
The Sixth Act: of the youth that murdered the Woman.
51 Now there was a certain youth who had wrought an abominable deed, and he came
near and received of the eucharist with his mouth: but his two hands withered up, so that he
could no more put them unto his own mouth. And they that were there saw him and told the
apostle what had befallen; and the apostle called him and said unto him: Tell me, my child, and be
not ashamed, what was it that thou didst and camest hither? for the eucharist of the Lord hath
convicted thee. For this gift which passeth among many doth rather heal them that with faith and
love draw near thereto, but thee it hath withered away; and that which is come to pass hath not
befallen without some effectual cause. And the Youth, being convicted by the eucharist of the
Lord, came and tell at the apostle's feet and besought him, saying: I have done an evil deed, yet I
thought to do somewhat good. I was enamoured of a woman that dwelleth at an inn without the
city, and she also loved me; and when I heard of thee and believed, that thou proclaimest a living
God, I came and received of thee the seal with the rest; for thou saidst: Whosoever shall partake
in the polluted union, and especially in adultery, he shall not have life with the God whom I
preach. Whereas therefore I loved her much, I entreated her and would have persuaded her to
become my consort in chastity and pure conversation, which thou also teachest: but she would
not. When, therefore, she consented not, I took a sword and slew her: for I could not endure to
see her commit adultery with another man.
52 When the apostle heard this he said: O insane union how ruinest thou unto
shamelessness! O unrestrained lust, how hast thou stirred up this man to do this! O work of the
serpent, how art thou enraged against thine own! And the apostle bade water to be brought to
him in a bason; and when the water was brought, he said: Come, ye waters from the living
waters, that were sent unto us, the true from the true, the rest that was sent unto us from the rest,
the power of salvation that cometh from that power which conquereth all things and subdueth
them unto its own will: come and dwell in these waters, that the gift of the Holy Ghost may be
perfcctly consummated in them. And he said unto the youth: Go, wash thy hands in these waters.
And when he had washed they were restored; and the apostle said unto him: Believest thou in our
Lord Jesus Christ that he is able to do all things? And he said: Though I be the least, yet I
believe. But I committed this deed thinking that I was doing somewhat good: for I besought her
as I told thee, but she would not obey me, to keep herself chaste.
53 And the apostle said to him: Come, let us go unto the inn where thou didst commit
this deed. And the youth went before the apostle in the way, and when they came to the inn they
found her Iying dead. And the apostle when he saw her was sorry, for she was a comely girl.
And he commanded her to be brought into the midst of the inn: and they laid her on a bed and
brought her forth and set her down in the midst of the court of the inn. And the apostle laid his
hand upon her and began to say: Jesu, who alway showest thyself unto us; for this is thy will, that
we should at all times seek thee, and thyself hast given us this power, to ask and to receive, and
hast not only permitted this, but hast taught us to pray: who art not seen of our bodily eyes, but
art never hidden from the eyes of our soul, and in thine aspect art concealed, but in thy works art
manifested unto us: and in thy many acts we have known thee so far as we are able, and thyself
hast given us thy gifts without measure, saying: Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye
shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: we beseech thee, therefore, having the fear
(suspicion) of our sins; and we ask of thee, not riches, not gold, not silver, not possessions, not
aught else of the things which come of the earth and return again unto the earth; but this we ask
of thee and entreat, that in thine holy name thou wouldest raise up the woman that lieth here, by
thy power, to the glory and faith of them that stand by.
54 And he said unto the youth (Syr. ' Stretch thy mind towards our Lord,' and he signed
him with the cross), having signed (sealed) him: Go and take hold on her hand and say unto her:
I with my hands slew thee with iron, and with my hands in the faith of Jesus I raise thee up. So
the youth went to her and stood by her, saying: I have believed in thee, Christ Jesu. And he
looked unto Judas Thomas the apostle and said to him: Pray for me that my Lord may come to
my help, whom I also call upon. And he laid his hand upon her hand and said: Come, Lord Jesu
Christ: unto her grant thou life and unto me the earnest of faith in thee. And straightway as he
drew her hand she sprang up and sat up, looking upon the great company that stood by. And she
saw the apostle also standing over against her, and leaving the bed she leapt forth and fell at his
feet and caught hold on his raiment, saying: I beseech thee, my lord where is that other that was
with thee, who left me not to remain in that fearful and cruel place, but delivered me unto thee,
saying: Take thou this woman, that she may be made perfect, and hereafter be gathered into her
place?
55 And the apostle said unto her: Relate unto us where thou hast been. And she
answered: Dost thou who wast with me and unto whom I was delivered desire to hear? And she
began to say: [This desciption of hell-tourments is largely derived from the Apocalypse of Peter]
A man took me who was hateful to look upon altogether black, and his raiment exceedingly foul,
and took me away to a place wherein were many pits (chasms), and a great stench and hateful
odour issued thence. And he caused me to look into every pit, and I saw in the (first) pit flaming
fire, and wheels of fire ran round there, and souls were hanged upon those wheels, and were
dashed (broken) against each other; and very great crying and howling was there, and there was
none to deliver. And that man said to me: These souls are of thy tribe, and when the number of
their days is accomplishcd (lit. in the days of the number) they are (were) delivered unto torment
and affliction, and then are others brought in in their stead, and likewise these into another place.
These are they that have reversed the intercourse of male and female. And I looked and saw
infants heaped one upon another and struggling with each other as they lay on them. And he
answered and said to me: These are the children of those others, and therefore are they set here
for a testimony against them. (Syr. omits this clause of the children, and lengthens and dilutes the
preceding speech.)
56 And he took me unto another pit, and I stooped and looked and saw mire and worms
welling up, and souls wallowing there, and a great gnashing of teeth was heard thence from them.
And that man said unto me: These are the souls of women which forsook their husbands and
committed adultery with others, and are brought into this torment. Another pit he showed me
whereinto I stooped and looked and saw souls hanging, some by the tongue, some by the hair,
some by the hands, and some head downward by the feet, and tormented (smoked) with smoke
and brimstone; concerning whom that man that was with me answered me: The souls which are
hanged by the tongue are slanderers, that uttered Iying and shameful words, and were not
ashamed, and they that are hanged by the hair are unblushing ones which had no modesty and
went about in the world bareheaded; and they that are hanged by the hands, these are they that
took away and stole other men's goods, and never gave aught to the needy nor helped the
afflicted, but did so, desiring to take all, and had no thought at all of justice or of the law; and they
that hang upside down by the feet, these are they that lightly and readily ran in evil ways and
disorderly paths, not visiting the sick nor escorting them that depart this life, and therefore each
and every soul receiveth that which was done by it. (Syr. omits almost the whole section.)
57 Again he took me and showed me a cave exceeding dark, breathing out a great stench,
and many souls were looking out desiring to get somewhat of the air, but their keepers suffered
them not to look forth. And he that was with me said: This is the prison of those souls which
thou sawest: for when they have fulfilled their torments for that which each did, thereafter do
others succeed them: and there be some that are wholly consumed and (some, Syr.) that are
delivered over unto other torments. And they that kept the souls which were in the dark cave said
unto the man that had taken me: Give her unto us that we may bring her in unto the rest until the
time cometh for her to be delivered unto torment. But he answered them: I give her not unto
you, for I fear him that delivered her to me: for I was not charged to leave her here, but I take her
back with me until I shall receive order concerning her. And he took me and brought me unto
another place wherein were men being sharply tormented (Syr. where men were). And he that
was like unto thee took me and delivered me to thee, saying thus to thee: Take her, for she is one
of the sheep that have gone astray. And I was taken by thee, and now am I before thee. I
beseech thee, therefore, and supplicate that I may not depart unto those places of punishment
which I have seen.
58 And the apostle said: Ye have heard what this woman hath related: and there are not
these torments only, but others also, worse than these; and ye, if ye turn not unto this God whom
I preach, and abstain from your former works and the deeds which ye committed without
knowledge, shall have your end in those torments. Believe therefore on Christ Jesus, and he will
forgive you the sins ye have committed hitherto, and will cleanse you from all your bodily lusts
that abide on the earth, and will heal you of all your trespasses which follow you and depart with
you and are found upon (before) you. Put off therefore every one of you the old man, and put on
the new, and forsake your former walk and conversation; and let them that stole steal no more,
but live by labouring and working; and let the adulterous no more fornicate, lest they deliver
themselves unto eternal torment; for adultery is before God exceeding evil beyond other sins.
And put away from you covetousness and Iying and drunkenness and slandering, and render not
evil for evil: for all these things are strange and alien unto the God who is preached by me: but
rather walk ye in faith and meekness and holiness and hope, wherein God delighteth, that ye may
become his own, expecting of him the gifts which some few only do receive.
59 All the people therefore believed and gave their souls obediently unto the living God
and Christ Jesus, rejoicing in the blessed works of the Most High and in his holy service. And
they brought much money for the service of the widows: for the apostle had them gathered
together in the cities, and unto all of them he sent provision by his own ministers (deacons), both
clothes and nourishment. And he himself ceased not preaching and speaking to them and showing
that this is Jesus Christ whom the scriptures proclaimed, who is come and was crucified, and
raised the third day from the dead. And next he showed them plainly, beginning from the
prophets, the things concerning the Christ, that it was necessary that he should come, and that in
him should be accomplished all things that were foretold of him. And the fame of him went forth
into all the cities and countries, and all that had sick or them that were oppressed by unclean
spirits brought them, and some they laid in the way whereby he should pass, and he healed them
all by the power of the Lord. Then all that were healed by him said with one accord: Glory be to
thee, Jesu, who hast granted us all alike healing through thy servant and apostle Thomas. And
now being whole and rejoicing, we beseech thee that we may be of thy flock, and be numbered
among thy sheep; receive us therefore, Lord, and impute not unto us our transgressions and our
former faults which we committed being in ignorance.
60 And the apostle said: Glory be to the only-begotten of the Father! Glory be to the
first-born of many brethren! Glory be to thee, the defender and helper of them that come unto thy
refuge! that sleepest not, and awakest them that are asleep that livest and givest life to them that
lie in death! O God Jesu Christ, Son of the living God, redeemer and helper, refuge and rest of all
that are weary (labour) in thy work, giver of healing to them that for thy name s sake bear the
burden and heat of the day: we give thanks for (to) the gifts that are given us of thee and granted
us by thy help and thy dispensation that cometh unto us from thee.
61 Perfect thou therefore these things in us unto the end that we may have the boldness
that is in thee: look upon us for for thy sake have we forsaken our homes and our parents, and
for thy sake have we gladly and willingly become strangers: look upon us, Lord, for we have
forsaken our own possessions for thy sake, that we might gain thee the possession that cannot be
taken away: look upon us, Lord, for we have forsaken them that belong unto us by race, that we
might be joined unto thy kinship: look upon us, Lord, that have forsaken our fathers and mothers
and fosters, that we might behold thy Father, and be satisfied with his divine food: look upon us,
Lord, for for thy sake have we forsaken our bodily consorts and our earthly fruits, that we might
be partakers in that enduring and true fellowship, and bring forth true fruits, whose nature is from
above, which no man can take from us, with whom we shall abide and who shall abide with
us.
The Seventh Act: of the Captain.
62 Now while the apostle Thomas was proclaiming throughout all India the word of God,
a certain captain of the king Misdaeus (Mazdai, Syr.) came to him and said unto him: I have
heard of thee that thou takest no reward of any man, but even that thou hast thou givest to them
that need. For if thou didst receive rewards, I would have sent thee a great sum, and would not
have come myself, for the king doeth nought without me: for I have much substance and am rich,
even one of the rich men of India. And I have never done wrong to any; but the contrary hath
befallen me. I have a wife, and of her I had a daughter and I am well affectioned toward her, as
also nature requireth and have never made trial of another wife. Now it chanced that there was a
wedding in our city, and they that made the marriage feast were well beloved of me: they came in
therefore and bade me to it, bidding also my mife and her daughter. Forasmuch then as they were
my good friends I could not refuse: I sent her therefore, though she desired not to go, and with
them I sent also many servants: so they departed, both she and her daughter, decked with many
ornaments.
63 And when it was evening and the time was come to depart from the wedding I sent
lamps and torches to meet them: and I stood in the street to espy when she should come and I
should see her with my daughter. And as I stood I heard a sound of lamentation. Woe for her!
vvas heard out of every mouth. And my servants with their clothes rent came to me and told me
what was done. We saw, said they, a man and a boy with him. And the man laid his hand upon
thy wife, and the boy upon thy daughter: and they fled from them: and we smote (wounded)
them with our swords, but our swords fell to the ground. And the same hour the womem fell
down, gnashing their teeth and beating their heads upon the earth and seeing this we came to tell
it thee. And when I heard this of my servants I rent my clothes and smote my face with my hands,
and becoming like one mad I ran along the street, and came and found them cast in the
market-place; and I took them and brought them to my house, and after a long space they awaked
and stood up, and sat down.
64 I began therefore to inquire of my wife: What is it that hath befallen thee? And she
said to me: Knowest thou not what thou hast done unto me? for I prayed thee that I might not
go to the wedding, because I was not of even health in my body; and as I went on the way and
came near to the aqueduct wherein the water floweth, I saw a black man standing over against me
nodding at me with his head, and a boy like unto him standing by him; and I said to my daughter:
Look at those two hideous men, whose teeth are like milk and their lips like soot. And we left
them and went towards the aqueduct; and when it was sunset and we departed from the wedding,
as we passed by with the young men and drew near the aqueduct, my daughter saw them first, and
was affrighted and fled towards me; and after her I also beheld them coming against us: and the
servants that were with us fled from them (Syr.) and they struck us, and cast down both me and
my daughter. And when she had told me these things, the devils came upon them again and threw
them down: and from that hour they are not able to come forth, but are shut up in one room or a
second (Syr. in a room within another): and on their account I suffer much, and am distressed:
for the devils throw them down wheresoever they find them, and strip them naked. I beseech and
supplicate thee before God, help me and have pity on me, for it is now three years that a table
hath not been set in my house, and my wife and my daughter have not sat at a table: and
especially for mine unhappy daughter, which hath not seen any good at all in this world.
65 And the apostle, hearing these things from the captain, was greatly grieved for him, and
said unto him: Believest thou that Jesus will heal them? And the captain said: Yea. And the
apostle said: Commit thyself then unto Jesus, and he will heal them and procure them succour.
And the captain said: Show me him, that I may entreat him and believe in him. And the apostle
said: He appeareth not unto these bodily eyes, but is found by the eyes of the mind. The captain
therefore lifted up his voice and said: I believe thee, Jesu, and entreat and supplicate thee, help
my little faith which I have in thee. And the apostle commanded Xenophon (Syr. Xanthippus)
the deacon to assemble all the brethren; and when the whole multitude was gathered, the apostle
stood in the midst and said:
66 Children and brethren that have believed on the Lord, abide in this faith, preaching
Jesus who was proclaimed unto you by me, to bring you hope in him; and forsake not (be not
forsaken of) him, and he will not forsake you. While ye sleep in this slumber that weigheth down
the sleepers, he, sleeping not, keepeth watch over you; and when ye sail and are in peril and none
can help, he walking upon the waters supporteth and aideth. For I am now departing from you,
and it appeareth not if I shall again see you according to the flesh. Be ye not therefore like unto
the people of Israel, who losing sight of their pastors for an hour, stumbled. But I leave unto you
Xenophon the deacon in my stead; for he also like myself proclaimeth Jesus: for neither am I
aught, nor he, but Jesus only; for I also am a man clothed with a body, a son of man like one of
you; for neither have I riches as it is found with some, which also convict them that possess them,
being wholly useless, and left behind upon the earth, whence also they came, and they bear away
with them the transgressions and blemishes of sins which befall men by their means. And scantly
are rich men found in almsgivillg: but the merciful and lowly in heart, these shall inherit the
kingdom of God: for it is not beauty that endureth with men, for they that trust in it, when age
cometh upon them, shall suddenly be put to shame: all things therefore have their time; in their
season are they loved and hated. Let your hope then be in Jesus Christ the Son of God, which is
always loved, and always desired: and be mindful of us, as we of you: for we too, if we fulfil not
the burden of the commandments are not worthy to be preachers of this name, and hereafter shall
we pay the price (punishment) of our own head.
67 And he prayed with them and continued with them a long time in prayer and
supplication, and committing them unto the Lord, he said: O Lord that rulest over every soul that
is in the body; Lord, Father of the souls that have their hope in thee and expect thy mercies: that
redeemest from error the men that are thine own and settest free from bondage and corruption thy
subjects that come unto thy refuge: be thou in the flock of Xenophon and anoint it with holy oil,
and heal it of sores, and preserve it from the ravening wolves. And he laid his hand on them and
said: The peace of the Lord shall be upon you and shall journey with us.
The Eighth Act: of the wild asses.
68 The apostle therefore went forth to depart on the way: and they all escorted him,
weeping and adjuring him to make remembrance of them in his prayers and not to forget them.
He went up then and sat upon the chariot, leaving all the brethren, and the captain came and
awaked the driver, saying: I entreat and pray that I may become worthy to sit beneath his feet,
and I will be his driver upon this way, that he also may become my guide in that way whereby few
go.
69 And when they had journeyed about two miles, the apostle begged of the captain and
made him arise and caused him to sit by him, suffering the driver to sit in his own place. And as
they went along the road, it came to pass that the beasts were wearied with the great heat and
could not be stirred at all. And the captain was greatly vexed and wholly cast down, and thought
to run on his own feet and bring other beasts for the use of the chariot; but the apostle said: Let
not thine heart be troubled nor affrighted, but believe on Jesus Christ whom I have proclaimed
unto thee, and thou shalt see great wonders. And he looked and saw a herd of wild asses feeding
by the wayside, and said to the captain: If thou hast believed on Christ Jesus, go unto that herd of
wild asses and say: Judas Thomas the apostle of Christ the new God saith unto you: Let four of
you come, of whom we have need (or, of whom we may have use).
70 And the captain went in fear, for they were many; and as he went, they came to meet
him; and when they were near, he said unto them: Judas Thomas the apostle of the new God
commandeth you: Let four of you come, of whom I have need. And when the wild asses heard
it, they ran with one accord and came to him, and when they came they did him reverence. [Syr.
has a long prayer: And Judas Thomas the apostle of our Lord lifted up his voice in praise and
said: Glorious art thou, God of truth and Lord of all natures, for thou didst will with thy will, and
make all thy works and finish all thy creatures, and bring them to the rule of their nature, and lay
upon them all thy fear that they might be subject to thy command. And thy will trod the path
from thy secrecy to manifestation, and was caring for every soul that thou didst make, and was
spoken of by the mouth of all the prophets, in all visions and sounds and voices; but Israel did not
obey because of their evil inclination. And thou, because thou art Lord of all, hast a care for the
creatures, so that thou spreadest over us thy mercy in him who came by thy will and put on the
body, thy creature, which thou didst will and form according to thy glorious wisdom. He whom
thou didst appoint in thy secrecy and establish in thy manifestation, to him thou hast given the
name of Son, he who was thy will, the power of thy thought; so that ye are by various names, the
Father and the Son and the Spirit, for the sake of the government of thy creatures, for the
nourishing of all natures, and ye are one in glory and power and will; and ye are divided without
being separated, and are one though divided, and all subsists in thee and is subject to thee,
because all is thine. And I rely upon thee, Lord, and by thy command have subjected these dumb
beasts, that thou mightest show thy ministering power upon us and upon them because it is
needful, and that thy name might be glorilied in us and in the beasts that cannot speak.] And the
apostle said unto them: Peace be unto you. Yoke ye four of you in the stead of these beasts that
have come to a stand. And every one of them came and pressed to be yoked: there were then
four stronger than the rest, which also were yoked. And the rest, some went before and some
followed. And when they had journeyed a little way he dismissed the colts, saying: I say unto
you the inhabiters of the desert, depart unto your pastures, for if I had had need of all, ye would
all have gone with me; but now go unto your place wherein ye dwell. And they departed quietly
until they were no more seen.
71 Now as the apostle and the captain and the driver went on, the wild asses drew the
chariot quietly and evenly, lest they should disturb the apostle of God. And when they came near
to the city gate they turned aside and stood still before the doors of the captain's house. And the
captain said: It is not possible for me to relate what hath happened, but when I see the end I will
tell it. The whole city therefore came to see the wild asses under the yoke; and they had heard
also the report of the apostle that he was to come and visit them. And the apostle asked the
captain: Where is thy dwelling, and whither dost thou bring us? And he said to him: Thou
thyself knowest that we stand before the doors, and these which by thy commandment are come
with thee know it better than I.
72 And having so said he came down from the chariot. The apostle therefore began to
say: Jesu Christ, that art blasphemed by the ignorance of thee in this country; Jesu, the report of
whom is strange in this city; Jesu, that receivest all (Syr. sendest on before the apostles in every
country and in every city, and all thine that are worthy are glorified in thee; Jesu, that didst take a
form and become as a man, and wert seen of all us that thou mightest not separate us from thine
own love: thou, Lord, art he that gavest thyself for us, and with thy blood hast purchased us and
gained us as a possession of great price: and what have we to give thee, Lord, in exchange for
thy life which thou gavest for us? for that which we would give, thou gavest us: and this is, that
we should entreat of thee and live.
73 And when he had so said, many assembled from every quarter to see the apostle of the
new God. And again the apostle said: Why stand we idle? Jesu, Lord, the hour is come: what
wilt thou have done? command therefore that that be fulfilled which needeth to be done. Now
the captain's wife and her daughter were sore borne down by the devils, so that they of the house
thought they would rise up no more: for they suffered them not to partake of aught, but cast
them down upon their beds recognizing no man until that day when the apostle came thither. And
the apostle said unto one of the wild asses that were yoked on the right hand: Enter thou within
the gate, and stand there and call the devils and say to them: Judas Thomas the apostle and
disciple of Jesus Christ saith unto you: Come forth hither: for on your account am I sent and
unto them that pertain to you by race, to destroy you and chase you unto your place, until the
time of the end come and ye go down into your own deep of darkness.
74 And that wild ass went in, a great multitude being with him, and said: Unto you I
speak, the enemies of Jesus that is called Christ: unto you I speak that shut your eyes lest ye see
the light: unto you I speak, children of Gehenna and of destruction, of him that ceaseth not from
evil until now, that alway reneweth his workings and the things that befit his being: unto you I
speak, most shameless, that shall perish by your own hands. And what I shall say of your
destruction and end, and what I shall tell, I know not. For there are many things and innumerable
to the hearing: and greater are your doings than the torment that is reserved for you (Syr.
however great your bodies, they are too small for your retributions). But unto thee I speak, devil,
and to thy son that followeth with thee: for now am I sent against you. And wherefore should I
make many words concerning your nature and root, which yourselves know and are not ashamed?
but Judas Thomas the apostle of Christ Jesus saith unto you, he that by much love and affection is
sent hither: Before all this multitude that standeth here, come forth and tell me of what race ye
are.
75 And straightway the woman came forth with her daughter, both like dead persons and
dishonoured in aspect: and the apostle beholding them was grieved. especially for the girl, and
saith unto the devils: God forbid that for you there should be sparing or propitiation, for ye know
not to spare nor to have pity: but in the name of Jesus, depart from them and stand by their side.
And when the apostle had so said, the women fell down and became as dead; for they neither had
breath nor uttered speech: but the devil answered with a loud voice and said: Art thou come
hither again, thou that deridest our nature and race? art thou come again, that blottest out our
devices? and as I take it, thou wouldest not suffer us to be upon the earth at all: but this at this
time thou canst not accomplish. And the apostle guessed that this devil was he that had been
driven out from that other woman.
76 And the devil said: I beseech thee, give me leave to depart even whither thou wilt, and
dwell there and take commandment from thee, and I will not fear the ruler that hath authority over
me. For like as thou art come to preach good tidings, so I also am come to destroy; and like as, if
thou fulfil not the will of him that sent thee, he will bring punishment upon thy head, so I also if I
do not the will of him that sent me, before the season and time appointed, shall be sent unto mine
own nature; and like as thy Christ helpeth thee in that thou doest, so also my father helpeth me in
that I do; and like as for thee he prepareth vessels worthy of thine inhabiting, so also for me he
seeketh out vessels whereby I may accomplish his deeds; and like as he nourisheth and provideth
for his subjects, so also for me he prepareth chastisements and torments, with them that become
my dwellingplaces (Syr. those in whom I dwell); and like as for a recompense of thy working he
giveth thee eternal life, so also unto me he giveth for a reward of my works eternal destruction;
and like as thou art refreshed by thy prayer and thy good works and spiritual thanksgivings, so I
also am refreshed by murders and adulteries and sacrifices made with wine upon altars (Syr.
sacrifices and libations of wine), and like as thou convertest men unto eternal life, so I also pervert
them that obey me unto eternal destruction and torment: and thou receivest thine own and I
mine.
77 And when the devil had said these things and yet more the apostle said: Jesus
commandeth thee and thy son by me to enter no more into the habitation of man: but go ye forth
and depart and dwell wholly apart from the habitation of men. And the devils said unto him:
Thou hast laid on us a harsh commandment: but what wilt thou do unto them that now are
concealed from thee? for they that have wrought all the images rejoice in them more than thee:
and many of them do the more part worship, and perform their will, sacrificing to them and
bringing them food, by libations and by wine and water and oflering with oblations. And the
apostle said: They also shall now be abolished, with their works. And suddenly the devils
vanished away: but the women lay cast upon the earth as if were dead, and without speech.
78 And the wild asses stood together and parted not one from another; but he to whom
speech was given by the power of the Lord -while all men kept silence, and looked to see what
they would do- the wild ass said unto the apostle: Why standest thou idle, O apostle of Christ the
Most High, who looketh that thou shouldest ask of him the best of learning? Wherefore then
tarriest thou? (Syr. that thou shouldest ask him, and he would give thee? Why delayest thou,
good disciple?) for lo, thy teacher desireth to show by thy hands his mighty works. Why standest
thou still, O herald of the hidden one? for thy (Lord) willeth to manifest through thee his
unspeakable things, which he reserveth for them that are worthy of him, to hear them. Why
restest thou, O doer of mighty works in the name of the Lord? for thy Lord encourageth thee and
engendereth boldness in thee. Fear not, therefore; for he will not forsake the soul that belongeth
unto thee by birth. Begin therefore to call upon him and he will readily hearken to thee. Why
standest thou marvelling at all his acts and his workings? for these are small things which he hath
shown by thy means. And what wilt thou tell concerning his great gifts? for thou wilt not be
sufficient to declare them. And why marvellest thou at his cures of the body which he worketh?
(Syr. which come to an end) especially when thou knowest that healing of his which is secure and
lasting, which he bringeth forth by his own nature? And why lookest thou unto this temporal life,
and hast no thought of that which is eternal (Syr. when thou canst every day think on that which
is eternal)?
79 But unto you the multitudes that stand by and look to see these that are cast down
raised up, I say, believe in the apostle of Jesus Christ: believe the teacher of truth, believe him
that showeth vou the truth, believe Jesus, believe on the Christ that was born, that the born may
live by his life: who also was raised up through infancy, that perfection might appear by his
manhood (man). He did teach his own disciples: for he is the teacher of the truth and maketh
wise men wise (Syr. who went to school that through him perfect wisdom might be known: he
taught his teacher because he was the teacher of verity and the master of the wise). Who also
offered the gift in the temple that he might show that all the (every) offering was sanctified. This
is his apostle, the shewer-forth of truth: this is he that performeth the will of him that sent him.
But there shall come false apostles and prophets of lawlessness, whose end shall be according to
their deeds; preaching indeed and ordaining to flee from ungodliness, but themselves at all times
detected in sins, clad indeed with sheep's clothing, but within, ravening wolves. Who suffice not
themselves with one wife but corrupt many women; who, saying that they despise children,
dcstroy many children (boys), for whom they vvill pay the penalty; that content not themselves
wiih their own possessions, but desire that all useless things should minister unto them only;
professing to be his disciples; and with their mouth they utter one thing, but in their heart they
think another; charging other men to beware of evil, but they themselves perform nought that is
good; who are accounted temperate, and charge other men to abstain from fornication theft, and
covetousness, but in all these things do they themselves walk secretly, teaching other men not to
do them.
80 And when the wild ass had declared all these things, all men gazed upon him. And
when he ceased the apostle said: What I shall think concerning thy beauty, O Jesu, and what I
shall tell of thee, I know not, or rather I am not able, for I have no power to declare it, O Christ
that art in rest, and only wise that only knowest the inward of the heart and understandest the
thought. Glory be to thee, merciful and tranquil. Glory to thee, wise word. Glory to thy
compassion that was born unto us. Glory to thy mercy that was spread out over us. Glory to thy
greatness that was made small for us. Glory to thy most high kingship that was humbled for us.
Glory to thy might which was enfeebled for us. Glory to thy Godhead that for us was seen in
likeness of men. Glory to thy manhood that died for us that it might make us live. Glory to thy
resurrection from the dead; for thereby rising and rest cometh unto our souls. Glory and praise
(good report) to thine ascending into the heavens; for thereby thou hast shewed us the path of the
height, and promised that we shall sit with thee on thy right hand and with thee judge the twelve
tribes of Israel. Thou art the heavenly word of the Father: thou art the hidden light of the
understanding, shewer of the way of truth, driver away of darkness, and blotter-out of error.
81 Having thus spoken, the apostle stood over the women, saying: My Lord and my God,
I am not divided from thee (or doubt not concerning thee), nor as one unbelieving do I call upon
thee, who art always our helper and succourer and raiser-up; who breathest thine own power into
us and encouragest us and givest confidence in love unto thine own servants. I beseech thee, let
these souls be healed and rise up and become such as they were before they were smitten of the
devils. And when he thus spake the women turned and sat up. And the apostle bade the captain
that his servants should take them and bring them within (Syr. and give them food, for they had
not eaten for many days). And when they were gone in, the apostle said unto the wild asses,
Follow me. And they went after him until he had brought them without the gate. And when they
had gone out, he said to them: Depart in peace unto your pastures. The wild asses therefore
went away willingly; and the apostle stood and took heed to them lest they should be hurt of any,
until they had gone afar off and were no more seen. And the apostle returned with the multitude
into the house of the captain.
The Ninth Act: of the Wife of Charisius.
82 Now it chanced that a certain woman, the wife of Charisius, that was next unto the
king, whose name was Mygdonia, came to see and behold the new name and the new God who
was being proclaimed, and the new apostle who had come to visit their country: and she was
carried by her own servants; and because of the great crowd and the narrow way they were not
able to bring her near unto him. And she sent unto her husband to send her more to minister to
her; and they came and approached her, pressing upon the people and beating them. And the
apostle saw it and said to them: Wherefore overthrow ye them that come to hear the word, and
are eager for it? and ye desire to be near me but are far off, as it was said of the multitude that
came unto the Lord: Having eyes ye see not, and having ears ye hear not; and he said to the
multitudes: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear; and: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
83 And looking upon them that carried her, he said unto them: This blessing and this
admonition [Here and elsewhere there is a marked divergence between the texts of U and P, the
Roman and Paris MSS.: Bonnet prints them separately. P is on the whole much shorter. Syr.
differs from both. I follow U, but it is very corrupt.] which was promised unto them is for you
that are heavily burdened now. Ye are they that carry burdens grievous to be borne, and are
borne about by her command. And though ye are men, they lay on you loads as on brute beasts,
for they that have authority over you think that ye are not men such as themselves, whether bond
or free. For neither shall possessions profit the rich, nor poverty save the poor from judgement;
nor have we received a commandment which we are not able to perform, nor hath he laid on us
burdens grievous to be borne nhich we are not able to carry; nor building which men build; nor to
hew stones and prepare houses, as your craftsmen do by their own knowledge. But this
commandment have we reccived of the Lord, that that which pleaseth not us when it is done by
another this we should not do to any other man.
84 Abstain therefore first from adultery, for this is the beginning of all evils, and next from
theft, which enticed Judas Iscariot, and brought him unto hanging; (and from covetousness,) for
as manv as yield unto covetousness see not that which they do; and from vainglory and from all
foul deeds, especially them of the body, whereby cometh eternal condemnation. For this is the
chief city of all evils; and likewise it bringeth them that hold their heads (necks) high unto tyranny,
and draweth them down unto the deep, and subdueth them under its hands that they see not what
they do; wherefore the things done of them are hidden from them.
85 But do ye become well-pleasing unto God in all good things, in meekness and
quietness: for these doth God spare, and granteth eternal life and setteth death at nought. And in
gentleness which followeth on all good things, and overcometh all enemies and alone receiveth the
crown of victory: with gentleness (Syr.), and stretching out of the hand to the poor, and
supplying the want of the needy, and distributing to them that are in necessity, especially them
that walk in holiness. For this is chosen before God and leadeth unto eternal life: for this is
before God the chief city of all good: for they that strive not in the course (stadium) of Christ
shall not obtain holiness. And holiness did appear from God, doing away fornication,
overthrowing the enemy, well-pleasing unto God: for she is an invincible champion (athlete),
having honour from God, glorified of many: she is an ambassador of peace, announcing peace: if
any gain her he abideth without care, pleasing the Lord, expecting the time of redemption: for she
doeth nothing amiss, but giveth life and rest and joy unto all that gain her. [P has nothing of this,
and Syr. makes better sense, but is not very interesting.]
86 But meekness hath overcome death and brought him under authority, meekness hath
enslaved the enemy (U and P and Syr. now present the same text), meekness is the good yoke:
meekness feareth not and opposeth not the many: meekness is peace and joy and exaltation of
rest. Abide ye therefore in holiness and receive freedom from me, and be near unto meekness for
in these three heads is portrayed the Christ whom I proclaim unto you. Holiness is the temple of
Christ, and he that dwelleth in her getteth her for an habitation , because for forty days and forty nights he fasted, tasting nothing: and he that keepeth her
shall dwell in her as on a mountain. And meekness is his boast: for he said unto Peter our fellow
apostle: Turn back thy sword and put it again into the sheath thereof: for if I had willed so to do,
could I not have brought more than twelve legions of angels from my Father?
87 And when the apostle had said these things in the hearing of all the multitude, they
trode and pressed upon one another: and the wife of Charisius the king's kinsman Ieapt out of her
chair and cast herself on the earth before the apostle, and caught his feet and besought and said:
O disciple of the living God, thou art come into a desert country, for we live in the desert; being
like to brute beasts in our conversation, but now shall we be saved by thy hands; I beseech thee,
therefore, take thought of me, and pray for me, that the compassion of the God whom thou
preachest may come upon me, and I may become his dwelling place and be joined in prayer and
hope and faith in him, and I also may receive the seal and become an holy temple and he may
dwell in me.
88 And the apostle said: I do pray and entreat for you all, brethren, that believe on the
Lord, and for you, sisters, that hope in Christ, that in all of you the word of God may tabernacle
and have his tabernacle therein: for we have no power over them (Syr. because ye are given
power over your own souls). And he began to say unto the woman Mygdonia: Rise up from the
earth and compose thyself (take off thine ornaments, P; be mindful of thyself, Syr.). For this attire
that is put on shall not profit thee nor the beauty of thy body, nor thine apparel, neither yet the
fame of thy rank, nor the authority of this world, nor the polluted intercourse with thine husband
shall avail thee if thou be bereaved of the true fellowship: for the appearance (fantasy) of
ornamenting cometh to nought, and the body waxeth old and changeth, and raiment weareth out,
and authority and lordship pass away (U corrupt; P abridges; Syr. has: passeth away
accompanied with punishment, according as each person hath conducted himself in it), and the
fellowship of procreation also passeth away, and is as it were condemnation. Jesus only abideth
ever, and they that hope in him. Thus he spake, and said unto the woman: Depart in peace, and
the Lord shall make thee worthy of his own mysteries. But she said: I fear to go away, lest thou
forsake me and depart unto another nation. But the apostle said to her: Even if I go, I shall not
leave thee alone, but Jesus of his compassion will be with thee. And she fell down and did him
reverence and departed unto her house.
89 Now Charisius, the kinsman of Misdaeus the king, bathed himself and returned and laid
him down to dine. And he inquired concerning his wife, where she was; for she had not come out
of her own chamber to meet him as she was wont. And her handmaids said to him: She is not
well. And he entered quickly into the chamber and found her Iying on the bed and veiled: and he
unveiled her and kissed her, saying: Wherefore art thou sorrowful to-day? And she said: I am
not well. And he said unto her: Wherefore then didst thou not keep the guise of thy freedom
(Syr. pay proper respect to thy position as a free woman) and remain in thy house, but didst go
and listen unto vain speeches and look upon works of sorcery? but rise up and dine with me, for I
cannot dine without thee. But she said to him: To-day I decline it, for I am greatly afeared.
90 And when Charisius heard this of Mygdonia, he would not go forth to dinner, but bade
his servants bring her to dine with him (Syr. bring food to him that he might sup in her presence):
when then they brought it in, he desired her to dine with him, but she excused herself; since then
she would not, he dined alone, saying unto her: On thine account I refused to dine with Misdaeus
the king, and thou, wast thou not willing to dine with me? but she said: It is because I am not
well. Charisius therefore rose up as he was wont and would sleep with her, but she said: Did I
not tell thee that for today I refused it?
91 When he heard that he went to another bed and slept; and awaking out of sleep he said:
My lady Mygdonia, hearken to the dream which I have seen. I saw myself lie at meat near to
Misdaeus the king, and a dish of all sorts was set before us: and I saw an eagle come down from
heaven and carry off from before me and the king two partridges, which he set against his heart;
and again he came over us and flew about above us, and the king bade a bow to be brought to
him; and the eagle again caught away from before us a pigeon and a dove, and the king shot an
arrow at him, and it passed through him from one side to the other and hurt him not; and he being
unscathed rose up into his own nest. And I awoke, and I am full of fear and sore vexed, because I
had tasted of the partridge, and he suffered me not to put it to my mouth again. And Mygdonia
said unto him: Thy dream is good: for thou every day eatest partridges, but this eagle had not
tasted of a partridge until now.
92 And when it was morning Charisius went and dressed himself and shod his right foot
with his left shoe; and he stopped, and said to Mygdonia: What then is this matter? for look, the
dream and this action of mine! But Mygdonia said to him: And this also is not evil, but seemeth
to me very good; for from an unlucky act there will be a change unto the better. And he washed
his hands and went to salute Misdaeus the king.
93 And likewise Mygdonia rose up early and went to salute Judas Thomas the apostle, and
she found him discoursing with the captain and all the multitude, and he was advising them and
speaking of the woman which had received the Lord in her soul, whose wife she was; and the
captain said: She is the wife of Charisius the kinsman of Misdaeus the king. And: Her husband is
a hard man, and in every thing that he saith to the king he obeyeth him: and he will not suffer her
to continue in this mind which she hath promised; for often-times hath he praised her before the
king, saying that there is none other like her in love: all things therefore that thou speakest unto
her are strange unto her. And the apostle said: If verily and surely the Lord hath risen upon her
soul and she hath received the seed that was cast on her, she will have no care of this temporal
life, nor fear death, neither will Charisius be able to harm her at all: for greater is he whom she
hath received into her soul, if she have received him indeed.
94 And Mygdonia hearing this said unto the apostle: In truth, my lord, I have received the
seed of thy words, and I will bear fruit like unto such seed. The apostle saith: Our souls give
praise and thanks unto thee, O Lord, for they are thine: our bodies give thanks unto thee, which
thou hast accounted worthy to become the dwelling-place of thy heavenly gift. And he said also
to them that stood by: Blessed are the holy, whose souls have never condemned them, for they
have gained them and are not divided against themselves: blessed are the spirits of the pure, and
they that have received the heavenly crown whole from the world (age) which hath been
appointed them: blessed are the bodies of the holy, for they have been made worthy to become
temples of God, that Christ may dwell in them: blessed are ye, for ye have power to forgive sins:
blessed are ye if ye lose not that which is committed unto you, but rejoicing and departing bear it
away with you: blessed are ye the holy, for unto you it is given to ask and receive: blessed are ye
meek for you hath God counted worthy to become heirs of the heavenly kingdom. Blessed are ye
meek, for ye are they that have overcome the enemy: blessed are ye meek, for ye shall see the
face of the Lord. Blessed are ye that hunger for the Lord's sake for for you is rest laid up, and
your souls rejoice from henceforth. Blessed are ye that are quiet, (for ye have been counted
worthy) to be set free from sin [and from the exchange of clean and unclean beasts]. And when
the apostle had said these things in the hearing of all the multitude, Mygdonia was the more
confirmed in the faith and glory and greatness of Christ.
95 But Charisius the kinsman and friend of Misdaeus the king came to his breakfast and
found not his wife in the house; and he inquired of all that were in his house: Whither is your
mistress oone? And one of them answered and said: She is gone unto that stranger. And when
he heard this of his servant, he was wroth with the other servants because they had not
straightway told him what was done: and he sat down and waited for her. And when it was
evening and she was come into the house he said to her: Where wast thou? And she answered
and said: With the physician. And he said: Is that stranger a physician? And she said: Yea, he is
a physician of souls: for most physicians do heal bodies that are dissolved, but he souls that are
not destroyed. Charisius, hearing this, was very angry in his mind with Mygdonia because of the
apostle, but he answered her nothing, for he was afraid; for she was above him both in wealth and
birth: but he departed to dinner, and she went into her chamber. And he said to the servants:
Call her to dinner. But she would not come.
96 And when he heard that she would not come out of her chamber, he went in and said
unto her: Wherefore wilt thou not dine with me and perchance not sleep with me as the wont is?
yea, concerning this I have the greater suspicion, for I have heard that that sorcerer and deceiver
teacheth that a man should not live with his wife, and that which nature requireth and the godhead
hath ordained he overthroweth. When Charisius said these things, Mygdonia kept silence. He
saith to her again: My lady and consort Mygdonia, be not led astray by deceitful and vain words,
nor by the works of sorcery which I have heard that this man performeth in the name of Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost; for it was never yet heard in the world that any raised the dead, and, as I
hear, it is reported of this man that he raiseth dead men. And for that he neither eateth nor
drinketh, think not that for righteousness sake he neither eateth nor drinketh but this he doth
because he possesseth nought, for what should he do which hath not even his daily bread? And
he hath one garment because he is poor, and as for his not receiving aught of any (he doth so, to
be sure, because he knoweth in himself that he doth not verily heal any man, Syr.).
97 And when Charisius so said, Mygdonia was silent as any stone, but she prayed, asking
when it should be day, that she might go to the apostle of Christ. And he withdrew from her and
went to dinner heavy in mind, for he thought to sleep with her according to the wont. And when
he was gone out, she bowed her knees and praved, saying: Lord God and Master, merciful
Father, Savionr Christ, do thou give me strength to overcome thc shamelessness of Charisius, and
grant me to keep the holiness wherein thou delightest, that I also may by it find eternal life. And
when she had so prayed she laid herself on her bed and veiled herself.
98 But Charisius having dined came upon her, and she cried out, saying: Thou hast no
more any room by me: for my Lord Jesus is greater than thou, who is with me and resteth in me.
And he laughed and said: Well dost thou mock, saying this of that sorcerer, and well dost thou
deride him, who saith: Ye have no life with God unless ye purify yourselves. And when he had
so said he essayed to sleep with her, but she endured it not and cried out bitterly and said: I call
upon thee, Lord Jesu, forsake me not! for with thee have I made my refuge; for when I learned
that thou art he that seekest out them that are veiled in ignorance and savest them that are held in
error And now I entreat thee whose report I have heard and believed, come thou to my help and
save me from the shamelessness of Charisius, that his foulness may not get the upper hand of me.
And she smote her hands together (tied his hands, Syr.) and fled from him naked, and as she went
forth she pulled down the curtain of the bed-chamber and wrapped it about her; and went to her
nurse, and slept there with her.
99 But Charisius was in heaviness all night, and smote his face with his hands, and he was
minded to go that very hour and tell the king concerning the violence that was done him, but he
considered with himself, saying: If the great heaviness which is upon me compelleth me to go
now unto the king, who will bring me in to him? for I know that my abuse hath overthrown me
from my high looks and my vainglory and majesty, and hath cast me down into this vileness and
separated my sister Mygonia from me. Yea, if the king himself stood before the dools at this
hour, I could not have gone out and answered him. But I will wait until dawn, and I know that
whatsoever I ask of the king, he granteth it me: and I will tell him of the madness of this stranger,
how that it tyrannously casteth down the great and illustrious into the depth. For it is not this that
grieveth me, that I am deprived of her companying, but for her am I grieved, because her
greatness of soul is humbled: being an honourable lady in whom none of her house ever found
fault (condemned), she hath fled away naked, running out of her own bedchamber, and I know
not whither she is gone; and it may be that she is gone mad by the means of that sorcerer, and in
her madness hath gone forth into the market-place to seek him; for there is nothing that appealeth
unto her lovable except him and the things that are spoken by him.
100 And so saving he began to lament and say: Woe to me, O my consort, and to thee
besides! for I am too quickly bereaved of thee. Woe is me, my most dear one, for thou excellest
all my race: neither son nor daughter have I had of thee that I might find rest in them; neither hast
thou yet dwelt with me a full year, and an evil eye hath caught thee from me. Would that the
violence of death had taken thee, and I should yet have reckoned myself among kings and nobles:
but that I should suffer this at the hands of a stranger, and belike he is a slave that hath run away,
to mine ill fortune and the sorrow of mine unhappy soul! Let there be no impediment for me until
I destroy him and avenge this night, and may I not be well-pleasing before Misdaeus the king if he
avenge me not with the head of this stranger; (and I will also tell him) of Siphor the captain vvho
hath been the occasion of this. For by his means did fhe stranger appear here, and lodgeth at his
house: and many there be that go in and come out whom he teacheth a new doctrine; saying that
none can live if he quit not all his substance and become a renouncer like himself: and he striveth
to make many partakers with him.
101 And as Charisius thought on these things, the day dawned: and after the night (?) he
put on a mean habit, and shod himself, and went downcast and in heaviness to salute the king.
And when the king saw him he said: Wherefore art thou sorrowful, and comest in such garb?
and I see that thy countenance is changed. And Charisius said unto the king: I have a new thing
to tell thee and a new desolation which Siphor hath brought into India, even a certain Hebrew, a
sorcerer, whom he hath sitting in his house and who departeth not from him: and many are there
that go in to him: whom also he teacheth of a new God, and layeth on them new laws such as
never yet were heard, saving: It is impossible for you to enter into that eternal life which I
proclaim unto you, unless ye rid you of your wives, and likewise the wives of their husbands.
And it chanced that mine unlucky wife also went to him and became a hearer of his words, and
she believed them, and in the night she forsook me and ran unto the stranger. But send thou for
both Siphor and that sorcerer that is hid with (in) him, and visit it (?) on their head, lest all that are
of our nation perish.
102 And when Misdaeus his friend heard this he saith to him: Be not grieved nor heavy,
for I will send for him and avenge thee, and thou shalt have thy wife again, and the others that
cannot I will avenge. And the king went forth and sat on the judgement seat, and when he was
set he commanded Siphor the captain to be called. They went therefore unto his house and found
him sitting on the right hand of the apostle and Mygdonia at his feet, hearkening to him with all
the multitude. And they that were sent from the king said unto Siphor: Sittest thou here listening
to vain words, and Misdaeus the king in his wrath thinketh to destroy thee because of this
sorcerer and deceiver whom thou hast brought into thine house? And Siphor hearing it was cast
down, not because of the king's threat against him, but for the apostle, because the king was
disposed contrary to him. And he said to the apostle: I am grieved concerning thee: for I told
thee at the first that that woman is the wife of Charisius the king's friend and kinsman, and he will
not suf'fer her to perform that she hath promised, and all that he asketh of the king he granteth
him. But the apostle said unto Siphor: Fear nothing, but believe in Jesus that pleadeth for us all,
for unto his refuge are we gathered together. And Siphor, hearing that, put his garment about
him and went unto Misdaeus the king,
103 And the apostle inquired of Mygdonia: What was the cause that thy husband was
wroth with thee and devised this against us? And she said: Because I gave not myself up unto his
corruption (destruction): for he desired last night to subdue me and subject me unto that passion
which he serveth: and he to whom I have committed my soul delivered me out of his hands; and I
fled away from him naked, and slept with my nurse: but that which befell him I know not,
wherefore he hath contrived this. The apostle saith: These things will not hurt us; but believe
thou on Jesus, and he shall overthrow the wrath of Charisius and his madness and his impulse; and
he shall be a companion unto thee in the fearful way, and he shall guide thee into his kingdom, and
shall bring thee unto eternal life giving thee that confidence which passeth not away nor
changeth.
104 Now Siphor stood before the king, and he inquired of him: Who is that sorcerer and
whence, and what teacheth he whom thou hast lurking in thine house? And Siphor answered the
king: Thou art not ignorant, O king, what trouble and grief I, with my friends had concerning my
wife, whom thou knowest and many others remember, and concerning my daughter, whom I
value more than all my possessions, what a time and trial I suffered; for I became a laughing-stock
and a curse in all our country. And I heard the report of this man and went to him and entreated
him, and took him and brought him hither. And as I came by the way I saw wonderful and
amazing things: and here also many did hear the wild ass and concerning that devil whom he
drove out, and healed my wife and daughter, and now are they whole; and he asked no reward but
requireth faith and holiness, that men should become partakers with him in that which he doeth:
and this he teacheth to worship and fear one God, the ruler of all things, and Jesus Christ his Son,
that they may have eternal life. And that which he eateth is bread and salt, and his drink is water
from evening unto evening, and he maketh many prayers; and whatsoever he asketh of his God,
he giveth him. And he teacheth that this God is holy and mighty, and that Christ is living and
maketh alive, wherefore also he chargeth them that are there present to come unto him in holiness
and purity and love and faith.
105 And when Misdaeus the king heard these things of Siphor he sent many soldiers unto
the house of Siphor the captain, to bring Thomas the apostle and all that were found there. And
they that were sent entered in and found him teaching much people; and Mygdonia sat at his feet.
And when they beheld the great multitude that were about him, they feared, and departed to their
king and said: We durst not say aught unto him, for there was a great multitude about him, and
Mygdonia sitting at his feet was listening to the things that were spoken by him. And when
Misdaeus the king and Charisius heard these things, Charisius leaped out from before the king and
drew much people with him and said: I will bring him, O king, and Mygdonia whose
understanding he hath taken away. And he came to the house of Siphor the captain, greatly
disturbed, and found him (Thomas) teaching: but Mygdonia he found not, for she had withdrawn
herself unto her house, having learnt that it had been told her husband that she was there.
106 And Charisius said unto the apostle: Up, thou wicked one and destroyer and enemy
of mine house: for me thy sorcery harmeth not, for I will visit thy sorcery on thine head. And
when he so said, the apostle looked upon him and said unto him: Thy threatenings shall return
upon thee, for me thou wilt not harm any whit: for greater than thee and thy king and all your
army is the Lord Jesus Christ in whom I have my trust. And Chalisius took a kerchief (turban,
Syr.) of one of his slaves and cast it about the neck of the apostle, saying: Hale him and bring him
away; let me see if his God is able to deliver him out of my hands. And they haled him and led
him away to Misdaeus the king. And the apostle stood before the king, and the king said to him:
Tell me who thou art and by what power thou doest these things. But the apostle kept silence.
And the king commanded his officers (subjects) that he should be scourged with an hundred and
twenty-eight (hundred and fifty, Syr.) blows, and bound, and be cast into the prison; and they
bound him and led him away. And the king and Charisius considered how they should put him to
death, for the multitude worshipped him as God. And they had it in mind to say: The stranger
hath reviled the king and is a deceiver.
107 But the apostle went unto the prison rejoicing and exulting, and said: I praise thee,
Jesu, for that thou hast not only made me worthy of faith in thee, but also to endure much for thy
sake. I give thee thanks therefore, Lord, that thou hast taken thought for me and given me
patience: I thank thee Lord, that for thy sake I am called a sorcerer and a wizard. Receive thou
me therefore with the blessing (Syr. Iet me receive of the blessing) of the poor, and of the rest of
the weary, and of the blessings of them whom men hate and persecute and revile, and speak evil
words of them. For lo, for thy sake I am hated: lo for thy sake I am cut off from the many, and
for thy sake they call me such an one as I am not.
108 And as he prayed, all the prisoners looked on him, and besought him to pray for them:
and when he had prayed and was set down, he began to utter a psalm in this wise:
[Here follows the Hymn of the Soul: a most remarkable composition, originally Syriac,
and certainly older than the Acts, with which it has no real connexion. We have it in Greek in one
manuscript, the Vallicellian, and in a paraphrase by Nicetas of Thessalonica, found and edited by
Bonnet.]
1 When I was an infant child
in the palace of my Father
2 and resting in the wealth and luxury of my nurturers,
out of the East, our native country, my parents provisioned me and sent me.
4 And of the wealth of those their treasures they put together a load
5 both great and light, that I might carry it alone.
6 Gold is the load, of them that are above (or of the land of the Ellaeans or Gilaeans),
and silver of the great treasures (or of Gazzak the great)
7 and stones, chalcedonies from the Indians
and pearls from the Kosani (Kushan).
8 And they armed me with adamant
9 and they took off from me (Gr. put on me) the garment set with gems, spangled with
gold, which they had made for me because they loved me
10 and the robe that was yellow in hue, made for my stature.
11 And they made a covenant with me, and inscribed it on mine understanding, that I
should forget it, and said:
12 If thou go down into Egypt, and bring back thence the one pearl
13 which is there girt about by the devouring serpent
14 thou shalt put on the garment set with gems, and that robe whereupon it
resteth (or which is thereon)
15 and become with thy brother that is next unto us (Gr. of the well- remembered) an heir
(Gr. herald) in our kingdom.
109. 16 And I came out of the East by a road difficult and fearful, with two guides
17 and I was untried in travelling by it.
18 And I passed by the borders of the Mosani (Maishan) where is the resort of the
merchants of the East,
19 and reached the land of the Babylonians .
20 But when I entered into Egypt, the guides left me which had journeyed with me.
21 And I set forth by the quickest way to the serpent, and by his hole I abode
22 watching for him to slumber and sleep, that I might take my pearl from him.
23 And forasmuch as I was alone I made mine aspect strange, and appeared as an alien to
my people.
24 And there I saw my kinsman from the East, the free-born
25 a lad of grace and beauty, a son of princes (or an anointed one).
26 He came unto me and dwelt with me,
27 and I had him for a companion, and made him my friend and partaker in my journey (or
merchandise).
28 And I charged him to beware of the Egyptians, and of partaking of those unclean things
(or consorting with those unclean men).
29 And I put on their raiment, lest I should seem strange, as one that had come from
without
30 to recover the pearl; and lest the Egyptians should awake the serpent against me.
31 But, I know not by what occasion, they learned that I was not of their country.
32 And with guile they mingled for me a deceit, and I tasted of their food.
33 And I knew no more that I was a king's son, and I became a servant unto their
king.
34 And I forgat also the pearl for which my fathers had sent me,
35 and by means of the heaviness of their food I fell into a deep sleep.
110. 36 But when this befell me, my fathers also were ware of it, and grieved for me
37 and a proclamation was published in our kingdom, that all should meet at our
doors.
38 And then the kings of Parthia and they that bare office and the great ones of the East
39 made a resolve concerning me, that I should not be left in Egypt,
40 and the princes wrote unto me signifying thus (and every noble signed his name to it,
Syr.):
41 From the (thy) Father the King of kings, and thy mother that ruleth the East,
42 and thy brother that is second unto us; unto our son that is in Egypt, peace.
43 Rise up and awake out of sleep, and hearken unto the words of the letter
44 and remember that thou art a son of kings; lo, thou hast come under the yoke of
bondage.
45 Remember the pearl for the which thou wast sent into Egypt (Gr. puts this after
46).
46 Remember thy garment spangled with gold,
47 Thy name is named in the book of life,
48 and with thy brother whom thou hast received in our kingdom.
111. 49 and the King [as ambassador] sealed it
50 because of the evil ones, even the children of the Babylonians and the tyrannous
demons of Labyrinthus (Sarbug, Syr.).
51
52 It flew and lighted down by me, and became all speech.>
53 And I at the voice of it and the feeling of it started up out of sleep
54 and I took it up and kissed it and read it.
55 And it was written concerning that which was recorded in mine heart.
56 And I remembered forthwith that I was a son of kings, and my freedom yearned
(sought) after its kind.
57 I remembered also the pearl for the which I was sent down into Egypt
58 and I began (or came) with charms against the terrible serpent,
59 and I overcame him (or put him to sleep) by naming the name of my Father upon
him,
60 .
61 And I caught away the pearl and turned back to bear it unto my fathers.
62 And I stripped off the filthy garment and left it in their land,
63 and directed my way forthwith to the light of my fatherland in the East.
64 And on the way I found my letter that had awakened me,
65 and it, like as it had taken a voice and raised me when I slept, so also guided me with
the light that came from it.
66 For at times the royal garment of silk before mine eyes,
67
68 and with love leading me and drawing me onward,
69 I passed by Labyrinthus (Sarbug), and I left Babylon upon my left hand
70 and I came unto Meson (Mesene; Maishan) the great,
71 that lieth on the shore of the sea,
72
73 from the heights of Warkan (Hyrcania?) had my parents sent thither
74 by the hand of their treasurers, unto whom they committed it because of their
faithfulness>.
112. 75 But I remembered not the brightness of it; for I was yet a child and very young
when I had left it in the palace ot my Father,
76 but suddenly, [when] I saw the garment made like unto me as it had been in a
mirror.
77 And I beheld upon it all myself (or saw it wholly in myself) and I knew and saw myself
through it,
78 that we were divided asunder, being of one; and again were one in one shape.
79 Yea, the treasurers also which brought me the garment
80 I beheld, that they were two, yet one shape was upon both, one royal sign was set upon
both of them.
81 The money and the wealth had they in their hands, and paid me the due price,
82 and the lovely garment, which was variegated with bright colours
83 with gold and precious stones and pearls of comely hue
84 they were fastened above (or in the height)
85 .
86 And the likeness of the King of kings was all in all of it.
87 Sapphire stones were fitly set in it above (or, like the sapphire stone also were its
manifold hues).
113. 88 And again I saw that throughout it motions of knowledge were being sent
forth,
89 and it was ready to utter speech.
90 And I heard it speak :
91 I am of him that is more valiant than all men, for whose sake I was reared up with the
Father himself.
92 And I also perceived his stature (so Gr.- Syr. I perceived in myself that my stature
grew in accordance with his working).
93 And all its royal motions rested upon me as it grew toward the impulse of it (And with
its kingly motions it was spreading itself toward me).
94 And it hastened, reaching out from the hand of unto him that
would receive it
95 and me also did yearning arouse to start forth and meet it and receive it.
96 And I stretched forth and received it, and adorned myself with the beauty of the
colours thereof (mostly Syr.; Gr. corrupt)
97 and in my royal robe excelling in beauty I arrayed myself wholly.
98 And when I had put it on, I was lifted up unto the place of peace (sahltation) and
homage
99 and I bowed my head and worshipped the brightness of the Father which had sent it
unto me.
100 for I had performed his commandments, and he likewise that which he had
promised,
101 and at the doors of his palace which was from the beginning I mingled among ,
102 and he rejoiced over me and received me with him into his palace,
103 and all his servants do praise him vvith sweet voices.
104 And he promised me that with him I shall be sent unto the gates of the king,
105 that with my gifts and my pearl we may appear together before the king.
[Immediately on this, in the Syriac, follows a Song of Praise of Thomas the apostle
consisting of forty-two ascriptions of praise and four final clauses (Wright, pp. 245-51). It has
no bearing on the Acts, and is not in itself so remarkable as to need to be inserted here.]
114 And Charisius went home glad, thinking that his wife would be with him, and that she
had become such as she was before, even before she heard the divine word and believed on Jesus.
And he went, and found her with her hair dishevelled and her clothes rent, and when he saw it he
said unto her: My lady Mygdonia, why doth this cruel disease keep hold on thee? and wherefore
hast thou done this? I am thine husband from thy virginity, and both the gods and the law grant
me to have rule over thee, what is this great madness of thine, that thou art bccome a derision in
all our nation? but put thou away the care that cometh of that sorcerer; and I will remove his face
from among us, that thou mayest see him no more.
115 But Mygdonia when she heard that gave herself up unto grief, groaning and lamenting
and Charisius said again; Have I then so much wronged the gods that they have afflicted me with
such a disease? what is my great offence that they have cast me into such humiliation? I beseech
thee. Mvgdonia trangle my soul no more with the pitiful sight of thee and thy mean appearance
and afflict not mine heart with care for thee I am Charisius thine husband, whom all the nation
honoureth and feareth. What must I do? I know not whither to turn. What am I to think? shall I
keep silence and endure? yet who can be patient when men take his treasure? and who can
endure to lose thy sweet ways? and what is there for me? (Syr. thy beauties which are ever
before me) the fragrance of thee is in my nostrils, and thy bright face is fixed in mine eyes. They
are taking away my soul, and the fair body which I rejoiced to see they are destroying, and that
sharpest of eyes they are blinding and cutting off my right hand: my joy is turning to grief and my
life to death, and the light of it is being dyed (?) with darkness. Let no man of you my kindred
henceforth look on me; from you no help hath come to me, nor will I hereafter worship the gods
of the east that have enwrapped me in such calamities, nor pray to them any more nor sacrifice to
them, for I am bereaved of my spouse. And what else should I ask of them? for all my glory is
taken away, yet am I a prince and next unto the king in power; but Mygdonia hath set me at
nought, and taken away all these things. (Would that some one would blind one of my eyes, and
that thine eyes would look upon me as they were wont, Syr. which has more clauses, to the same
effect.)
116 And while Charisius spake thus with tears, Mygdonia sat silent and looking upon the
ground; and again he came unto her and said: My lady Mygdonia, most desired of me, remember
that out of all the women that are in India I chose and took thee as the most beautiful, though I
might have joined to myself in marriage many more beautiful: but yet I lie, Mygdonia, for by the
gods it would not have been possible to find another like thee in the land of India; but woe is me
alway, for thou wilt not even answer me a word: but if thou wilt, revile me, so that I may only be
vouchsafed a word from thee. Look at me, for I am more comely than that sorcerer: but thou art
my wealth and honour: and all men know that there is none like me: and thou art my race and
kindred; and lo, he taketh thee away from me.
117 And when Charisius had so said, Mygdonia saith unto him: He whom I love is better
than thee and thy substance: for thy substance is of earth and returneth unto the earth; but he
whom I love is of heaven and will take me with him unto heaven. Thy wealth shall pass awav,
and thy beauty shall vanish, and thy robes, and thy many works: and thou shalt be alone, naked,
with thy transgressions. Call not to my remembrance thy deeds (unto me), for I pray the Lord
that I may forget thee, so as to remember no more those former pleasures and the custom of the
body; which shall pass away as a shadow, but Jesus only endureth for ever, and the souls which
hope in him. Jesus himself shall quit me of the shameful decds which I did with thee. And when
Charisius heard this, he turned him to sleep, vexed (dissolved) in soul, saying to her: Consider it
by thyself all this night: and if thou wilt be with me such as thou wast before, and not see that
sorcerer, I will do all according to thy mind, and if thou wilt remove thine affection from him I
will take him out of the prison and let him go and remove into another country, and I will not vex
thee, for I know that thou makest much of the stranger. And not with thee first did this matter
come about, for many other women also hath he deceived with thee; and they have awaked sober
and returned to themselves: do not thou then make nought of my words and cause me to be a
reproach among the Indians.
118 And Charisius having thus spoken went to sleep: but she took ten denarii (20 zuze,
Syr.), and went secretly to give them to the gaolers that she might enter in to the apostle. But on
the way Judus Thomas came and met her, and she saw him and was afraid, for she thought that he
was one of the rulers: for a great light went before him. And she said to herself as she fled: have
lost thee, O my unhappy soul! for thou wilt not again see Judas the apostle of the living
, and not yet hast thou received the holy seal. And she fled and ran into a narrow place
and there hid herself, saying: I would rather choose to be killed (taken) by the poorer, whom it is
possible to persuade, than to fall into the hand of this mighty ruler, who will despise gifts.
The Tenth Act: wherein Mygdonia receiveth baptism.
119 And while Mygdonia thought thus with herself, Judas came and stood over her, and
she saw him and was afraid, and fell down and became lifeless with terror. But he stood by her
and took her by the hand and said unto her: Fear not, Mygdonia: Jesus will not leave thee,
neither will the Lord unto whom thou hast committed thy soul overlook thee. His compassionate
rest will not forsake thee: he that is kind will not forsake thee, for his kindness' sake, nor he that
is good for his goodness' sake. Rise up then from the earth, thou that art become wholly above it:
look on the light, for the Lord leaveth not them that love him to walk in darkness: behold him
that travelleth with his servants, that he is unto them a defender in perils. And Mygdonia arose
and looked on him and said: Whither wentest thou, my lord? and who is he that brought thee out
of prison to behold the sun? Judas Thomas saith unto her: My Lord Jesus is mightier than all
powers and all kings and rulers.
120 And Mygdonia said: Give me the seal of Jesus Christ and I shall ( Iet me) receive the
gift at thy hands before thou departest out of life. And she took him with her and entered into the
court and awaked her nurse, saying unto her: Narcia (Gr. Marcia), my mother and nurse, all thy
service and refreshment thou hast done for me from my childhood until my present age are vain,
and for them I owe thee thanks which are temporal; do for me now also a ravour, that thou
mayest for ever receive a recompense from him that giveth great gifts. And Narcia in answer
saith: What wilt thou, my daughter Mygdonia, and what is to be done for thy pleasure? for the
honours which thou didst promise me before, the stranger hath not suffered thee to accomplish,
and thou hast made me a reproach among all the nation. And now what is this new thing that
thou commandest me? And Mygdonia saith: Become thou partaker with me in eternal life, that I
may receive of thee perfect nurture: take bread and bring it me, and wine mingled with water, and
spare my freedom (take pity on me a free-born woman, Syr.). And the nurse said: I will bring
thee many loaves, and for water flagons of wine, and fulfil thy desire. But she saith to the nurse:
Flagons I desire not, nor the many loaves: but this only, bring wine mingled with water and one
loaf, and oil .
121 And when Narcia had brought these things, Mygdonia stood before the apostle with
her head bare; and he took the oil and poured it on her head, saying: Thou holy oil given unto us
for sanctification, sccret mystery whereby the cross was shown unto us, thou art the straightener
of the crooked limbs, thou art the humbler (softener) of hard things (works), thou art it that
showeth the hidden treasures, thou art the sprout of goodness; let thy power come, let it be
established upon thy servant Mygdonia, and heal thou her by this freedom. And when the oil was
poured upon her he hade her nurse unclothe her and gird a linen cloth about her; and there was
there a fountain of water upon which the apostle went up, and baptized Mygdonia in the name of
the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. And when she was baptized and clad, he brake bread
and took a cup of water and made her a partaker in the body of Christ and the cup of the Son of
God, and said: Thou hast received thy seal, get for thyself eternal life. And immediately there
was heard from above a voice saying: Yea, amen. And when Narcia heard that voice, she was
amazed, and besought the apostle that she also might receive the seal; and the apostle gave it her
and said: Let the care of the Lord be about thee as about the rest.
122 And having done these things the apostle returned unto the prison, and found the
doors open and the guards still sleeping. And Thomas said: Who is like thee, O God? who
withholdest not thy loving affection and care from any who is like thee, the merciful, who hast
delivered thy creatures out of evil. Life that hath subdued death, rest that hath ended toil. Glory
be to the only-begotten of the Father. Glory to the compassionate that was sent forth of his heart.
And when he had said thus, the guards waked and beheld all the doors open, and the prisoners <+
asleep, Syr.>, and said in themselves: Did not we fasten the doors? and how are they now open,
and the prisoners within?
123 But at the dawn Charisius went unto Mygdonia , and found
them praying and saying: O new God that by the stranger hast come hither unto us, hidden God
of the dwellers in India (Syr. who art hidden from); God that hast shown thy glory by thine
apostle Thomas, God whose report we have heard and believed on thee; God, unto whom we are
come to be saved; God, who for love of man and for pity didst come down unto our littleness;
God who didst seek us out when we knew him (thee) not; God that dwellest in the heights and
from whom the depths are not hid: turn thou away from us the madness of Charisius. And
Charisius hearing that said to Mygdonia: Rightly callest thou me evil and mad and foul I for if I
had not borne with thy disobedience, and given thee liberty, thou wouldest not have called on
God against me and made mention of my name before God. But believe me, Mygdonia that in
that sorcerer there is no profit, and what he promiseth to perform he cannot: but I will perform
before thy sight all that I promise, that thou mayest believe, and bear with my words and be to me
as thou wast beforetime.
124 And he came near and besought her again, saying: If thou wilt be persuaded of me, I
shall henceforth have no grief; remember that day when thou didst meet me first; tell the truth:
was I more beautiful unto thee at that time, or Jesus at this? And Mygdonia said: That time
required its own, and this time also; that was the time of the beginning, but this of the end; that
was the time of temporal life, this of eternal; that of pleasure that passeth away, but this of
pleasure that abideth for ever; that, of day and night, this of day without night. Thou sawest that
marriage that was passing, and here, and single but this marriage continueth for ever; that was a
partnership of corruption, but this of eternal life; those groomsmen (and maids) were men and
women of time, but these abide unto the end. That marriage upon earth setteth up dropping dew
of the love of men (Syr. That union was founded upon the earth where there is an unceasing
press: this is founded upon the bridge of fire upon which is sprinkled grace: both corrupt); that
bride-chamber is taken down again, but this remaineth always; that bed was strown with coverlets
(that grow old), but this with love and faith. Thou art a bridegroom that passest away and art
dissolved (changed), but Jesus is a true bridegroom, enduring for ever immortal, that dowry was
of money and robes that grow old, but this is of living words which never pass away.
125 And when Charisius heard these things he went unto the king and told him all: and
the king commanded Judas to be brought, that he might judge him and destroy him. But
Charisius said: Have patience a little, O king, and first persuade the man making him afraid, that
he may persuade Mygdonia to be unto me as formerly. And Misdaeus sent and fetched the
apostle of Christ, and all the prisoners were grieved because the apostle departed from them, for
they yearned after him, saying: Even the comfort which we had have they taken away from
us.
126 And Misdaeus said unto Judas: Wherefore teachest thou this new doctrine, which
both gods and men hate, and which hath nought of profit? And Judas said: What evil do I teach?
And Misdaeus said: Thou teachest, saying that men
with the God whom thou preachest. Judas saith: Thou sayest true, O king: thus do I teach. For
tell me, art thou not wroth with thy soldiers if they wait on thee in filthy garments? if then thou,
being a king of earth and returning unto earth, request thy subjects to be reverend in their doings,
are ye wroth and said ye that I teach ill when I say that they who serve my king must be reverend
and pure and free from all grief and care of children and unprofitable riches and vain trouble? For
indeed thou wouldest have thy subjects follow thy conversation and thy manners, and thou
punishest them if they despise thy commandments: how much more must they that believe on him
serve my God with much reverence and cleanness and security, and be quit of all pleasures of the
body, adultery and prodigality and theft and drunkenness and belly-service and foul deeds?
127 And Misdaeus hearing these things said: Lo, I let thee go: go then and persuade
Mygdonia, the wife of Charisius, not to desire to depart from him. Judas saith unto him: Delay
not if thou hast aught to do: for her, if she hath rightly received what she hath learned, neither
iron nor fire nor aught else stronger than these will avail to hurt or to root out him that is held in
her soul. Misdaeus saith unto Judas: Some poisons do dissolve other poisons, and a theriac
cureth the bites of the viper; and thou if thou wilt canst give a solvent of those diseases, and make
peace and concord betwixt this couple: for by so doing thou wilt spare thyself, for not yet art
thou sated with life; and know thou that if thou do not persuade her, I will catch thee away out of
this life which is desirable unto all men. And Judas said: This life hath been given as a loan, and
this time is one that changeth, but that life whereof I teach is incorruptible; and beauty and youth
that are seen shall in a little cease to be. The king saith to him: I have counselled thee for the
best, but thou knowest thine own alfairs.
128 And as the apostle went forth from before the king, Charisius came to him and
entreated him and said: I beseech thee, O man: I have not sinned against thee or any other at any
time, nor against the gods; wherefore hast thou stirred up this great calamity against me? and for
what cause hast thou brought such disturbance upon mine house? and what profit hast thou of it?
but if thou thinkest to gain somewhat, tell me the gain, what it is, and I will procure it for thee
without labour. To what end dost thou make me mad, and cast thyself into destruction? for if
thou persuade her not, I will both dispatch thee and finally take myself out of life. But if, as thou
sayest, after our departing hence there is there life and death, and also condemnation and victory
and a place of judgement, then will I also go in thither to be judged with thee: and if that God
whom thou preachest is just and awardeth punishment justly, I know that I shall gain my cause
against thee; for thou hast injured me, having suffered no wrong at my hands: for indeed even
here I am able to avenge myself on thee and bring upon thee all that thou hast done unto me.
Therefore be thou persuaded, and come home with me and persuade Mygdonia to be with me as
she was at first, before she beheld thee. And Judas saith to him: Believe me, my child that if men
loved God as much as they love one another, they would ask of him all things and receive them,
and none would do them violence (there would be nothing which would not obey them, Syr.).
129 And as Thomas said this, they came unto the house of Charisius and found Mygdonia
sitting and Narcia standing by her, and her hand supporting her cheek; and she was saying: Let
the remainder of the days of my life, O mother, be cut off from me, and all the hours become as
one hour, and let me depart out of life that I may go the sooner and behold that beautiful one,
whose report I have heard, even that living one and giver of life unto them that believe on him,
where is not day and night, nor light and darkness, nor good and evil, nor poor and rich, nor male
and female, nor free and bond, nor proud that subjecteth the humble. And as she spake the
apostle stood by her, and forthwith she rose up and did him reverence. Then Charisius said unto
him: Seest thou how she feareth and honoureth thee and all that thou shalt bid her she will do
willingly?
13O And as he so spake, Judas saith unto Mygdonia: My daughter Mygdonia, obey that
which thy brother Charisius saith. And Mygdonia saith: If thou wast not able the
deed in word wilt thou compel me to endure the act? for I have heard of thee that this life is of no
profit, and this relief is for a time, and these possessions are transitory. And again thou saidst that
whoso renounceth this life shall receive the life eternal, and whoso hateth the light of day and
night shall behold a light that is not overtaken, that whoso despiseth this money shall find other
and eternal money. But now because thou art in fear. Who that hath
done somewhat and is praised for the work changeth it? straightway
overthroweth it from the foundation? who diggeth a spring water in a thirsty land and
straightway filleth it in? who findeth a treasure and useth it not? And Charisius heard lt and said:
I will not imitate you, neither will I hasten to destroy you; nor though I may so do, will I put
bonds about thee (but thee I will bind, Syr.); and I will not suffer thee to speak with this sorcerer;
and if thou obey me, well, but if not, I know what I must do.
131 And Judas went out of Charisius' house and departed unto the house of Siphor and
lodged there with him. And Siphor said: I will prepare for Judas a hall (triclinium) wherein he
may teach (Syr. Siphor said to Judas: Prepare thyself an apartment, &c.). And he did so; and
Siphor said : I and my wife and daughter will dwell henceforth in holiness, and in chastity, and in
one affection. I beseech thee that we mav receive of thee the seal, and become worshippers of the
true God and numbered among his sheep and lambs. And Judas said: I am afraid to speak that
which I think: yet I know somewhat, and what I know it is not possible for me to utter.
132 And he began to say concerning baptism: This baptism is remission of sins (the Greek
MSS. U and P have divergent texts, both obscure): this bringeth forth again light that is shed
about us: this bringeth to new birth the new man (this is the restorer of understandings Syr.): this
mingleth the spirit (with the body), raiseth up in threefoldwise a new man and
partaker of the remission of sins. Glory be to thee, hidden one, that art communicated in baptism.
Glory to thee the unseen power that is in baptism. Glory to thee, renewal, whereby are renewed
they that are baptized and with affection take hold upon thee.
And having thus said, he poured oil over their heads and said: Glory be to thee the love of
compassion (bowels). Glory to thee name of Christ. Glory to thee, power established in Christ.
And he commanded a vessel to be brought, and baptized them in the name of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Ghost.
133 And when they were baptized and clad, he set bread on the table and blessed it, and
said: Bread of life, the which who eat abide incorruptible: Bread that filleth the hungry souls with
the blessing thereof: thou art he that vouchsafest to receive a gift, that thou mayest become unto
us remission of sins, and that they who eat thee may become immortal: we invoke upon thee the
name of the mother, of the unspeakable mystery of the hidden powers and authorities (? we name
the name of the unspeakable mystery, that is hidden from all &c.): we invoke upon thee the name
of [thy?] Jesus. And he said: Let the powers of blessing come, and be established in this bread,
that all the souls which partake of it may be washed from their sins. And he brake and gave unto
Siphor and his wife and daughter.
The Eleventh Act: concerning the wife of Misdaeus.
134 Now Misdaeus the king, when he had let Judas go, dined and went home, and told his
wife what had befallen Charisius their kinsman, saying: See what hath come to pass to that
unhappy man, and thou thyself knowest, my sister Tertia, that a man hath nought better than his
own wife on whom he resteth; but it chanced that his wife went unto that sorcerer of whom thou
hast heard that he is come to the land of the Indians, and fell into his charms and is parted from
her own husband; and he knoweth not what he should do. And when I would have destroyed the
malefactor, he would not have it. But do thou go and counsel her to incline unto her husband,
and forsake the vain words of the sorcerer.
135 And as soon as she arose Tertia went to the house of Charisius her husband's
, and found Mygdonia Iying upon the earth in humiliation, and ashes and sackcloth
were spread under her, and she was praying that the Lord would forgive her her former sins and
she might soon depart out of life. And Tertia said unto her: Mygdonia, my dear sister and
companion what is this hand (Syr. this folly)? what is the disease that hath overtaken thee? and
why doest thou the deeds of madmen? Know thyself and come back unto thine own way, come
near unto thy many kinsfolk, and spare thy true husband Charisius, and do not things unbefitting a
free-woman. Mygdonia saith unto her: O Tertia, thou hast not yet heard the preacher of life: not
yet hath he touched thine ears, not yet hast thou tasted the medicine of life nor art freed from
corruptible mourning. Thou standest in the life of time, and the everlasting life and salvation thou
knowest not, and perceivest not the incorruptible fellowship. Thou standest clad in robes that
grow old and desirest not those that are eternal, and art proud of this beauty which vanisheth and
hast no thought of the holiness of thy soul; and art rich in a multitude of servants, (and hast not
freed thine own soul from servitude, Syr.) and pridest thyself in the glory that cometh of many,
but redeemest not thyself from the condemnation of death.
136 And when Tertia heard this of Mygdonia she said: I pray thee, sister, bring me unto
that stranger that teacheth these great things, that I also may go and hear him, and be taught to
worship the God whom he preacheth, and become partaker of his prayers, and a sharer in all that
thou hast told me of. And Mygdonia saith to her: He is in the house of Siphor the captain; for he
is become the occasion of life unto all them that are being saved in India. And hearing that, Tertia
went quickly to Siphor's house, that she might see the new apostle that was come thither. And
when she entered in, Judas said unto her: What art thou come to see? a man that is a stranger
and poor and contemptible and needy, having neither riches nor substance; yet one thing I possess
which neither kings nor rulers can take away, that neither perisheth nor ceaseth, which is Jesus the
Saviour of all mankind, the Son of the living God, who hath given life unto all that believe on him
and take refuge with him and are known to be of the number of his servants (sheep, Syr.). Unto
whom saith Tertia: May I become a partaker of this life which thou promisest that all they shall
receive who come together unto the assembly of God. And the apostle said: The treasury of the
holy king is opened wide, and they which worthily partake of the good things that are therein do
rest, and resting do reign: but first, no man cometh unto him that is unclean and vile: for he
knoweth our inmost hearts and the depths of our thought, and it is not possible for any to escape
him. Thou, then, if verily thou believest in him, shalt be made worthy of his mysteries; and he will
magnify thee and enrich thee, and make thee to be an heir of his hingdom.
137 And Tertia having heard this returned home rejoicing, and found her husband awaiting
her, not having dined, and when Misdaeus saw her he said: Whence is it that thine entering in
to-day is more beautiful? and wherefore art thou come walking, which beseemeth not free-born
women like thee? And Tertia saith unto him: I owe thee the greatest of thanks for that thou didst
send me unto Mygdonia, for I went and heard of a new life, and I saw the new apostle of the God
that giveth life unto them that believe on him and fulfil his commandments; I ought therefore
myself to recompense thee for this favour and admonition with good advice; for thou shalt be a
great king in heaven if thou obey me and fear the God that is preached by the strangrer, and keep
thyself holy unto the living God. For this kingdom passeth away, and thy comfort will be turned
into affliction: but go thou to that man, and believe him, and thou shalt live unto the end. And
when Misdaeus heard these things of his wife, he smote his face with his hands and rent his
clothes and said: May the soul of Charisius find no rest, for he hath hurt me to the soul; and may
he have no hope, for he hath taken away my hope. And he went out greatly vexed.
138 And he found Charisius his friend in the market-place, and said unto him: Why hast
thou cast me into hell to be another companion to thyself? why hast thou emptied and defrauded
me to gain nought? why hast thou hurt me and profited thyself not at all? why hast thou slain me
and thyself not lived? Why hast thou wronged me and thyself not got justice? why didst thou not
suffer me to destroy that sorcerer before he corrupted my house with his wickedness? And he
kept hold upon (was upbraiding, Syr.) Charisius. And Charisius saith: Why, what hath befallen
thee? Misdaeus said: He hath bewitched Tertia. And they went both of them unto the house of
Siphor the captain, and found Judas sitting and teaching. And all they that were there rose up
before the king, but he arose not. And Misdaeus perceived that it was he, and took hold of the
seat and overset it, and took up the seat with both his hands and smote his head so that he
wounded it, and delivered him to his soldiers, saying: Take him away, and hale him with violence
and not gently, that his shame may be manifest unto all men. And they haled him and took him to
the place where Misdaeus judged, and he stood there, held of the soldiers of Misdaeus.
The Twelfth Act: concerning Ouazanes (Iuzanes) the son of Misdaeus.
139 And Ouazanes (Iuzanes, P; Vizan, Syr.) the son of Misdaeus came unto the soldiers
and said: Give me him that I may speak with him until the king cometh. And they gave him up,
and he brought him in where the king gave judgement. And Iuzanes saith: Knowest thou not that
I am the son of Misdaeus the king, and I have power to say unto the king what I will, and he will
sufier thee to live? tell me then, who is thy God, and what power dost thou claim and glory in it?
for if it be some power or art of magic, tell it me and teach me, and I will let thee go. Judas saith
unto him: Thou art the son of Misdacus the king who is king for a time, but I am the servant of
Jesus Christ the eternal king, and thou hast power to say to thy father to save whom thou wilt in
the temporal life wherein men continue not, which thou and thy father grant, but I beseech my
Lord and intercede for men, and he giveth them a new life which is altogether enduring. And thou
boastest thyself of possessions and servants and robes and luxury and unclean chamberings, but I
boast myself of povertv and philosophy and humility and lasting and prayer and the fellowship of
the Holy Ghost and of my brethren that are worthy of God: and I boast myself of eternal life.
And thou reliest on (hast taken refuge with) a man like unto thyself and not able to save his own
soul from judgement and death, but I rely upon the living God, upon the saviour of kings and
princes, who is the judge of all men. And ye indeed to-day perchance are, and to-morrow are no
more, but I have taken refuge with him that abideth for ever and knoweth all our seasons and
times. And if thou wilt become the servant of this God thou shalt soon do so; but show that thou
wilt be a servant worthy of him hereby: first by holiness (puritv), which is the head of all good
things, and then by fellowship with this God whom I preach, and philosophy and simplicity and
love and faith and in him, and unity of pure food (simplicity of pure i e, Syr.).
140 And the young man was persuaded by the Lord and sought occasion how he might let
Judas escape: but while he thought thereon, the king came, and the soldiers took Judas and led
him forth. And Iuzanes went forth with him and stood beside him. And when the king was set he
bade Judas be brought in, with his hands bound behind him; and he was brought into the midst
and stood there. And the king saith: Tell me who thou art and by what power thou doest these
things. And Judas saith to him: I am a man like thee, and by the power of Jesus Christ I do these
things. And Misdaeus saith: Tell me the truth before I destroy thee. And Judas saith: Thou hast
no power against me, as thou supposest, and thou wilt not hurt me at all. And the king was wroth
at his words, and commanded to heat iron plates and set him upon them barefoot; and as the
soldiers took off his shoes he said: The wisdom of God is better than the wisdom of men. Thou
Lord and King (do thou take counsel against them, Syr.) and let thy goodness resist his wrath.
And they brought the plates which were like fire, and set the apostle upon them, and straightway
water sprang up abundantly from the earth, so that the plates were swallowed up in it, and they
that held him let him go and withdrew themselves.
141 And the king seeing the abundance of water said to Judas: Ask thy God that he
deliver me from this death, that I perish not in the flood. And the apostle prayed and said: Thou
that didst bind this element (nature) and gather it into one place and send it forth into divers lands;
that didst bring disorder into order, that grantest mighty works and great wonders by the hands of
Judas thy servant; that hast mercy on my soul, that I may alway receive thy brightness; that givest
wages unto them that have laboured; thou saviour of my soul, restoring it unto its own nature that
it may have no fellowship with hurtful things; that hast alway been the occasion of life: do thou
restrain this element that it lift not up itself to destroy; for there are some of them that stand here
who shall believe on thee and live. And when he had prayed, the water was swallowed up by little
and little, and the place became dry. And when Misdaeus saw it he commanded him to be taken
to the prison: Until I shall consider how he must be used.
142 And as Judas was led away to the prison they all followed him, and Iuzanes the king's
son walked at his right hand, and Siphor at the left. And he entered into the prison and sat down,
and Iuzanes and Siphor, and he persuaded his wife and his daughter to sit down, for they also
were come in to hear the word ot life. For they knew that Misdaeus would slay him because of
the excess of his anger. And Judas began to say: O liberator of my soul from the bondage of the
many, because I gave myself to be sold ; behold, I rejoice and exult, knowing
that the times are fulfilled for me to enter in and receive . Lo, I am
to be set free from the cares that are on the earth; lo, I fulfil mine hope and reccive truth; lo, I am
set free from sorrow and put on joy alone; lo, I become careless and griefless and dwell in rest; lo,
I am set free from bondage and am called unto liberty; lo, I have served times and seasons, and I
am lifted up above times and seasons; lo, I receive my wages from my recompenser, who giveth
without reckoning (number) because his wealth sufficeth for the gift; and I shall not put it on again; lo, I sleep and awake, and I shall no more go to sleep; lo,
I die and live again, and I shall no more taste of death; lo, they rejoice and expect me, that I may
come and be with their kindred and be set as a flower in their crown; Io, I reign in the kingdom
whereon I set my hope, even frorm hence; lo, the rebellious fall before me, for I have escaped
them; lo, (unto me) the peace hath come, whereunto all are gathered.
143 And as the apostle spake thus, all that were there hearkened, supposing that in that
hour he would depart out of life. And again he said: Believe on the physician of all ,
both seen and unseen, and on the saviour of the souls that need help from him. This is the
free-born of kings, this the physician of his creatures; this is he that was reproached of his
own slaves; this is the Father of the height and the Lord of nature and the Judge (? Father of
nature and Lord of the height and supreme Judge, Syr.): he came of the greatest, the
only-begotten son of the deep; and he was called the son of (became visible through, Syr.) Mary
the virgin, and was termed the son of Joseph the carpenter: he whose littleness (we beheld) with
the eyes of our body, but his greatness we received by faith, and saw it in his works whose human
body we felt also with our hands, and his aspect we saw transfigured (changed) with our eyes, but
his heavenly semblance on the mount we were not able to see: he that made the rulers stumble
and did violence unto death: he, the truth that lieth not, that at the last paid the tribute for himself
and his disciplcs: whom the prince beholding feared and the powers that were with him were
troubled; and the prince bare witness (asked him, Syr.) who he was and from whence, and knew
not the truth, because he is alien from truth: he that having authority over the world, and the
pleasures therein, and the possessions and the comfort, all these things and turneth
away his subjects, that they should not use them.
144 Alld having fulfilled these sayings, he arose and prayed thus: our Father, which art in
heaven: hallowed be thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done, as in heaven so upon
earth: and forgive us our debts as we also have
forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
My Lord and God, hope and confidence and teacher, thou hast taught me to pray thus,
behold, I pray this prayer and fulfil thy commandment: be thou with me unto the end; thou art he
that from childhood hast sown life in me and kept me from corruption; thou art he that hast
brought me unto the poverty of this world, and exhorted me unto the true riches; thou art he that
hast made me known unto myself and showed me that I am thine; and I have kept myself pure
from woman, that that which thou requirest be not found in defilement.
[At the words 'My Lord and God' begins the double text, represented on the one hand by
the MS. U and on the other by the Paris MS. P, and three (partly four) others. These insert the
prayer after ch. 167. Their text, I believe, may be the original Greek. I follow it here, repeating
the first paragraph.]
(144) My Lord and God, my hope and my confidence and my teacher, that hast implanted
courage in me, thou didst teach me to pray thus; behold, I pray thy prayer and bring thy will to
fulfilment: be thou with me unto the end. Thou art he that from my youth up didst give me
patience in temptation and me life and preserve me from corruption; thou art he that
didst bring me into the poverty of this world and fill me with the true riches; thou art he that didst
show me that I was thine: wherefore I was never joined unto a wife, that the temple worthy of
thee might not be found in pollution.
145 My mouth sufficeth not to praise thee, neither am I able to conceive the care and
providence (carefulness) which hath been about me from thee which thou hast had for me). For I
desired to gain riches, but thou by a vision didst show me that they are full of loss and iniury to
them that gain them and I believed thy showing, and continued in the poverty of the world until
thou, the true riches wert revealed unto me, who didst fill both me and the rest that were worthy
of thee with thine own riches and set free thine own from care and anxiety. I have therefore
fulfilled thy commandments, O Lord, and accomplished thy will, and become poor and needy and
a stranger and a bondman and set at nought and a prisoner and hungry and thirsty and nalied and
unshod, and I have toiled for thy sake, that my confidence might not perish and my hope that is in
thee might not be confounded and my much labour might not be in vain and my weariness not be
counted for nought: let not my prayers and rmy continual fastings perish, and my great zeal
toward thee; let not my seed of wheat be changed for tares out of thy land, Iet not the enemy
carry it away and mingle his own tares therewith; for thy land verily receiveth not his tares, neither
indeed can they be laid up in thine houses.
146 I have planted thy vine in the earth, it hath sent down its roots into the depth and its
growth is spread out in the height, and the fruits of it are stretched forth upon the earth, and they
that are worthy of thee are made glad by them, whom also thou hast gained. The money which
thou hast from me I laid down upon the table (bank); this, when thou requirest it, restore unto me
with usury, as thou hast promised. With thy one mind have I traded and have made ten, thou hast
added rnore to me beside that I had, as thou didst covenant. I have forgiven my debtor the mine,
require thou it not at my hands. I was bidden to the supper and I came: and I refused the land
and the yoke of oxen and the wife, that I might not for their sake be rejected; I was bidden to the
wedding, and I put on white raiment, that I might be worthy of it and not be bound hand and foot
and cast into the outer darkness. My lamp with its bright light expecteth the master coming from
the marriage, that it may receive him, and I may not (? he may not) see it dimmed because the oil
is spent. Mine eyes, O Christ, look upon thee, and mine heart exulteth with joy because I have
fulfilled thy will and perfected thy commandments; that I may be likened unto that watchful and
careful servant who in his eagerness neglecteth not to keep vigil (other MSS.: I have not
slumbered idly in keeping thy commandments: in the first sleep and at midnight and at cockcrow,
that mine eyes may behold thee, &c.). All the night have I laboured to keep mine house from
robbers, lest it be broken through.
147 My loins have I girt close with truth and bound my shoes on my feet, that I may never
see them gaping: mine hands have I put unto the yoked plough and have not turned away
backward, lest my furrows go crooked. The plough-land is become white and the harvest is
come, that I may receive my wages. My garment that groweth old I have worn out, and the
labour that hath brought me unto rest have I accomplished. I have kept the first watch and the
second and the third, that I may behold thy face and adore thine holy brightness. I have rooted
out the worst (pulled down my barns, Syr.) and left thern desolate upon earth, that I may be filled
full from thy treasures (Gr. MSS. add: all my substance have I sold, that I may gain thee the
pearl). The moist spring that was in me have I dried up, that I may live and rest beside thine
inexhaustible spring (al. and Syr.: rest beside thy living spring). The captive whom thou didst
commit to me I have slain, that he which is set free in me may not fall from his confidence. Him
that was inward have I made outward and the outward , and all thy fullness hath been
fulfilled in me. I have not returned unto the things that are behind, but have gone forward unto
the things that are before, that I become not a reproach. The dead man have I quickened, and the
living one have I overcome, and that which was lacking have I filled up (Syr. Wright, not the
older one, inserts negatives, ' not quickened ', &c.), that I may receive the crown of victory, and
the power of Christ may be accomplished in me. I have received reproach upon earth, but give
thou me the return and the recompense in the heavens. (U omits practically all this chapter.)
148 Let not the powers and the officers perceive me, and let them not have any thought
concerning me; let not the publicans and exactors ply their calling upon me; let not the weak and
the evil cry out against me that am valiant and humble, and when I am borne upward let them not
rise up to stand before me, by thy power, O Jesu, which surroundeth me as a crown: for they do
flee and hide themselves, they cannot look on thee: but (for) suddenly do they fall upon them that
are subject to them, and the portion of tile sons of the evil one doth itself cry out and convict
them; and it is not hid from them, nor their nature is made known: the children of the evil one are
separated off. Do thou then grant me, Lord, that I may pass by in quietness and joy and peace,
and pass over and stand before the judge, and let not the devil (or slanderer) look upon me; let his
eyes be blinded by thy light which thou hast made to dwell in me, close thou up (muzzle) his
mouth: for he hath found nought against me.
[We revert to U.]
149 And he said again unto them that were about him: believe in the Saviour of them that have laboured in his service: for my soul
already flourisheth because my time is near to receive him; for he being beautiful draweth me on
always to speak concerning his beauty, what it is though I be not able and suffice not to speak it
worthily: thou that art the light (feeder, Syr.) of my poverty and the supplier of my defects and
nurturer of my need: be thou with me until I come and receive thee for evermore.
The Thirteenth Act: wherein Iuzanes receiveth baptism with the rest.
150 And Iuzanes the youth besought the apostle, saying: I pray thee, O man, apostle of
God, suffer me to go, and I will persuade the gaoler to permit thee to come home with me, that by
thee I may receive the seal, and become thy minister and a keeper of the commandments of the
God whom thou preachest. For indeed, formerly I walked in those things which thou teachest,
until my father compelled me and joined me unto a wife by name Mnesara; for I am in my
one-and-twentieth year, and have now been seven years married, and before I was joined in
marriage I knew no other woman, wherefore also I was accounted useless of my father, nor have
I ever had son or daughter of this wife and also my wife herself hath lived with me in chastity all
this time, and to-day, if she had been in health, and had listened to thee, I know well that both I
should have been at rest and she would have received eternal life; but she is in peril and afflicted
with much illness; I will therefore persuade the keeper that he promise to come with me, for I live
by myself: and thou shalt also heal that unhappy one. And Judas the apostle of the Most High,
hearing this, said to Iuzanes: If thou believest, thou shalt see the marvels of God, and how he
saveth his servants.
151 And as they spake thus together, Tertia and Mvgdonia and Narcia stood at the door
of the prison, and they gave the gaoler 363 staters of silver and entered in to Judas; and found
Iuzanes and Siphor and his wife and daughter, and all the prisoners sitting and hearing the word.
And when they stood by him he said to them: Who hath suffered you to come unto us? and who
opened unto you the sealed door that ye came forth? Tertia saith unto him: Didst not thou open
the door for us and tell us to come into the prison that we might take our brethren that were
there, and then should the Lord show forth his glory in us? And when we came near the door, I
know not how, thou wast parted from us and hid thyself and camest hither before us where also
we heard the noise of the door, when thou didst shut us out. We gave money therefore to the
keepers and came in and lo, we are here praying thee that we may persuade thee and let thee
escape until the king's wrath against thee shall cease. Unto whom Judas said: Tell us first of all
how ye were shut up.
152 And she saith to him: Thou wast with us, and didst never leave us for one hour, and
askest thou how we were shut up? but if thou desirest to hear, hear. The king Misdaeus sent for
me and said unto me: Not yet hath that sorcercr prevailed over thee, for, as I hear, he bewitcheth
men with oil and water and bread, and hath not yet bewitched thee; but obey thou me, for if not, I
will imprison thee and wear thee out, and him I will destroy; for I know that if he hath not yet
given thee oil and water and bread, he hath not prevailed to get power over thee. And I said unto
him: Over my body thou hast authority, and do thou all that thou wilt; but my soul I will not let
perish with thee. And hearing that he shut me up in a chamber (beneath his dining-hall, Syr.): and
Charisius brought Mygdonia and shut her up with me: and thou broughtest us out and didst bring
us even hither; but give thou us the seal quickly, that the hope of Misdacus who counselleth thus
may be cut off.
153 And when the apostle heard this, he said: Glory be to thee, O Jesu of many forms,
glory to thee that appearest in the guise of our poor manhood: glory to thee that encouragest us
and makest us strong and givest grace and consolest and standest by us in all perils, and
strengthenest our weakness. And as he thus spake, the gaoler came and said: Put out the lamps,
lest any accuse you unto the king. And then they extinguished the lamps, and turned to sleep; but
the apostle spake unto the Lord: It is the time now, O Jesu, for thee to make haste; for, lo the
children of darkness sit (make us to sit, Syr.) in their own darkness, do thou therefore enlighten us
with the light of thy nature. And on a sudden the whole prison was light as the day: and while all
they that were in the prison slept a deep sleep, they only that had believed in the Lord continued
waking.
154 Judas therefore saith to Iuzanes: Go thou before and make ready the things for our
need. Iuzanes thererore saith: And who will open me the doors of the prison? for the gaolers
shut them and are gone to sleep. And Judas saith: Believe in Jesus, and thou shalt find the doors
open. And when he went forth and departed from them, all the rest followed after him. And as
Iuzanes was gone on before, Mnesara his wife met him coming unto the prison. And she knew
him and said: My brother Iuzanes, is it thou? and he saith, Yea, and art thou Mnesara? and she
saith Yea. Iuzanes said unto her; Whither walkest thou, especialiy at so untimely an hour? and
how wast thou able to rise up? And she said: This youth laid his hand on me and raised me up,
and in a dream I say that I should go where the stranger sitteth, and become perfectly whole.
Iuzanes saith to her: What youth is with thee? And she said: Seest thou not him that is on my
right hand, leading me by the hand?
155 And while they spake together thus, Judas, with Siphor and his wife and daughter and
Tertia and Mygdonia and Narcia came unto Iuzanes' house. And Mnesara the wife of Iuzanes
seeing him did reverence and said: Art thou come that savedst us from the sore disease? thou art
he whom I saw in the night delivering unto me this youth to bring me to the prison. But thy
goodness suffered me not to grow weary, but thou thyself art come unto me. And so saying she
turned about and saw the youth no more; and finding him not, she saith to the apostle: I am not
able to walk alone: for the youth whom thou gavest me is not here. And Judas said: Jesus will
henceforth lead thee. And thereafter she came running unto him. And when they entered into the
house of Iuzanes the son of Misdaeus the king though it was yet night, a great light shined and
was shed about them.
156 And then Judas began to pray and to speak thus: O companion and defender (ally)
and hope of the weak and confidence of the poor: refuge and lodging of the weary: voice that
came forth of the height (sleep, Gr.): comforter dwelling in the midst: port and harbour of them
that pass through the regions of the rulers: physician that healest without payment: who among
men wast crucified for many: who didst go down into hell with great might: the sight of whom
the princes of death endured not; and thou camest up with great glory, and gathering all them that
fled unto thee didst prepare a way, and in thy footsteps all they journeyed whom thou didst
redeem; and thou broughtest them into thine own fold and didst join them with thy sheep: son of
mercy, the son that for love of man wast sent unto us from the perfect country (fatherland) that is
above, the Lord of all possessions (undefiled possessions, Syr.): that servest thy servants that
they may live: that fillest creation with thine own riches: the poor, that wast in need and didst
hunger forty days: that satisfiest thirsty souls with thine own good things; be thou with Iuzanes
the son of Misdaeus and with Tertia and Mnesara, and gather them into thy fold and mingle them
with thy number; Be unto them a guide in the land of error: be unto them a physician in the land
of sickness: be unto them a rest in the land of the weary: sanctify them in a polluted land: be
their physician both of bodies and souls: make them holy temples of thee, and let thine holy spirit
dwell in them.
157 Having thus prayed over them, the apostle said unto Mygdonia: Unclothe thy sisters.
And she took off their clothes and girded them with girdles and brought them: but Iuzanes had
first gone before, and they came after him; and the apostle took oil in a cup of silver and spake
thus over it: Fruit more beautifull than all other fruits, unto which none other whatsoever may be
compared: altogether merciful: fervent with the force of the word: power of the tree which men
putting upon them overcome their adversaries: crowner of the conquerors: help (symbol) and joy
of the sick: that didst announce unto men their salvation that showest light to them that are in
darkness; whose leaf is bitter, but in thy most sweet fruit thou art fair, that art rough to the sight
but soft to the taste; seeming to be weak, but in the greatness of thy strength able to bear the
power that beholdeth all things. Having thus said [a corrupt word follows]: Jesu: let his
victorious might come and be established in this oil, like as it was established in the tree (wood)
that was its kin, even his might at that time, whereof they that crucified thee could not endure the
word: let the gift also come whereby breathing upon his (thine) enemies thou didst cause them to
go backward and fall headlong and let it rest on this oil, whereupon we invoke thine holy name.
And having thus said, he poured it first upon the head ol Iuzanes and then upon the women's
heads, saying: In thy name, O Jesu Christ, let it be unto these souls for remission of sins and for
turning back of the adversary and for salvation of their souls. And he commanded Mygdonia to
anoint them but he himself anointed Iuzanes. And having anointed them he led them down into
the water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
158 And when they were come up, he took bread and a cup, and blessed it and said:
Thine holy body w}lich was crucified for us do we eat, and thy blood that was shed for us unto
salvation do we drink; let therefore thy body be unto us salvation and thy blood for remission of
sins. And for the gall which thou didst drink for our sakes let the gall of the devil be removed
from us: and for the vinegar which thou hast drunk for us, let our weakness be made strong: and
for the spitting which thou didst receive for us, let us receive the dew of thy goodness: and by (or
for) the reed wherewith they smote thee for us, let us receive the perfect house: and whereas
thou receivedst a crown of thorns for our sake, let us that have loved thee put on a crown that
fadeth not away; and for the linen cloth wherein thou wast Wrapped, let us also be girt about with
thy power that is not vanquished and for the new tomb and the burial let us receive renewing of
soul and body: and for that thou didst rise up and revive, let us revive and live and stand before
thee in righteous judgement. And he brake and gave the eucharist unto Iuzanes and Tertia and
Mnesara and the wife and daughter of Siphor and said: Let this eucharist be unto you for
salvation and joy and health of your souls. And they said: Amen. And a voice was heard, saying:
Amen: fear ye not, but only believe.
[THE MARTYRDOM]
Here we revert to the text of P and its companions.
159 And after these things Judas departed to be imprisoned.
And Tertia with Mygdonia and Narcia also went to be imprisoned. And the apostle Thomas said
unto them -the multitude of them that had believed being present: Daughters and sisters and
fellow-servants which have believed in my Lord and God, ministers of my Jesus, hearken to me
this day: for I do deliver my word unto you, and I shall no more speak with you in this flesh nor
in this world; for I go up unto my Lord and God Jesus Christ, unto him that sold me, unto that
Lord that humbled himself even unto me the little, and brought me up unto eternal greatness, that
vouchsafed to me to become his servant in truth and steadfastness: unto him do I depart,
knowing that the time is fulfilled, and the day appointed hath drawn near for me to go and receive
my recompense from my Lord and God: for my recompenser is righteous, who knoweth me, how
I ought to receive my reward; for he is not grudging nor envious, but is rich in his gifts, he is not a
lover of craft (OT sparing) in that he giveth, for he hath confidence in his possessions which
cannot fail.
160 I am not Jesus, but I am his servant: I am not Christ, but I am his minister; I am not
the Son of God, but I pray to become worthy of God. Continue ye in the faith of Christ:
continue in the hope of the Son of God: faint not at affliction, neither be divided in mind if ye see
me mocked or that I am shut up in prison ; for I do accomplish his will. For if I had
willed not to die, I know in Christ that I am able thereto: but this which is called death, is not
death, but a setting free from the body; wherefore I receive gladly this setting free from the body,
that I may depart and see him that is beautiful and full of mercy, him that is to be loved: for I
have endured much toil in his service, and have laboured for his grace that is come upon me,
which departeth not from me. Let not Satan, then, enter you by stealth and catch away your
thoughts: let there be in you no place for him: for he is mighty whom ye have received. Look
for the coming of Christ, for he shall come and receive you, and this is he whom ye shall see when
he cometh.
161 When the apostle had ended these sayings, they went into the house, and the apostle
Thomas said: Saviour that didst suffer many things for us, let these doors be as they were and let
seals be set on them. And he left them and went to be imprisoned: and they wept and were in
heaviness, for they knew that Misdaeus would slay him (not knowing that, M. would release him,
P.).
162 And the apostle found the keepers wrangling and saying: Wherein have we sinned
against this wizard? for by his art magic he hath opened the doors and would have had all the
prisoners escape: but let us go and report it unto the king, and tell him concerning his wife and
his son. And as they disputed thus, Thomas held his peace. They rose up early, therefore, and
went unto the king and said unto him: Our lord and king, do thou take away that sorcerer and
cause him to be shut up elsewhere, for we are not able to keep him; for except thy good fortune
had kept the prison, all the condemned persons would have escaped for now this second time
have we found the doors open: and also thy wife, O king, and thy son and the rest depart not
from him. And the king, hearing that, went, and found the seals that were set on the doors whole;
and he took note of the doors also, and said to the keepers: Wherefore lie ye? for the seals are
whole. How said ye that Tertia and Mygdonia come unto him into the prison? And the keepers
said: We have told thee the truth.
163 And Misdaeus went to the prison and took his seat, and sent for the apostle Thomas
and stripped him (and girded him with a girdle) and set him before him and saith unto him: Art
thou bond or free? Thomas said: I am the bondsman of one only, over whom thou hast no
authority. And Misdaeus saith to him: How didst thou run away and come into this country?
And Thomas said: I was sold hither by my master, that I might save many, and by thy hands
depart out of this world. And Misdaeus said: Who is thy lord? and what is his name? and of
what country is he? And Thomas said: My Lord is thy master and he is Lord of heaven and
earth. And Misdaeus saith: What is his name? Thomas saith: Thou canst not hear his true name
at this time: but the name that was given unto him is Jesus Christ. And Misdaeus saith unto him:
I have not made haste to destroy thee, but have had long patience with thee: but thou hast added
unto thine evil deeds, and thy sorceries are dispersed abroad and heard of throughout all the
country: but this I do that thy sorceries may depart with thee, and our land be cleansed from
them. Thomas saith unto him; These sorceries depart with me when I set forth hence,
and know thou this that I shall never forsake them that are here.
164 When the apostle had said these things, Misdaeus considered how he should put him
to death; for he was afraid because of the much people that were subject unto him, for many also
of the nobles and of them that were in authority believed on him. He took him therefore and went
forth out of the city; and armed soldiers also went with him. And the people supposed that the
king desired to learn somewhat of him, and they stood still and gave heed. And when they had
walked one mile, he delivered him unto four soldiers and an offlcer, and commanded them to take
him into the mountain and there pierce him with spears and put an end to him, and return again to
the city. And saying thus unto the soldiers, he himself also returned unto the city.
165 But the men ran after Thomas, desiring to deliver him from death. And two soldiers
went at the right hand of the apostle and two on his left, holding spears, and the officer held his
hand and supported him. And the apostle Thomas said: O the hidden mysteries which even until
our departure are accomplished in us! O riches of his glory, who will not suffer us to be
swallowed up in this passion of the body! Four are they that cast me down, for of four am I
made; and one is he that draweth me, for of one I am, and unto him I go. And this I now
understand, that my Lord and God Jesus Christ being of one was pierced by one, but I, which am
of four, am pierced by four.
166 And being come up into the mountain unto the place where he was to be slain, he said
unto them that held him, and to the rest: Brethren, hearken unto me now at the last; for I am
come to my departure out of the body. Let not then the eyes of your heart be blinded, nor your
ears be made deaf. Believe on the God whom I preach, and be not guides unto yourselves in the
hardness of your heart, but walk in all your liberty, and in the glory that is toward men, and the
life that is toward God.
167 And he said unto Iuzanes: Thou son (to the son, P) of the (earthly) king Misdaeus
and minister (to the minister) of our Lord Jesus Christ: give unto the servants of Misdaeus their
price that they may suffer me to go and pray. And Iuzanes persuaded the soldiers to let him pray.
And the blessed Thomas went to pray, and kneeled down, and rose up and stretched forth his
hands unto heaven, and spake thus:
[Here P and the rest give -rightly- the prayer of cc. 144-8. U and its companions give the
foilowing: He turned to his prayer; and it was this: My Lord and my God, and hope and
redeemer and leader and guide in all countries, be thou with all them that serve thee, and guide me
this day as I come unto thee. Let not any take my soul which I have committed unto thee: let not
the publicans see me, and let not the exactors accuse me falsely (play the sycophant with me). Let
not the serpent see me, and let not the children of the dragon hiss at me. Behold, Lord, I have
accomplished thy work and perfected thy commandment. I have become a bondman; therefore
to-day do I receive freedom. Do thou therefore give me this and perfect me: and this I sav, not
for that I doubt, but that they may hear for whom it is needful to hear.]
168 And when he had thus prayed he said unto the soldiers: Come hither and accomplish
the commandments of him that sent you. And the four came and pierced him with their spears,
and he fell down and died.
And all the brethren wept; and they brought beautiful robes and much and fair linen, and
buried him in a royal sepulchre wherein the former (first) kings were laid.
169 But Siphor and Iuzanes would not go down to the city, but continued sitting by him
all the day. And the apostle Thomas appeared unto them and said: Why sit ye here and keep
watch over me? I am not here, but I have gone up and received all that I was promised. But rise
up and go down hence; for after a little time ye also shall be gathered unto me.
But Misdaeus and Charisius took away Mygdonia and Tertia and afflicted them sorely:
howbeit they consented not unto their will. And the apostle appeared unto them and said: Be not
deceived: Jesus the holy, the living one, shall quickly send help unto you. And Misdaeus and
Charisius, when they perceived that Mygdonia and Tertia obeyed them not, suffered them to live
according to their own desire.
And the brethren gathered together and rejoiced in the grace of the Holy Ghost: now the
apostle Thomas when he departed out of the world made Siphor a presbyter and Iuzanes a
deacon, when he went up into the mountain to die. And the Lord wrought with them, and many
were added unto the faith.
170 Now it came to pass after a long time that one of the children of Misdaeus the king
was smitten by a devil, and no man could cure him, for the devil was exceeding fierce. And
Misdaeus the king took thought and sad: I will go and open the sepulchre, and take a bone of the
apostle of God and hang it upon my son and he shall be healed. But while Misdaeus thought
upon this, the apostle Thomas appeared to him and said unto him: Thou believedst not on a living
man, and wilt thou believe on the dead? yet fear not, for my Lord Jesus Christ hath compassion
on thee and pitieth thee of his goodness.
And he went and opened the scpulchre, but found not the apostle there, for one of the
brethren had stolen him away and taken him unto Mesopotamia; but from that place where the
bones of the apostle had lain Misdaeus took dust and put it about his son's neck, saying: I believe
on thee, Jesu Christ, now that he hath left me which troubleth men and opposeth them lest they
should see thee. And when he had hung it upon his son, the Iad became whole.
Misdaeus the king therefore was also gathered among the brethren, and bowed his head
under the hands of Siphor the priest; and Siphor said unto the bretbren: Pray ye for Misdaeus the
king, that he may obtain mercy of Jesus Christ, and that he may no more remember evil against
him. They all therefore, with one accord rejoicing, rmade prayer for him; and the Lord that loveth
men, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, granted Misdaeus also to have hope in him; and he was
gathered with the multitude of them that had believed in Christ, glorifying the Father and the Son
and the Holy Ghost, whose is power and adoration, now and for ever and world without end.
Amen.
[U (and Syr.) ends: The acts of Judas Thomas the apostle are completed, which he did in
India, fulfilling the commandment of him that sent him. Unto whom be glory, world without end.
Amen.]
Scanned and Edited by
Joshua Williams
Northwest Nazarene College, 1995