Apocryphal books (New Testament); Christian heresies -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Gnosticism
After these (things) Jesus saw a woman having come to repent, he
baptised her three times, and she did not do that which is worthy of the
baptism. And the Saviour wished to tempt Petros to see if he became
merciful and forgiving according as he ordered unto them, said he toward
Petros, Behold three times I baptised this soul, and in these (this, MS)
three times she did not that which is worthy of the mysteries of the
Light. Because of what therefore [281^b] doth she render useless also
the body? Now therefore Petros, perform the mystery of the Light, this
which is wont to cut away the souls from the inheritance of the Light.
Perform that mystery, and cut away the soul of this woman from the
inheritances of the Light. These therefore having said them the Saviour
he tempted to see whether he became merciful and forgiving. These
therefore having said them the Saviour, said he, Petros, My Lord, leave
her this time also, that we may give to her the mysteries which are
high, and whenever she should become profitable thou lettest her, she
inherited the kingdom of the Light, but if she should not become
profitable, thou cuttest her away from the kingdom of the Light. These
therefore having said them Petros, knew the Saviour that Petros became
merciful (like) his manner and forgiving. All these therefore having
happened, said he the Saviour [282^a] to his disciples, Understand ye
all these words with the type of this woman? Answered Maria, said she,
My Lord, I understand the mysteries of the words which happened to this
woman. Concerning the words therefore which happened to her, which thou
saidst unto us once in a parable, saying, A man had a fig-tree in his
vineyard, but he came seeking after his fruit, and he found not any on
it. Said he to his gardener, Behold, three years I come, I seek after
fruit in this fig-tree, and I find not any in it, cut it (down),
therefore, because of what rendereth it useless also the ground. But he
answered, said he to him, My Lord, bear with it this year also, until I
shall dig around it, and put dung to it. But if it should send forth
another year, thou lettest it (be), but if thou findest not any, thou
cuttest it (down). Behold [282^b] this, my Lord, is the explanation of
the word. Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Well (done) O
spiritual (one) this is the word. Added also Maria, said she to the
Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received mystery, and did not that
which is worthy of the mysteries, but turned (away), he did sin: after
these (things) also he repented and he became in a great repentance, is
it lawful also, my brothers, to repeat the mystery which he received, or
otherwise indeed to give to him a mystery among the mysteries which are
below him. Is it lawful therefore or otherwise. But answered the
Saviour, said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to you, Neither the mystery
which he received nor that which is below him are wont to hear him to
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