Paraphrase of Shem

The Litany

Gnostic trans. Willis Barnstone • c. 2nd-3rd century CE

"Know, O Shem, that without Elorchaios and Amoias and Strophaias and Chelkeak and Chelkea and Elaios, no one will be able to pass by this wicked region.

For this is my testimony, that through it I have been victorious over the wicked region.

And I have taken the light of the spirit from the frightful water.

For when the appointed days of the demon— he who will baptize erringly— draw near, then I shall appear in the baptism of the demon to reveal with the mouth of faith a testimony to those who belong to her.

I testify of you, spark, unquenchable, Osei, the elect of the light, the eye of heaven, and faith, the first and the last, and Sophia, and Saphaia, and Saphaina, and the righteous spark, and the impure light.

And you, east, and west, and north, and south, upper air and lower air, and all the powers and authorities, you are in creation.

And you, Moluchtha and Soch, are from every work and every impure effort of nature.

"Then I shall come through the demon down to the water. And whirlpools of water and flames of fire will rise up against me. Then I shall come up from the water, having put on the light of faith and the unquenchable fire, that through my help the power of the spirit may cross over, she who has been cast in the world by the winds and the demons and the stars. And in them every unchastity will be filled.

"Finally, O Shem, consider yourself pleasing in the thought of the light. Do not let your thought have dealings with the fire and the body of darkness, which was an unclean work. These things that I teach you are right.