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Paraphrase of Shem

Shem Ascends, in Mind, and Recites the Litany
Gnostic trans. Willis Barnstone • c. 2nd-3rd century CE
1
I, Shem, have completed these things. And my mind began to separate from the body of darkness. My time was completed. And my mind put on the immortal testimony. And I said,
2
These are the things that I completed while bearing witness. I am Shem. On the day that I was to come forth from the body, when my thought remained in the body, I awoke as if from a deep sleep. And when I arose as it were from the burden of my body, I said, "Just as nature became old, so is it also in the day of human beings. Blessings on those who knew, when they slept, in what power their thought rested."
3
And when the Pleiades separated, I saw clouds, which I shall pass by. For the cloud of the spirit is like a pure beryl. And the cloud of the hymen is like a shining emerald. And the cloud of silence is like a flourishing amaranth. And the cloud of the middle region is like a pure jacinth.
4
"And when the righteous one appeared in nature, then, when nature was angry, she felt hurt, and she granted to Morphaia to visit heaven. The righteous one visits during twelve periods that he may visit them during one period, so that his time may be completed quickly and nature may become idle.