The Second Apocalypse of James

This is the discourse that James the Just spoke in Jerusalem, which Mareim, one of the priests wrote. He had told it to Theuda, the father of the Just One, since he was a relative of his.

Opening Narrative

"Hasten, come with Mary, your wife and your relatives … therefore … of this … to him, he will understand. For behold, a multitude are disturbed over his … and they are greatly angry at him… and they pray …." He used to speak these words while the multitude of people were seated.

Setting

On this occasion he entered and did not sit down in the place, as was his custom. Rather he sat above the fifth flight of the steps, which is highly esteemed, while all our people … the words ….

Revelation

"I am he who received revelation from the Pleroma (of) Imperishability. I am he who was first summoned by him who is great, and who obeyed the Lord – he who passed through the worlds … He stripped himself and went about naked, he who was found in a perishable state, though he was about to be brought up into imperishability." …

Personal Insight

"Now again am I rich in knowledge and I have a unique understanding, which was produced only from above. That which was revealed to me was hidden from everyone and shall only be revealed through him."

Prophecy & Judgment

"These two who see … they have already proclaimed: 'He shall be judged with the unrighteous.' He who lived without blasphemy died by means of blasphemy. He who was cast out…"

Self‑Declaration

I am the first son I who was begotten. I will destroy the dominion of them all. I am beloved, righteous, and the son of the Father. I speak as I heard, command as I received.

Call to Action

"Behold, I speak in order that I may come forth. Pay attention so you may see me!" "If I have come into existence, who then am I? For I did not come as I am, nor would I have appeared as I am."

Encounter Narrative

"Once when I was sitting deliberating, he opened the door. That one whom you hated and persecuted came in to me. He said: 'Hail, my brother; hail.' …"

Instruction for Readers

"Hear and understand – for a multitude, when they hear, will be slow‑witted. But you, understand as I shall be able to tell you."

Divine Relationship

"Your father is not my father. But my father has become a father to you." "This virgin about whom you hear – this is how …"

Prophetic Vision

"I proclaim to you to tell you these words that I shall speak. When you hear, open your ears and understand and walk accordingly!"

Judgment & Mercy

"He will not judge you for those things that you did, but will have mercy on you. For it is not you that did them, but it is your Lord who did them."

Final Exhortation

"I am the Just One, and I do not judge. I am not a master, then, but I am a helper." "He was cast out before he stretched out his hand …"

Liturgical Invocation

"My God and my father, who saved me from this dead hope…" (Full prayer omitted for brevity.)

Selection made from James M. Robinson(ed): The Nag Hammadi Library, revised edition. HarperCollins, San Francisco 1990.

ISBN 0-06066935-7.