Final Words

1. Peter, however, responded to these words, and said: “At times you urge us on to the kingdom of Heaven, and at times you repel us, Lord.

2. At times you convince and draw us to faith and promise life to us, and then again you throw us out of the kingdom of Heaven.”

3. The Lord, however, responded and said to us: “I have given all of you faith repeatedly.

4. What is more, I have revealed myself to you, O James, and not all of you have known me.

5. Now I see all of you again rejoicing repeatedly,

6. and when you are delighted at the promise of life, are you still dejected, and do you mourn when you are taught concerning the kingdom?

7. You, however, by means of faith [and] knowledge, have obtained life.

8. Disregard, therefore, the rebuff when you hear it.

9. When, however, you hear the promise, rejoice all the more.

10. Truly I say to you, he who will obtain life and be faithful to the kingdom will never depart from it, not even should the Father desire to exile him.

11. These matters I tell you up to this point.

12. Now, however, I shall ascend to the place from where I came,

13. but when I was willing to go, you threw me out, and instead of going with me, you have persecuted me.

14. Pay attention, however, to the glory that is waiting for me, and having opened your heart, hear the hymns that that are waiting for me up with Heaven, because today it is necessary for me to fill the right hand of the Father.

15. I, however, have uttered the final saying to you, and I shall leave you, I because a chariot of the Spirit has lifted me up on high, and from this moment onward I shall strip myself, so that I can clothe myself.

16. Pay attention, however.

17. Blessed are they who have proclaimed the Son before his descent, so that when I have come, I can ascend.

18. Thrice blessed are they who [were] proclaimed by the Son before they came into existence, so that you can have a share among them.”