Lost scriptures: books that did not make it into the New Testament Read Online Free PDF Page B

matter (i.e., in the prisons of their material bodies). Salvation, according to this perspective, comes to those who learn the truth of their plight and so are enabled to escape this impoverished material existence by acquiring the knowledge necessary for salvation (e.g., sayings 11, 22, 29, 37, and 80). Jesus is the one who conveys this knowledge.
    Some scholars have maintained that the sayings of Thomas may be closer to what Jesus actually taught than what we find in the New Testament; others, however, have pointed out that the theology implicit in the more Gnostic teachings cannot be dated with confidence prior to the beginning of the second century. Thus, while some of these sayings may be quite old—may, in fact, go back to Jesus himself—the document as a whole probably came to be written sometime after the New Testament Gospels (although perhaps independently of them), possibly in the early second century.
    These are the secret sayings which the
    days old about the place of life, and he
    living Jesus spoke and which Didymos
    will live. For many who are first will
    Judas Thomas wrote down.
    become last, and they will become one
    1 And he said, “Whoever finds the in-
    and the same.”
    terpretation of these sayings will not ex-
    5 Jesus said, “Recognize what is in
    perience death.”
    your (sg.) sight, and that which is hidden
    2 Jesus said, “Let him who seeks con-
    from you (sg.) will become plain to you
    tinue seeking until he finds. When he
    (sg.). For there is nothing hidden which
    finds, he will become troubled. When he
    will not become manifest.”
    becomes troubled, he will be astonished,
    6 His disciples questioned him and
    and he will rule over the all.”
    said to him, “Do you want us to fast?
    3 Jesus said, “If those who lead you
    How shall we pray? Shall we give alms?
    say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the
    What diet shall we observe?”
    sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede
    Jesus said, “Do not tell lies, and do not
    you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’
    do what you hate, for all things are plain
    then the fish will precede you. Rather, the
    in the sight of heaven. For nothing hidden
    kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside
    will not become manifest, and nothing
    of you. When you come to know your-
    covered will remain without being
    selves, then you will become known, and
    uncovered.”
    you will realize that it is you who are the
    7 Jesus said, “Blessed is the lion which
    sons of the living father. But if you will
    becomes man when consumed by man;
    not know yourselves you dwell in poverty
    and cursed is the man whom the lion
    and it is you who are that poverty.”
    consumes, and the lion becomes man.”
    4 Jesus said, “The man old in days will
    8 And he said, “The man is like a wise
    not hesitate to ask a small child seven
    fisherman who cast his net into the sea

    THE COPTIC GOSPEL OF THOMAS
    21
    and drew it up from the sea full of small
    Jesus said, “I am not your (sg.) master.
    fish. Among them the wise fisherman
    Because you (sg.) have drunk, you (sg.)
    found a fine large fish. He threw all the
    have become intoxicated from the bubsmall fish back into the sea and chose the bling spring which I have measured out.”
    large fish without difficulty. Whoever has
    And he took him and withdrew and
    ears to hear, let him hear.”
    told him three things. When Thomas re
    9 Jesus said, “Now the sower went out,
    turned to his companions, they asked
    took a handful (of seeds), and scattered
    him, “What did Jesus say to you?”
    them. Some fell on the road; the birds
    Thomas said to them, “If I tell you one
    came and gathered them up. Others fell
    of the things which he told me, you will
    on rock, did not take root in the soil, and
    pick up stones and throw them at me; a
    did not produce ears. And others fell on
    fire will come out of the stones and burn
    thorns; they choked the seed(s) and
    you up.”
    worms ate them. And others fell on the
    14 Jesus said