The Nag Hammadi Library

The (Second) Apocalypse of James

Translated by Charles W. Hedrick
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. He said,
"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 [...]. For he would often say these words and others also."

El (segundo) Apocalipsis de Santiago

Traducido al espaol por Jorge Santiago Leiva Delgado

Este es el discurso que Santiago el Justo habl en Jerusaln, que Mareim, uno de
los sacerdotes, escribi. Le haba dicho a Theuda, el padre del Justo, desde que
era un pariente suyo. l dijo: "Apresrate! Ven con Mara, tu esposa, y sus
familiares [...] por lo tanto, [...] de este [...] a l, l va a entender. Porque he aqu,
una multitud esta perturbada encima de su [...], y ellos estan enormemente
enfadados con l. [...] y ellos oran [...]. Pues el deca a menudo estas palabras y
otras tambin. "
"He used to speak these words while the multitude of people were seated. But (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 steps, which is (highly) esteemed, while all our people [...] the words [...]."

"l sola decir estas palabras, mientras que la multitud de personas estaban
sentados. Pero (en esta ocasin) entr e hizo <no> sentarse en el lugar, como era
su costumbre. Ms bien, l se sent encima del quinto peldao de la escalera, lo
que es (altamente) estimado, mientras que todo nuestro pueblo [...] las palabras
[...] ".
"[...]. 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 who [...], he who stripped himself and went about naked, he who was found in a perishable
(state), though he was about to be brought up into imperishability. - This Lord who is present came
as a son who sees, and as a brother was he sought. He will come to [...] produced him because [...]
and he unites [...] make him free [...] in [...] he who came to [...]."

. "[...] Yo soy el que recibi la revelacin del Pleroma de la Inmutabilidad (Yo

soy) el que fue convocado por primera vez por el quien es grande, y que obedeci
al Seor -. El que paso a travs de los mundos [... ], el quien [...], el quien se
desnud el mismo y anduvo desnudo, que fue encontrado en perecedero (estado),
a pesar de que estaba a punto de ser llevado a imperecedero -. Este Seor quien

esta presente vino como un un hijo que ve, y como un hermano el fue visto. El
vendr a [...] produce a el porque [...] y el une [...] haciendolo libre [... ] en [...[ el
que vino a [...] ".
"Now again am I rich in knowledge and I have a unique understanding, which was produced only
from above and the [...] comes from a [...]. I am the [...] whom I knew. That which was revealed to
me was hidden from everyone and shall (only) be revealed through him. These two who see I <...>
(and) they have already proclaimed through these words: "He shall be judged with the unrighteous".
He who lived without blasphemy died by means of blasphemy. He who was cast out, they [...]."

"Ahora, de nuevo soy rico en conocimientos y tengo un conocimiento nico, que

fue producido slo desde arriba y la [...] proviene desde una [...]. Yo soy el [...] a
quien yo conoca. Esto que me fue revelado estaba escondido de todos y (slo)
sern revelados a travs de l. Estos dos que vi yo <...> (y) que ya han
proclamado a travs de estas palabras: ". l ha de ser juzgado con los injustos".
El que vivi sin blasfemia muerto por medio de blasfemia. El que fue expulsado,
ellos [...] ".
"[...] the flesh and it is by knowledge that I shall come forth from the flesh. I am surely dying, but it is
in life that I shall be found. I entered in order that they might judge [...] I shall come forth in [...] judge
[...] I do not bring blame against the servants of his [...]. I hasten to make them free and want to take
them above him who wants to rule over them. If they are helped, I am the brother in secret, who
prayed to the Father until he [...] in [...] reign [...] imperishability [...] first in [...]."

"[...] La carne y es por el conocimiento de que saldr de la carne. Estoy seguro

que muriendo, pero es en la vida que yo sea hallado. Yo entre con el fin de que
ellos pudieran juzgar [...] saldr en [...] juez [...] yo no traigo culpa contra los
siervos de su [...]. Me apresuro a hacerlos libre y quiero llevarlos por encima de
aquel que quiere gobernar sobre ellos. Si se les ayuda, soy el hermano en secreto,
quien or al Padre hasta que [...] en [...] reinado [...] imperecedero [...] por
primera vez en [.. .] ".
I am the first son who was begotten. He will destroy the dominion of them all. I am the beloved.
I am the righteous one.
I am the son of the Father.
I speak even as I heard.
I command even as I received the order.
I show you even as I have found.

Yo soy el primer hijo que fue engendrado.

l destruir el dominio de todos ellos.
Yo soy la persona amada.
Yo soy el justo.
Yo soy el hijo del Padre.
Yo hablo as como yo he odo.

Yo os mando como tambin yo recib la orden.

Yo te muestro a ti como yo tambin he encontrado.
Behold, I speak in order that I may come forth. Pay attention to me in order that you may see me!

He aqu, yo hablo con el fin de que yo pueda salir. Presten atencin a m con el
fin de que tu puedas verme!
"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. For I used to exist for a brief period of time [...]."

"Si he venido a la existencia, quien entonces soy yo? Por lo que hice <no> vine
como yo soy, ni me he aparecido como yo soy. Porque yo sola existir por un
breve perodo de tiempo [...]. "
"Once when I was sitting deliberating, he opened the door. That one whom you hated and
persecuted came in to me. He said to me, "Hail, my brother; my brother, hail." As I raised my face to
stare at him, (my) mother said to me, "Do not be frightened, my son, because he said 'My brother' to
you (sg.). For you (pl.) were nourished with this same milk. Because of this he calls me "My
mother". For he is not a stranger to us. He is your step-brother [...]."

".. Una vez, cuando yo estaba sentado deliberando, el abri la puerta. Aquel a
quien t odias y persigues vino a m y me dijo:" Salve, mi hermano; mi
hermano, Salve. "Como yo levant la cara para mirarlo, (mi) madre me dijo:" No
se asust, mi hijo, porque l dijo 'Mi hermano' a usted (sg.). Pues ustedes (pl.)
fueron alimentados con la misma leche. Debido a esto el me llama "mi madre".
Porque no es un extrao para nosotros. l es su hermanastro [...]".
"[...] these words [...] great [...] I shall find them, and they shall come forth. However, I am the
stranger, and they have no knowledge of me in their thoughts, for they know me in this place. But it
was fitting that others know through you.

"[...] Estas palabras [...] gran [...] yo voy a encontrarlos, y ellos saldran. Sin
embargo, yo soy el extrao, y no tienen ningn conocimiento de m en sus
pensamientos, porque ellos me conocen en este lugar. Pero era lgico que los
dems sepan a travs de ti.
"This virgin about whom you hear - this is how [..."<You are> the one to whom I say: Hear and
understand - for a multitude, when they hear, will be slow witted. But you, understand as I shall be
able to tell you. Your father is not my father. But my father has become a father to you.
] virgin [...] namely, the virgin. [...], how [...] to me for [...] to know [...] not as [...] whom I [...]. For this
one (masc.) [...] to him, and this also is profitable for you. Your father, whom you consider to be rich,
shall grant that you inherit all these things that you see.

"Esta virgen acerca de quien tu oyes - esto es como [..." <Tu eres> aquel a quien
yo digo: Escuchar y entiende - para una multitud, cuando ellos oigan, serun

poco lerda. Pero t, entiendes como voy a ser capaz de decirte. Tu padre no es mi
padre. Pero mi padre se ha convertido en un padre para ti. ] Virgen [...] a saber, la
virgen. [...], Cmo [...] a m para [...] saber [...] no como [...] a quien yo [...].
Pues este (masc.) [...] a l, y esto tambin es rentable para ti. Tu padre, a quien tu
considera que son ricos, te conceder la herencia de todas esas cosas que tu ves.
"I proclaim to you to tell you these (words) that I shall speak. When you hear, therefore, open your
ears and understand and walk (accordingly)! It is because of you that they pass by, activated by that
one who is glorious. And if they want to make a disturbance and (seize) possession [...] he began
[...] not, nor those who are coming, who were sent forth by him to make this present creation. After
these things, when he is ashamed, he shall be disturbed that his labor, which is far from the aeons,
is nothing. And his inheritance, which he boasted to be great, shall appear small. And his gifts are
not blessings. His promises are evil schemes. For you are not an (instrument) of his compassion,
but it is through you that he does violence. He wants to do injustice to us, and will exercise
dominion for a time allotted to him.

"Yo os anuncio para decirte estas (palabras) que voy a hablar. Cuando escuches,
por lo tanto, abre los odos y entiende y camina (en consecuencia)! Poruqe es por
ti que ellos pasan por, activado por aquel que es glorioso. Y si quieren hacer un
disturbio y (agarrar) la posesin [...] comenz [...] no, ni los que vienen, que
fueron enviados por l para hacer esta creacin actual. Despus de estas cosas ,
cuando l se avergenza, el ser perturbado de este su trabajo, que est lejos de
los eones, es nada. Y su herencia, que el se jactaba de ser grande, se manifestara
pequea. Y sus regalos no son bendiciones. Sus promesas son malos esquemas.
Pues tu no eres un (instrumento) de su compasin, sino es a travs de ustedes que
el hace violencia. El quiere hacer injusticia a nosotros, y ejercera dominio por un
tiempo permitido a el.
"But understand and know the Father who has compassion. He was not given an inheritance that
was unlimited, nor does it have a (limited) number of days, but it is as the eternal day [...] it is [...]
perceive [...]. And he used [...]. For in fact he is not one (come) from them, (and) because of this, he
is despised. Because of this he boasts, so that he may not be reproved. For because of this he is
superior to those who are below, those by whom you were looked down upon. After he imprisoned
those from the Father, he seized them and fashioned them to resemble himself. And it is with him
that they exist.

"Pero entiende y conoce al Padre que tiene compasin. A el no se le dio una

herencia que era ilimitada, ni tiene un nmero (limitado) de los das, sino es
como el da eterno [...] es [.. .] percibir [...]. Y el us [...]. Porque en realidad el
no es uno (viene) de ellos, (y) a causa de esto, el es despreciado. Debido a esto el
presume, de manera que l no puede ser reprendido. Pues por esto l es superior a
los que estn abajo, aquellos por quienes ustedes fueron despreciados. Despus l
encarcel a aquellos de el Padre, l se apoder de ellos y los form para
parecerse a s mismo. Y es con el que ellos existen.

"I saw from the height those things that happened, and I have explained how they happened. They
were visited while they were in another form, and, while I was watching, they came to know <me>
as I am, through those whom I know.

"Vi desde la altura las cosas que sucedieron, y he explicado cmo sucedieron.
Ellos fueron visitados mientras ellos estaban en otra forma, y, mientras yo estaba
viendo, ellos llegaron a saber de <mi> como yo soy, a travs de aquellos a
quienes yo conozco.
"Now before those things have happened they will make a [...]. I know how they attempted to come
down to this place that he might approach [...] the small children, but I wish to reveal through you
and the spirit of power, in order that he might reveal to those who are yours. And those who wish to
enter, and who seek to walk in the way that is before the door, open the good door through you. And
they follow you; they enter and you escort them inside, and give a reward to each one who is ready
for it.

"Ahora, antes de esas cosas que han sucedido ellos harn un [...]. Yo s cmo
intentaban venir a este lugar que podran acercarse [...] los nios pequeos, pero
me gustara revelar a travs de ti y el espritu de poder, con el fin de que pudiera
revelar a los que son suyos. Y los que desean entrar, y que tratan de andar en el
camino que est delante de la puerta, abran la buena puerta a travs ti. Y ellos te
seguiran; ellos entraran y tu les acompaars a ellos al interior, y daras una
recompensa a cada uno que este listo para ello.
For you are not the redeemer nor a helper of strangers.
You are an illuminator and a redeemer of those who are mine,
and now of those who are yours.
You shall reveal (to them); you shall bring good among them all.
You they shall admire because of every powerful (deed).
You are he whom the heavens bless.
You he shall envy, he who has called himself your Lord.
I am the [...] those who are instructed in these things with you.
For your sake, they will be told these things, and will come to rest.
For your sake, they will reign, and will become kings.
For your sake, they will have pity on whomever they pity.
For just as you are first having clothed yourself,
you are also the first who will strip himself,
and you shall become as you were before you were stripped."

Pues tu no eres el redentor ni un ayudante de los extraos.

Tu eres un iluminador y un redentor de los que son mos,
y ahora de los que son tuyos.
Tu debers revelar (para ellos); llevaris el bien entre todos ellos. A
ti ellos te admiraran ellos por todos los poderosos (hechos). Tu eres

al quien los cielos bendicen. A ti el te tendr envidia, quien se ha

llamado a s mismo su Seor.
Yo soy el [...] quienes son instruidos en estas cosas contigo.
Por su bien, se les dirn estas cosas, y vendrn a descansar.
Por su bien, van a reinar, y se convertirn en reyes.
Por su bien, tendrn piedad de quien ellos tengan lstima.
Que as como tu eres el primero habiendote vestido tu mismo, tu
tambin eres el primero que se desvestira a s mismo, y os hacis
como eras antes de que fueran despojado".
"And he kissed my mouth. He took hold of me, saying, "My beloved! Behold, I shall reveal to you
those things that (neither) the heavens nor their archons have known. Behold, I shall reveal to you
those things that he did not know, he who boasted, "[...] there is no other except me. Am I not alive?
Because I am a father, do I not have power for everything?" Behold, I shall reveal to you everything,
my beloved. Understand and know them, that you may come forth just as I am. Behold, I shall
reveal to you him who is hidden. But now, stretch out your hand. Now, take hold of me."

"Y l me bes en la boca. l se apoder de m, diciendo:" Mi amado! He aqu,

voy a revelarte las cosas que (ni) los cielos, ni sus arcontes han conocido. He
aqu, que te voy a revelar las cosas que el no saba, y que l que se jactaba, "[...]
no hay ningn otro, excepto yo. No estoy yo vivo? Porque yo soy un padre, No
tengo poder para todo, ? "He aqu, voy a revelarte todo, mi amado. Comprende y
sabe de ellos, que es posible que hayan venido tal como yo soy. He aqu, que voy
a revelarte lo que est oculto. Pero ahora, extiende tu mano. Ahora, mantieneme
sujeto".
"And then I stretched out my hands and I did not find him as I thought (he would be). But afterward I
heard him saying, "Understand and take hold of me." Then I understood, and I was afraid. And I
was exceedingly joyful.

"Y luego estir mis manos y yo no lo encontr como yo pensaba (que el sera).
Pero despus le o decir:" Comprendeme y apoderate de m. "Entonces
comprend, y tuve miedo. Y yo fui sumamente alegre.
"Therefore, I tell you judges, you have been judged. And you did not spare, but you were spared.
Be sober and [...] you did not know.

"Por tanto, os digo juzgas, y seras juzgado. Y si no eres sobrio, pero tu fuiste
sobrio. Sed sobrios y [...] tu no lo sabas
He was that one whom he who created the heaven and the earth
and dwelled in it, did not see.
He was this one who is the life.
He was the light.
He was that one who will come to be.
And again he shall provide an end for what has begun,

and a beginning for what is about to be ended.

He was the Holy Spirit and the Invisible One,
who did not descend upon the earth.
He was the virgin, and that which he wishes, happens to him.
I saw that he was naked, and there was no garment clothing him.
That which he wills, happens to him [...].

l era este uno quien el quien cre el cielo y la tierra

y habit en ella, no vio.
El fue ste uno quien es la vida.
l era la luz. El era aquel que vendr a ser.
otra vez facilitar su fin por lo que ha comenzado,
y un comienzo para lo que est a punto de ser terminado.
El fue el Espritu Santo y el Uno Invisible,
que no descendi sobre la tierra.
l era la virgen, y lo que l desea, le sucede.
Vi que el estaba desnudo, y no haba ropa vistiendolo a l.
Lo que l quiere, le sucede a l [...].
"Renounce this difficult way, which is (so) variable, and walk in accordance with him who desires
that you become free men with me, after you have passed above every dominion. For 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 (that did them). He was not a wrathful one, but he was a kind Father.

"Renunciar a este difcil camino, que es (tan) variable y caminar de acuerdo con
l, que quiere que usted se convierta en hombre libre conmigo, despus de haber
pasado por encima de todo el dominio. Pues l no te juzgar (a ti) por esas cosas
que hicistes, sino que tendr misericordia de ti. Pues no (es) lo que les hicistes,
sino que es tu Seor (que les hizo). El no era un ser colrico, sino que l era un
Padre condescendiente.
"But you have judged yourselves, and because of this you will remain in their fetters. You have
oppressed yourselves, and you will repent, (but) you will not profit at all. Behold him who speaks
and seek him who is silent. Know him who came to this place, and understand him who went forth
(from it). 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. I [...].

"Pero os habis juzgado vosotros mismos, y debido a esto, permaneceran en sus

cadenas. Ustedes se han oprimido vosotros mismos, y se arrepentirn, (pero) no
se beneficiarn en absoluto. He aqu a el que dice y busca al que esta en silencio.
Conozcan al que vino a este lugar, y l entiende que vino (de ello). Yo soy el
Justo, y Yo <no> hago juicio. Yo no soy un maestro, luego, sino yo soy un
ayudante. El fue expulsado antes de que l extendiera sus manos. yo [...].
"[...] and he allows me to hear. And play your trumpets, your flutes and your harps of this house.
The Lord has taken you captive from the Lord, having closed your ears, that they may not hear the
sound of my word. Yet you will be able to pay heed in your hearts, and you will call me 'the Just

One.' Therefore, I tell you: Behold, I gave you your house, which you say that God has made - that
(house) in which he promised to give you an inheritance through it. This (house) I shall doom to
destruction and derision of those who are in ignorance. For behold, those who judge deliberarate
[...]."

"[...] Y l me permite or. Y toco sus trompetas, sus flautas y sus arpas de esta
casa. El Seor los ha tomado cautivo del Seor, despus de haber cerrado sus
odos, que ellos no pueden escuchar el sonido de mi palabra. Sin embargo,
ustedes ser capaz de prestar atencin en sus corazones, y ustedes me van a
llamar "el Justo". Por lo tanto, yo les digo:. He aqu que yo te di tu casa, que
ustedes dicen que Dios ha hecho - esta (casa) en la que el se comprometi a
darles una herencia a travs de ella Esta (casa) yo condenar a la destruccin y a
la burla de los que estn en la ignorancia. Porque he aqu, los que juzgan
deliberadamente [...]. "
On that day all the people and the crowd were disturbed, and they showed that they had not been
persuaded. And he arose and went forth speaking in this manner. And he entered (again) on that
same day and spoke a few hours. And I was with the priests and revealed nothing of the
relationship, since all of them were saying with one voice, 'Come, let us stone the Just One.' And
they arose, saying, 'Yes, let us kill this man, that he may be taken from our midst. For he will be of
no use to us.'

Ese da todo el pueblo y la multitud estaban perturbados, y mostraron que no

haban sido persuadidos. Entonces l se levant y sali a hablar de esta manera. Y
l entr (de nuevo) en el mismo da y hablo algunas horas. Y estuve entre los
sacerdotes y no revel nada de la relacin, ya que todos ellos estaban diciendo
con una voz, "Ven, vamos piedra del Justo. Y ellos se levantaron, diciendo: "S,
vamos a matar a este hombre, que el puede ser tomado de nuestro medio. Porque
el no ser de ninguna utilidad para nosotros".
And they were there and found him standing beside the columns of the temple beside the mighty
corner stone. And they decided to throw him down from the height, and they cast him down. And
they [...] they [...]. They seized him and struck him as they dragged him upon the ground. They
stretched him out and placed a stone on his abdomen. They all placed their feet on him, saying 'You
have erred!'

Y ellos estaban all y lo encontraron de pie junto a las columnas del templo junto
a la piedra de la esquina poderosa. Y decidieron echarlo abajo desde la altura, y
lo echaron abajo. Y ellos [...] ellos [...]. Ellos lo agarraron y lo golpearon
mientras lo arrastraban por el suelo. Ellos lo estiraron y le colocaron una piedra
sobre su abdomen. Todos ellos pusieron sus pies sobre l, diciendo: "Usted ha
cometido un error!
Again they raised him up, since he was alive, and made him dig a hole. They made him stand in it.
After having covered him up to his abdomen, they stoned him in this manner.

Una vez que lo levantaron, ya que l estaba vivo, y le hicieron cavar un agujero.
Lo pusieron de pie en este. Despus de haberle cubierto a su abdomen, ellos lo
mataron de esta manera.
And he stretched out his hands and said this prayer - not that (one) which it is his custom to say:
'My God and my father,
who saved me from this dead hope,
who made me alive through a mystery of what he wills,
Do not let these days of this world be prolonged for me,
but the day of your light [...] remains
in [...] salvation.
Deliver me from this place of sojourn!
Do not let your grace be left behind in me,
but may your grace become pure!
Save me from an evil death!
Bring me from a tomb alive, because your grace love - is alive in me to accomplish a work of fullness!
Save me from sinful flesh,
because l trusted in you with all my strength,
because you are the life of the life!
Save me from a humiliating enemy!
Do not give me into the hand of a judge who is severe with sin!
Forgive me all my debts of the days (of my life)!
Because I am alive in you, your grace is alive in me.
I have renounced everyone, but you I have confessed.
Save me from evil affliction!
But now is the time and the hour.
O Holy Spirit, send me salvation [...] the light [...]
the light [...] in a power [...].'

Y extendi sus manos y dijo esta oracin - no es que (uno), acostumbre de decir:
"Mi Dios y mi padre,
quien me salv de esta esperanza muerta,
que me hizo vivo a travs de un misterio de lo que l quiere,
No dejes que estos das de este mundo sean prolongados para m,
sino el da de tu luz [...] sigue siendo en [...] la salvacin.

Lbrame de este lugar de estadia!

No dejes que tu gracia sea dejada detrs en m,
sino que pueda convertirse en tu gracia pura!
Slvame de la mala muerte!
Scame de la tumba con vida, porque tu gracia
- amor - estn vivos en m para llevar a cabo una obra de plenitud!
Slvame de la carne del pecado,
porque yo he confiado en ti con todas mis fuerzas,
porque tu eres la vida de la vida!
Slvame de un enemigo humillante!
No me entregues en manos de un juez que es severo con el pecado!
Perdname todas mis deudas de los das (de mi vida)!
Porque estoy vivo en ti, tu gracia est viva en m.
He renunciado a todo, pero me he confesado.
Slvame de la mala afliccin!
Pero ahora es el tiempo y la hora.
Oh Espritu Santo, mndame salvacin [...] la luz [...] la luz [...] en
un poder [...]. "
"After he spoke, he fell silent [...] word [...] afterward [...] the discourse [...]."

"Despus de que l habl, l se qued en silencio[...] la palabra [...]

despus [...] el discurso [...]."