My LORD’s BibleActs of Thomas 2
2and resting in the wealth and luxury of my nurturers,
3out of the East, our native country, my parents provisioned me and sent me.
4And of the wealth of those their treasures they put together a load
5both great and light, that I might carry it alone.
7and stones, chalcedonies from the Indians and pearls from the Kosani (Kushan).
8And they armed me with adamant
9and they took off from me the garment set with gems, spangled with gold, which they had made for me because they loved me
10and the robe that was yellow in hue, made for my stature.
13which is there (in the midst of sea) girt about by the devouring serpent
14thou shalt put on (again) the garment set with gems, and that robe whereupon it resteth (or which is thereon)
16And I came out of the East by a road difficult and fearful, with two guides
17and I was untried in travelling by it.
18And I passed by the borders of the Mosani (Maishan) where is the resort of the merchants of the East,
19and reached the land of the Babylonians (and came unto the walls of Sarbug).
20But when I entered into Egypt, the guides left me which had journeyed with me.
21And I set forth by the quickest way to the serpent, and by his hole I abode
22watching for him to slumber and sleep, that I might take my pearl from him.
23And forasmuch as I was alone I made mine aspect strange, and appeared as an alien to my people.
24And there I saw my kinsman from the East, the free-born
25a lad of grace and beauty, a son of princes (or an anointed one).
26He came unto me and dwelt with me,
27and I had him for a companion, and made him my friend and partaker in my journey (or merchandise).
28And I charged him to beware of the Egyptians, and of partaking of those unclean things (or consorting with those unclean men).
29And I put on their raiment, lest I should seem strange, as one that had come from without
30to recover the pearl; and lest the Egyptians should awake the serpent against me.
31But, I know not by what occasion, they learned that I was not of their country.
32And with guile they mingled for me a deceit, and I tasted of their food.
33And I knew no more that I was a king's son, and I became a servant unto their king.
34And I forgat also the pearl for which my fathers had sent me,
35and by means of the heaviness of their food I fell into a deep sleep.
36But when this befell me, my fathers also were ware of it, and grieved for me
37and a proclamation was published in our kingdom, that all should meet at our doors.
38And then the kings of Parthia and they that bare office and the great ones of the East
39made a resolve concerning me, that I should not be left in Egypt,
40and the princes wrote unto me signifying thus:
41From the (thy) Father the King of kings, and thy mother that ruleth the East,
42and thy brother that is second unto us; unto our son that is in Egypt, peace.
43Rise up and awake out of sleep, and hearken unto the words of the letter
45Remember the pearl for the which thou wast sent into Egypt.
46Remember thy garment spangled with gold,
48and with thy brother whom thou hast received (thou shalt be) in our kingdom.
49(And my letter was a) and the King as ambassador sealed it (with his right hand)
50because of the evil ones, even the children of the Babylonians and the tyrannous demons of Labyrinthus.
51(It flew like the eagle, king of all fowls.)
52It flew and lighted down by me, and became all speech.
53And I at the voice of it and the feeling of it started up out of sleep
54and I took it up and kissed it (and brake the seal) and read it.
55And it was written concerning that which was recorded in mine heart.
56And I remembered forthwith that I was a son of kings, and my freedom yearned (sought) after its kind.
57I remembered also the pearl for the which I was sent down into Egypt
58and I began (or came) with charms against the terrible serpent,
59and I overcame him (or put him to sleep) by naming the name of my Father upon him,
60(and the name of our second in rank, and my mother queen East).
61And I caught away the pearl and turned back to bear it unto my fathers.
62And I stripped off the filthy garment and left it in their land,
63and directed my way forthwith to the light of my fatherland in the East.
64And on the way I found my letter that had awakened me,
65and it, like as it had taken a voice and raised me when I slept, so also guided me with the light that came from it.
66For at times the royal garment of silk (shone) before mine eyes,
67(and with its voice and guidance it also encouraged me to speed,)
68and with love leading me and drawing me onward,
69I passed by Labyrinthus (Sarbug), and I left Babylon upon my left hand
70and I came unto Meson (Mesene; Maishan) the great,
71that lieth on the shore of the sea,
72(and my bright robe which I had taken off, and the mantle wherewith been clad,)
73from the heights of Warkan (Hyrcania) had my parents sent thither
74by the hand of their treasurers, unto whom they committed it because of their faithfulness.
75But I remembered not the brightness of it; for I was yet a child and very young when I had left it in the palace of my Father,
76but suddenly, when I saw the garment made like unto me as it had been in a mirror.
77And I beheld upon it all myself (or saw it wholly in myself) and I knew and saw myself through it,
78that we were divided asunder, being of one; and again were one in one shape.
79Yea, the treasurers also which brought me the garment
80I beheld, that they were two, yet one shape was upon both, one royal sign was set upon both of them.
81The money and the wealth had they in their hands, and paid me the due price,
82and the lovely garment, which was variegated with bright colours
83with gold and precious stones and pearls of comely hue
84they were fastened above (or in the height)
85(and with stones of adamant were all its seams fastened).
86And the likeness of the King of kings was all in all of it.
88And again I saw that throughout it motions of knowledge were being sent forth,
89and it was ready to utter speech.
90And I heard it speak (with them that had brought it):
91I am of him that is more valiant than all men, for whose sake I was reared up with the Father himself.
92And I also perceived his stature.
93And all its royal motions rested upon me as it grew toward the impulse of it (And with its kingly motions it was spreading itself toward me).
94And it hastened, reaching out from the hand of (him that brought it) unto him that would receive it
95and me also did yearning arouse to start forth and meet it and receive it.
96And I stretched forth and received it, and adorned myself with the beauty of the colours thereof
97and in my royal robe excelling in beauty I arrayed myself wholly.
98And when I had put it on, I was lifted up unto the place of peace (salutation) and homage
99and I bowed my head and worshipped the brightness of the Father which had sent it unto me.
100for I had performed his commandments, and he likewise that which he had promised,
101and at the doors of his palace which was from the beginning I mingled among (his nobles),
102and he rejoiced over me and received me with him into his palace,
103and all his servants do praise him with sweet voices.
104And he promised me that with him I shall be sent unto the gates of the king,
105that with my gifts and my pearl we may appear together before the king.