Apocryphote of the Day: 3-25-09

O soul, backslider,
sober up and shake off your drunkenness
which is the work of ignorance!

If you backslide and are governed by the body,
you dwell in savageness.

When you descended,
when you were embodied,
you were born.

Come into being inside the bridal chamber.
Be enlightened in the mind.

Teachings of Silvanus 94.19-29 (Alexandrian Christian text, late second century)

Apocryphote of the Day: 10-1-08

O Lord Almighty,
how much glory shall I give you?
No one has been able to glorify God adequately.
O Merciful God,
you have given glory to your Word in order to save everyone,
He who has come forth from your mouth and has risen from your heart
is First-born, Wisdom, Prototype, First Light.
For he is light from the power of God
an emanation of the pure glory of the Almighty.

Teachings of Silvanus (Alexandrian Christian text, second century)

Apocryphote of the Day:8-26-08

Everything which is visible is a copy of that which is hidden.

The Teachings of Silvanus 99.5-7 (Alexandrian, second century)

Apocryphote of the Day: 7-30-08

Cast you anxiety on God alone.
Do not become desirous of gold and silver which are profitless,
but clothe yourself with wisdom like a robe,
put knowledge on yourself like a crown,
and be seated upon a throne of perception...
For a foolish person usually puts on folly like a robe,
and like a garment of sorrow,
he puts on shame.
He crowns himself in ignorance
and takes his seat upon a throne of nescience.
For since he lacks reason,
he leads only himself astray,
for he is guided by ignorance.

Teachings of Silvanus 89.15-90.2 (second century Alexandrian text, containing many Jewish-Christian traditions)

Sculpture is the Throne of Wisdom 1280-1300, Northeast Spain, The Cloisters, New York City

Apocryphote of the Day: 4-28-08

A foolish person does not guard against telling a mystery. A wise person does not blurt out every word. Rather the wise person will be discriminating toward those who listen (to him). Do not mention everything in the presence of those whom you do not know.

Teachings of Silvanus 97.10-18 (Alexandrian text, mid-second century)

Apocryphote of the Day: 4-17-08

My child, listen to my teaching which is good and useful, and end the sleep that weighs heavily upon you. Leave behind the forgetfulness which fills you with darkness. If you were unable to do this, I would not have said these things to you. But Christ has come in order to give you this gift. Why do you pursue the darkness when the light is at your disposal? Why do you drink stale water when sweet water is available? Wisdom summons, but you desire folly. Wisdom summons, "Come to me, all of you foolish people, that you may receive a gift - good and excellent knowledge. I am giving you a high-priestly robe which is woven with all kinds of wisdom."

Teaching of Silvanus 88.21-89.1, 89.5-14 (Alexandrian Christian text, second century).

Apocryphote of the Day: 2-15-08

"Listen, O soul, to my advice.
Do not become a den for foxes and snakes,
nor a hole for serpents and asps,
nor a lair for lions,
nor a shelter for vipers.
When these things happen to you,
O soul, what will you do?
For these are the Powers of the Adversary.
You were a temple.
You made yourself a tomb.
Stop being a tomb, and become a temple again,
so that uprightness and divinity may remain in you.
Light the light within you.
Do not put it out."

Teaching of Silvanus 105.28-106.3, 10-15 (an Alexandrian Christian writing)