the generating principle of the universe, the first in order, was 'reason'; but the second principle was the firstbom's emitted 'chaos'; and the third principle was received by the soul, which descends from both. therefore, fashioned like a trembling deer, the soul wrests herself free from the grip of death (strengthening itself by such exertions). now she wins the mastery and sees the light; now plunged into wo, she weeps; again, in the depths of evil, the unhappy one becomes ensnared in a maze. then spake jesus: "behold, o father! this being, pursued by ills, roams astray upon earth, far from thy breath. it seeks to escape bitter chaos, and knows not whither to find escape. therefore, send me, o father, with the seals in my hand will i descend: all eons will i traverse, all mysteries reveal, and show the forms of the gods. i will deliver the secret of the holy way, and call it gnosis."