Apocryphal Thomas

ACTS OF THOMAS : M. M. NINAN
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and father not only of the souls that are in bodies
but of them that have gone forth of them,
for of the souls also that are in pollutions (al. bodies)
you art lord and judge;
come you at this hour
wherein I call upon you and show forth your glory upon him that lie here.”
And he turned himself to them that followed him and said:
“This thing is not come to pass without cause,
but the enemy hath effect it and brought it about that he may assault (?) us thereby;
and see ye that he hath not made use of another sort,
nor wrought through any other creature save that which is his subject.”
31 And when he had so said, a great (Syr. black) serpent (dragon) came out of a hole, beating with his
head and shaking his tail upon the ground, and with (using) a loud voice said to the Apostle:
”I will tell before you the cause wherefore I slew this man,
since you art come hither for that end, to reprove my works.”
And the Apostle said: “Yea, say on.”
And the serpent:
“There is a certain beautiful woman in this village over against us;
and as she passed by me (or my place)
I saw her and was enamored of her,
and I followed her and kept watch upon her;
and I found this youth kissing her,
and he had intercourse with her
and did other shameful acts with her:
and for me it was easy to declare them before you,
for I know that you art the twin brother of the Christ
and always abolish our nature
(Syr. easy for me to say,
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