Acts of Thomas

Historical source scan page 298

THE ACTS OF JUDAS THOMAS. 271 aking. But at first a man cannot come near Him, when he is unclean and when his works are evil; for He knoweth what is in the heart ܫܗ)‎ ( and in the imagination, and no man can deceive Him. Thee too, therefore, if thou really believest in Him, He will make worthy of His holy mysteries; and He will exalt thee, and enrich thee, and renew thy mind, and make thee an heiress in His kingdom.” And when Tertia had heard these things, she went home rejoicing, and found Mazdai her husband expect- ing her; and he had not dined. And he said to her: ‘Why doth thy coming in from the street seem more pleasing to me to-day than on any other day? And why dost thou come on foot,—a thing that is not proper for women like thee to do?” Tertia saith to Mazdai: “I owe thee a debt of thanks that thou didst send me to Mygdonia. I went, and have heard of the new life, and have seen the Apostle of the new God; and I believe that he is the Apostle’ of God, who giveth life to every one who believeth in Him and doth His will. It is my duty that I too should recompense thee for the kindness which thou hast done me; and I will give thee a good counsel, so that thou too shalt become a king and 8 prince in Heaven, if thou wilt be persuaded by me and do what I say unto thee. I beseech thee to fear the God who hath come hither by means of this stranger, and to keep thyself purely unto God; because this royalty of thine will pass away, and this rest of thine will be changed into trouble. But come, go to that man, and believe in him, and thou shalt live for ever.”