The fire of the body and the woe-saying
John D. Turner (composite) · Public domain / scholarly composite. Reproduced for educational and religious commentary.
1The Saviour said, This visible body shall pass away. He who hopes upon things in the visible world is ruined; he is beaten by error.
2Bodies of the visible world are like beasts. As beasts devour one another, the bodies of men devour one another. They are bound up, ruled by the desire of birth, the desire of the senses. They are slaves of corruption.
3Whoever, therefore, sows in the body — sows in corruption. Whoever sows in the spirit — sows in immortality. Burn off the desire of the body. Quench the fire of the senses. Walk in the spirit. Then you will not perish.
4Woe to you who burn with the desire of the flesh! For your fire shall burn you forever. Woe to you who hope in the body! For your hope shall fail. Woe to you who love the world! For you shall be cast out with it.
5Blessed is the wise one. Blessed is he who has known himself. Blessed is he who has rejected the world. Blessed is the soul who has fled the body. Blessed is the spirit that has come home.
6Now then, my brother Toma, take this teaching, and pass it to those who can hear it. The world is a furnace. He who walks in the body, walks in fire. He who walks in the spirit, walks in light.
7Such are the secret words. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.