was cut off with John the Baptist. James questions how this is possible, and Jesus explains that prophecy comes from the head, and when the head is removed, so is prophecy. Jesus urges his disciples to be eager for salvation, to hate hypocrisy and evil intention, and to acquire knowledge to find the kingdom of heaven. He tells them to be sober, not to go astray, and to trust him. Additionally, he advises them to listen to the word, understand knowledge, love life, and not to persecute or oppress themselves. Jesus rebukes those who have falsified knowledge and are sinners against the spirit. He reminds them to weep, mourn, and preach what is good, and to follow him quickly since they are loved ones who will bring life to many people. He warns that few will find the kingdom of heaven and that blessings will be on those who have spoken out and acquired grace for themselves. He encourages them to know themselves and be eager to harvest for themselves a head of the grain of life, to pay attention to him while he is with them, and to remember him when he is far from them. He warns them to not let the kingdom of heaven become a desert within them and to act toward themselves as he has toward them. Peter expresses that sometimes Jesus urges them towards the kingdom of heaven and other times he turns them away. Jesus reminds them that they have received life through faith and knowledge. He tells them that whoever receives life and believes in the kingdom will never leave it, not even if banished. Jesus then ascends to heaven, leaving Peter and James to hear hymns and angelic praises. They are asked by the other disciples what he told them, and they answer that he promised them life and commanded them to love the "children coming after us," possibly meaning the Gnostic community for whom the work was written. James closes the letter with a prayer for everyone to receive a share of salvation. References 2nd-century Christian texts Apocryphal epistles Coptic literature James, brother of Jesus Nag Hammadi library