1I said to him: 'Lord, everything is great and wonderful and everything is glorious. Could I, then,' said I, 'have understood these things? Nor any man, however intelligent he might be, could have understood them.'
2'Tell me still, Lord,' said I, 'what I am going to ask you.' 'Say,' said he, 'if you desire anything.'
3'Why, Lord,' said I, 'is the Son of God placed in the parable in the condition of a servant?'
4'Listen,' said he. 'The Son of God is not placed in the condition of a servant, but is placed in great power and lordship.' 'How, Lord?' said I; 'I do not understand.'
5'Because,' said he, 'God planted the vineyard, that is, created the people, and delivered it to His Son. And the Son appointed the angels over them to keep them; and He himself cleansed their sins, having suffered much and endured many labors. For no one can clean a vineyard without labor or fatigue.'
6'Having, therefore, He himself cleansed the sins of the people, He showed them the ways of life, giving them the law He received from His Father.'
7'Do you see,' said he, 'that He himself is the Lord of the people, having received all power from His Father? Listen now why the father took his son and the glorious angels as counselors over the inheritance of the servant.'
8'The Holy Spirit, who pre-exists and created all creation, God made him dwell in the flesh that He desired. This flesh, therefore, in which the Holy Spirit dwelt, served the Spirit beautifully, walking in holiness and purity, and did not stain the Spirit in anything.'
9'Since, then, it had lived beautifully and purely, and had labored with the Spirit, and had cooperated with him in everything, conducting itself with strength and bravery, He chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit; for the conduct of this flesh pleased God, because it was not stained while possessing the Holy Spirit on earth.'
10'Therefore, He took the son and the glorious angels as counselors, so that this flesh also, having served the Spirit without blame, might have some place of dwelling, and might not seem to have lost the reward of its service. For all flesh that is found without stain and pure, in which the Holy Spirit has dwelt, shall receive a reward.'
11'You have now the interpretation of this parable also.'