THE TEACHINGS OF SILVANUS

The Teachings of Silvanus (Sil) (CG VII,4) was unknown before the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library. It is one of the only texts found in the NHL that is not primarily gnostic in origin, and may even contain some anti-gnostic polemic. The work is found in a Coptic translation, though it was originally written in Greek, and the papyrus is dated to 348 CE. Scholars date the composition of Sil anywhere from the second century to the second or third decade of the fourth century. 

Abolish every childish time of life, acquire for yourself strength of mind and soul, and intensify the struggle against every folly of the passions of love and base wickedness, and love of praise, and fondness of contention, and tiresome jealousy and wrath, and anger and the desire of avarice. Guard your (pl.) camp and weapons and spears. Arm yourself and all the soldiers, which are the words, and the commanders, which are the counsels, and your mind as a guiding principle.