modern translation by Dennis William Hauck
The which is Below corresponds to that which is Above,
and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below
to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing.
And just as all things have come from this One Thing
through the meditation of One Mind, so do all created
things originate from this One Thing, through Transformation.
Its father is the Sun; Its mother the Moon.
The Wind carries it in its belly; its nurse is the Earth.
It is the origin of All, the consecration of the Universe;
Its inherent Strength is perfected, if it is turned into Earth.
Separate the Earth from Fire, the Subtle from the Gross,
gently and with great Ingenuity. It rises from Earth to Heaven
and descends again to Earth, thereby combining within Itself
the powers of both the Above and the Below.
Thus will you obtain the Glory of the Whole Universe.
All Obscurity will be clear to you. This is the greatest
force of all powers, because it overcomes every Subtle thing
and penetrates every Solid thing.
In this way was the Universe created.
From this will come many wondrous Applications,
because this is the Pattern.
Therefore am I called Thrice Greatest Hermes,
having all three parts of the wisdom of the Whole Universe.
Herein have I completely explained the Operation of the Sun.