itself originated. Every originated being is contingent, and contingent beings must have a necessary being. Every originated and contingent being is dependent, subject to a Lord, and made. Dependent beings must have one who is self-sufficient; beings subject to lordship must have a Lord; and created beings must have a Creator.

It may also be said: This existent being is either necessary in itself, or it is not necessary in itself but contingent in itself and necessary through another. Whatever is contingent in itself and necessary through another must have one who is necessary in Himself. Thus, the existence of one who is necessary in Himself is established in either case.

Furthermore, an existent being either has come into being or is beginningless. Whatever has come into being must have something beginningless. Thus, the existence of something beginningless follows in either case.

Furthermore, an existent being either has come into being or is …; and whatever has come into being must have something beginningless. Thus, existence follows in either case.

Furthermore, it is either a creator or it is not. Whatever is not a creator—such as those existent beings known to have come into being—is known to be created. Whatever is created must have a Creator. Thus, the existence of the Creator is known in either case.

Furthermore, an existent being is either independent of everything besides itself or dependent on another. Whatever depends on another must have one who is self-sufficient in Himself. Thus, the existence of one who is self-sufficient in Himself is known in either case.