Existent and the intellects—produce nothing that they did not previously produce, except in the manner we shall explain. For anything that depends on nothing other than a particular thing must exist when that thing exists. Otherwise, either its existence is inconceivable, or it depends on something else. But then the original thing would not be that upon which it depends, although it had been assumed to be so. This is impossible.

Since everything other than the Light of Lights proceeds from it, nothing depends on anything else, unlike some of our actions, which depend on a particular time, the removal of an impediment, or the presence of a condition. These factors play a part in our actions. But there is no time coexisting with the Light of Lights that precedes everything other than the Light of Lights, for time itself is among the things other than the Light of Lights. Since the Light of Lights exists, and everything that those who affirm attributes posit as an attribute is permanent, what is within it endures as it endures, since it does not depend on anything still awaited. Nor can anything newly arising be supposed within sheer nonexistence; moreover, the same argument applies in turn to anything that newly arises.

Thus, the shadows and immaterial radiances of the Light of Lights and the dominating lights are everlasting. You already know that perceptible rays proceed from the luminary, not the luminary from the rays. As long as the greatest luminary endures, its rays endure, even though they proceed from it.”