brought into existence through the other alone. If, alternatively, the two shared and cooperated in the act, then, if the action of each (1) of them were independent of the action of the other, each god would necessarily take away what he had created. What was produced by one would thus be distinct [from what was produced by the other] (2) and would have no need to be connected to it. Yet that is not the case. Rather, the entire universe is interconnected: one thing is created from another, and another [is created] from yet another (3); one needs the other in one respect, while the other needs the first in another. Nothing in the universe is brought to completion without [some other part of it] (4).

This shows that the entire universe is in need of something beyond itself because of the dependency inherent in it. It also shows that no act within it is the act of two agents; rather, all of it is dependent upon one alone.

The starless sphere, which is the highest of the spheres, contains all the other spheres within it. The elements, generated beings, and spheres move with motions differing from [opposed to] (5) the motion of the ninth sphere. Its motion therefore cannot be the cause of those motions that run counter to its own by proceeding in (6) another direction. The most that may be said (7) is that it causes the eastward motion; as for the westward motions, they run contrary to the direction of its motion, so it cannot be their cause. [This] (8) is among the points these people concede (9).