Now that we have clarified the gnostic recognition of the master, the father, and the progenitor both exoterically and esoterically, let us now explain the meaning of the master, the servant, and wealth exoterically and esoterically.

The meaning of the master is divided into two parts: One of them belongs to the people of the exoteric (ahl al-zahir), and that is the master who purchases a servant with his wealth to benefit from his labor. Such a person only [purchases his physical form and body, not his spirit and soul] ¹ , nor that which cannot be perceived by sight or witnessed [with the eye; hence, the contract of buying and selling is invalid regarding it] ² . For this reason, during a sale, the entire body and limbs of the servant are thoroughly inspected, and if the buyer inclines toward witnessing anything other than that, his path is cleared, as it is forbidden to address it or make it heard.

And you well know that Joseph the Truthful, majestic is his glory—who was a prophet of God [exoterically] ³ was purchased for a miserable price.