31 O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of being, and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light. 32 The Lord hath ordained that those of you who are able shall make pilgrimage to the sacred House, and from this He hath exempted women as a mercy on His part. He, of a truth, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. 33 O people of Bahá! It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation--such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God. Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord, and yield Him thanks at eventide and dawn. Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth, but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the day-star of wisdom and utterance. The most despised of men in the sight of God are they who sit and beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of means and place your trust in God, the Provider of all means.

O people of creation, build houses of worship in the name of the king of religions, as perfect as practicable, to be decorated with what beseemeth them, but not to contain any images or pictures. Then, in these houses mention your Lord, the merciful, with spirituality and fragrance. Is it not that by His mention the breasts are illumined and the eyes concealed. Pilgrims to the house are commanded by God, to such as can undertake them (probably the house of Acca); but women are excused as a favor on His part. Verily He is indeed the giver, the bountiful. O people of El Bahá, it is the duty of each one of you, to occupy himself in some kind of business, whether craft, industry or the like, which occupation will be regarded by Him in the light of a worship before God, the truth! Reflect, O people, on the mercy of God, and His kindness, then give thanks to Him morning and evening. Waste not your time in idleness and slothfulness, but occupy yourself with that whereby you will profit yourselves and others. Thus hath the matter been decreed in this tablet from which horizon the sun of wisdom end evidence hath shone forth. The most hateful of mankind before God, is he who sits and begs. Take hold upon the robe of means, relying upon God, the cause of causes.

34 The kissing of hands hath been forbidden in the Book. This practice is prohibited by God, the Lord of glory and command. To none is it permitted to seek absolution from another soul; let repentance be between yourselves and God. He, verily, is the Pardoner, the Bounteous, the Gracious, the One Who absolveth the repentant. 35 O ye servants of the Merciful One! Arise to serve the Cause of God, in such wise that the cares and sorrows caused by them that have disbelieved in the Dayspring of the Signs of God may not afflict you. At the time when the Promise was fulfilled and the Promised One made manifest, differences have appeared amongst the kindreds of the earth and each people hath followed its own fancy and idle imaginings. 36 Amongst the people is he who seateth himself amid the sandals by the door whilst coveting in his heart the seat of honour. Say: What manner of man art thou, O vain and heedless one, who wouldst appear as other than thou art? And among the people is he who layeth claim to inner knowledge, and still deeper knowledge concealed within this knowledge. Say: Thou speakest false! By God! What thou dost possess is naught but husks which We have left to thee as bones are left to dogs. By the righteousness of the one true God! Were anyone to wash the feet of all mankind, and were he to worship God in the forests, valleys, and mountains, upon high hills and lofty peaks, to leave no rock or tree, no clod of earth, but was a witness to his worship--yet, should the fragrance of My good pleasure not be inhaled from him, his works would never be acceptable unto God. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Lord of all. How many a man hath secluded himself in the climes of India, denied himself the things that God hath decreed as lawful, imposed upon himself austerities and mortifications, and hath not been remembered by God, the Revealer of Verses. Make not your deeds as snares wherewith to entrap the object of your aspiration, and deprive not yourselves of this Ultimate Objective for which have ever yearned all such as have drawn nigh unto God. Say: The very life of all deeds is My good pleasure, and all things depend upon Mine acceptance. Read ye the Tablets that ye may know what hath been purposed in the Books of God, the All-Glorious, the Ever-Bounteous. He who attaineth to My love hath title to a throne of gold, to sit thereon in honour over all the world; he who is deprived thereof, though he sit upon the dust, that dust would seek refuge with God, the Lord of all Religions.

Ye are forbidden in the book to kiss one another's hands. This is that whereof ye are cautioned on the part of your Lord, the mighty the controller. No one has the right to ask forgiveness of his sins for another, but he must repent to God of his own accord. Verily, He is the forgiver, the giver, the mighty, the pardoner. O servant of the merciful! Be steadfast in the service of His cause, in such that the afflictions on the part of those who deny the dayspring of the signs will not seize upon you. When the promised time came and the promised one appeared, people disagreed, end each faction took hold of that which it possessed of imagination and fancies. From amongst the people are some who seat themselves in line with the shoes, in seeking after the seat of honor. Say to them: "Who are ye? O ignorant, and seducers! "Some of them who claim inward knowledge and pretend to understand divine mysteries, say to them: "O liars, by God, what ye have is indeed naught save husks which we have abandoned to you, as bones are abandoned to the dogs." By God, the truth, should anyone wash the feet of the people of the world and worship God in thickets and narrow foot-paths, and upon the summits and tops of mountains and hills, and in the neighborhood of every stone, clod or tree - all the scent of My good pleasure does not emanate from him. This is what hath been decreed by the Lord of mankind. How many servants secluded themselves on the Indian Isles, and deprived themselves of that which God hath sanctioned, and underwent mortifications and hardships and yet were not accepted by God, the revealer of the signs. Do not make actions a snare to hide hopes and interested motives, and deprive not yourselves of this retreat which was the sole aim of those who are near (to God) in the eternities of eternities. Say: the spirit of actions is My good pleasure and everything depends on My acceptance. Read the tablets that ye may know what is desired, in the book of God in the created world (seat of honor) and he who is witheld from My love, even though he sits on the earth, will be the one against whom the protection of God, the ruler of all religions will be sought by others.

37 Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God, ere the expiration of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a lying impostor. We pray God that He may graciously assist him to retract and repudiate such claim. Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If, however, he persisteth in his error, God will, assuredly, send down one who will deal mercilessly with him. Terrible, indeed, is God in punishing! Whosoever interpreteth this verse otherwise than its obvious meaning is deprived of the Spirit of God and of His mercy which encompasseth all created things. Fear God, and follow not your idle fancies. Nay, rather, follow the bidding of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Wise. Erelong shall clamorous voices be raised in most lands. Shun them, O My people, and follow not the iniquitous and evil-hearted. This is that of which We gave you forewarning when We were dwelling in Iraq, then later while in the Land of Mystery, and now from this Resplendent Spot. 38 Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day-star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose. 39 The peoples of the world are fast asleep. Were they to wake from their slumber, they would hasten with eagerness unto God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They would cast away everything they possess, be it all the treasures of the earth, that their Lord may remember them to the extent of addressing to them but one word. Such is the instruction given you by Him Who holdeth the knowledge of things hidden, in a Tablet which the eye of creation hath not seen, and which is revealed to none except His own Self, the omnipotent Protector of all worlds. So bewildered are they in the drunkenness of their evil desires, that they are powerless to recognize the Lord of all being, Whose voice calleth aloud from every direction: "There is none other God but Me, the Mighty, the All-Wise."

Whosoever claims a revelation before the completion of a full thousand years is in truth, a lying imposter. We ask of God to assist him to return, and if he repents, verily He is the forgiving! But if he insists on what he says he would be overwhelmed by some one who would not pity him. Verily He is the severest chastiser. Whosoever shall interpret this verse or explain it contrary to its obvious meaning, is indeed deprived of the spirit of God and His mercy which preceded the world. Fear God and follow not what ye imagine - but follow that which your Lord, the mighty, the wise, commandeth you. The false voice shall be raised from the majority of the cities. Shun it, O people! And follow not every ignoble liar. This is what we have informed you of when we were in Irak (Bagdad) and in the land of mystery (Adrianople) and in the bright watch tower (Acca). O people of the earth! When the sun of beauty has set, and the heaven of My form is concealed, be not troubled. Arise for the help of My cause (religion) and the exaltation of My word, betwixt the worlds. Verily we are with you in all circumstances, and will assist you with the truth. Verily we are able to do so! He who knoweth Me ariseth to serve Me with such steadfastness that the hosts of the heavens and earth cannot withold him. Verily the people are asleep! And should they awake, they would hasten with all their hearts to God, the All-knowing, the Wise! They would cast away what they have, even though it were the entire treasures of the earth, that their Lord might mention them with a word on His part. Thus ye are informed on the part of Him who hath the knowledge of the unseen, in a tablet which hath not appeared in the created world, whereof none knows save Himself who is the protector over all the world. These people were overwhelmed by the exhilaration of lust in such wise as to be blinded from seeing the Lord of creation, whose voice was raised from all directions, and is vocal with the melody of - "There is no God but Me, the Mighty, the Wise."

40 Say: Rejoice not in the things ye possess; tonight they are yours, tomorrow others will possess them. Thus warneth you He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Say: Can ye claim that what ye own is lasting or secure? Nay! By Myself, the All-Merciful, ye cannot, if ye be of them who judge fairly. The days of your life flee away as a breath of wind, and all your pomp and glory shall be folded up as were the pomp and glory of those gone before you. Reflect, O people! What hath become of your bygone days, your lost centuries? Happy the days that have been consecrated to the remembrance of God, and blessed the hours which have been spent in praise of Him Who is the All-Wise. By My life! Neither the pomp of the mighty, nor the wealth of the rich, nor even the ascendancy of the ungodly will endure. All will perish, at a word from Him. He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Almighty. What advantage is there in the earthly things which men possess? That which shall profit them, they have utterly neglected. Erelong, they will awake from their slumber, and find themselves unable to obtain that which hath escaped them in the days of their Lord, the Almighty, the All-Praised. Did they but know it, they would renounce their all, that their names may be mentioned before His throne. They, verily, are accounted among the dead. 41 Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud, and who hath been debarred thereby from recognizing My Name, the Self-Subsisting; who, when he heareth the tread of sandals following behind him, waxeth greater in his own esteem than Nimrod. Say: O rejected one! Where now is his abode? By God, it is the nethermost fire. Say: O concourse of divines! Hear ye not the shrill voice of My Most Exalted Pen? See ye not this Sun that shineth in refulgent splendour above the All-Glorious Horizon? For how long will ye worship the idols of your evil passions? Forsake your vain imaginings, and turn yourselves unto God, your Everlasting Lord. 42 Endowments dedicated to charity revert to God, the Revealer of Signs. None hath the right to dispose of them without leave from Him Who is the Dawning-place of Revelation. After Him, this authority shall pass to the Aghsan, and after them to the House of Justice--should it be established in the world by then--that they may use these endowments for the benefit of the Places which have been exalted in this Cause, and for whatsoever hath been enjoined upon them by Him Who is the God of might and power. Otherwise, the endowments shall revert to the people of Bahá who speak not except by His leave and judge not save in accordance with what God hath decreed in this Tablet--lo, they are the champions of victory betwixt heaven and earth-- that they may use them in the manner that hath been laid down in the Book by God, the Mighty, the Bountiful.

Rejoice not in what ye have possessed in the evening, for in the morning it will be possessed by some one else in your stead. Thus ye are informed, by the All-knowing, the Learned! Say: Have ye seen any endurance or perpetuation for that which ye have? No! By Myself, the merciful, were ye of the just! Your lives pass away as the winds pass away, and the carpets of your glory will be folded as the carpets of yore were folded. Think, O people! Where are your past days, and where are your elapsed centuries? Blessed are the days which passed in the celebration of God, and the time which was spent in the commemoration of the wise. By My life! The glory of the glorious doth not endure, nor the gold of the rich, nor the power of the wretched. All will perish by a word on His part. Verily He is the potent, the mighty, the able! That which people possess of worldly seductions, will not profit them, and they are heedless of that which would profit them. They shall awake hereafter but cannot find that which passed them by, in the days of their Lord, the mighty, the extolled! Had they known, they would have bestowed all their possessions that their names might be mentioned before the throne. Verily are ye not of the dead? From among the people are some who are deluded by science, whereby they are witheld from My name, the protector. And when they hear from behind them the noise or their footsteps, they think of themselves as being greater than Nimrod. Say to them: O ye abundant! Where is Nimrod? By God he is indeed in the lowest hell. Say, O concourse of the learned! Do ye not hear the sound of My pen, the Supreme? And do ye not see this sun which shines from the most glorious horizon? How long will ye devote yourselves to the idols of your lusts? Set aside imaginations and turn your faces to God, your pre-existent Lord. Endowments which are apportioned to charity, are confided unto God, the revealer of the signs! And no one has any right to dispose of them - save by permission of the dayspring of inspiration. After Him the decision of such disposal to be confined to the branches; after the branches to the House of Justice when it becomes dominately established in countries; that these endowments be spent in the districts where the religion of God predominates and is exalted and for the things which are commanded by One, potent and mighty, otherwise to be entrusted unto those people of Baha who never utter a word but with His permission, and who do not decide anything but in accordance with the decision given by God in this tablet. These people are the protectors of victory betwixt the earth and heaven. They will spend such endowments in conformity with the provisions laid down in the book revealed on the part of the one mighty and generous.

43 Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the Middle Way which is the remembrance of Me in your afflictions and reflection over that which may befall you in future. Thus informeth you He Who is the Omniscient, He Who is aware. 44 Shave not your heads; God hath adorned them with hair, and in this there are signs from the Lord of creation to those who reflect upon the requirements of nature. He, verily, is the God of strength and wisdom. Notwithstanding, it is not seemly to let the hair pass beyond the limit of the ears. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Lord of all worlds. 45 Exile and imprisonment are decreed for the thief, and, on the third offence, place ye a mark upon his brow so that, thus identified, he may not be accepted in the cities of God and His countries. Beware lest, through compassion, ye neglect to carry out the statutes of the religion of God; do that which hath been bidden you by Him Who is compassionate and merciful. We school you with the rod of wisdom and laws, like unto the father who educateth his son, and this for naught but the protection of your own selves and the elevation of your stations. By My life, were ye to discover what We have desired for you in revealing Our holy laws, ye would offer up your very souls for this sacred, this mighty, and most exalted Faith.

In the event of calamities, whether they befall you or others, be neither sorry nor happy, but rather choose the mention of God under such circumstances, and be vigilant as to that which may befall you* or others, be neither sorry nor happy, but rather choose the mention of God under such circumstances, and be vigilant as to that which may befall you* at the end. [* phrase duplicated?] Thus ye are admonished by the learned, the All-knowing! Shave not your heads because God hath adorned them with hair, and in this there are reasons to those who reflect upon the necessities of nature, on the part of the king of the world. Verily He is the mighty, the wise! But the hair must not grow below the level of the ears. This is that which is commanded by the Lord of the worlds. Theft: To the first or second offence of theft imprisonment or banishment is decreed. But on the third conviction a mar, or sign is to be placed on the forehead of the thief whereby he may be known, and man become aware of him, lest he may be received by other cities and countries of God. Clemency: Beware not to allow clemency to take hold of you in the religion of God, but do that whereunto you are commanded by one pitiful and clement. Verily we have reared you up with the scourges of wisdom and ordinances for the purpose of your preservation and the exaltation of your station; as children are reared by their parents. By My life, were ye to know that which we have desired for you of our sacred commandments ye would have sacrificed your souls in the cause of this sacred, mighty and impregnable command.

46 Whoso wisheth to make use of vessels of silver and gold is at liberty to do so. Take heed lest, when partaking of food, ye plunge your hands into the contents of bowls and platters. Adopt ye such usages as are most in keeping with refinement. He, verily, desireth to see in you the manners of the inmates of Paradise in His mighty and most sublime Kingdom. Hold ye fast unto refinement under all conditions, that your eyes may be preserved from beholding what is repugnant both to your own selves and to the dwellers of Paradise. Should anyone depart therefrom, his deed shall at that moment be rendered vain; yet should he have good reason, God will excuse him. He, in truth, is the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. 47 He Who is the Dawning-place of God's Cause hath no partner in the Most Great Infallibility. He it is Who, in the kingdom of creation, is the Manifestation of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth". God hath reserved this distinction unto His own Self, and ordained for none a share in so sublime and transcendent a station. This is the Decree of God, concealed ere now within the veil of impenetrable mystery. We have disclosed it in this Revelation, and have thereby rent asunder the veils of such as have failed to recognize that which the Book of God set forth and who were numbered with the heedless. 48 Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet. He that putteth away that which is commanded unto him, the Trustees are then to take from him that which is required for their instruction if he be wealthy and, if not, the matter devolveth upon the House of Justice. Verily have We made it a shelter for the poor and needy. He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My glory, My loving- kindness, My mercy, that have compassed the world.

Eating: There is no harm in the use of gold and silver utensils but beware not to dip your fingers into dishes and plates (served at the repast) but adopt refined manners of the people of Rizwan (Paradise) in His kingdom, the impregnable, the inaccessible! Under all circumstances conform yourselves to refined manners, lest your eyes fall upon anything that might be abominable both unto you and unto the people of paradise. He who is wanting in this will be condemned at the moment of committing the act, but if be has any excuse to offer, God will forgive him; verily He is the beloved, the generous. There is no partner of the day-spring of the command in His great infallibility because He is indeed the manifestation of the word, "He doeth what He pleaseth in the realm of creation," and thus God hath assigned this station unto Himself and hath not ordained unto any one the sharing with Him this great and inaccessible honor.* This is the command of God which was hidden by the veils of the unseen, but we have disclosed it in this manifestation whereby we rent in sunder the veils of those who did not know the law of the book and were of those who are heedless. It is the duty of fathers to educate their sons and daughters in science, handwriting and other studies as thoroughly defined in the tablet: But the father who neglects that whereunto he is commanded the trustees must take from him - if he is rich - what is necessary to the education of his children; but if he is poor he must appeal to the house of justice as we have made it a refuge for the poor and needy. If one educates his own son, or another's son, it is as if he has educated My own son - Upon him is My glory - Baha - grace and mercy which hath preceded the worlds.

* (Infallibility here, does not signify the same meaning as generally understood by the people, "Prevention from sin or error," nay, rather it means the station as held by the lawgiver which excludes Him from being governed by the laws that He gives to the people.)

49 God hath imposed a fine on every adulterer and adulteress, to be paid to the House of Justice: nine mithqals of gold, to be doubled if they should repeat the offence. Such is the penalty which He Who is the Lord of Names hath assigned them in this world; and in the world to come He hath ordained for them a humiliating torment. Should anyone be afflicted by a sin, it behoveth him to repent thereof and return unto his Lord. He, verily, granteth forgiveness unto whomsoever He willeth, and none may question that which it pleaseth Him to ordain. He is, in truth, the Ever- Forgiving, the Almighty, the All-Praised. 50 Beware lest ye be hindered by the veils of glory from partaking of the crystal waters of this living Fountain. Seize ye the chalice of salvation at this dawntide in the name of Him Who causeth the day to break, and drink your fill in praise of Him Who is the All-Glorious, the Incomparable. 51 We have made it lawful for you to listen to music and singing. Take heed, however, lest listening thereto should cause you to overstep the bounds of propriety and dignity. Let your joy be the joy born of My Most Great Name, a Name that bringeth rapture to the heart, and filleth with ecstasy the minds of all who have drawn nigh unto God. We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion. Truly, We are loath to see you numbered with the foolish.

It is decreed by God that whosoever commits adultery, either man or woman, a fine of nine mithkals of gold should be paid by him or her to the house of justice as an atonement for the crime, and if the action is repeated, the fine must be doubled: This is that which, as decreed by God, the king of names, in this world, and in the world to come a despised torment is awaiting them both. He who falls into transgression has to repent and return to God, verily He forgiveth Whom He pleaseth and is not questioned of that which He desireth: Verily He is the beloved, the pardoner, the extolled. Beware lest the veils of Glory withold you from the pure water of this spring - take the cups of victory in this morning, in the name of the creator of dawns (Lit. made the dawns to break); then drink to the commemoration of Him, the mighty, the wonderful. We have permitted you to listen to harmonies, tunes and melodies; but beware not to allow this to make you go beyond the limit, of politeness, dignity and honesty. Rejoice in the joy of My greatest name, whereby the hearts have become passionate in love and the minds of the proximate (those near to God) were attracted. Verily we have made it (music) the ladder for the ascension of the spirits unto the supreme horizon. Therefore do not make it the wings of passion and lust. I ask the protection of God that ye may not be of those who are ignorant.

52 We have decreed that a third part of all fines shall go to the Seat of Justice, and We admonish its men to observe pure justice, that they may expend what is thus accumulated for such purposes as have been enjoined upon them by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. O ye Men of Justice! Be ye, in the realm of God, shepherds unto His sheep and guard them from the ravening wolves that have appeared in disguise, even as ye would guard your own sons. Thus exhorteth you the Counsellor, the Faithful. 53 Should differences arise amongst you over any matter, refer it to God while the Sun still shineth above the horizon of this Heaven and, when it hath set, refer ye to whatsoever hath been sent down by Him. This, verily, is sufficient unto the peoples of the world. Say: Let not your hearts be perturbed, O people, when the glory of My Presence is withdrawn, and the ocean of My utterance is stilled. In My presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and in My absence there is yet another, inscrutable to all but God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. Verily, We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favoured angels. 54 O peoples of the earth! God, the Eternal Truth, is My witness that streams of fresh and soft- flowing waters have gushed from the rocks through the sweetness of the words uttered by your Lord, the Unconstrained; and still ye slumber. Cast away that which ye possess, and, on the wings of detachment, soar beyond all created things. Thus biddeth you the Lord of creation, the movement of Whose Pen hath revolutionized the soul of mankind.

One third of all fines for atonement should be confided to the house of justice, and we admonish its members to practice pure justice that they may expend the collected sum in their possession in such ways as are commanded them on the part of one omniscient and wise. O men of justice! Be shepherds of the sheep of God in His kingdom, and protect them against wolves who appear in (sheep's) garments the same way as ye protect your children. Thus admonisheth you the faithful admonisher. If ye disagree upon any matter refer the same to God as long as the sun is shining from the horizon of this heaven, but if He sets, appeal to that which was caused to descend on His part; very it sufficeth the worlds! Say, O people, be not troubled if the kingdom of My appearance becomes concealed, and the waves of the sea of My utterance subside: for in My epiphany there is a wisdom and in My occultation there is another wisdom whereof none knoweth save God, the peerless, the All-knowing. We shall see you from My horizon, El Abha, and shall assist them who arise to assist My cause, by the hosts of the supreme world and cohorts of proximate angels. O people of the earth! By God, the truth! The stones gave vent to the limpid and sweet rivers, being overtaken by the delight of the utterance of your Lord, the unconstrained, while ye yourselves are of the heedless. Set aside that which ye have, then with the foremost wings of separation (from the world) fly away above all creation; Thus commandeth you the ruler of religions by the motion of His pen He hath overturned the worlds.

55 Know ye from what heights your Lord, the All-Glorious, is calling? Think ye that ye have recognized the Pen wherewith your Lord, the Lord of all names, commandeth you? Nay, by My life! Did ye but know it, ye would renounce the world, and would hasten with your whole hearts to the presence of the Well-Beloved. Your spirits would be so transported by His Word as to throw into commotion the Greater World--how much more this small and petty one! Thus have the showers of My bounty been poured down from the heaven of My loving-kindness, as a token of My grace, that ye may be of the thankful. 56 The penalties for wounding or striking a person depend upon the severity of the injury; for each degree the Lord of Judgement hath prescribed a certain indemnity. He is, in truth, the Ordainer, the Mighty, the Most Exalted. We shall, if it be Our Will, set forth these payments in their just degrees--this is a promise on Our part, and He, verily, is the Keeper of His pledge, the Knower of all things. 57 Verily, it is enjoined upon you to offer a feast, once in every month, though only water be served; for God hath purposed to bind hearts together, albeit through both earthly and heavenly means.

Are ye aware from what horizon your Lord El Abha is calling you, and are ye cognizant by what pen your Lord, the king of names, is commanding you? No, by My life! Were ye to know this ye would have abandoned the world and have advanced with your hearts unto the region of the beloved, and would have been overtaken by the vibrations of the word in such wise that shakes the universe, how much more this small world: Thus of My grace, as a favor on My part, that ye may be of those who are thankful. Wounds and blows are also atoned for by fines proportionate to their offence, and a certain fine is decreed by the judge according to the degree of gravity: Verily He is the controller, the mighty, the impregnable. Had we desired, we would have justly described the particulars as a promise on our part: Verily He is the fulfiller, the All-knowing. Hospitality is incumbent upon you once a month, though water only be served; for God desireth to unite the hearts ever through the means of the earth and heavens.

58 Beware lest the desires of the flesh and of a corrupt inclination provoke divisions among you. Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body. Thus counselleth you the Pen of Revelation, if ye be of them that believe. 59 Consider the mercy of God and His gifts. He enjoineth upon you that which shall profit you, though He Himself can well dispense with all creatures. Your evil doings can never harm Us, neither can your good works profit Us. We summon you wholly for the sake of God. To this every man of understanding and insight will testify. 60 If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey, invoke ye the Name of God when ye send them to pursue their quarry; for then whatever they catch shall be lawful unto you, even should ye find it to have died. He, verily, is the Omniscient, the All-Informed. Take heed, however, that ye hunt not to excess. Tread ye the path of justice and equity in all things. Thus biddeth you He Who is the Dawning-place of Revelation, would that ye might comprehend.

Beware not to allow the conditions of passions and lust to set you apart from each other, rather be as the fingers of the hand or the limbs of the body. Thus doth the pen of revelation admonish you were ye of those who believe! Consider the grace of God and His bounty! Verily, He commandeth you to adopt only the things which will profit you, after that He is indeed independent of all the world. Your evil actions never bring any harm unto us, so also your good actions never profit us; but we only call you to come for the sake of God; to this will bear witness every discerning and learned man. When you send hunting birds or animals to the chase, mention God; then that which is caught by them may be lawfully eaten, even though it is dead: Verily He is the All-knowing, the learned; exceed not the bounds of this (law) but be on the path of justice and equity in all matters and circumstances. Thus doth the day-spring of the manifestation command you, were ye of those who know.

61 God hath bidden you to show forth kindliness towards My kindred, but He hath granted them no right to the property of others. He, verily, is self-sufficient, above any need of His creatures. 62 Should anyone intentionally destroy a house by fire, him also shall ye burn; should anyone deliberately take another's life, him also shall ye put to death. Take ye hold of the precepts of God with all your strength and power, and abandon the ways of the ignorant. Should ye condemn the arsonist and the murderer to life imprisonment, it would be permissible according to the provisions of the Book. He, verily, hath power to ordain whatsoever He pleaseth. 63 God hath prescribed matrimony unto you. Beware that ye take not unto yourselves more wives than two. Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. And he who would take into his service a maid may do so with propriety. Such is the ordinance which, in truth and justice, hath been recorded by the Pen of Revelation. Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may bring forth one who will make mention of Me amid My servants. This is My bidding unto you; hold fast to it as an assistance to yourselves.

Ye are commanded by God to show love and affection towards the relatives (kinsmen of the Manifestation and the Bab) but God hath not ordained unto them any right over the properties of others: Verily, He is indeed independent of all the worlds. Arson and murder committed deliberately are punishable by burning and death respectively. Adopt the laws of God by the hands of might and potency and set aside those of the ignorant (this refers to the Babis who, through the excess of their zeal, used to commit heinous crimes against those who persecuted them; and in order to stop them, in another place, that to be murdered is far better then to plunder) but if ye sentence them to life imprisonment, there is no harm according to the book: Verily He is the controller over that He willeth. Marriage is enjoined on all, but beware not to marry more than two wives, and he who is contented with one only, he and she will be in ease and happiness.* There is no objection to the one who employs a maid in his domestic service (this refers to the Persians who object to the employment of maids in their domestic services); Thus hath the command been recorded with the truth by the pen of revelation. O people! Be married that through you may be born those who will mention Me amongst My servants. This is My command unto you - adopt it for yourselves as a help.

* (this law is directed specially to the countries where they marry more than one, two, three, four, etc. But in the countries where the governments do not allow it, the Baha'is must cheerfully and ungrudgingly submit to the laws and conform to the customs of the country wherever they may be (as clearly shown in another place.)

64 O people of the world! Follow not the promptings of the self, for it summoneth insistently to wickedness and lust; follow, rather, Him Who is the Possessor of all created things, Who biddeth you to show forth piety, and manifest the fear of God. He, verily, is independent of all His creatures. Take heed not to stir up mischief in the land after it hath been set in order. Whoso acteth in this way is not of Us, and We are quit of him. Such is the command which hath, through the power of truth, been made manifest from the heaven of Revelation. 65 It hath been laid down in the Bayán that marriage is dependent upon the consent of both parties. Desiring to establish love, unity and harmony amidst Our servants, We have conditioned it, once the couple's wish is known, upon the permission of their parents, lest enmity and rancour should arise amongst them. And in this We have yet other purposes. Thus hath Our commandment been ordained. 66 No marriage may be contracted without payment of a dowry, which hath been fixed for city- dwellers at nineteen mithqals of pure gold, and for village-dwellers at the same amount in silver. Whoso wisheth to increase this sum, it is forbidden him to exceed the limit of ninety- five mithqals. Thus hath the command been writ in majesty and power. If he content himself, however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be better for him according to the Book. God, verily, enricheth whomsoever He willeth through both heavenly and earthly means, and He, in truth, hath power over all things.

O people of the realm of creation! Follow not your material self for it is an instigator to transgression and foul actions; but follow the ruler of all things, who commandeth you to practice virtues and righteousness: Verily He is independent of all the worlds. Beware lest ye work sedition in the earth after being reformed; and he who commits sedition, We are quit of him, and he is not of Us, whereunto testifieth the command of the heaven of revelation. Verily it is recorded in the Beyan (book of the Bab) that marriage must be according to the consent of both parties, and as we desire love, affection, and union to exist amongst the servants, we have conditioned marriage to the consent of both parents and the consent of enacting parties, lest hatred and detestation come between them; and for some other reasons which we have: Thus hath the command been decreed. No marriage to be allowed without dowery (this is to be paid by the man to the woman): In cities the dowery to be given is limited to 19 mithkals of pure gold, and in the towns and villages, the same amount of silver, and he who wishes more is not allowed to demand more than 95 mithkals. Thus were the commands written by the hand of might, but he who contents himself with the first degree, it is better for him according to the book; for God is able to unite whom He pleaseth by means of the earth and the heaven. Verily He is the powerful over all things.

67 It hath been decreed by God that, should any one of His servants intend to travel, he must fix for his wife a time when he will return home. If he return by the promised time, he will have obeyed the bidding of his Lord and shall be numbered by the Pen of His behest among the righteous; otherwise, if there be good reason for delay, he must inform his wife and make the utmost endeavour to return to her. Should neither of these eventualities occur, it behoveth her to wait for a period of nine months, after which there is no impediment to her taking another husband; but should she wait longer, God, verily, loveth those women and men who show forth patience. Obey ye My commandments, and follow not the ungodly, they who have been reckoned as sinners in God's Holy Tablet. If, during the period of her waiting, word should reach her from her husband, she should choose the course that is praiseworthy. He, of a truth, desireth that His servants and His handmaids should be at peace with one another; take heed lest ye do aught that may provoke intransigence amongst you. Thus hath the decree been fixed and the promise come to pass. If, however, news should reach her of her husband's death or murder, and be confirmed by general report, or by the testimony of two just witnesses, it behoveth her to remain single; then, upon completion of the fixed number of months, she is free to adopt the course of her choosing. Such is the bidding of Him Who is mighty and powerful in His command. 68 Should resentment or antipathy arise between husband and wife, he is not to divorce her but to bide in patience throughout the course of one whole year, that perchance the fragrance of affection may be renewed between them. If, upon the completion of this period, their love hath not returned, it is permissible for divorce to take place. God's wisdom, verily, hath encompassed all things. The Lord hath prohibited, in a Tablet inscribed by the Pen of His command, the practice to which ye formerly had recourse when thrice ye had divorced a woman. This He hath done as a favour on His part, that ye may be accounted among the thankful. He who hath divorced his wife may choose, upon the passing of each month, to remarry her when there is mutual affection and consent, so long as she hath not taken another husband. Should she have wed again, then, by this other union, the separation is confirmed and the matter is concluded unless, clearly, her circumstances change. Thus hath the decree been inscribed with majesty in this glorious Tablet by Him Who is the Dawning-place of Beauty. 69 If the wife accompany her husband on a journey, and differences arise between them on the way, he is required to provide her with her expenses for one whole year, and either to return her whence she came or to entrust her, together with the necessaries for her journey, to a dependable person who is to escort her home. Thy Lord, verily, ordaineth as He pleaseth, by virtue of a sovereignty that overshadoweth the peoples of the earth.

Every one wishing to leave his home for some other place, is commanded by God to give his wife an appointed time for his return. If he fulfills his promise, he will be of those who fulfill the command of their Lord, and will be recorded by the pen of command a being of those who do right; but if any real excuse prevents him he must inform his wife and strive to return to her. Should these two things be not fulfilled, she will then have to wait nine reckoned months, at the expiration of which, there is no objection if she chooses another husband; but if she is patient, it is better, since God loves those who are patient. Conform to My commandments and follow not the infidels who are recorded in the tablet as those who are iniquitous (the tablet here means His Holy Spirit, and the Koran refers to it, as the preserved tablet; the Manifestation in most of His writings calls it the Red Book). If during nine reckoned months of waiting news is received of the return of husband, she must adopt kindness and favor for He wisheth peace to exist amongst His servants. Beware lest ye commit that which will create obstinacy in your midst. Thus the command hath been ordained and the promise decreed. If news of the death or murder of her husband is received, which news is proven by publication or by two fair and just witnesses, she must remain in her house until the nine reckoned months have expired, then she will have the right to choose what she wishes. This is decreed by Him who is powerful over the command. Should any agitation or aversion come between the man and his wife, he must not divorce her but will have to be patient for one year, perhaps the fragrance of love might emanate from them. If at the expiration of a year no fragrance of love is diffused, then there is no objection to a divorce. Verily He is the wise over all things. Ye are forbidden to practice that which ye have practiced after three divorces as a favor on His part,* that ye may be of the thankful, in a tablet written by the pen of command. And he who divorces his wife is free to take her back after the expiration of one month through consent and love, if she remains unmarried, but if she married another, the separation valid by the new union, except on the occurrence of any other manifest event (either death or murder of her second husband): Thus was the command of the day-spring of beauty written with honor and reverence in the tablet of might and glory. If a man travels accompanied by his wife, and during the journey some trouble or disagreement takes place between them, he must give her an allowance for one year's expenses and send her back to the place whence she started; or entrust her to a certain faithful one, after giving her what she requires for the journey back to her own home. Verily thy Lord commandeth what He pleaseth, with an authority which encompasseth the world.

* (one of the Muhammedan laws is that when a man divorces his wife, by saying to her three times, "I have divorced you", or whether he is divorced three times, he can take back his wife by merely giving her to some one else for one night only, and thus the Manifestation forbids this practice)