112 Say: The Most Great Festival is, indeed, the King of Festivals. Call ye to mind, O people, the bounty which God hath conferred upon you. Ye were sunk in slumber, and lo! He aroused you by the reviving breezes of His Revelation, and made known unto you His manifest and undeviating Path. 113 Resort ye, in times of sickness, to competent physicians; We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause. 114 God had formerly laid upon each one of the believers the duty of offering before Our throne priceless gifts from among his possessions. Now, in token of Our gracious favour, We have absolved them of this obligation. He, of a truth, is the Most Generous, the All-Bountiful.

Say, the great festival is indeed the Sultan of all festivals. Remember, O people, the grace of God that was bestowed upon you when you were asleep, and the breath of inspiration passed by and awakened you; and thus you were made to know His path, the clear, the right. Should ye be attacked by illness or disease, go to the skillful doctors. Verily, we did not remove the means of cures; rather we rectified them by this pen which God made the day-spring of His brilliant and illumined command. It hath been ordained by God that everyone must come before the throne and lay down the best of his possessions and the dearest things; (this very thing is recorded in El-Beyan, the book of the Bab) but we have exempted you from such obligation as a bounty on our part. Verily, He is the giver, the generous!

115 Blessed is he who, at the hour of dawn, centring his thoughts on God, occupied with His remembrance, and supplicating His forgiveness, directeth his steps to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and, entering therein, seateth himself in silence to listen to the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All-Praised. Say: The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is each and every building which hath been erected in cities and villages for the celebration of My praise. Such is the name by which it hath been designated before the throne of glory, were ye of those who understand. 116 They who recite the verses of the All-Merciful in the most melodious of tones will perceive in them that with which the sovereignty of earth and heaven can never be compared. From them they will inhale the divine fragrance of My worlds--worlds which today none can discern save those who have been endowed with vision through this sublime, this beauteous Revelation. Say: These verses draw hearts that are pure unto those spiritual worlds that can neither be expressed in words nor intimated by allusion. Blessed be those who hearken. 117 Assist ye, O My people, My chosen servants who have arisen to make mention of Me among My creatures and to exalt My Word throughout My realm. These, truly, are the stars of the heaven of My loving providence and the lamps of My guidance unto all mankind. But he whose words conflict with that which hath been sent down in My Holy Tablets is not of Me. Beware lest ye follow any impious pretender. These Tablets are embellished with the seal of Him Who causeth the dawn to appear, Who lifteth up His voice between the heavens and the earth. Lay hold on this Sure Handle and on the Cord of My mighty and unassailable Cause.

Blessed is he who goes, in the early morning to the Mashrek El Azkar (house of worship) and mentions his God, remembers His grace and asks forgiveness. On entering the house he must sit down speechless, listening only to the texts of God, the king, the mighty, the extolled. Say, (the) Mashrek El Azkar is any house built in the cities and villages for my commemoration; thus hath it bee named before the throne, were ye of those who know! Those who read the signs of the Merciful with sweet tones, will attain by them that which the kingdom of the earth and the heavens will not equal, and through them will find the fragrance of my worlds which no one knows today save Him who is given vision from this most noble outlook. Say, verily, they (signs) attract the pure hearts unto the spiritual worlds which could not be signified by any expression nor by any sign. Blessed are they who hear! Render victorious, O people, my sincere friends who with steadfastness arose for my service amongst my servants and for the exaltation of my word in my kingdom. They are indeed the stars of the heaven of my providence and the lamps of my guidance to all creatures. He who uttereth aught else that that which was revealed in my tablets, verily, he is not from me. Beware lest ye follow any wicked pretender! The tablets have been decorated with the ornamented seal of the cleaver of dawns, who uttereth betwixt the earth and heavens, "Take hold of the strong support, and of the enduring and solid rope of my command." (It does not mean the real seal - but that meaning is sealed, just as the prophecies of the Bible were sealed until the time came, and they were opened by the Lamb.)

118 The Lord hath granted leave to whosoever desireth it that he be instructed in the divers tongues of the world that he may deliver the Message of the Cause of God throughout the East and throughout the West, that he make mention of Him amidst the kindreds and peoples of the world in such wise that hearts may revive and the mouldering bone be quickened. 119 It is inadmissible that man, who hath been endowed with reason, should consume that which stealeth it away. Nay, rather it behoveth him to comport himself in a manner worthy of the human station, and not in accordance with the misdeeds of every heedless and wavering soul. 120 Adorn your heads with the garlands of trustworthiness and fidelity, your hearts with the attire of the fear of God, your tongues with absolute truthfulness, your bodies with the vesture of courtesy. These are in truth seemly adornings unto the temple of man, if ye be of them that reflect. Cling, O ye people of Bahá, to the cord of servitude unto God, the True One, for thereby your stations shall be made manifest, your names written and preserved, your ranks raised and your memory exalted in the Preserved Tablet. Beware lest the dwellers on earth hinder you from this glorious and exalted station. Thus have We exhorted you in most of Our Epistles and now in this, Our Holy Tablet, above which hath beamed the Day-Star of the Laws of the Lord, your God, the Powerful, the All-Wise.

Any one is permitted, if he wishes, to learn different and foreign languages; that he may deliver the cause (religion) of God to the East and West and mention Him amongst the powers and nations in such wise that the hearts are drawn and the fry bones quickened. It is forbidden to drink that which will carry away the mind. But every rational being has to do what beseemeth man and not that which is committed by every careless, heedless person. Adorn your heads with crowns of faithfulness and fidelity, your hearts with the garment of virtue, your tongue with utterances of the pure truth, and your bodies with the fine mantles of morality. All these are the characteristics of the natural disposition of man, were ye of those who reflect! O people of Baha! Take hold of the rope of servitude and devotion to God, the truth, whereby your stations become manifest, your names, endurable, and your positions and commemoration exalted in a preserved tablet. Beware not to allow whomsoever is in the earth to withold you from attaining this precious and lofty station. We have enjoined this upon you in most of the tablets and so also in this tablet, from which horizon of the orb of the ordinances of your Lord, the mighty, and wise hath shone forth.

121 When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root. 122 Consider the pettiness of men's minds. They ask for that which injureth them, and cast away the thing that profiteth them. They are, indeed, of those that are far astray. We find some men desiring liberty, and priding themselves therein. Such men are in the depths of ignorance. 123 Liberty must, in the end, lead to sedition, whose flames none can quench. Thus warneth you He Who is the Reckoner, the All-Knowing. Know ye that the embodiment of liberty and its symbol is the animal. That which beseemeth man is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker. Liberty causeth man to overstep the bounds of propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his station. It debaseth him to the level of extreme depravity and wickedness.

When the sea of union sinks away and the book of origin is achieved to the end (refers to the departure of the manifestation) turn unto Him whom God hath chosen, who is branched from an ancient root. Consider the condition of the people and the littleness of their understanding. They hunt after that which will injure them, and reject that which will profit them. Are they not of those who are straying madly? From amongst the people we find some who desire liberty, and glory in it; they are indeed in evident ignorance! Verily, liberty ends in sedition and disorder, the fire of which will never subside. Thus doth the All-knowing, the omniscient inform you. However, know, that the animal is the model of liberty and the manifestation thereof; hence it behooveth man to put himself under laws which would protect him against the ignorance of himself and the injury of the deceitful people. Liberty does assuredly put man beyond the limits of refined manners and esteem, and makes him of the vile.

124 Regard men as a flock of sheep that need a shepherd for their protection. This, verily, is the truth, the certain truth. We approve of liberty in certain circumstances, and refuse to sanction it in others. We, verily, are the All-Knowing. 125 Say: True liberty consisteth in man's submission unto My commandments, little as ye know it. Were men to observe that which We have sent down unto them from the Heaven of Revelation, they would, of a certainty, attain unto perfect liberty. Happy is the man that hath apprehended the Purpose of God in whatever He hath revealed from the Heaven of His Will that pervadeth all created things. Say: The liberty that profiteth you is to be found nowhere except in complete servitude unto God, the Eternal Truth. Whoso hath tasted of its sweetness will refuse to barter it for all the dominion of earth and heaven. 126 In the Bayán it had been forbidden you to ask Us questions. The Lord hath now relieved you of this prohibition, that ye may be free to ask what you need to ask, but not such idle questions as those on which the men of former times were wont to dwell. Fear God, and be ye of the righteous! Ask ye that which shall be of profit to you in the Cause of God and His dominion, for the portals of His tender compassion have been opened before all who dwell in heaven and on earth.

Mankind must be considered as sheep which must have a shepherd for their protection. Verily this is the indubitable truth. We do indeed approve of liberty in some cases but not in others, Verily we are the knowers. Say, liberty is confined to the compliance with My commandments, were ye to understand! Should people adopt that which we have revealed unto them from the heaven of inspiration, they would find themselves in perfect and pure liberty. Blessed is he who knows the intended object of God in that which He hath caused to descend from the heaven of His primal will which encompasseth the worlds. Say, that liberty which profits you is that which is confined to your servitude to God the truth, and he who tastes its sweetness would never exchange it for the possessions of the realms of heaven and earth. Ye are forbidden in the Beyan (of the Bab) to ask questions, but Go exempted you from this that ye may ask concerning that which is necessary to you, and not that uttered by others before you (refers to superstitions of old times). Fear God and be of the pious! Ask that which profiteth you in the Cause of God and His dominions, for the door of bounty has been opened to whosoever is in the earth and heavens.

127 The number of months in a year, appointed in the Book of God, is nineteen. Of these the first hath been adorned with this Name which overshadoweth the whole of creation. 128 The Lord hath decreed that the dead should be interred in coffins made of crystal, of hard, resistant stone, or of wood that is both fine and durable, and that graven rings should be placed upon their fingers. He, verily, is the Supreme Ordainer, the One apprised of all. 129 The inscription on these rings should read, for men: "Unto God belongeth all that is in the heavens and on the earth and whatsoever is between them, and He, in truth, hath knowledge of all things"; and for women: "Unto God belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is between them, and He, in truth, is potent over all things". These are the verses that were revealed aforetime, but lo, the Point of the Bayán now calleth out, exclaiming, "O Best-Beloved of the worlds! Reveal Thou in their stead such words as will waft the fragrance of Thy gracious favours over all mankind. We have announced unto everyone that one single word from Thee excelleth all that hath been sent down in the Bayán. Thou, indeed, hast power to do what pleaseth Thee. Deprive not Thy servants of the overflowing bounties of the ocean of Thy mercy! Thou, in truth, art He Whose grace is infinite." Behold, We have hearkened to His call, and now fulfil His wish. He, verily, is the Best-Beloved, the Answerer of prayers. If the following verse, which hath at this moment been sent down by God, be engraved upon the burial- rings of both men and women, it shall be better for them; We, of a certainty, are the Supreme Ordainer: "I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate." Thus doth the Lord single out whomsoever He desireth for a bounty from His presence. He is, in very truth, the God of might and power.

[no break] The number of months is recorded as nineteen in the book of God, the first of which is adorned by this name, "The Protector against the World". (that is Baha) It is decreed by God to bury the dead in coffins of crystal, solid stones, or fine hard wood. An engraved ring is to be placed on the finger. Verily He is the ordainer, the omniscient. On the ring, if for a man, must be written, "To God is whatsoever in the earth and heaven and that betwixt them; and God is indeed the knower of all things." If for a woman, "To God is the kingdom of the heaven and earth and that betwixt them, and God is the powerful over all things." This is what was revealed before (in the Beyan of the Bab). While the Point of Beyan crieth out saying, "O thou beloved of the realm of creation! Speak of this, by reason of which the fragrances of Thy favor will be diffused amongst the worlds. We have assured all that whatsoever was revealed in the Beyan will not be equal to one word uttered by Thee. Verily, Thou art the powerful over that Thou wisheth! Mercy! Verily Thou art the possessor of great bounty. We have answered His request, Verily, He is the beloved, the answerer! Should that which is revealed at this time, be engraved on the rings it would be much better for both men and women. verily, we have been the controllers! It is this: - "I came from God and returned to Him, separated from aught else save Him, taking hold of His name, the merciful, the clement." (This word as given by the manifestation is to be engraved on the rings of both men and women, and the foregoing word of the Bab is cancelled.) Thus doth God favor whom He wisheth with His bounty. Verily, He is the mighty, the powerful.

130 The Lord hath decreed, moreover, that the deceased should be enfolded in five sheets of silk or cotton. For those whose means are limited a single sheet of either fabric will suffice. Thus hath it been ordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. It is forbidden you to transport the body of the deceased a greater distance than one hour's journey from the city; rather should it be interred, with radiance and serenity, in a nearby place. 131 God hath removed the restrictions on travel that had been imposed in the Bayán. He, verily, is the Unconstrained; He doeth as He pleaseth and ordaineth whatsoever He willeth. 132 O peoples of the world! Give ear unto the call of Him Who is the Lord of Names, Who proclaimeth unto you from His habitation in the Most Great Prison: "Verily, no God is there but Me, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Subduing, the Most Exalted, the Omniscient, the All-Wise." In truth, there is no God but Him, the Omnipotent Ruler of the worlds. Were it His Will, He would, through but a single word proceeding from His presence, lay hold on all mankind. Beware lest ye hesitate in your acceptance of this Cause--a Cause before which the Concourse on high and the dwellers of the Cities of Names have bowed down. Fear God, and be not of those who are shut out as by a veil. Burn ye away the veils with the fire of My love, and dispel ye the mists of vain imaginings by the power of this Name through which We have subdued the entire creation.

The dead must be shrouded with five garments of silk or cotton; but he who cannot afford five, it sufficeth him to have one. Thus hath the matter been decreed on the part of one knowing and learned. To carry the dead further than one hour's distance from the city, is forbidden. Bury him in a near place with fragrance and spirituality. What was recorded in the Beyan regarding limit of journeys has been abrogated by God. Verily, He is the unconstrained; doeth what He pleaseth and controlleth that He desireth. O people of creation! Hearken unto the voice of the King of Names. Verily, He is calling you from the region of prison El Aazam, "the greatest, the exalted, the omniscient, the wise." Verily, There is no God but Me, the powerful over all the world. Should He will, He would wipe out the world, by a word on His part. Beware not to hesitate in this matter unto which have submitted the supreme concourse and the denizens of the cities of names. Fear God and be not of the veiled. Burn the veils with the fire of My love, and the barriers by this name whereby we have subdued the worlds. (Barriers mean the false teachings of the divines.)

133 Raise up and exalt the two Houses in the Twin Hallowed Spots, and the other sites wherein the throne of your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath been established. Thus commandeth you the Lord of every understanding heart. 134 Be watchful lest the concerns and preoccupations of this world prevent you from observing that which hath been enjoined upon you by Him Who is the Mighty, the Faithful. Be ye the embodiments of such steadfastness amidst mankind that ye will not be kept back from God by the doubts of those who disbelieved in Him when He manifested Himself, invested with a mighty sovereignty. Take heed lest ye be prevented by aught that hath been recorded in the Book from hearkening unto this, the Living Book, Who proclaimeth the truth: "Verily, there is no God but Me, the Most Excellent, the All-Praised." Look ye with the eye of equity upon Him Who hath descended from the heaven of Divine will and power, and be not of those who act unjustly. 135 Call then to mind these words which have streamed forth, in tribute to this Revelation, from the Pen of Him Who was My Herald, and consider what the hands of the oppressors have wrought throughout My days. Truly they are numbered with the lost. He said: "Should ye attain the presence of Him Whom We shall make manifest, beseech ye God, in His bounty, to grant that He might deign to seat Himself upon your couches, for that act in itself would confer upon you matchless and surpassing honour. Should He drink a cup of water in your homes, this would be of greater consequence for you than your proffering unto every soul, nay unto every created thing, the water of its very life. Know this, O ye My servants!"

Honor the two houses and exalt the places that were inhabited by the throne of your Lord, the merciful. Thus doth the Lord of the worlds command you. (One of the houses is in Baghdad, and the other in Shiraz - the throne means Baha'o'llah.) Beware lest the affairs of the earth withold you from that whereunto ye are commanded on the part of one, mighty and trustworthy. Be the manifestations of rectitude on the earth in such wise that the suspicions of those who denied God, could not withold you; for He hath appeared in great authority. Beware lest that which was revealed in the book (Beyan of the Bab) prevent you from this book which uttereth with the truth, "Verily, there is no God but Me, the mighty, the extolled." Look with the eye of equity unto the One who came from the heaven of the primal will and might, and be not of the unjust. Then remember that which has flowed from the pen of my precursor in the commemoration of this manifestation, and what was committed by the people of tyranny yore were adorned. Verily, are they not of the losers? He said (the precursor, or Bab), "Should ye apprehend him whom God shall manifest, you would then ask of the bounty of God that he might grant you the favor of his sitting upon your couches. Verily, it is an inaccessible and impregnable glory! And should he drink a glass of water with you, that would be far greater than for any soul to drink his own water of life; and far superior to any existing thing, if ye, my servants, were to understand!

139 And now consider what hath been revealed in yet another passage, that perchance ye may forsake your own concepts and set your faces towards God, the Lord of being. He [The Báb] hath said: "It is unlawful to enter into marriage save with a believer in the Bayán. Should only one party to a marriage embrace this Cause, his or her possessions will become unlawful to the other, until such time as the latter hath converted. This law, however, will only take effect after the exaltation of the Cause of Him Whom We shall manifest in truth, or of that which hath already been made manifest in justice. Ere this, ye are at liberty to enter into wedlock as ye wish, that haply by this means ye may exalt the Cause of God." Thus hath the Nightingale sung with sweet melody upon the celestial bough, in praise of its Lord, the All-Merciful. Well is it with them that hearken. 140 O people of the Bayán, I adjure you by your Lord, the God of mercy, to look with the eye of fairness upon this utterance which hath been sent down through the power of truth, and not to be of those who see the testimony of God yet reject and deny it. They, in truth, are of those who will assuredly perish. The Point of the Bayán hath explicitly made mention in this verse of the exaltation of My Cause before His own Cause; unto this will testify every just and understanding mind. As ye can readily witness in this day, its exaltation is such as none can deny save those whose eyes are drunken in this mortal life and whom a humiliating chastisement awaiteth in the life to come. 141 Say: By the righteousness of God! I, verily, am His [The Báb's] Best-Beloved; and at this moment He listeneth to these verses descending from the Heaven of Revelation and bewaileth the wrongs ye have committed in these days. Fear God, and join not with the aggressor. Say: O people, should ye choose to disbelieve in Him, [Bahá'u'lláh] refrain at least from rising up against Him. By God! Sufficient are the hosts of tyranny that are leagued against Him!

Therefore, consider what was revealed in another place, (of the Beyan) perhaps ye will set aside that which ye have, and advance to God, the Lord of the worlds. He (the Bab) said: Marriage is forbidden unless both parties be of the people of Beyan; should a believer marry an unbeliever, the possessions of the unbeliever are forbidden him unless that one becomes a believer. This command to be carried out after the cause of "Him whom God shall manifest" in truth, becomes prevalent, or that which becomes manifest in justice. Before that time, you are permitted to exercise this privilege, perchance thereby ye may elevate the cause of God Thus hath the dove sung on the boughs in the commemoration of her Lord, the merciful. Blessed are the hearers! O people of Beyan! I adjure you by your Lord, the merciful, to ponder with the eye of equity over that which was revealed with the truth, and be not of those who see the evidences of' God and deny them. Verily, are they not of the damned! The point of Beyan hath in this verse: explicitly declared the exaltation for My command before his, and to this will bear witness every fair and rightly informed person, as ye see today that it has waxed high in such wise that none can deny it except those whose eyes were shut in this world, for which contemptible torture in His days. Say, by God, I am indeed His beloved, and now He heareth that which is revealed from the heaven of inspiration and lamenteth because of what ye have committed in His days. Fear God and be not of the transgressors. Say, O people, should ye not believe in Him, do not object to him (the Bab). By God, the combination of the hosts of oppression against him is great enough.

142 Verily, He [The Báb] revealed certain laws so that, in this Dispensation, the Pen of the Most High might have no need to move in aught but the glorification of His own transcendent Station and His most effulgent Beauty. Since, however, We have wished to evidence Our bounty unto you, We have, through the power of truth, set forth these laws with clarity and mitigated what We desire you to observe. He, verily, is the Munificent, the Generous. 143 He [The Báb] hath previously made known unto you that which would be uttered by this Dayspring of Divine wisdom. He said, and He speaketh the truth: "He [Bahá'u'lláh] is the One Who will under all conditions proclaim: `Verily, there is none other God besides Me, the One, the Incomparable, the Omniscient, the All-Informed.'" This is a station which God hath assigned exclusively to this sublime, this unique and wondrous Revelation. This is a token of His bounteous favour, if ye be of them who comprehend, and a sign of His irresistible decree. This is His Most Great Name, His Most Exalted Word, and the Dayspring of His Most Excellent Titles, if ye could understand. Nay more, through Him every Fountainhead, every Dawning-place of Divine guidance is made manifest. Reflect, O people, on that which hath been sent down in truth; ponder thereon, and be not of the transgressors. 144 Consort with all religions with amity and concord, that they may inhale from you the sweet fragrance of God. Beware lest amidst men the flame of foolish ignorance overpower you. All things proceed from God and unto Him they return. He is the source of all things and in Him all things are ended.

Verily he (the Bab) has caused to descend some of the ordinances so that the supreme pen, in this manifestation, may not move in mentioning aught else save His supreme station and His lofty and sublime outlook. But being bounteous and gracious, we have distinctly explained them and diminished the weight of that which we have desired unto you. Verily, He is the benevolent; the generous. He (the Bab) hath foretold you of that which would be uttered by this wise remembrance; he (the Bab) said:- and his saying is the truth, "That at all events He (God) uttereth, there is no God but Me, the peerless, the one, the impregnable, the magnificent. This is a station whereof God hath distinguished and favored this wonderful and inaccessible manifestation. This is of the bounty of God, were ye of those who know! This is from his decisive command, His greatest name, His supreme word, and the day-spring of His comely names, were ye of those who comprehend! Rather through His (command) the day-springs and dawning-places become manifest. Reflect, O people, on that which was revealed by the truth, consider and be not of the transgressors. Consort with all religions with fragrance and spirituality, that they may inhale the fragrance of the Merciful emanating from you. Beware lest the ardor of paganism (Tahiliat [misspelling of "jahaliyya"? -ed.] - the Arabs in time of ignorance) over take you when amongst the people. Every origin is of God, and to Him it shall return. Verily He is the originator of the creatures and the receptacle of the world.

145 Take heed that ye enter no house in the absence of its owner, except with his permission. Comport yourselves with propriety under all conditions, and be not numbered with the wayward. 146 It hath been enjoined upon you to purify your means of sustenance and other such things through payment of Zakat. Thus hath it been prescribed in this exalted Tablet by Him Who is the Revealer of verses. We shall, if it be God's will and purpose, set forth erelong the measure of its assessment. He, verily, expoundeth whatsoever He desireth by virtue of His own knowledge, and He, of a truth, is Omniscient and All-Wise. 147 It is unlawful to beg, and it is forbidden to give to him who beggeth. All have been enjoined to earn a living, and as for those who are incapable of doing so, it is incumbent on the Deputies of God and on the wealthy to make adequate provision for them. Keep ye the statutes and commandments of God; nay, guard them as ye would your very eyes, and be not of those who suffer grievous loss.

Beware not to enter another's house whilst he is absent, but with his permission, and under all circumstances cling to kindness and be not of the ignorant. It is incumbent upon you to purify your provisions (such as wheat, corn, etc.) and all else besides by giving alms. This is that which was decreed by the Revealer of the signs in this impregnable parchment. (It probably refers to the tithes of 1/19th). If God will, we shall give a full explanation of this origin, verily He explaineth what He wisheth by the knowledge of His part. Verily He is the Omniscient, the wise. Begging is not permitted, and he who is asked is forbidden to give. All must work; the infirm must be provided for by the trustees and the wealthy; adopt the ordinances and laws of God, then guard them as ye guard your own eyes, and be not of the losers.

148 Ye have been forbidden in the Book of God to engage in contention and conflict, to strike another, or to commit similar acts whereby hearts and souls may be saddened. A fine of nineteen mithqals of gold had formerly been prescribed by Him Who is the Lord of all mankind for anyone who was the cause of sadness to another; in this Dispensation, however, He hath absolved you thereof and exhorteth you to show forth righteousness and piety. Such is the commandment which He hath enjoined upon you in this resplendent Tablet. Wish not for others what ye wish not for yourselves; fear God, and be not of the prideful. Ye are all created out of water, and unto dust shall ye return. Reflect upon the end that awaiteth you, and walk not in the ways of the oppressor. Give ear unto the verses of God which He Who is the sacred Lote-Tree reciteth unto you. They are assuredly the infallible balance, established by God, the Lord of this world and the next. Through them the soul of man is caused to wing its flight towards the Dayspring of Revelation, and the heart of every true believer is suffused with light. Such are the laws which God hath enjoined upon you, such His commandments prescribed unto you in His Holy Tablet; obey them with joy and gladness, for this is best for you, did ye but know. 149 Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide. Whoso faileth to recite them hath not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament, and whoso turneth away from these holy verses in this Day is of those who throughout eternity have turned away from God. Fear ye God, O My servants, one and all. Pride not yourselves on much reading of the verses or on a multitude of pious acts by night and day; for were a man to read a single verse with joy and radiance it would be better for him than to read with lassitude all the Holy Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Read ye the sacred verses in such measure that ye be not overcome by languor and despondency. Lay not upon your souls that which will weary them and weigh them down, but rather what will lighten and uplift them, so that they may soar on the wings of the Divine verses towards the Dawning-place of His manifest signs; this will draw you nearer to God, did ye but comprehend. 150 Teach your children the verses revealed from the heaven of majesty and power, so that, in most melodious tones, they may recite the Tablets of the All-Merciful in the alcoves within the Mashriqu'l-Adhkars. Whoever hath been transported by the rapture born of adoration for My Name, the Most Compassionate, will recite the verses of God in such wise as to captivate the hearts of those yet wrapped in slumber. Well is it with him who hath quaffed the Mystic Wine of everlasting life from the utterance of his merciful Lord in My Name--a Name through which every lofty and majestic mountain hath been reduced to dust.

Ye are forbidden in the book (Beyan) to dispute, contend, to strike and that which resembles this, which will grieve the hearts and minds, and he who grieves another must pay nineteen mithkals of gold: this is what was decreed by the Lord of the worlds (Bab). (In the Beyan, it is said that this fine must be paid to Him whom God shall manifest). But in this manifestation He has exempted you from such an obligation exhorting you at the same time to be righteous and virtuous as a command on His part in this clear tablet. No one is to approve for another that which he would dislike himself. Fear God and be of the lofty. All were created from water, and to dust ye shall return. Think of your destination and be not of the unjust. Hearken unto that which the Sadrat dictates to you from the verses of God. Verily, they are the balance of guidance of God, the Lord of this world and the world to come, and by them the souls fly away into the day-spring or inspiration, and the hearts of the advancers are illumined. These are the ordinances of God which are incumbent upon you, and these are the precepts of God whereunto ye are commanded in this tablet. Conform to them with fragrance and spirituality; for this will profit you much, were ye of those who know! Read the verses of God every morning and evening, and he who does not read will not be known by the covenant of God and His testament; and he who turns away from them in this day, verily he is those who have turned away from God since eternities of eternities. Fear God, O ye servants. Be not deluded by meaningless repetitions of prayer and worship by day and by night. Should anyone read one verse only, of the verses, with fragrance and spirituality, it will avail him more than to read with slothfulness all the books of God, the protector, the self-existent. Read the verses of God in such wise that idleness and sadness are averted. Do not load the spirits with that which will depress them; but with what will cheer them so that they may fly away on the wings of the verses to the day-spring of evidence. This is more acceptable unto God, were ye to comprehend. Teach your children that which was caused to descend from the heaven of might and greatness that they may, in the sweetest of tones, read the tablets of the merciful in the rooms which were built in Mashrek-El-Azkar (house of worship). Verily he who is overtaken by the attraction of the love of my name, the merciful, would assuredly read the verses of God in such wise as to charm the hearts of those who are asleep. Happiness to the one who drinks the pure wine of life, from the utterances of his Lord, the merciful, in this name whereby every high and haughty mountain is swept away.