| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| It hath been enjoined upon you to pare your nails, to bathe yourselves each
week in water that covereth your bodies, and to clean yourselves with whatsoever ye have
formerly employed. Take heed lest through negligence ye fail to observe that which hath been
prescribed unto you by Him Who is the Incomparable, the Gracious. |
 |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Ye are commanded to manicure your finger, to enter water which will
surround your temples, every week, and then clean your bodies; beware lest heedlessness
withold you from that which you are commanded on the part of one mighty and great. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
There are ordained for you the paring of nails, the getting into water that
covers your whole body every week, and the cleansing of your bodies with what you have used
previously. [note 4] Beware lest your carelessness prevent you from doing what you have been
commanded to do by a Great and Mighty One. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Immerse yourselves in clean water; it is not permissible to bathe
yourselves in water that hath already been used. See that ye approach not the public pools of
Persian baths; whoso maketh his way toward such baths will smell their fetid odour ere he
entereth therein. Shun them, O people, and be not of those who ignominiously accept such
vileness. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Use for bathing, the water which has not been used for any former purpose,
and beware not to approach the tanks of the Persian baths, the odor of which is stinking and
offensive and scented at a distance before reaching them. O people, and be not of the vile! |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
Enter into water that has not been used, and it is not permissible to get into
what has already been used. Take care not to approach the bath-houses of the Iranians (al-
'ajam). Whoever goes towards them discovers their stinking odour even before entering
them. O People, avoid them and be not of the ignominious. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| In truth, they are as sinks of foulness and contamination, if ye be of them
that apprehend. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Verily this (water) resembles decaying matter and foul and putrid water,
were ye of those who know, |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
It is like pus and purulent matter, if you are among those who know. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Avoid ye likewise the malodorous pools in the courtyards of Persian homes,
and be ye of the pure and sanctified. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| so also shun their offensive reservoirs, and be of the pure! |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
Also their stinking water-tanks, leave them alone and be of the pure
ones. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Truly, We desire to behold you as manifestations of paradise on earth, that
there may be diffused from you such fragrance as shall rejoice the hearts of the favoured of
God. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| We have indeed desired to see you the manifestations of Paradise on the
earth, that from you may be diffused that will cheer the hearts of those who are near. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
We desired to see you as manifestations of Paradise on earth, that there might
diffuse from you that by which the hearts of those brought near (to God) are rejoiced. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| If the bather, instead of entering the water, wash himself by pouring it
upon his body, it shall be better for him and shall absolve him of the need for bodily immersion.
The Lord, verily, hath willed, as a bounty from His presence, to make life easier for you that ye
may be of those who are truly thankful. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| It is better for one to cleanse his body with pouring water over it, and thus
dispensing with entering the water. Verily He wisest to facilitate matters before you as a
bounty on His part, that ye may be of the thankful. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
It is better for one who washes his body to pour water over him instead of his
getting into it. [note 1] Indeed, He desired to make matters easy for you because of His favour, in
order that you might be of the thankful. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| It is forbidden you to wed your fathers' wives. We shrink, for very shame,
from treating of the subject of boys. Fear ye the Merciful, O peoples of the world! Commit not
that which is forbidden you in Our Holy Tablet, and be not of those who rove distractedly in the
wilderness of their desires. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Ye are forbidden to marry the wives of your fathers. As to the laws
regarding youths, modesty prevents us from mentioning them. Fear God, O concourse of the
realm of creation and commit not that whereof ye are forbidden in the tablet, and be not of those
who wander madly in the deserts. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
The wives of your fathers are unlawful to you. We are ashamed to mention the
commandments regarding boys (pederasty). Fear the Merciful One, O Multitudes of the (realm
of the) possible, and do not commit what is forbidden in the Tablet. Be not of those who are
bewildered in the desert of lusts. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| To none is it permitted to mutter sacred verses before the public gaze as he
walketh in the street or marketplace; nay rather, if he wish to magnify the Lord, it behoveth
him to do so in such places as have been erected for this purpose, or in his own home. This is
more in keeping with sincerity and godliness. Thus hath the sun of Our commandment shone
forth above the horizon of Our utterance. Blessed, then, be those who do Our bidding. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| No one is permitted to mutter prayers before the people when walking out
of doors or in the streets; rather the one wishing to mention God and offer his prayers must do
the same either in the house of worship or in his own home. This is nearer to sincerity and
piety. Thus hath the sun of laws shone forth from the horizon of wisdom - blessed are they who
comply with His will. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
One should not be moving his tongue before people as he walks on the streets and
in the markets. Whoever desires to make mention of God should do so in the places built for
remembrance of God or in his own house. This is much nearer to sincerity and piety. Thus has
the Sun of Wisdom risen from the horizon of the Explanation (al-Bayan). Blessed are
those who do (these things). |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |