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.
49 God hath imposed a fine on every adulterer and adulteress, to be paid
to the House of Justice: nine miṯẖqáls 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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