6 Arise, then, and make steadfast your feet, and make ye amends for that
which hath escaped you, and set then yourselves towards His holy Court, on
the shore of His mighty Ocean, so that the pearls of knowledge and wisdom,
which God hath stored up within the shell of His radiant heart, may be
revealed unto you. Such is the counsel that shall profit you most; make of
it your provision, that ye may be of those who are guided aright. Beware
lest ye hinder the breeze of God from blowing over your hearts, the breeze
through which the hearts of such as have turned unto Him can be quickened.
Hearken unto the clear admonitions that We have revealed for you in this
Tablet, that God, in turn, may hearken unto you, and may open before your
faces the portals of His mercy. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the
Merciful.
7 Lay not aside the fear of God, O kings of the earth, and beware that ye
transgress not the bounds which the Almighty hath fixed. Observe the
injunctions laid upon you in His Book, and take good heed not to overstep
their limits. Be vigilant, that ye may not do injustice to anyone, be it
to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. Tread ye the path of justice,
for this, verily, is the straight path.
8 Compose your differences and reduce your armaments, that the burden of
your expenditures may be lightened, and that your minds and hearts may be
tranquillized. Heal the dissensions that divide you, and ye will no longer
be in need of any armaments except what the protection of your cities and
territories demandeth. Fear ye God, and take heed not to outstrip the
bounds of moderation and be numbered among the extravagant.
9 We have learned that ye are increasing your outlay every year, and are
laying the burden thereof on your subjects. This, verily, is more than
they can bear, and is a grievous injustice. Decide ye justly between men,
O kings, and be ye the emblems of justice amongst them. This, if ye judge
fairly, is the thing that behoveth you, and beseemeth your station.
10 Beware not to deal unjustly with anyone that appealeth to you and
entereth beneath your shadow. Walk ye in the fear of God, and be ye of
them that lead a godly life. Rest not on your power, your armies, and
treasures. Put your whole trust and confidence in God, Who hath created
you, and seek ye His help in all your affairs. Succour cometh from Him
alone. He succoureth whom He willeth with the hosts of the heavens and of
the earth.
11 Know ye that the poor are the trust of God in your midst. Watch that ye
betray not His trust, that ye deal not unjustly with them and that ye walk
not in the ways of the treacherous. Ye will most certainly be called upon
to answer for His trust on the day when the Balance of Justice shall be
set, the day when unto everyone shall be rendered his due, when the doings
of all men, be they rich or poor, shall be weighed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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