21 O Tongue of this Temple!  We, verily, have created thee through Our name, the All-Merciful, have taught thee whatsoever had remained concealed in the Bayan, and have bestowed upon thee the power of utterance, that thou mayest make mention of Mine exalted Self amidst My creatures.  Proclaim, then, this wondrous and mighty Remembrance, and fear not the manifestations of the Evil One.  Thou wert called into being for this very purpose by virtue of My transcendent and all-compelling command.  Through thee have We unloosed the Tongue of Utterance to expound all that hath been, and We shall again, by My sovereign power, unloose it to speak of that which is yet to come.  Erelong shall We bring into being through thee eloquent tongues that will praise and extol Me amongst the Concourse on high and amidst the peoples of the world.  Thus have the verses of God been revealed, and thus hath it been decreed by the Lord of all names and attributes.  Thy Lord, verily, is the True One, the Knower of things unseen.  Nothing whatsoever shall prevent these tongues from magnifying their Creator.  Through them, all created things shall arise to glorify the Lord of names and to bear witness that there is none other God save Me, the All-Powerful, the Most-Glorious, the Best-Beloved.  Nor shall those who make mention of Me speak aught unless they be inspired by this Tongue from its lofty station.  Few, however, are they who understand!  No tongue is there that speaketh not the praises of its Lord and maketh not mention of His Name.  Amongst the people, however, are those who understand and utter praises, and those who utter praises, yet understand not.

22 O Maid of inner meanings!  Step out of the chamber of utterance by the leave of God, the Lord of the heavens and the earth.  Reveal, then, thyself adorned with the raiment of the celestial Realm, and proffer with thy ruby fingers the wine of the heavenly Dominion, that haply the denizens of this world may perceive the light that shone forth from the Kingdom of God when the Daystar of eternity appeared above the horizon of glory.  Perchance they may arise before the dwellers of earth and heaven to extol and magnify this Youth Who hath established Himself in the midmost heart of Paradise upon the throne of His name, the All-Sufficing Helper—­He upon Whose countenance shineth the brightness of the All-Merciful, from Whose gaze appear the glances of the All-Glorious, and in Whose ways are revealed the tokens and evidences of God, the omnipotent Protector, the Almighty, the All-Loving.

23 Grieve not if none be found to accept the crimson wine proffered by Thy snow-white hand and to seize it in the name of Thy Lord, the Most Exalted, the Most High—­He Who hath appeared again in His name, the Most Glorious.  Leave this people unto themselves, and repair unto the Tabernacle of majesty and glory, wherein Thou shalt encounter a people whose faces shine as brightly as the sun in its noontide splendour, and who praise and extol their Lord in