This Wronged One hath invariably treated the wise with affection.  By the wise is meant men whose knowledge is not confined to mere words and whose lives have been fruitful and have produced enduring results.  It is incumbent upon everyone to honour these blessed souls.  Happy are they that observe God’s precepts; happy are they that have recognized the Truth; happy are they that judge with fairness in all matters and hold fast to the Cord of My inviolable Justice.

The people of Persia have turned away from Him Who is the Protector and the Helper.  They are clinging to and have enmeshed themselves in the vain imaginings of the foolish.  So firmly do they adhere to superstitions that naught can sever them therefrom save the potent arm of God—­exalted is His glory.  Beseech thou the Almighty that He may remove with the fingers of divine power the veils which have shut out the divers peoples and kindreds, that they may attain the things that are conducive to security, progress and advancement and may hasten forth towards the incomparable Friend.

The word of God which the Abha Pen hath revealed and inscribed on the

first leaf

of the Most Exalted Paradise is this:  Verily I say:  The fear of God hath ever been a sure defence and a safe stronghold for all the peoples of the world.  It is the chief cause of the protection of mankind, and the supreme instrument for its preservation.  Indeed, there existeth in man a faculty which deterreth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame.  This, however, is confined to but a few; all have not possessed and do not possess it.

The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the

second leaf

of the Most Exalted Paradise is the following:  The Pen of the Most High exhorteth, at this moment, the manifestations of authority and the sources of power, namely the kings, the sovereigns, the presidents, the rulers, the divines and the wise, and enjoineth them to uphold the cause of religion, and to cleave unto it.  Religion is verily the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world and of tranquillity amongst its peoples.  The weakening of the pillars of religion hath strengthened the foolish and emboldened them and made them more arrogant.  Verily I say:  The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly.  This cannot but lead in the end to chaos and confusion.  Hear Me, O men of insight, and be warned, ye who are endued with discernment!

The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the

third leaf

of the Most Exalted Paradise is this:  O son of man!  If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind.  And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.  Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.