The Book of the Most Holy CHAPTER FOUR

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Division 121-160

THE MOST HOLY

121.

O people of the world!

Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions.

122.

Make them as perfect as is possible in the world of being,

and adorn them with that which befitteth them, not with images and effigies.

123.

Then, with radiance and joy,

celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate.

124.

Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered

and the heart is filled with light.

125.

The Lord hath ordained that those that are able shall make pilgrimage to the sacred House,

and from this He hath exempted women as a mercy on His part.

He, of a truth, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous.

126.

O people of Bahá!

It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation

-- such as a craft, a trade or the like.

127.

We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God.

128.

Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord,

and yield Him thanks at eventide and dawn.

129.

Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth,

yet occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others.

130.

Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the day-star of wisdom and utterance.

131.

The most despised of men in the sight of God are they who sit and beg.

132.

Hold ye fast unto the cord of means and place your trust in God, the Provider of all means.

133.

The kissing of hands hath been forbidden in the Book.

134.

This practice is prohibited by God, the Lord of glory and command.

135.

To none is it permitted to seek absolution from another soul;

let repentance be between yourselves and God.

He, verily, is the Pardoner, the Bounteous, the Gracious,

the One Who absolveth the repentant.

136.

O ye servants of the Merciful One!

Arise to serve the Cause of God, in such wise that the cares and sorrows caused by them that have disbelieved in the Dayspring of the Signs of God may not afflict you.

137.

At the time when the Promise was fulfilled and the Promised One made manifest,

differences have appeared amongst the kindreds of the earth

and each people hath followed its own fancy and idle imaginings.

138.

Amongst the people is he who seateth himself amid the sandals by the door whilst coveting in his heart the seat of honour.

139.

Say:

What manner of man art thou, O vain and heedless one,

ye whom wouldst appear as other than thou art?

140.

And among the people is he who layeth claim to inner knowledge,

and still deeper knowledge concealed within this knowledge.

141.

Say:

Thou speakest false! By God!

What thou dost possess is naught but husks which We have left to thee as bones are left to dogs.

142.

By the righteousness of the one true God!

Were anyone to wash the feet of all mankind, and were he to worship God in the forests, valleys, and mountains, upon high hills and lofty peaks, to leave no rock or tree, no clod of earth, yet was a witness to his worship

143.

-- yet, should the fragrance of My good pleasure not be inhaled from him, his works would never be acceptable unto God.

144.

Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Lord of all.

145.

How many a man hath secluded himself in the climes of India,

denied himself the things that God hath decreed as lawful,

imposed upon himself austerities and mortifications,

and hath not been remembered by God, the Revealer of Verses.

146.

Make not your deeds as snares wherewith to entrap the object of your aspiration,

and deprive not yourselves of this Ultimate Objective

for which have ever yearned all such as have drawn nigh unto God.

147.

Say:

The very life of all [ ] deeds is My good pleasure,

and all things depend upon Mine acceptance.

148.

Read ye the Tablets that ye may know what hath been purposed in the Books of God,

the All-Glorious, the Ever-Bounteous.

149.

He who attaineth to My love hath title to a throne of gold,

to sit thereon in honour over all the world;

he who is deprived thereof, though he sit upon the dust,

that dust would seek refuge with God, the Lord of all Religions.

150.

Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God,

ere the expiration of a full thousand years,

such a man is assuredly a lying impostor.

151.

We pray God that He may graciously assist him to retract and repudiate such claim.

152.

Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him.

153.

If, however, he persisteth in his error,

God will, assuredly, send down somebody who will deal mercilessly with him.

154.

Terrible, indeed, is God in punishing!

155.

Whosoever interpreteth this verse otherwise than its obvious meaning is deprived of the Spirit of God and of His mercy which encompasseth all created things.

156.

Fear God, and follow not your idle fancies.

157.

Nay, rather, follow the bidding of your Lord,

the Almighty, the All-Wise.

158.

Erelong shall clamorous voices be raised in most lands.

159.

Shun them, O My people, and follow not the iniquitous and evil-hearted.

160.

This is that of which We gave you forewarning when We were dwelling in 'Irá q,

then later while in the Land of Mystery,

and now from this Resplendent Spot.

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