Part I--From the Arabic

Upon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruits,
wherefore hast thou turned away and contented thyself with that which is less
good? Return then unto that which is better for thee in the realm on high.

Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that
for which thou wast created.

To the eternal I call thee, yet thou dost seek that which perisheth. What hath
made thee turn away from Our desire and seek thine own?

Transgress not thy limits, nor claim that which beseemeth thee not. Prostrate
thyself before the countenance of thy God, the Lord of might and power.

Vaunt not thyself over the poor, for I lead him on his way and behold thee in
thy evil plight and confound thee for evermore.

How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of
others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.

Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst
thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness.

Know thou of a truth: He that biddeth men be just and himself committeth
iniquity is not of Me, even though he bear My name.

Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee,
and say not that which thou doest not. This is My command unto thee, do
thou observe it.

Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face is My
face; be then abashed before Me.

Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for
death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give
account for thy deeds.

I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I
made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?

With the joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore.

The spirit of holiness beareth unto thee the joyful tidings of reunion; wherefore
dost thou grieve? The spirit of power confirmeth thee in His cause; why dost
thou veil thyself? The light of His countenance doth lead thee; how canst thou
go astray?

Sorrow not save that thou art far from Us. Rejoice not save that thou art
drawing near and returning unto Us.

Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me
and to mirror forth My beauty.

Divest not thyself of My beauteous robe, and forfeit not thy portion from My
wondrous fountain, lest thou shouldst thirst for evermore.

Walk in My statutes for love of Me and deny thyself that which thou desirest if
thou seekest My pleasure.

Neglect not My commandments if thou lovest My beauty, and forget not My
counsels if thou wouldst attain My good pleasure.

Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse
of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command
and humbleness before Our Face.