am, pair. Such a word, as far as we are
aware, does not occur again in the Zend-Avesta, and hence it is not
likely that the uncertainty attaching to its meaning will ever be
removed. Other interpreters take it as a verb in the second person
plural, and hence the decided difference of interpretation.

The sixth paragraph of the same passage is explained by the Pehlevi
translator as follows:

'Thus I proclaimed that among all things the greatest is to
worship God. The praise of purity is (due) to him who has a
good knowledge, (to those) who depend on Ormazd. I hear
Spento-mainyu (who is) Ormazd; listen to me, to what I shall
speak (unto you). Whose worship is intercourse with the Good
Mind; one can know (experience) the divine command to do
good through inquiry after what is good. That which is in
the intellect they teach me as the best, viz. the inborn
(heavenly) wisdom, (that is, that the divine wisdom is
superior to the human).'

Professor Spiegel translates:

'Now I will tell you of all things the greatest. It is
praise with purity of Him who is wise from those who exist.
The holiest heavenly being, Ahuramazda, may hear it, He for
whose praise inquiry is made from the holy spirit, may He
teach me the best by his intelligence.'

Dr. Haug in 1862:

'Thus I will tell you of the greatest of all (Sraosha), who
is praising the truth, and doing good, and of all who are
gathered round him (to assist him), by order of the holy
spirit (Ahuramazda). The living Wise may hear me; by means
of His goodness the good mind increases (in the world). He
may lead me with the best of his wisdom.'

Dr. Haug in 1865:

'I will proclaim as the greatest of all things that one
should be good, praising only truth. Ahuramazda will hear
those who are bent on furthering (all that is good). May he
whose goodness is communicated by the Good Mind instruct me
in his best wisdom.'

To those who are interested in the study of Zend, and wish to judge
for themselves of the trustworthiness of these various translations,
we can recommend a most useful work lately published in Germany by Dr.
F. Justi, 'Handbuch der Zendsprache,' containing a complete
dictionary, a grammar, and selections from the Zend-Avesta.

_September, 1865._

VII.

GENESIS AND THE ZEND-AVESTA.[49]

O that scholars could have the benef