y 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 cl