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45
Exile and imprisonment are decreed for the thief,
and, on the third offence, place ye a mark upon his
brow so that, thus identified, he may not be accepted in
the cities of God and His countries. Beware lest,
through compassion, ye neglect to carry out the
statutes of the religion of God; do that which hath been
bidden you by Him Who is compassionate and
merciful. We school you with the rod of wisdom and
laws, like unto the father who educateth his son, and
this for naught but the protection of your own selves
and the elevation of your stations. By My life, were ye
to discover what We have desired for you in revealing
Our holy laws, ye would offer up your very souls for
this sacred, this mighty, and most exalted Faith.
46
Whoso wisheth to make use of vessels of silver and
gold is at liberty to do so. Take heed lest, when
partaking of food, ye plunge your hands into the
contents of bowls and platters. Adopt ye such usages as
are most in keeping with refinement. He, verily,
desireth to see in you the manners of the inmates of
Paradise in His mighty and most sublime Kingdom.
Hold ye fast unto refinement under all conditions, that
your eyes may be preserved from beholding what is
repugnant both to your own selves and to the dwellers
of Paradise. Should anyone depart therefrom, his deed
shall at that moment be rendered vain; yet should he
have good reason, God will excuse him. He, in truth,
is the Gracious, the Most Bountiful.
47
He Who is the Dawning-place of God's Cause
hath no partner in the Most Great Infallibility. He it is
Who, in the kingdom of creation, is the Manifestation
of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth". God hath
reserved this distinction unto His own Self, and
ordained for none a share in so sublime and transcendent
a station. This is the Decree of God, concealed ere
now within the veil of impenetrable mystery. We have
disclosed it in this Revelation, and have thereby rent
asunder the veils of such as have failed to recognize that
which the Book of God set forth and who were
numbered with the heedless.
48
Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction
of his son and daughter in the art of reading and
writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy
Tablet. He that putteth away that which is commanded
unto him, the Trustees are then to take from
him that which is required for their instruction if he be
wealthy and, if not, the matter devolveth upon the
House of Justice. Verily have We made it a shelter for
the poor and needy. He that bringeth up his son or the
son of another, it is as though he hath brought up a son
of Mine; upon him rest My glory, My loving-kindness,
My mercy, that have compassed the world.
Continued...
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