n, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of
Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable.
Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him
Who is the Source of Divine inspiration.

2 They whom God hath endued with insight will readily recognize that the
precepts laid down by God constitute the highest means for the maintenance
of order in the world and the security of its peoples. He that turneth
away from them is accounted among the abject and foolish. We, verily, have
commanded you to refuse the dictates of your evil passions and corrupt
desires, and not to transgress the bounds which the Pen of the Most High
hath fixed, for these are the breath of life unto all created things. The
seas of Divine wisdom and Divine utterance have risen under the breath of
the breeze of the All-Merciful. Hasten to drink your fill, O men of
understanding! They that have violated the Covenant of God by breaking His
commandments, and have turned back on their heels, these have erred
grievously in the sight of God, the All-Possessing, the Most High.

3 O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the
lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy
for My creatures. Thus hath it been sent down from the heaven of the Will
of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation. Were any man to taste the sweetness
of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he
would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce
them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His
commandments, shining above the Dayspring of His bountiful care and
loving-kindness.

4 Say: From My laws the sweet-smelling savour of My garment can be
smelled, and by their aid the standards of Victory will be planted upon
the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My
omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: "Observe My
commandments, for the love of My beauty." Happy is the lover that hath
inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden
with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe. By My life! He
who hath drunk the choice wine of fairness from the hands of My bountiful
favour will circle around My commandments that shine above the Dayspring
of My creation.

5 Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay,
rather, We have