among His servants will regard the precepts set forth by God as the Water
of Life to the followers of every faith, and the Lamp of wisdom and loving
providence to all the denizens of earth and heaven.
30 The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be
established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha, and
should it exceed this number it doth not matter. They should consider
themselves as entering the Court of the presence of God, the Exalted, the
Most High, and as beholding Him Who is the Unseen. It behoveth them to be
the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the
guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent
upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of
the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own
interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord
your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly
revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive.
31 O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands
in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions. Make them as perfect
as is possible in the world of being, and adorn them with that which
befitteth them, not with images and effigies. Then, with radiance and joy,
celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily,
by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.
32 The Lord hath ordained that those of you who are able shall make
pilgrimage to the sacred House, and from this He hath exempted women as a
mercy on His part. He, of a truth, is the All-Bountiful, the Most
Generous.
33 O people of Baha! It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in
some occupation--such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your
engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God.
Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord, and yield Him
thanks at eventide and dawn. Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth,
but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others. Thus hath it
been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon hath shone the day-star of
wisdom and utterance. The most despised of men in the sight of God are
they who sit and beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of means and place your
trust in God, the Provider of all means.
34 The kissing of hands hath been forbidden in the Book.
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