summoneth you unto God, the Ever-Abiding. Better is this for you than all
the treasures of the earth, could ye but comprehend it.

105 Whoso interpreteth what hath been sent down from the heaven of
Revelation, and altereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of them that
have perverted the Sublime Word of God, and is of the lost ones in the
Lucid Book.

106 It hath been enjoined upon you to pare your nails, to bathe yourselves
each week in water that covereth your bodies, and to clean yourselves with
whatsoever ye have formerly employed. Take heed lest through negligence ye
fail to observe that which hath been prescribed unto you by Him Who is the
Incomparable, the Gracious. Immerse yourselves in clean water; it is not
permissible to bathe yourselves in water that hath already been used. See
that ye approach not the public pools of Persian baths; whoso maketh his
way toward such baths will smell their fetid odour ere he entereth
therein. Shun them, O people, and be not of those who ignominiously accept
such vileness. In truth, they are as sinks of foulness and contamination,
if ye be of them that apprehend. Avoid ye likewise the malodorous pools in
the courtyards of Persian homes, and be ye of the pure and sanctified.
Truly, We desire to behold you as manifestations of paradise on earth,
that there may be diffused from you such fragrance as shall rejoice the
hearts of the favoured of God. If the bather, instead of entering the
water, wash himself by pouring it upon his body, it shall be better for
him and shall absolve him of the need for bodily immersion. The Lord,
verily, hath willed, as a bounty from His presence, to make life easier
for you that ye may be of those who are truly thankful.

107 It is forbidden you to wed your fathers’ wives. We shrink, for very
shame, from treating of the subject of boys. Fear ye the Merciful, O