It behoveth the people of Bahá to die to the world and all that is
therein, to be so detached from all earthly things that the inmates of
Paradise may inhale from their garment the sweet smelling savor of
sanctity, that all the peoples of the earth may recognize in their faces
the brightness of the All-Merciful, and that through them may be spread
abroad the signs and tokens of God, the Almighty, the All-Wise. They that
have tarnished the fair name of the Cause of God, by following the things
of the flesh—these are in palpable error!





XLVII: O JEWS! IF YE BE INTENT ON CRUCIFYING ONCE...


O Jews! If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God,
put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest
unto you. Deal with Me as ye wish, for I have vowed to lay down My life in
the path of God. I will fear no one, though the powers of earth and heaven
be leagued against Me. Followers of the Gospel! If ye cherish the desire
to slay Muḥammad, the Apostle of God, seize Me and put an end to My life,
for I am He, and My Self is His Self. Do unto Me as ye like, for the
deepest longing of Mine heart is to attain the presence of My Best-Beloved
in His Kingdom of Glory. Such is the Divine decree, if ye know it.
Followers of Muḥammad! If it be your wish to riddle with your shafts the
breast of Him Who hath caused His Book the Bayán to be sent down unto you,
lay hands on Me and persecute Me, for I am His Well-Beloved, the
revelation of His own Self, though My name be not His name. I have come in
the shadows of the clouds of glory, and am invested by God with invincible