mortal life. We, verily, have chosen courtesy, and made it the true mark
of such as are nigh unto Him. Courtesy, is, in truth, a raiment which
fitteth all men, whether young or old. Well is it with him that adorneth
his temple therewith, and woe unto him who is deprived of this great
bounty. Hadst thou been sincere in thy words, thou wouldst have not cast
behind thy back the Book of God, when it was sent unto thee by Him Who is
the Almighty, the All-Wise. We have proved thee through it, and found thee
other than that which thou didst profess. Arise, and make amends for that
which escaped thee. Ere long the world and all that thou possessest will
perish, and the kingdom will remain unto God, thy Lord and the Lord of thy
fathers of old. It behoveth thee not to conduct thine affairs according to
the dictates of thy desires. Fear the sighs of this Wronged One, and
shield Him from the darts of such as act unjustly.

For what thou hast done, thy kingdom shall be thrown into confusion, and
thine empire shall pass from thine hands, as a punishment for that which
thou hast wrought. Then wilt thou know how thou hast plainly erred.
Commotions shall seize all the people in that land, unless thou arisest to
help this Cause, and followest Him Who is the Spirit of God (Jesus Christ)
in this, the Straight Path. Hath thy pomp made thee proud? By My Life! It
shall not endure; nay, it shall soon pass away, unless thou holdest fast
by this firm Cord. We see abasement hastening after thee, whilst thou art
of the heedless. It behoveth thee when thou hearest His Voice calling from
the seat of glory to cast away all that thou possessest, and cry out:
‘Here am I, O Lord of all that is in heaven and all that is on earth!’

O King! We were in ‘Iráq, when the hour of parting arrived. At the bidding
of the King of Islám (Sulṭán of Turkey) We set Our steps in his direction.
Upon Our arrival, there befell Us at the hands of the malicious that which
the books of the world can never adequately recount. Thereupon the inmates