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The third Glad-Tidings concerneth the study of divers languages. This

decree hath formerly streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High: It

behoveth the sovereigns of the world—may God assist them—or the ministers

of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing

languages or a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the

world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be

regarded as one country. Well is it with him who hearkeneth unto His Call

and observeth that whereunto he is bidden by God, the Lord of the Mighty

Throne.

The fourth Glad-Tidings

Should any of the kings—may God aid them—arise to protect and help this

oppressed people, all must vie with one another in loving and in serving

him. This matter is incumbent upon everyone. Well is it with them that act

accordingly.

The fifth Glad-Tidings

In every country where any of this people reside, they must behave towards

the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness.

This is that which hath been revealed at the behest of Him Who is the

Ordainer, the Ancient of Days.

It is binding and incumbent upon the peoples of the world, one and all, to

extend aid unto this momentous Cause which is come from the heaven of the

Will of the ever-abiding God, that perchance the fire of animosity which

blazeth in the hearts of some of the peoples of the earth may, through the

living waters of divine wisdom and by virtue of heavenly counsels and

exhortations, be quenched, and the light of unity and concord may shine

forth and shed its radiance upon the world.

We cherish the hope that through the earnest endeavours of such as are the

exponents of the power of God—exalted be His glory—the weapons of war

throughout the world may be converted into instruments of reconstruction

and that strife and conflict may be removed from the midst of men.

The sixth Glad-Tidings is the establishment of the Lesser Peace, details

of which have formerly been revealed from Our Most Exalted Pen. Great is

the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been

ordained by God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

The seventh Glad-Tidings

The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its dressing are left

to the discretion of men. But beware, O people, lest ye make yourselves

the playthings of the ignorant.

The eighth Glad-Tidings

The pious deeds of the monks and priests among the followers of the

Spirit(4)—upon Him be the peace of God—are remembered in His presence. In

this Day, however, let them give up the life of seclusion and direct their

steps towards the open world and busy themselves with that which will

profit themselves and others. We have granted them leave to enter into

wedlock that they may bring forth one who will make mention of God, the

Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of the Exalted Throne.

The ninth Glad-Tidings

When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save

God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and

transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never

been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such

confession before people results in one’s humiliation and abasement, and

God—exalted be His glory—wisheth not the humiliation of His servants.

Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between

himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness

from the Heaven of generosity and say:

O God, my God! I implore Thee by the blood of Thy true lovers who were so

enraptured by Thy sweet utterance that they hastened unto the Pinnacle of

Glory, the site of the most glorious martyrdom, and I beseech Thee by the

mysteries which lie enshrined in Thy knowledge and by the pearls that are

treasured in the ocean of Thy bounty to grant forgiveness unto me and unto

my father and my mother. Of those who show forth mercy, Thou art in truth

the Most Merciful. No God is there but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the

All-Bountiful.

O Lord! Thou seest this essence of sinfulness turning unto the ocean of

Thy favour and this feeble one seeking the kingdom of Thy divine power and

this poor creature inclining himself towards the day-star of Thy wealth.

By Thy mercy and Thy grace, disappoint him not, O Lord, nor debar him from

the revelations of Thy bounty in Thy days, nor cast him away from Thy door

which Thou hast opened wide to all that dwell in Thy heaven and on Thine

earth.

Alas! Alas! My sins have prevented me from approaching the Court of Thy

holiness and my trespasses have caused me to stray far from the Tabernacle

of Thy majesty. I have committed that which Thou didst forbid me to do and

have put away what Thou didst order me to observe.

I pray Thee by Him Who is the sovereign Lord of Names to write down for me

with the Pen of Thy bounty that which will enable me to draw nigh unto

Thee and will purge me from my trespasses which have intervened between me

and Thy forgiveness and Thy pardon.

Verily, Thou art the Potent, the Bountiful. No God is there but Thee, the

Mighty, the Gracious.