| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| O Pen of the Most High! Move Thou upon the Tablet at the bidding of Thy
Lord, the Creator of the Heavens, and tell of the time when He Who is the Dayspring of Divine
Unity purposed to direct His steps towards the School of Transcendent Oneness; haply the pure
in heart may gain thereby a glimpse, be it as small as a needle's eye, of the mysteries of Thy
Lord, the Almighty, the Omniscient, that lie concealed behind the veils. |
 |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| O supreme pen! Move upon this tablet, with the permission of thy Lord, the
creator of heaven; then mention that the day-spring of unity hath purposed the Maktab (school)
to be that of renunciation (of worldly things). Perchance the true pure and religious learned
men will be acquainted, even though measured by the eye of a needle, with what is existing
behind the veils of the mysteries of thy Lord, the mighty, the omniscient. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
O Pen of the Most High, move over the Tablet by the permission of Thy Lord,
Maker of the Heaven. Then remember thou when the Rising-place of Unity desired the School of
Detachment. Perhaps those who are free will be informed as much as an eye of a needle of what
there is behind the veils of the mysteries of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Knower. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Say: We, indeed, set foot within the School of inner meaning and explanation
when all created things were unaware. We saw the words sent down by Him Who is the All-Merciful, and We accepted the verses of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Say! Verily, we have entered the maktab of ideas and expressions at the
time when all of the realm of creation were heedless, and witnessed that which was revealed by
the Merciful; accepted that was given unto me of the verses of God, the protector, the self-existent; |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
Say: We entered the School of Meanings and Explanation when those in the
(realm of) Possibility were off their guard, and we witnessed what the Merciful had sent down,
and We received what He gave to Me of the verses of God, the Self-Subsistent Overseer.
|
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| which He [The Bab] presented unto Us, and hearkened unto that which He
had solemnly affirmed in the Tablet. This we assuredly did behold. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| and heard that whereunto He testifieth in this tablet. Verily, we have been
the witnesses - |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
We heard what He bore witness to in the Tablet; We are witnesses. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| And We assented to His wish through Our behest, for truly We are potent to
command. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| we have answered him by a command on our part - verily, we have been the
commanders. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
We answered Him with a command on our part; We are commanders. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| O people of the Bayan! We, verily, set foot within the School of God when ye
lay slumbering; |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| O people of Beyan! Verily, we have entered the maktab of God while ye were
reposing, |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
O multitude of al-Bayan, We entered the school of God while you were
reclining, |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| and We perused the Tablet while ye were fast asleep. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| and witnessed the tablet while ye were asleep. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
and We carefully observed the Tablet while you were asleep. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| By the one true God! We read the Tablet ere it was revealed, while ye were
unaware, |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| By God, the truth, we have read it, before its descension while ye were
heedless. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
By God, the True One, We read it before its descent, but you were careless.
|
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| and We had perfect knowledge of the Book when ye were yet unborn. These
words are to your measure, not to God's. To this testifieth that which is enshrined within His
knowledge, if ye be of them that comprehend; |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| We have thoroughly comprehended the book while ye were yet unborn (in
the loins); and what I have expounded unto you is in proportion to your limited knowledge of
God, were ye to know! To this will bear witness that which is in the knowledge of God, |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
We had a thorough knowledge of the Book, while you were in the loins (of your
fathers). This is a reminder according to your measure, not according to that of God; that
which is in the knowledge of God bears witness to this fact, if you only knew, |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| and to this the tongue of the Almighty doth bear witness, if ye be of those
who understand. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| were ye to know! To this will bear witness the tongue of God, were ye to
comprehend! |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
and the tongue of God bears witness to that, if you were only learned. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| I swear by God, were We to lift the veil, ye would be dumbfounded. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| By God, had we to remove the veil, ye would be smitten. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
By God, if We were to lift away the veil, you would faint! |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Take heed that ye dispute not idly concerning the Almighty and His Cause,
for lo! He hath appeared amongst you invested with a Revelation so great as to encompass all
things, whether of the past or of the future. |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Beware not to contend with God and His commands - Verily it hath appeared
in such wise that hath encompassed all that was and is. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
Take care not to argue with God and (dispute) His Cause. [note 1] He was
manifested in such a way that He knows thoroughly all that was and will be. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Were We to address Our theme by speaking in the language of the inmates of
the Kingdom, We would say: "In truth, God created that School ere He created heaven and earth,
and We entered it before the letters B and E were joined and knit together." |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Should we speak of this station by the tongue of the people of the kingdom,
we would say, "God hath created that maktab before the creation of heaven and earth, and we have
entered it before the Kaf was attached to the Noon." |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
If We were to speak in this Station with the tongue of the people of the Kingdom,
We would say: "God created this School before He created the heavens and the earth. And We
entered into it before al-kaf joined its support al-nun." [note 2] |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) |
Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Such is the language of Our servants in Our Kingdom; consider what the
tongue of the dwellers of Our exalted Dominion would utter, for We have taught them Our
knowledge and have revealed to them whatever had lain hidden in God's wisdom. Imagine then
what the Tongue of Might and Grandeur would utter in His All-Glorious Abode! |
|
| Haddad translation (1900-01) |
Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| This is that which was uttered by the tongue of my servants, in my
kingdom. Ponder on that which was uttered by the tongue of the people of My might, on the
signs which were given to them on My part; on that which was hidden in the knowledge of God;
and on that which was uttered by the tongue of greatness and might and of His extolled
station. |
|
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) |
Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
|
This is the tongue of My creatures in My Kingdom (malakuti). Think on
what the tongue of the people of My Dominion (jabaruti) [note 3] might utter of what
We taught them as knowledge from Us, and of what is hidden in the knowledge of God and what the
tongue of Greatness and Power utters in its Praiseworthy Station. |
| Notes to Translations (1998) |
Correspondence on Literal
trans. (1998) |