The Hidden Words — §153

Arabic source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 153 of 160.

Source (Arabic)

(٧٦) ﴿ ای فرزند کنيز من ﴾ لا زال هدايت باقوال بوده و اين زمان بافعال گشته * يعنی بايد جميع افعال قدسی از هيکل انسانی ظاهر شود چه که در اقوال کلّ شريکند و لکن افعال پاک و مقدّس مخصوص دوستان ماست * پس بجان سعی نمائيد تا بافعال از جميع ناس ممتاز شويد * کذلک نصحناکم فی لوح قدس منير *

Shoghi Effendi Translation

(76) O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds. In this wise We counsel you in this holy and resplendent tablet.

Translation Notes

ای

ʾ-y-y → “O”

literal: O; vocative particle; oh (vocative particle)

فرزند

f-r-z → “children”

literal: to kindle, to light, to inflame

کنيز

k-n-z → “HANDMAID”

literal: treasure; treasure-trove; hidden store; treasury

من

m-n → “MY” Distinctive

literal: from; out of; than (preposition and particle)

لا

literal: no; not; negation particle

زال

z-w-l → “hath ever” Distinctive

literal: to pass away; to vanish; to disappear; to cease

هدايت

h-d-y → “Guidance”

literal: guidance; to guide; direction; leading rightly; this; this one

باقوال

q-w-l → “by words”

literal: rising; standing; uprising; resurrection

بوده

b-w-d → “been given” Distinctive

literal: to do; to make; to perform; to be; was

اين

ʾ-y-n → “this Chapter”

literal: this; these

زمان

z-m-n → “it” Distinctive

literal: time; age; era; period

بافعال

f-ʿ-l → “by deeds”

literal: to do, act, make; deed, action

گشته

g-sh-t → “have been” Distinctive

literal: become; became; to become

يعنی

literal: that is; meaning; i.e.

بايد

b-y-d → “must”

literal: by hand; with hands; eternal; perpetual; everlasting

جميع

j-m-ʿ → “all”

literal: to gather; to assemble; group; number

قدسی

q-d-s → “pure and holy”

literal: holy, sacred, sanctified

از

ʾ-z → “by” Distinctive

literal: from

هيکل

literal: temple; structure; form; body

انسانی

literal: human; mankind; of humanity

ظاهر

ẓ-h-r → “show forth” Distinctive

literal: manifestation; appearance; to appear; to manifest

چه

ch-h → “for”

literal: what; what/for; whatsoever, that which

که

k-h

literal: that; who; who, that

در

d-r-r → “OF” Distinctive

literal: in; in, at; radiant

کلّ

k-l-l → “Every one”

literal: for us; to us

شريکند

sh-r-k → “infidels” Distinctive

literal: partner; associate; sharer; companion

لکن

l-k-n → “however”

literal: but; however; yet; nevertheless

پاک

literal: pure; clean; sanctified; holy

مخصوص

kh-ṣ-ṣ → “singled out” Distinctive

literal: specific matter; particularity; especially; in this matter

دوستان

d-w-s-t → “loved ones”

literal: friend; beloved

پس

p-s → “From”

literal: then; then, therefore; therefore

بجان

j-ʾ-n → “heart and soul”

literal: soul; life; spirit; self

سعی

s-ʿ-y → “to strive”

literal: endeavor; effort; striving; exertion; endeavour

نمائيد

literal: to show, to display, to manifest, to exhibit

تا

literal: so that/until

ناس

literal: companionship; fellowship; familiarity; to keep company

ممتاز

m-y-z → “distinguish”

literal: distinguished; excellent; outstanding

شويد

sh-w-d → “be” Distinctive

literal: to come; to go; to arrive; came

کذلک

dh-l-k → “In this wise” Distinctive

literal: thus; likewise; also

نصحناکم

n-ṣ-ḥ → “We counsel you”

literal: counsel; advice; admonition

فی

f-y → “in”

literal: in; in-it; in it

لوح

l-w-ḥ → “tablet”

literal: tablet; panel; divine decree; revelation

منير

n-w-r → “resplendent”

literal: light; illumination

Model Translations by Shoghi Effendi

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