into the distance and the
near is veiled.
Thus do you receive knowledge of the future.
Traverse the present without sinking in the slough
of the swamps.
Action before aught else!
Verily, verily, a bird in its flight is sometimes more
useful than a benumbed man.
299. I perceive the enemies will be destroyed by
miraculous fire.
The time for action is but begun.
Comprehend devotion, faith, and courage.
I will safeguard you with a helmet of faith,
an armor of devotion, and a shield of victory.
And on the banner will be inscribed:
Love, the Conqueror.
300. The mind grows, every day.
Goodness wings its way to happiness.
But between you and Us the bridge is spirit.
By spirit one can raise mountains.
But this bridge can be destroyed within a moment.
And the remaining abyss not all the rocks
of the created mountains could refill.
Therefore, guard the flower of Adamant.
It blooms not in ice.
But if the Creator has granted you the power
of this bridge to Us, proceed, and guard the flame.
Say to the passers-by,
'We know whither we are bound.'
301. My mouth shall be speechless,
And I shall be unable to comprehend the Shield of
Mercy, if love fly from me.
I shall be earthbound at morning if my wings weaken
during the night.
What then shall I outspread to hail the morning sun?
My smile, where art thou?
And what mark brands my forehead?
What is the luminous word with which to greet the
light?
What is worthy? I shout, I affirm—Love.
I said it!
302. Value not the word that explains.
Take rather the affirmation of the First Teacher.
I said it!
303. The Word of the Teacher unlocks the bolt.
Lay your heart upon the threshold of the morning ray
and I will shield you,
Open your eyes, face the tide, and I will protect you.
I rejoice in guarding the treasure.
304. The time of completing the Temple is close
at hand.
Address yourselves reverently to the Temple.
And when with you I shall go round the structure,
We shall direct a prayer to the Creator of the Universe.
And We shall award tribute according to labor and
to merit.
Understand that God's divine service cannot be bought.
Faith was suffocated by gold.
A shield of gold is not trustworthy.
I am summoning the wise ones.
New and useful ones will gather.
And the tree of unity will flourish.
305. They will ask you, 'Where are your proofs?
Many there be of false prophets.'
Answer, 'We judge them only by their deeds,
And measure only by results.'
A false prophet leads to a lie,
And a lie is consummated in evil.
And then you will perceive the trail of the dragon.
Therefore, consider only deeds.
The Teacher knows our path, and to His Mercy
we leave the hindering voices.
Judge by deeds!
I said it!
306. The harvest must be gathered with a scythe.
The wheat-spikes must be brought into the granary by
hand.
Pure grain must be winnowed by the breath,
And the chaff discarded.
Thus do We choose the banners of the future.
I said it!
307. Naught is destroyed without reason.
Each is destined to receive his call.
But the trumpets of angels are inaudible
to the ears of those who sleep.
More impregnable than the Walls of Jericho
are the structures of pettiness.
Are your ears free from dust?
I said it!
308. What shall be done about those who threaten you?
What shall be done about those who remain unmoved?
What shall be done about those who prattle,
thinking they know tomorrow?
And many there be now—the knowing ones.
But I will tell them, 'Open your ears.'
I will tell them, 'Cleanse your hands before you
begin to write .
Clear your voice before you think of proclaiming.'
I say it. I say it.
I have told them.
I Myself attest.
I Myself will put an end to it,
when I deem the time ripe.