"The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation."

 

O YE THAT PRIDE YOURSELVES ON MORTAL RICHES!

Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable dominion. By the Most Great Name! The splendor of such a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as the sun enlightens the people of the earth!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #53 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/305325189

"The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust ..."

 

© chuck egerton 2025

O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH!

The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #54 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/278984163

"Cleanse thyself from the defilement of riches and in perfect peace advance into the realm of poverty ..."

 

photo by Trina Ridvan

O SON OF PASSION!

Cleanse thyself from the defilement of riches and in perfect peace advance into the realm of poverty; that from the wellspring of detachment thou mayest quaff the wine of immortal life.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #55 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/801572056

" ... fellowship with the righteous cleanseth the rust from off the heart."

photo by margarete P.

O MY SON!

The company of the ungodly increaseth sorrow, whilst fellowship with the righteous cleanseth the rust from off the heart. He that seeketh to commune with God, let him betake himself to the companionship of His loved ones; and he that desireth to hearken unto the word of God, let him give ear to the words of His chosen ones.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #56 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/289429069

" ... Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him ..."

 

© Chuck egerton 2025

O SON OF DUST!

Beware! Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him, for such companionship turneth the radiance of the heart into infernal fire.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #57 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/801831638

" ... enter into fellowship with the righteous ..."

 

O SON OF MY HANDMAID!

 
Wouldst thou seek the grace of the Holy Spirit, enter into fellowship with the righteous, for he hath drunk the cup of eternal life at the hands of the immortal Cupbearer and even as the true morn doth quicken and illumine the hearts of the dead.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #58 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/628305516

"Think not the secrets of hearts are hidden ..."

 

photo by trina ridvan

O HEEDLESS ONES!

Think not the secrets of hearts are hidden, nay, know ye of a certainty that in clear characters they are engraved and are openly manifest in the holy Presence.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #59 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/605312464