"With the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship ..."

photo by Margarete p. 

O DWELLERS OF MY PARADISE!

With the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship, and have watered it with the goodly showers of My tender grace; now that the hour of its fruiting is come, strive that it may be protected, and be not consumed with the flame of desire and passion.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #34 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/478336069

" ... kindle within your hearts the everlasting torch of divine guidance ..."

 

Photo by Margarete P.

O MY FRIENDS! 

Quench ye the lamp of error, and kindle within your hearts the everlasting torch of divine guidance. For ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the holy presence of the Adored, accept naught but purest virtue and deeds of stainless holiness.

(Bahá'u'lláh,The Hidden Words #35 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/839248912

"The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing ..."

 

© chuck egerton 2025

O SON OF DUST!

The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out from the depths of his heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore sow the seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil of the heart, and keep them hidden, till the hyacinths of divine wisdom spring from the heart and not from mire and clay.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #36 Persian)

www.bahai.org/r/447289253

"This is the river of everlasting life that hath flowed from the wellspring of the pen of the merciful; well is it with them that drink!"

 

photo by Trina Ridvan

O MY SERVANT!

Abandon not for that which perisheth an everlasting dominion, and cast not away celestial sovereignty for a worldly desire. This is the river of everlasting life that hath flowed from the wellspring of the pen of the merciful; well is it with them that drink!

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #37 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/998408191

"Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness."

 

photo by Margarete p. 

O SON OF SPIRIT!

Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness. Renounce thyself and, filled with the spirit of mercy, abide in the realm of celestial sanctity.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #38 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/988131543

"Barter not the garden of eternal delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world."

 

photo by Margarete p. 

O OFFSPRING OF DUST!

Be not content with the ease of a passing day, and deprive not thyself of everlasting rest. Barter not the garden of eternal delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world. Up from thy prison ascend unto the glorious meads above, and from thy mortal cage wing thy flight unto the paradise of the Placeless.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #39 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/921804077

"... loose thy soul from the prison of self."

 

photo by Trina Ridvan

O MY SERVANT!

Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, #40 Persian)
www.bahai.org/r/178899283