| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Behold, the "mystery of the Great Reversal in the Sign of the Sovereign" hath now been made manifest. Well is it with him whom God hath aided to recognize the "Six" raised up by virtue of this "Upright Alif"; he, verily, is of those whose faith is true. How many the outwardly pious who have turned away, | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| The secret of the reversion of the sign of the Rais hath appeared, blessed is he who is strengthened by God to declare his confession in Ess-Sit-Tat which was exalted by this Vertical Alef (|). Is he not indeed of the sincere? How many hermits have turned away | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| There has been manifested the Mystery of Overturning for the enigma of the Chief. Blessed is the one whom God aided to acknowledge the six who were raised up by this upright Alif [note 3]. They are, indeed, of the sincere. How many a pious man has turned away (from God) | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| and how many the wayward who have drawn nigh, exclaiming: "All praise be to Thee, O Thou the Desire of the worlds!" | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| and how many negligent have come saying: "Praise be to Thee, O intended of the world." | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| and how many a forsaker has come and said, "To Thee be the praise, O Desire of the Worlds!" | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| In truth, it is in the hand of God to give what He willeth to whomsoever He willeth, and to withhold what He pleaseth from whomsoever He may wish. He knoweth the inner secrets of the hearts and the meaning hidden in a mocker's wink. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998)Verily, the affairs are in the hands of God! He giveth to whom He wisheth that which He pleaseth, and depriveth whom He willeth of that He desireth. He knows the secrets of hearts and that whereby the eyes of the slanderers are directed. |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| The matter is in the hand of God; He gives to whom He wills what He wills and He keeps back from whom He wills what He desires. He knows the secrets of the hearts and that by which the eyes of those who wink are moved. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| How many an embodiment of heedlessness who came unto Us with purity of heart have We established upon the seat of Our acceptance; and how many an exponent of wisdom have We in all justice consigned to the fire. We are, in truth, the One to judge. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| How many heedless have advanced with sincerity, and we have made them to sit upon the throne of acceptance; and how many intelligent have we sent back to the fire as justice on our part. Verily, we are the controllers! | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| How many a careless one who came with sincerity We set down on the throne of welcome! How many an intelligent person We returned to the Fire because of justice on Our part! We are the Rulers. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| He it is Who is the manifestation of "God doeth whatsoever He pleaseth", and abideth upon the throne of "He ordaineth whatsoever He chooseth". | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Verily, He is the manifestation of "God doeth what He pleaseth", and the master upon the throne of "commandeth what He desireth." | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| It is the Place of the Manifestation of "God Does What He Wills", and He who sits on the Throne commands what He desires. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Blessed is the one who discovereth the fragrance of inner meanings from the traces of this Pen through whose movement the breezes of God are wafted over the entire creation, and through whose stillness the very essence of tranquillity appeareth in the realm of being. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Revealer of so inestimable a bounty. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Blessed is he who inhales the perfume of the traces of this pen which it moveth, the breath of God will be diffused over all, and when it reposeth, the existence of tranquillity appears in the realm of creation. Exalted is the Merciful, the manifestation of this great bounty. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Blessed is the one who has found the scent of the meanings in the trace of this Pen! Whenever it moves, the breeze of God diffuses its perfume in everything else and whenever it stops, the existence of tranquillity appears in the (realm of) possibility. Exalted is the Merciful Who is the Revealer of this Great Grace. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Say: Because He bore injustice, justice hath appeared on earth, and because He accepted abasement, the majesty of God hath shone forth amidst mankind. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Say, because of His endurance of oppression, justice hath become manifest in aught else; because of His acceptance of humility, the might of God hath shone forth amidst the worlds. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Say: The enduring of injustice made justice to appear in what is other than God, and the acceptance of abasement caused the Majesty of God to shine among the worlds. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| It hath been forbidden you to carry arms unless essential, and permitted you to attire yourselves in silk. The Lord hath relieved you, as a bounty on His part, of the restrictions that formerly applied to clothing and to the trim of the beard. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the Omniscient. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Ye are forbidden to carry weapons of defense, save in time of necessity. Ye are permitted to wear silk, and that which refers to tresses and beards (as recorded in the Beyan) is hereby abolished by God as a bounty on His part. Verily He is the controller, the omniscient. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| It is unlawful for you to carry arms except in time of necessity. The wearing of silk is made permissible for you. [note 1] God has lifted from you the commandment restricting clothing and beards, as a favour from Him. He is, indeed, the Knower, the Commander. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Let there be naught in your demeanour of which sound and upright minds would disapprove, and make not yourselves the playthings of the ignorant. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Commit not that which is shunned by the righteous minded and make not yourselves a diversion for the ignorant. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Do what the upright minds do not disapprove of and do not make yourselves the plaything (laughing-stock) of the ignorant. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Well is it with him who hath adorned himself with the vesture of seemly conduct and a praiseworthy character. He is assuredly reckoned with those who aid their Lord through distinctive and outstanding deeds. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Blessed is he who adorns himself with the beautiful garment of refined manners and moral character. Verily, he is of those who render victorious their Lord by evident and manifest deeds. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Blessed is the one who is adorned with the garment of good breeding and conduct! He is among those who help the Lord with clear and evident action. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |