Book of God's Word

During the infant age of Zarathustra, God did not manifest through him again; but he sent Ejah, one of his Lords, to be with Zarathustra, day and night. And Ejah taught the infant wisdom in all things, but showed himself to none other.

When Zarathustra was half grown, the Lord began to manifest through him, giving signs, miracles and prophecy before the Listians who lived in the Forest of Goats. This forest was of the width in every direction, except the east, of forty days’ walking journey for a man; and in all that region, there were no houses, the inhabitants living in tents made of bark and skins.

The Lord inspired Zarathustra to teach them to build houses, and tame the goats, and to live in cities, and otherwise subdue the earth through righteousness; the chief center of their habitations being on the river Apherteon and its tributaries. And it was from these inhabitants that sprang in after years the migrants called Fonece’ans, signifying, out of the mountains. Nevertheless, these people were I’huans, but because of the cruelties of the Par’si’ean kings, they fled and lived in the forests.

The Lord said to Zarathustra: Behold the people who fly from the kings! I have made them kings over goats and over the beasts of the fields.

And from this time forward the Listians styled themselves shepherd kings. And Zarathustra taught them about the Lord, and that man should have dominion over the beasts of the forests, but that no man should hold dominion over his neighbor. Consequently, every man of the Listians styled himself a king, and every woman styled herself a queen.

Again the Lord said to Zarathustra: Go, my son, where I will lead you, and you shall find a people sacred to the Great Spirit. So Zarathustra wandered beyond the Forest of Goats, and came to Hara’woetchij, to the south of the mountains of Oe-tahka, where there were three large cities and twelve small ones, inhabited by I’hins.

And the Lord had been with the I’hins, and foretold them Zarathustra was coming, so that it was confirmed to both sides. The Lord said to the high priest: You shall permit Zarathustra to come within the walls of the cities, for he is pure.

So Zarathustra went in; and in the time of worship before the altar of God, the Lord appeared in a great light and commanded the high priest, saying: Behold, I have brought my son to you. Him you shall anoint as a priest according to the I’hin laws; and you shall teach him the rites and ceremonies of the ancients.

Accordingly, Zarathustra was made a priest and was otherwise accepted as an I’hin and bestowed under the rod with water and with fire. And he was also taught the sacred words and the art of writing and making tablets; and of weaving cloth and making clothes from flax.

Seven years Zarathustra remained with the I’hins, fasting and praying, and singing and dancing before the Lord. And then the Lord commanded him to return through the Forest of Goats, which he did, teaching the Listians wherever he stopped for a rest, and the Lord was with him, working miracles.

The Lord said to Zarathustra: Behold, the dawn of light has come! You shall, therefore, leave your mother with your people, and I will lead you to the city of your birth. Zarathustra said: Tell me, O Lord, about the city of my birth?

The Lord said: It is a great city, but it shall fall before your hand; for I’hua’Mazda has turned his favor away from its kings.

In two days’ time, Zarathustra came to Oas, and entered into the city, but he brought no provender with him. Now, it was a law of Oas that all strangers coming into the city should bring provender, as a testimony of fidelity to the laws and to the king. So, when he came to the inner gate, the keeper asked him for provender; but Zarathustra answered him, saying:

Naked I came into the world, and Ormazd did not ask me for provender. Is your king greater than the Creator?

The keeper said: I do not understand your words; shall a servant explain laws? To which Zarathustra said: You are wise; neither shall you suffer for disobedience in letting me pass. The Lord will give you food.

When he had spoken thus, an abundance of fruit fell at the feet of the keeper, and the keeper feared and stood aside, permitting Zarathustra to pass into the city. The keeper not only told the people of the miracle, but ran and likewise told the king. This was Asha, who had reigned since the death of So-qi; and Asha no sooner heard of the miracle than he imagined the person to be the same whom he had seen in infancy.

Asha, the king, sent officers at once to find Zarathustra, and bring him before the court. But the Lord, knowing these things, inspired Zarathustra to go on his own account; and he went accordingly before the king, even before the officers returned.

The king said: Who are you? And for what purpose have you come before the king?

Then spoke I’hua’Mazda through Zarathustra, saying: I am I’hua’Mazda, God of the I’huans. The one through whom I speak, is Zarathustra, whom you saw in his mother’s arms. We two are one. I have come before you, O king, because of two reasons: You have sent for me; and I desire to use you.

The king said: Speak further, stranger, so that I may approve of your words.

In the time of So-qi, said I’hua’Mazda, I made you king of Oas, and from that day to this my ashars have been with you and heard you often praying privately for information about the infant you saw; for it rests heavily on your judgment whether or not man is immortal. Sit with me privately tonight, and I will show you So-qi’s soul.

Asha said: You were to strike the city and it would fall. Behold, it stands! Yet I desire not to stand in my own light. || Then Zarathustra spoke on his own account, saying: Do not fear, O king, regarding this prophecy. As you would bend a straw, so do the Gods wield the nations of the earth. The city will fall before six years pass, and you shall be reduced to beggary, and yet you shall be happier than now.