Justice

'But if he is not the one who did it, he thereby makes himself true; intent upon truth, covering himself with truth, he grasps the heated axe — he is not burnt, and then he is released.'

'They bring a man with his hands bound, dear boy, crying, "He has robbed! He has committed theft! Heat the axe for him!" If he is the one who did it, he makes himself false; intent upon falsehood, covering himself with untruth, he grasps the heated axe — he is burnt, and then he is put to death.'

Still it did not flourish. It created a higher form, dharma (righteousness). This dharma is the Kshatra of the Kshatra; therefore there is nothing higher than dharma. So even a weak man hopes to prevail over a stronger one through dharma, as one does through a king. That dharma is verily truth. Therefore they say of one who speaks the truth that he speaks dharma, and of one who speaks dharma that he speaks the truth; for both these are but the same.

If someone wrongs another, the one who endures it may bless the wrongdoer, wish mercy for him, and harbour no feeling of hatred toward him; but this Formless Lord who is ever-present sees everything and dispenses justice. If a person, even while knowing God, does not feel His presence and does not keep his heart joined to Him, then troubles and sorrows enter his life. That is why in the hearts of God-oriented souls there is always this awareness, a conviction, a faith, that the Formless Giver is watching every action of ours; and so they are saved from wrong deeds.

The corruption of the divines consists in covetousness, that of the princes in injustice, and that of the dervishes in hypocrisy: for the injustice of princes is due to want of knowledge, the covetousness of divines to want of piety, and the hypocrisy of dervishes to want of trust in God.

Let us abandon this path of oppression and tyranny. Becoming true followers of religion, let us adopt the path of love and affection. Let us live our own lives in happiness and also let others live their lives in happiness. If we stray from this path, even we shall not escape the justice of nature.

Likewise also these {filthy} dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. {strange: Gr. other}

For all that {is} in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Love not the world, neither the things {that are} in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any {man} preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or {if} ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with {him}. {with him: or, with me}

Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied {him}? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil {is} good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where {is} the God of judgment?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what {is} good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? {walk...: Heb. humble thyself to walk}

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.