Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) Authorized Arabic text (1995)

The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. انّ اوّل ما كتب اللهٰ على العباد عرفان مشرق وحيه و مطلع امره الّذي كان مقام نفسه في عالم الامر و الخلق من فاز به قد فاز بكلّ الخير و الّذي منع انّه من اهل الضّلال و لو يأتي بكلّ الاعمال

Haddad translation (1900-01) Provisional Arabic transliteration (1999)

Verily the first thing which God hath ordained unto the servants is the knowledge of the dawning place of His command, which was the station of Himself, in the world of command and creation (that is, the knowledge of Baha, who is the manifestation of God in the world). Whosoever attaineth there unto hath attained unto all good; and he who is deprived thereof is indeed of the people of error - even though he bringeth all good actions. inna awwala mA kataba allAhu `alA al-`ibAdi `irfAnu mashriqi waHIhi wa maTla`i amrihi al-ladhI kAna maqAma nafsihi fI `Alami al-amri wa al-khalqi man fAza bi-hi qad fAza bi-kulli al-khairi wa al-ladhI muni`a innahu min ahli al-DalAli wa lau ya'tI bi-kulli al-a`mAli.

Provisional Literal translation (1999) Earl E. Elder translation (1961)