[ p. 206 ]
Sûdkar Nask.
1. The seventeenth fargard, Yêzî [1], is about where he is who shall commit any of these five sins [2], and, thereby perverted from the religion, has diminished his own life and destiny [3]:—A human being when he contentedly reverences a demon in spiritual lordship (ahûîh) and priestly authority (radîh), one steadfast in religion when he so reverences one unsteadfast in religion, a teacher when he so reverences one who is no teacher and ignorant, one acquainted with the Gâthas when he so reverences one unacquainted with the Gâthas and unintelligent (anashnâs) [4], and a helpful one when he so reverences an unhelpful and unwise one.
2. This, too, where also they are who unlawfully slaughter a sheep, or beast of burden, which diminishes their life and destiny. 3. And so, too, those also who think scornfully of Aûharmazd, O pure and righteous Spîtâmân! and their own religion, the strength of the righteous and thy disciples.
4. Excellence that is perfect is righteousness.