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204
BAHMAN YAST.
men1; and the crop will not yield the seed, so that of the crop of the corn-fields in ten cases seven will diminish and three will increase, and that which increases does not become ripe3; and vegetation, trees, and shrubs will diminish; when one shall take a hundred, ninety will diminish and ten will increase, and that which increases gives no pleasure and flavour. 32. And men are born smaller, and their skill and strength are less; they become more deceitful and more given to vile practices; they have no gratitude and respect for bread and salt, and they have no affection for their country (dêsak).
33. 'And in that most evil time a boundary has most disrespect where it is the property of a suffering man of religion; gifts are few among their deeds, and duties and good works proceed but little from their hands; and sectarians of all kinds are seeking mischief for them". 34. And all the world will be burying and clothing the dead, and burying the dead and washing the dead will be by law; the burning, bringing to water and fire, and eating of dead matter they practise by law and do not abstain from. 35. They recount largely about duties and good works, and pursue wickedness and the road to hell; and through the iniquity, cajolery, and craving of wrath and avarice they rush to hell.
36. 'And in that perplexing time, O Zaratust the
1 Or, 'tax-collectors;' Pahl. tangtar va râs-vânagtar.
2 In K20 'va 3' is corrupted into the very similar va vâi, ' and a portion.'
3 Literally, 'white.'
Reading anâzarm instead of hanâ âzarm.
That is, for the Iranians in general, who are the 'they' in §§ 32-35.
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