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352 EPISTLES OF MÂNUSKHAR. as much as is in sight about the reason of altering that decree, concerning which your opinion is written with great judiciousness. 5. But as to the understanding which prompted you to write properly, and not to alter the rites and purifications of the Avesta, and about the duty of purifying the purifiers ', such as has entered into the practice of the good, the propriety is declared in the teaching of the highpriests; and to do it better, so far as is possible, is to strive forwards in goodness.
6. Also, as regards changing the law of the fifteen times washing”, just as it is for Irân in which purifiers are to be found, it is ordered for places to be found without purifiers; and it is in the countries of Irân that the order is given regarding purifiers not thus appointed for the work.
CHAPTER VIII. 1. To arrange again for approval the other matters, of which a portion is written about by you, an epistle 3 is again prepared in advance for Sirkân, Shiraz, and other places, so as thus to make your decree a writing of bygone offence. 2. Because, if your despatch (firist) prepared this new proceeding, and you do not turn away from it, and do not recede through opposition and accumulation of vexation, and these others, too, like thee, shall
' J has and not to alter the purification in the rites of the Avesta.
* See Chaps. III, 2, IX, 2, Ep. I, ii, 6, note. • Ep. III, also mentioned as a 'decision' in Chap. VII, 2.
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