A more detailed look at alterations to the writing on the two classes of Prophets published in the Baha'i Sacred Writings.

Chapter 69
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A more detailed look at alterations to the writing on the two classes of Prophets published in the Baha'i Sacred Writings.

Further below is a roughly paragraph by paragraph comparison of the writing on the two classes of Prophets, which has been in use by Baha'is for many decades; and a new translation (shown in italics) in the Baha'i Sacred Writings, published in April 2026. Each section under comparison is separated by a solid line. As a preface, following are two related brief passages from the writings of Baha'u'llah.

Whoso interpreteth what hath been sent down from the heaven of Revelation, and altereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of them that have perverted the Sublime Word of God, and is of the lost ones in the Lucid Book.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 57

Take heed lest ye alter or pervert the text of the Word of God. Walk ye in the fear of God, and be numbered with the righteous.
-- Baha'u'llah, Surih of the Temple, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 18

Paragraph by paragraph comparisons follow:

a)

THE TWO CLASSES OF PROPHETS

Question.--How many kinds of Prophets are there? Answer.--Universally, the Prophets are of two kinds. One are the independent Prophets Who are followed; the other kind are not independent and are themselves followers.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p.165

15.1
Prophets are in general of two kinds. Some are independent Prophets Who are followed, while others are not independent and are themselves followers.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Bahá’í Sacred Writings, the two classes of Prophet (new translation).

b)

The independent Prophets are the lawgivers and the founders of a new cycle. Through Their appearance the world puts on a new garment, the foundations of religion are established, and a new book is revealed. Without an intermediary They receive bounty from the Reality of the Divinity, and Their illumination is an essential illumination. They are like the sun which is luminous in itself: the light is its essential necessity; it does not receive light from any other star. These Dawning-places of the morn of Unity are the sources of bounty and the mirrors of the Essence of Reality.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p.165

15.2
The independent Prophets are each the Author of a divine religion and the Founder of a new Dispensation. At Their advent the world is clothed in a new attire, a new religion is established, and a new Book revealed. These Prophets acquire the outpouring grace of the divine Reality without an intermediary. Their radiance is an essential radiance like that of the sun, which is luminous in and of itself and whose luminosity is an essential requirement rather than being acquired from another star: They are like the sun and not the moon. These Daysprings of the morn of Divine Unity are the fountainheads of divine grace and the mirrors of the Essence of Reality.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Bahá’í Sacred Writings, the two classes of Prophet (new translation).

c)

The other Prophets are followers and promoters, for they are branches and not independent; they receive the bounty of the independent Prophets, and they profit by the light of the Guidance of the universal Prophets. They are like the moon, which is not luminous and radiant in itself, but receives its light from the sun.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p.165

15.3
The other kind of Prophets are followers and promulgators, for their station is contingent rather than independent. ["for they are branches" changed to "for their station is contingent".] They acquire divine grace from the independent Prophets and seek the light of guidance from the reality of universal prophethood. They are like the moon, which is not luminous and radiant in and of itself but which receives its light from the sun.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Bahá’í Sacred Writings, the two classes of Prophet (new translation).

d)

The Manifestations of universal Prophethood Who appeared independently are, for example, Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. But the others who are followers and promoters are like Solomon, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. For the independent Prophets are founders; They establish a new religion and make new creatures of men; They change the general morals, promote new customs and rules, renew the cycle and the Law. Their appearance is like the season of spring, which arrays all earthly beings in a new garment, and gives them a new life.

With regard to the second sort of Prophets who are followers, these also promote the Law of God, make known the Religion of God, and proclaim His word. Of themselves they have no power and might, except what they receive from the independent Prophets.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p.165

15.4
The universal Prophets Who have appeared independently include Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muḥammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh…. ["But the others who are followers and promoters are like Solomon, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel." was removed.] For the independent Prophets are founders; that is, They establish a new religion, recreate the souls, regenerate the morals of society, and promulgate a new way of life and a new standard of conduct. Through Them a new Dispensation appears and a new religion is inaugurated. Their advent is even as the springtime, when all earthly things don a new garment and find a new life. ["With regard to the second sort of Prophets who are followers, these also promote the Law of God, make known the Religion of God, and proclaim His word. Of themselves they have no power and might, except what they receive from the independent Prophets." was removed.]
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Bahá’í Sacred Writings, the two classes of Prophet (new translation).

See also a compilation on the two classes of Prophets.

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