The third Gatha, Yasna 30, may be chosen by way of illustration.  This is a sort of Mazdian Sermon on the Mount.  Zoroaster preaches the doctrine of dualism, the warfare of good and evil in the world, and exhorts the faithful to choose aright and to combat Satan.  The archangels Good Thought (Vohu Manah), Righteousness (Asha), Kingdom (Khshathra), appear as the helpers of Man (Maretan); for whose soul, as in the old English morality play, the Demons (Daevas) are contending.  Allusions to the resurrection and final judgment, and to the new dispensation, are easily recognized in the spirited words of the prophet.  A prose rendering of this metrical psalm is here attempted; the verse order, however, is preserved, though without rhythm.

A PSALM OF ZOROASTER:  YASNA 30

Now shall I speak of things which ye who seek them shall bear in mind, Namely, the praises of Ahura Mazda and the worship of Good Thought, And the joy of [lit. through] Righteousness which is manifested through Light.

     2

     Hearken with your ears to what is best; with clear
     understanding perceive it.

     Awakening to our advising every man, personally, of the
     distinction Between the two creeds, before the Great Event
     [i.e., the Resurrection].

     3

     Now, Two Spirits primeval there were twins which became known
     through their activity,

     To wit, the Good and the Evil, in thought, word, and deed. 
     The wise have rightly distinguished between these two; not so
     the unwise.

     4

And, now, when these Two Spirits first came together, they established Life and destruction, and ordained how the world hereafter shall be, To wit, the Worst World [Hell] for the wicked, but the Best Thought [Heaven] for the righteous.

     5

The Wicked One [Ahriman] of these Two Spirits chose to do evil, The Holiest Spirit [Ormazd]—­who wears the solid heavens as a robe—­chose Righteousness [Asha], And [so also those] who zealously gratified Ormazd by virtuous deeds.

     6

Not rightly did the Demons distinguish these Two Spirits; for Delusion came Upon them, as they were deliberating, so that they chose the Worst Thought [Hell].  And away they rushed to Wrath [the Fiend] in order to corrupt the life of Man [Maretan].

     7

And to him [i.e., to Gaya Maretan] came Khshathra [Kingdom], Vohu Manah [Good Thought] and Asha [Righteousness], And Armaiti [Archangel of Earth] gave [to him] bodily endurance unceasingly; Of these, Thy [creatures], when Thou earnest with Thy creations, he [i.e., Gaya Maretan] was the first.

     8

But when the retribution of the sinful shall come to pass, Then shall Good Thought distribute Thy Kingdom, Shall fulfill it for those who shall deliver Satan [Druj] into the hand of Righteousness [Asha].

     9