The First Duty.

The first and foremost duty prescribed unto men, next to the recognition of Him who is the Eternal Truth, is the duty of steadfastness in His cause.  Cleave thou unto it, and be of them whose minds are firmly fixed and grounded in God.  No act, however meritorious, did or can ever compare unto it.  It is the king of all acts, and to this thy Lord, the All-Highest, the Most Powerful, will testify.......
The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books.  Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His will hath provided, patience,nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him.  These rank, according to the estimate of God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts.  All other acts are, and will ever remain, secondary and subordinate unto them......
The spirit that animateth the human heart is the knowledge of God and its truest adorning is the recognition of the truth that "He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth that which He pleaseth."  It's raiment is the fear of God, and its perfection steadfastness in His faith.  Thus God instructeth whosoever seeketh Him,  He verily, loveth the one that turneth towards Him.  There is none othe God but Him, the Forgiving, the Most Bountiful.
All praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.

From the writings of Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), founder of the Baha'i Faith.