I. THE ZEND AYESTA.
The Persians, properly speaking, had two Bibles, or Testaments, regarded as inspired and of divine authority,—the Zend Avesta and the Sadder, which may be denominated their Old and New Testaments. With these may be classed other sacred books of Persia, known as the "Desatur" (or Revealed Will of God), the "G. Javidan" (or Eternal Wisdom), and the "Sophi Ibraham" (Wisdom of Ibraham). Hyde, in his Biography of Brittain, eighth chapter, pronounces the G. Javidan older than the writings of Zoroaster, which were penned 600 B.C.
The Zend Avesta presents a detailed account of creation in six kappas, or indefinite periods of time; the temptation and fall of man, and his final restoration; the immortality of the soul, &c.