These heretical priests give the cattle to violence,[1] they mislead mankind by their evil teachings and bring destruction to them and their cattle, but the prophet knows that they will face ruin,[2] and in the end their own corrupt consciences will condemn them to eternal damnation.[3] Through the drunken orgies they and the wicked lords of the land who follow them cause misery to all around them, and Zarathushtra implores Ahura Mazda to put down their evil.[4] The bitterest foe of Zarathushtra who opposes him and thwarts his work is Bendva, who does not himself embrace righteousness and incites others to follow his lead. Zarathushtra invokes Mazda to overthrow this chieftain from power.[5] Grehma is another powerful Kavi who always intrigues for Zarathushtra's undoing.[6] Mazda denounces him and his evil associates, for their teachings lead to the destruction of the life of cattle and they lead others to wickedness.[7] This wicked leader will bewail his evil fate and repent that he did not accept Zarathushtra's message, when at the end of his wicked life his soul will be consigned to the worst abode of woe.[8] Usij is yet another class of the false priests who work violence to cattle and husbandry.[9]
These evil teachers, complains Zarathushtra, misinterpret the doctrines that he preaches and deceive people.[10] They are devoid of goodness of mind and heart and are the beloved of the Daevas.[11] They defraud mankind of the happiness of both the worlds.[12] Like the Daevas whom they follow, they are known throughout the seven regions of the earth as the offspring of Evil Thought, Lie, and Arrogance.[13] They persecute the righteous and desolate their pastures.[14] Those who strengthen the hands of such false leaders given over to wickedness incur Ahura's displeasure.[15] Zarathushtra exhorts all not to listen to the words and commands of the liars who bring misery and destruction to the house and clan, district and country, but to resist them with all their might.[16] These persons who do not embrace Righteousness and Good Thought are Zarathushtra's enemies. They are
