1Ahura Mazda spake unto Spitama Zarathustra, saying:—

2"I have made every land dear to its people, even though it had no charms whatever in it: had I not made every land dear to its people, even though it had no charms whatever in it, then the whole living world would have invaded the Airyana Vaêgô.

3The first of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the Airyana Vaêgô, by the Vanguhi Dâitya.

4Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the serpent in the river and Winter, a work of the Devas.

5There are ten winter months there, two summer months; and those are cold for the waters, cold for the earth, cold for the trees.

6Winters fall there, the worst of all plagues.

7The second of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the plain which the Sughdhas inhabit.

8Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the locust, which brings death unto cattle and plants.

9The third of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the strong, holy Môuru.

10Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created plunder and sin.

11The fourth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the beautiful Bâkhdhi with high-lifted banners.

12Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the ants and the ant-hills.

13The fifth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Nisâya, that lies between Môuru and Bâkhdhi.

14Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the sin of unbelief.

15The sixth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the house-deserting Harôyu.

16Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created tears and wailing.

17The seventh of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Vaêkereta, of the evil shadows.

18Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the Pairika Knâthaiti, who clave unto Keresâspa.

19The eighth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Urva of the rich pastures.

20Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the sin of pride.

21The ninth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Khnenta which the Vehrkânas inhabit.

22Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created a sin for which there is no atonement, the unnatural sin.

23The tenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the beautiful Harahvaiti.

24Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created a sin for which there is no atonement, the burying of the dead.

25The eleventh of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the bright, glorious Haêtumant.

26Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the evil work of witchcraft.

27And this is the sign by which it is known, this is that by which it is seen at once: wheresoever they may go and raise a cry of sorcery, there the worst works of witchcraft go forth.

28From there they come to kill and strike at heart, and they bring locusts as many as they want.

29The twelfth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was Ragha of the three races.

30Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created the sin of utter unbelief.

31The thirteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the strong, holy Kakhra.

32Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created a sin for which there is no atonement, the cooking of corpses.

33The fourteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the four-cornered Varena, for which was born Thraêtaona, who smote Azi Dahâka.

34Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created abnormal issues in women and barbarian oppression.

35The fifteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the Seven Rivers.

36Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created abnormal issues in women and excessive heat.

37The sixteenth of the good lands and countries which I, Ahura Mazda, created, was the land by the sources of the Rangha, where people live who have no chiefs.

38Thereupon came Angra Mainyu, who is all death, and he counter-created Winter, a work of the Devas.

39There are still other lands and countries, beautiful and deep, longing and asking for the good, and bright."