هم‌چو پروانه ز دور آن نار را ** نور دید و بست آن سو بار را
Like the moth, he (such a one) deems the fire (seen) from a distance to be light, and packs off (sets out) towards it.
چون بیامد سوخت پرش را گریخت ** باز چون طفلان فتاد و ملح ریخت
As soon as he comes (to the fire), it burns his wings, and he flees; and (then) again he falls, like (greedy) children (in a hurry), and spills the salt.
بار دیگر بر گمان طمع سود ** خویش زد بر آتش آن شمع زود
Once more, thinking and hoping to profit, he quickly dashes himself on the fire of that candle.
بار دیگر سوخت هم واپس بجست ** باز کردش حرص دل ناسی و مست
Once more he is scorched and recoils; (then) again the greed of his heart makes him forgetful and intoxicated.
آن زمان کز سوختن وا می‌جهد ** هم‌چو هندو شمع را ده می‌دهد 350
At the moment when he recoils on being scorched, he gives the ten (fingers), like the Hindú (slave), to the candle,
که ای رخت تابان چون ماه شب‌فروز ** وی به صحبت کاذب و مغرورسوز
Saying, “Oh, thy face is splendid as the night-illuming moon, but oh, in (actual) intercourse thou art false and destructive to him that is duped (by thee).”
باز از یادش رود توبه و انین ** کاوهن الرحمن کید الکاذبین
(Then) again his repentance and moaning go out of his memory, for God hath made the stratagems of the liars to be feeble.
در عموم تاویل این آیت کی کلما اوقدوا نارا للحرب
Concerning the interpretation, in a general sense, of the Verse: “as often as they kindle a fire for war.”
کلما هم اوقدوا نار الوغی ** اطفاء الله نارهم حتی انطفا
As often as they kindle the fire of (spiritual) warfare, God quenches their fire so that it is put out (entirely).
عزم کرده که دلا آنجا مه‌ایست ** گشته ناسی زانک اهل عزم نیست
He (such an one) makes a resolution, saying, “O (my) heart, do not stay there!” (but soon) he becomes forgetful, for he is not (really) resolute.
چون نبودش تخم صدقی کاشته ** حق برو نسیان آن بگماشته 355
Since there was no seed of sincerity sown by him, God has caused him to forget that (resolution).
گرچه بر آتش‌زنه‌ی دل می‌زند ** آن ستاره‌ش را کف حق می‌کشد
Though he strikes the match of his heart, the Hand of God is always extinguishing the star (spark).
قصه‌ای هم در تقریر این
A Story in further exposition of this.
شرفه‌ای بشنید در شب معتمد ** برگرفت آتش‌زنه که آتش زند
A man of trust heard a sound of footsteps (in his house) during the night: he took up the fire-lighter to strike a flame.
دزد آمد آن زمان پیشش نشست ** چون گرفت آن سوخته می‌کرد پست
At that (same) moment the thief came and sat down beside him, and whenever the tinder caught (fire) he put it out,
می‌نهاد آنجا سر انگشت را ** تا شود استاره‌ی آتش فنا
Laying the tip of his finger on the place, in order that the fiery star (spark) might vanish.
خواجه می‌پنداشت کز خود می‌مرد ** این نمی‌دید او که دزدش می‌کشد 360
The Khwája thought it was dying of itself: he didn't see that the thief was extinguishing it.
خواجه گفت این سوخته نمناک بود ** می‌مرد استاره از تریش زود
The Khwája said, “This tinder was moist: on account of its wetness the star (spark) is dying at once.”
بس که ظلمت بود و تاریکی ز پیش ** می‌ندید آتش‌کشی را پیش خویش
As there was great mirk and darkness in front (of him), he didn't see a fire-extinguisher beside him.
این چنین آتش‌کشی اندر دلش ** دیده‌ی کافر نبیند از عمش
(So) the infidel's eye, because of (its) dimness, does not see a similar fire-extinguisher in his heart.
چون نمی‌داند دل داننده‌ای ** هست با گردنده گرداننده‌ای
How is the heart of any knowing person ignorant (that) with the moving (object) there is (necessarily) a mover?
چون نمی‌گویی که روز و شب به خود ** بی‌خداوندی کی آید کی رود 365
Why don't you say (to yourself), “How should day and night come and go of themselves without a Lord?”
گرد معقولات می‌گردی ببین ** این چنین بی‌عقلی خود ای مهین
You are conversant with intelligibles; (but) see what a lack of intelligence is shown by you (in this matter), O despicable man!
خانه با بنا بود معقول‌تر ** یا که بی‌بنا بگو ای کم‌هنر
Is a house more intelligible with a builder or without a builder? Answer, O man of little knowledge!
خط با کاتب بود معقول‌تر ** یا که بی‌کاتب بیندیش ای پسر
Is writing more intelligible with a writer or without a writer? Think, O son!
جیم گوش و عین چشم و میم فم ** چون بود بی‌کاتبی ای متهم
How should the jím of the ear and the ‘ayn of the eye and the mím of the mouth be (formed) without a Writer, O suspect?
شمع روشن بی‌ز گیراننده‌ای ** یا بگیراننده‌ی داننده‌ای 370
Is the bright (lighted) candle without one who lights it or with a skilful lighter?