ز انکه عشق مردگان پاینده نیست ** ز انکه مرده سوی ما آینده نیست‌‌

Because love of the dead is not enduring, because the dead one is never coming (back) to us;

عشق زنده در روان و در بصر ** هر دمی باشد ز غنچه تازه‌‌تر

(But) love of the living is every moment fresher than a bud in the spirit and in the sight.

عشق آن زنده گزین کاو باقی است ** کز شراب جان فزایت ساقی است‌‌

Choose the love of that Living One who is everlasting, who gives thee to drink of the wine that increases life.

عشق آن بگزین که جمله انبیا ** یافتند از عشق او کار و کیا 220

Choose the love of Him from whose love all the prophets gained power and glory.

تو مگو ما را بدان شه بار نیست ** با کریمان کارها دشوار نیست‌‌

Do not say, “We have no admission to that King.” Dealings with the generous are not difficult.

بیان آن که کشتن و زهر دادن مرد زرگر به اشارت الهی بود نه به هوای نفس و تامل فاسد

Setting forth how the slaying and poisoning of the goldsmith was (prompted) by Divine suggestion, not by sensual desire and wicked meditation.

کشتن آن مرد بر دست حکیم ** نی پی اومید بود و نی ز بیم‌‌

The slaying of that man by the hand of the physician was not (done) on account of hope or fear.

او نکشتش از برای طبع شاه ** تا نیامد امر و الهام اله‌‌

He did not slay him to humour the king, (he did not slay him) until the Divine command and inspiration came.

آن پسر را کش خضر ببرید حلق ** سر آن را درنیابد عام خلق‌‌

As for the boy whose throat was cut by Khadir, the vulgar do not comprehend the mystery thereof.

آن که از حق یابد او وحی و جواب ** هر چه فرماید بود عین صواب‌‌ 225

He that receives from God inspiration and answer (to his prayer), whatsoever he may command is the essence of right.

آن که جان بخشد اگر بکشد رواست ** نایب است و دست او دست خداست‌‌

If one who bestows (spiritual) life should slay, it is allowable: he is the (Divine) vicegerent, and his hand is the hand of God.