تا که حجتها همی‌‌گفتیم ما ** که بجای ما کی آید ای خدا

So that we were arguing (and saying), ‘O God, who will come in our stead?

نور این تسبیح و این تهلیل را ** می‌‌فروشی بهر قال و قیل را

Wilt Thou sell the splendour of the praise with which we glorify and magnify Thee for babble and palaver?’

حکم حق گسترد بهر ما بساط ** که بگویید از طریق انبساط 2670

The decree of God spread for us the carpet (of indulgence), (and He said), ‘Speak ye, in the way of boldness

هر چه آید بر زبانتان بی‌‌حذر ** همچو طفلان یگانه با پدر

(And) without fear, whatever comes upon your tongues, like only children with their father;

ز آن که این دمها چه گر نالایق است ** رحمت من بر غضب هم سابق است‌‌

For what if these words (of yours) are unseemly? My mercy likewise is prior (superior) to My wrath.

از پی اظهار این سبق ای ملک ** در تو بنهم داعیه‌‌ی اشکال و شک‌‌

In order to manifest this priority, O angel, I will put in thee incitement to perplexity and doubt,

تا بگویی و نگیرم بر تو من ** منکر حلمم نیارد دم زدن‌‌

That thou mayst speak and I not take offence at thee, (so that) none who denies My clemency may dare to utter a word.

صد پدر صد مادر اندر حلم ما ** هر نفس زاید در افتد در فنا 2675

Within My (infinite) clemency (the clemencies of) a hundred fathers and a hundred mothers at every moment are born and vanish.

حلم ایشان کف بحر حلم ماست ** کف رود آید ولی دریا به جاست‌‌

Their clemency is (but) the foam of the sea of My clemency: the foam comes and goes, but the sea is (always) there.’’

خود چه گویم پیش آن در این صدف ** نیست الا کف کف کف کف‌‌

What indeed shall I say? Compared with that pearl (Divine clemency) this oyster-shell (human clemency) is naught but the foam of the foam of the foam of foam.