کرده‌ی او کرده‌ی شاهست لیک ** پیش ضعفم بد نماینده‌ست نیک

His act is the act of the king, but to my infirmity the good (which he did) appears to be evil.”

آنچ عین لطف باشد بر عوام ** قهر شد بر نازنینان کرام

That which is the very essence of grace to the vulgar becomes wrath to the noble favourites (of God).

بس بلا و رنج می‌باید کشید ** عامه را تا فرق را توانند دید

Much tribulation and pain must the vulgar endure in order that they may be able to perceive the difference;

کین حروف واسطه ای یار غار ** پیش واصل خار باشد خار خار

For, O (my) companion in the Cave, these intermediary words are, in the sight of one united (with God), thorns, thorns, thorns.

بس بلا و رنج بایست و وقوف ** تا رهد آن روح صافی از حروف 2985

Much tribulation and pain and waiting were needed in order that that pure spirit might be delivered from the (intermediary) words;

لیک بعضی زین صدا کرتر شدند ** باز بعضی صافی و برتر شدند

But some (persons) have become more deaf (than others) to this echo; some, again, have become purified and have mounted higher.

هم‌چو آب نیل آمد این بلا ** سعد را آبست و خون بر اشقیا

This tribulation is like the water of the Nile: it is water to the blessed and blood to the damned.

هر که پایان‌بین‌تر او مسعودتر ** جدتر او کارد که افزون دید بر

The more one descries the end, the more blessed is he: the greater one sees the crop (to be), the more zealously he sows,

زانک داند کین جهان کاشتن ** هست بهر محشر و برداشتن

Because he knows that this world of sowing is for the sake of the (Last) Congregation and (for the sake of) gathering in (the harvest).

هیچ عقدی بهر عین خود نبود ** بلک از بهر مقام ربح و سود 2990

No contract (of sale) was (ever made) for the sake of itself; nay, but for the sake of (being in) the position of (making) gain and profit.