مرتضی را گفت روزی یک عنود ** کو ز تعظیم خدا آگه نبود

One day a contumacious man, who was ignorant of the reverence due to God, said to Murtazá (‘Alí),

بر سر بامی و قصری بس بلند ** حفظ حق را واقفی ای هوشمند

On the top of an exceedingly high terrace or pavilion, “Art thou conscious of God's protection, O intelligent man?”

گفت آری او حفیظست و غنی ** هستی ما را ز طفلی و منی 355

“Yes,” he replied; “He is the Protector and the Self-sufficient for (preserving) my existence from (the time of) infancy and conception.”

گفت خود را اندر افکن هین ز بام ** اعتمادی کن بحفظ حق تمام

He (the Jew) said, “Come, cast thyself down from the roof, put an entire confidence in the protection of God,

تا یقین گرددمرا ایقان تو ** و اعتقاد خوب با برهان تو

So that thy sure faith and thy goodly proven conviction may become evident to me.”

پس امیرش گفت خامش کن برو ** تا نگردد جانت زین جرات گرو

Then the Prince said to him, “Be silent, go, lest for this boldness thy soul be pawned (given over to perdition).”

کی رسد مر بنده را که با خدا ** آزمایش پیش آرد ز ابتلا

How is it right for a servant (of God) to venture on an experiment with God by making trial (of Him)?

بنده را کی زهره باشد کز فضول ** امتحان حق کند ای گیج گول 360

How should a servant (of God) have the stomach vaingloriously to put Him to the test, O mad fool?

آن خدا را می‌رسد کو امتحان ** پیش آرد هر دمی با بندگان

To God (alone) belongs that (right), who brings forward a test for His servants at every moment,

تا به ما ما را نماید آشکار ** که چه داریم از عقیده در سرار

In order that He may show us plainly to ourselves (and reveal) what beliefs we hold in secret.