پیش از افکندن نبود او غیر چوب ** چون به امرش بر گرفتی گشت خوب
Before his dropping it, it was naught but wood; whenever he took it up by His command, it became goodly.
اول او بد برگ‌افشان بره را ** گشت معجز آن گروه غره را
At first it was shaking down leaves for the lambs; (afterwards) it reduced to impotence that deluded people.
گشت حاکم بر سر فرعونیان ** آبشان خون کرد و کف بر سر زنان3580
It became ruler over the party of Pharaoh: it turned their water into blood and caused them to beat their heads with their hands.
از مزارعشان برآمد قحط و مرگ ** از ملخهایی که می‌خوردند برگ
From their sown fields arose famine and death on account of the locusts which devoured the leaves,
تا بر آمد بی‌خود از موسی دعا ** چون نظر افتادش اندر منتها
Till from Moses, when he considered the ultimate issue, there went up involuntarily a prayer (to God)
کین همه اعجاز و کوشیدن چراست ** چون نخواهند این جماعت گشت راست
“For what reason is all this disablement (of them) and striving (to convert them), since this multitude will never become righteous? ”
امر آمد که اتباع نوح کن ** ترک پایان‌بینی مشروح کن
The (Divine) command came (to him), saying, “Follow Noah! Refrain from considering the end (of the matter) as it has been disclosed (to thee).
زان تغافل کن چو داعی رهی ** امر بلغ هست نبود آن تهی3585
Take no heed of that, since thou art one who calls (the people) to the (true) Way. The command, ‘Deliver the message,’ is there: it is not void (of meaning).”
کمترین حکمت کزین الحاح تو ** جلوه گردد آن لجاج و آن عتو
The least purpose (thereof) is that through this persistence of thine that obstinacy and rebellious pride (of the infidels) may be displayed,
تا که ره بنمودن و اضلال حق ** فاش گردد بر همه اهل و فرق
So that God’s showing the way (to some) and letting (others) be lost may become evident to all the followers of religious sects.