بهر تو ار پست کردم گفت و گو ** تا بسازی با رفیق زشت‌خو

If I have made my discourse low for your sake, (it is) in order that you may put up with an ill-natured companion,

تا کشی خندان و خوش بار حرج ** از پی الصبر مفتاح الفرج

And smilingly and cheerfully bear the burden of distress, because patience is the key to relief from pain.

چون بسازی با خسی این خسان ** گردی اندر نور سنتها رسان

When you put up with the vileness of these vile folk you will attain unto the light of the (Prophetic) sunnas (ways and practices);

که انبیا رنج خسان بس دیده‌اند ** از چنین ماران بسی پیچیده‌اند 2150

For the prophets have often suffered affliction from the vile: often have they writhed in anguish on account of such snakes.

چون مراد و حکم یزدان غفور ** بود در قدمت تجلی و ظهور

Since in eternity it was the will and decree of God, the Forgiver, to reveal and manifest Himself,

بی ز ضدی ضد را نتوان نمود ** وان شه بی‌مثل را ضدی نبود

(This involves contrariety, for) nothing can be shown without a contrary; and there was no contrary to that incomparable King.

حکمت در انی جاعل فی الارض خلیفة

The (Divine) purpose in (saying), “Lo, I will place a viceroy in the earth.”

پس خلیفه ساخت صاحب‌سینه‌ای ** تا بود شاهیش را آیینه‌ای

Therefore He made a viceroy, one having a heart, to the end that he might be a mirror for His sovereignty;

بس صفای بی‌حدودش داد او ** وانگه از ظلمت ضدش بنهاد او

So He endowed him with infinite purity (spiritual light), and then set up against him a contrary (in the form) of darkness.

دو علم بر ساخت اسپید و سیاه ** آن یکی آدم دگر ابلیس راه 2155

He made two banners, white and black: one (was) Adam, the other (was) the Iblís (Devil) of the Way (to Him).

در میان آن دو لشکرگاه زفت ** چالش و پیکار آنچ رفت رفت

Between those two mighty camps (there was) combat and strife, and there came to pass what came to pass.