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

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.

هم‌چنان دور دوم هابیل شد ** ضد نور پاک او قابیل شد

Likewise in the second period Hábíl (Abel) arose, and Qábíl (Cain) became the antagonist of his pure light.

هم‌چنان این دو علم از عدل و جور ** تا به نمرود آمد اندر دور دور

Even so (were) these two banners of justice and iniquity (continuing to be raised) till in the course of time the period of Nimrod arrived.

ضد ابراهیم گشت و خصم او ** وآن دو لشکر کین‌گزار و جنگ‌جو

He became the antagonist and adversary of Abraham, and those two armies waged war (against each other) and sought battle.