پس حکم کرد آتشی را و نکر ** تا شود حل مشکل آن دو نفر

So He caused a fire to be His arbiter and servant, in order that the difficulty (controversy) of those two persons might be solved.

دور دور و قرن قرن این دو فریق ** تا به فرعون و به موسی شفیق

These two (contrary) parties (carried on the struggle) from period to period and from generation to generation, down to (the time of) Pharaoh and God-fearing Moses,

سالها اندر میانشان حرب بود ** چون ز حد رفت و ملولی می‌فزود

Between whom there was war for (many) years. When it passed (all) bounds and was causing excessive weariness,

آب دریا را حکم سازید حق ** تا که ماند کی برد زین دو سبق

God made the water of the sea His arbiter, that it might be left (to the sea to decide) which of these two should prevail.

هم‌چنان تا دور و طور مصطفی ** با ابوجهل آن سپهدار جفا 2165

So (it went on) till the period and time of Mustafá (Mohammed), (who contended) with Abú Jahl, the general of the army of iniquity.

هم نکر سازید از بهر ثمود ** صیحه‌ای که جانشان را در ربود

Moreover He (God) appointed a servant for (the destruction of) Thamúd, (namely), the (awful) Cry that took away their lives.

هم نکر سازید بهر قوم عاد ** زود خیزی تیزرو یعنی که باد

Moreover He appointed a servant for (the destruction of) the people of ‘Ád, one that rises quickly and moves rapidly, that is (to say), the Wind.

هم نکر سازید بر قارون ز کین ** در حلیمی این زمین پوشید کین

Moreover He appointed a discerning servant for (the destruction of) Qárún (Korah): He endued the graciousness of the Earth with enmity,

تا حلیمی زمین شد جمله قهر ** برد قارون را و گنجش را به قعر

So that the graciousness of the Earth turned entirely to wrath, and she bore Qárún and his treasure down to the abyss.

لقمه‌ای را که ستون این تنست ** دفع تیغ جوع نان چون جوشنست 2170

In the case of the food that is a pillar (support) for this body, bread is like a breastplate to repel the sword of hunger;