این چه حکمت بود که قبله‌ی مراد ** کردم از خانه برون گمراه و شاد
What wisdom was this, that the Object of (all) desire caused me to go forth from my home gladly on a fool's errand,
تا شتابان در ضلالت می‌شدم ** هر دم از مطلب جداتر می‌بدم 4340
So that I was hastening to lose the way and at every moment was being farther removed from that which I sought—
باز آن عین ضلالت را به جود ** حق وسیلت کرد اندر رشد و سود
And then God in His munificence made that very aberration the means of (my) reaching the right road and gaining wealth!”
گمرهی را منهج ایمان کند ** کژروی را محصد احسان کند
He maketh losing the way an avenue to (true) faith; He maketh going wrong a field for the harvest of righteousness,
تا نباشد هیچ محسن بی‌وجا ** تا نباشد هیچ خاین بی‌رجا
To the end that no righteous man may be without fear, and that no traitor (sinner) may be without hope.
اندرون زهر تریاق آن حفی ** کرد تا گویند ذواللطف الخفی
The Gracious One hath put an antidote in the poison in order that they may say He is the Lord of hidden grace.
نیست مخفی در نماز آن مکرمت ** در گنه خلعت نهد آن مغفرت 4345
That (Divine) bounty is not mysterious in (the case of) piety; (but) the (Divine) Forgiveness bestows a robe of honour (even) in (the case of) sin.
منکران را قصد اذلال ثقات ** ذل شده عز و ظهور معجزات
The unbelievers sought to abase those (the prophets) who were worthy of trust: (that) abasement became exaltation and (the cause of) miracles being displayed.
قصدشان ز انکار ذل دین بده ** عین ذل عز رسولان آمده
In their unbelief they attempted to abase the (true) religion: that very abasement was turned to glory for the prophets.
گر نه انکار آمدی از هر بدی ** معجزه و برهان چرا نازل شدی
How should a judge require (a litigant to give) evidence until his disbelieving opponent has demanded proof of his veracity?