- Since colourlessness (pure Unity) became the captive of colour (manifestation in the phenomenal world), a Moses came into conflict with a Moses.
- چون که بی‌‌رنگی اسیر رنگ شد ** موسیی با موسیی در جنگ شد
- When you attain unto the colourlessness which you (originally) possessed, Moses and Pharaoh are at peace (with each other).
- چون به بی‌‌رنگی رسی کان داشتی ** موسی و فرعون دارند آشتی
- If it occurs to you to ask questions about this mystery, (I reply), how should (the world of) colour be devoid of contradiction?
- گر ترا آید بر این نکته سؤال ** رنگ کی خالی بود از قیل و قال
- The marvel is that this colour arose from that which is colourless: how did colour arise to war with the colourless? 2470
- این عجب کاین رنگ از بی‌‌رنگ خاست ** رنگ با بی‌‌رنگ چون در جنگ خاست
- The original source of oil (the oil producing tree) is made to grow by means of water: how (then) does it (oil) finally become opposed to water?
- چون که روغن را ز آب اسرشته‌‌اند ** آب با روغن چرا ضد گشته‌‌اند
- Since the rose springs from the thorn, and the thorn from the rose, why are both of them at war and (engaged) in recrimination?
- چون گل از خار است و خار از گل چرا ** هر دو در جنگند و اندر ماجرا
- Or is this not (really) war? Is it for (the Divine) purpose, (and is it) an artifice, like the bickering of those who sell asses?
- یا نه جنگ است این برای حکمت است ** همچو جنگ خر فروشان صنعت است
- Or is it neither this nor that? Is it bewilderment? The treasure must be sought and this (bewilderment) is the ruin (where it is hidden).
- یا نه این است و نه آن حیرانی است ** گنج باید جست این ویرانی است
- That which you imagine to be the treasure—through that vain imagination you are losing the treasure. 2475
- آن چه تو گنجش توهم می‌‌کنی ** ز آن توهم گنج را گم می‌‌کنی
- Know that fancies and opinions are like the state of cultivation: treasure is not (to be found) in cultivated spots.
- چون عمارت دان تو وهم و رایها ** گنج نبود در عمارت جایها