Hundreds of thousands of years the accursed Iblís was a saint and the prince of true believers;
صد هزاران سال ابلیس لعین ** بود ز ابدال و امیر المؤمنین
On account of the pride which he had, he grappled with Adam and was put to shame, like dung at morning tide.
پنجه زد با آدم از نازی که داشت ** گشت رسوا همچو سرگین وقت چاشت
How Bal‘am son of Bá‘úr prayed (to God), saying, “Cause Moses and his people to turn back, without having gained their desire, from this city which they have besieged and how his prayer was granted.”
دعا کردن بلعم باعور که موسی و قومش را از این شهر که حصار داده‌‌اند بی‌‌مراد باز گردان
To Bal‘am son of Bá‘úr the people of the world became subject, (for he was) like unto the Jesus of the time.
بلعم باعور را خلق جهان ** سغبه شد مانند عیسای زمان
They bowed (worshipfully) to none but him: his spell was (giving) health to the sick.
سجده ناوردند کس را دون او ** صحت رنجور بود افسون او
From pride and (conceit of) perfection he grappled with Moses: his plight became such as thou hast heard.3300
پنجه زد با موسی از کبر و کمال ** آن چنان شد که شنیده ستی تو حال
Even so there have been in the world, manifest or hidden, a hundred thousand like Iblís and Bal‘am.
صد هزار ابلیس و بلعم در جهان ** همچنین بوده ست پیدا و نهان
God caused these twain to be notorious, that these twain might bear witness against the rest.
این دو را مشهور گردانید اله ** تا که باشد این دو بر باقی گواه
These two thieves He hanged on a high gallows (to be a warning to all); else there were many (other) thieves in (the pale of) His vengeance.
این دو دزد آویخت از دار بلند ** ور نه اندر قهر بس دزدان بدند
These twain He dragged by their forelocks to the city (for slaughter); (but) ’tis impossible to number (all) the victims of His wrath.
این دو را پرچم به سوی شهر برد ** کشتگان قهر را نتوان شمرد
You are a favourite (of God), but within your (due) bounds. (Fear) God, (fear) God, do not set foot beyond (those) bounds.3305
نازنینی تو ولی در حد خویش ** الله الله پا منه از حد خویش