Rumi's Masnavi - By (Divine) destiny, her reasoning did not come (turn out to be) right: though He (God) is the Coverer (of sins), still He will impose the penalty.

By (Divine) destiny, her reasoning did not come (turn out to be) right: though He (God) is the Coverer (of sins), still He will impose the penalty.

آن قیاسش راست نامد از قضا ** گرچه ستارست هم بدهد سزا

When you have done evil, be afraid, do not be secure, since it (the evil) is seed, and God will cause it to grow. 165

چونک بد کردی بترس آمن مباش ** زانک تخمست و برویاند خداش

For awhile He covers it up, to the end that sorrow and shame for (having committed) that evil may come to you.

چند گاهی او بپوشاند که تا ** آیدت زان بد پشیمان و حیا

In the time of ‘Umar, that Prince of the Faithful gave a thief over to the executioner and officer of police.

عهد عمر آن امیر مومنان ** داد دزدی را به جلاد و عوان

The thief cried out, saying, ‘O Prince of the land, this is my first offence. Mercy!’

بانگ زد آن دزد کای میر دیار ** اولین بارست جرمم زینهار

‘God forfend,’ said ‘Umar, ‘that God should inflict severe punishment the first time.

گفت عمر حاش لله که خدا ** بار اول قهر بارد در جزا

He covers up (the sin) many times in order to manifest His grace; then again, He chastises (the sinner) in order to manifest His justice, 170

بارها پوشد پی اظهار فضل ** باز گیرد از پی اظهار عدل

To the end that both these attributes may be displayed, and the former be hope-inspiring and the latter deterrent.’

تا که این هر دو صفت ظاهر شود ** آن مبشر گردد این منذر شود

The woman, too, had committed this wickedness many times: it passed lightly (over her) and seemed light to her.

بارها زن نیز این بد کرده بود ** سهل بگذشت آن و سهلش می‌نمود

The feeble intelligence (which she had) was unaware that the pitcher does not for ever come (back) whole from the brook.

آن نمی‌دانست عقل پای‌سست ** که سبو دایم ز جو ناید درست