The (worldly) folk are perverted in their appetites: (they are) eating earth and have left the water (untasted).
قوم معکوس‌اند اندر مشتها ** خاک‌خوار و آب را کرده رها
The people (of the world) have a nature opposite to that of the prophets: the people deem the dragon (the world) an object of reliance.
ضد طبع انبیا دارند خلق ** اژدها را متکا دارند خلق
Inasmuch as you have known (from the Qur’an) the eye-bandage whereby God steals (the sight) do you know at all to what you have shut your eyes?
چشم‌بند ختم چون دانسته‌ای ** هیچ دانی از چه دیده بسته‌ای
To what instead have you opened these eyes (of yours)? (Whatever it be), know that in every respect it is a bad exchange for you.
بر چه بگشادی بدل این دیده‌ها ** یک به یک بس البدل دان آن ترا
But (nevertheless) the sun of (Divine) favour has shone (forth) and has graciously succoured them that despair.2280
لیک خورشید عنایت تافته‌ست ** آیسان را از کرم در یافته‌ست
He (God) in His mercy has played a very marvellous game of backgammon: He has made the essence of ingratitude to be a turning in repentance (towards Him).
نرد بس نادر ز رحمت باخته ** عین کفران را انابت ساخته
Even from this ill-fatedness (unrighteousness) of the people (of the world) that Bounteous One has caused two hundred fountains of love to burst.
هم ازین بدبختی خلق آن جواد ** منفجر کرده دو صد چشمه‌ی وداد
He gives to the rose-bud a source (of growth) in the thorn; He gives to the snake-stone, (though obtained) from the snake, an ornamental quality.
غنچه را از خار سرمایه دهد ** مهره را از مار پیرایه دهد
He brings forth day from the blackness of night and makes ease (opulence) to grow (flow) from the hand of him who suffers hardship (penury).