1. O you who are heedless of the purpose for which you were created!
Awaken, for sleep is the refuge of the negligent.

2. What is this stillness towards a world whose events
Assail people morning and night?

3. How can one remain in a house destined for ruin
When assaults and raids befall the people again and again?

4. As for you, O deluded one, you have no escape from people
Except remoteness and estrangement.

5. You are made happy by them when you see them,
Yet if you experienced their vicissitudes, you would be wearied.

6. So sever your ties from all mankind, for they
Are ever changing in all their states.

7. And beware of people, for I have experienced them,
And do not let a cunning one deceive you by his guile.

8. Do not expect loyalty from them in the afflictions of time, for
Only afflictions come from people in times of stress.

9. And all of the people, though alive, if brought to life
Are dead to modesty and doing good.

10. We have heard that the earth once contained
Noble people, but it was said they passed away.

11. I do not know if what the ancient
Books contained is true, or just falsehoods.

12. And most likely, those people gathered
For the misers the hadith: give it here!

13. If what they gathered lasted for them, it would have put
An end to them, out of compassion the virtues.

14. How so, when it is fleeting, reclaimed,
While opprobrium shifts it between people as fortunes shift?