1. You wish that you could find fault with me, yet
All you wish is that you could disparage my honour.

2. But I am greater than you reckon in spirit,
Though I am meaner than you reckon in birth.

3. To God I complain of a party among my tribe
Who do me wrong in words, behind my back and to my face.

4. When they make war on me, I am their protection,
And when they strike out, I am their hand and their arm.

5. When disaster befalls or misfortune arrives,
I offer them myself and all I possess as sacrifice.

6. They want to show me guilty of foolishness,
Though if I were absent from them they would fall into ruin.

7. I have abundant virtue for them, if only they were just towards it,
While for myself I have a share today which will be theirs tomorrow.

8. So do not count it a favour to me, for when did it become
A favour, while my family is more deserving of it even if they become foes.