1. The buyer, praiseworthy through deeds, makes amends for them,
And praise is the best provision he stores up.

2. So strengthen your firm covenant, and make the bond tight.
For time will soon come to you making excuses.

3. And beware the justice of his rule if he is pleased with you,
Nor remain devoted at his anger despite his generosity.

4. Do not let his smile deceive you
When he draws near, nor despair if he turns away.

5. He only prevents us to reform us,
He only tries us to test us.

6. So hope though he be harsh, for gentleness is his way,
If he wished to change that nature, he could not.

7. O owner of property, he has no purpose in refusing you
Except governance, whether beneficial or harmful.

8. Be steadfast and upright; do not see crookedness in him,
To be set right, nor any flaw in his goodness.

9. I love you with the love of palm trees for their fruit
And the love of my ears and eyes for hearing and sight.

10. You were to me when I had no master for this servant
A shelter when there was no father to bear the burden of fatherhood.

11. You warded evil from me and protected my side generously
With protection alongside which I faced no danger.

12. People have many brothers among people.
Happy are you whose brothers, many though they be, are fewer than other men’s.

13. Who of them would attend me if you were absent, and if you
Were absent, who of them would attend in your place?

14. In you I have fair hopes that will not fail
When the hopes of men who misjudged have failed.

15. Do not meet me with a sword in your hand that bends
That sword, disobeying, flung from the hand that cast it.

16. Promise in good faith, and take me by the hand
In a clasp that shakes the dust of stumbling off.