1. Whoever prevails with God,
Undoubtedly, good fortune will come to him.

2. And whoever fears Him succeeds,
Attaining glory none can take away.

3. Who thinks not of consequences
Will live a life bereft of comrades.

4. His own kin will abandon him,
As well as his closest relatives.

5. He'll be scorned by all humankind,
Both far and near, relative and stranger.

6. You see him like a target
Assailed from every side.

7. Erelong, he will be seized
In the sharp claws of fate,

8. Unable to fend off what
Befalls him of calamities.

9. No ally can help him, no comrade,
No near friend or faithful companion.

10. I advise you, do not befriend
One who seeks to do evil.

11. Rather, choose for yourself a companion
Noble, generous, of high station.

12. Wise, intelligent, truthful,
Of pleasant manner, forbearing from experience.

13. You are the most exalted—you have never ceased
To rise above the heights of all.

14. He does not impose his own opinion,
But consults in time of distress.

15. Whoever imposes his own opinion
Will continue to act strangely.

16. No doubt such a one is a fool,
So keep away from him as a duty.

17. Folly is a disease with no cure,
So disregard him and turn away.

18. If you patch a worn garment
On one side, it frays on the other.

19. You tire yourself if you try to befriend
One blind to the right way.

20. He constantly puts himself
Among both friend and foe.

21. Heedless, he walks the paths
Of fears and afflictions.

22. Rather, the more you advise him
Against a course, the stranger his ways.

23. Morn and eve he goes on erring,
His tears flowing down his cheek.

24. He will not restrain his ignorance,
Saying all he does is right.

25. If a boy is accustomed
To a trait in youth, he is corrupted.

26. Habit is not immutable
Like innate disposition. Disposition always prevails.

27. If not disciplined, he will be
Ruining himself. Innate disposition prevails.

28. What loss if he returns
Repentant of his sin?

29. Perhaps the Lord of the Throne
Will accept the repentance of the steadfast and just.

30. He is Merciful to His creation.
His bounty on creation is perfect.

31. So I hope in Him for the future. Whoever
Hopes in other than Him will fail.

32. And you must be God-fearing. God-fearing
Is the best of gains.

33. Study the Quran and ponder it.
Honor it and be diligent.

34. It is the Straight Path.
Studying it is best for gaining wisdom.

35. And do not neglect grammar,
For it is the foundation of every writer's discourse.