1. Your veil is pride among people, glorious,
And your crown is might among nations, noble.

2. O people of Maron, whose founder
Stood on the rock of faith, smooth and polished.

3. For his faith indicates to you his unity
With Peter, and his deeds are evidence.

4. The feet of heresy never trod him,
Nor did any stray where he was a descendant.

5. Nor did the teaching of a corrupter touch him
Nor did he incline in deputies to injustice.

6. Nor did he say: “I do not accept the teachings of Peter
And what the Messenger brought us in proofs.”

7. Nor did he say: “I fear when obeying,
And among the people are some who kill and are killed.”

8. And the saying of deceitful hypocrites did not tempt him:
“Go slowly, if you disbelieve, you will be a friend.”

9. And his faith did not seek the aid of an infidel’s sword,
As others seek aid, while humiliated.

10. But he became victorious over his enemies by God,
And God was his protector.

11. And he attained from the Lord righteousness and bounty,
As Israel attained grace.

12. And mercy came to him with good tidings,
As Gabriel brought glad tidings.

13. So he was jealous in keeping affection for his Lord,
As Michael was jealous for God.

14. And this, his success, is deeds of firm righteousness,
Supported by the Torah and the Gospel.

15. So do not fear, O little flock, for your place
In the kingdom of Heaven is glorious.

16. For the small pearl exceeds in value
The molded metal, though it be heavy.

17. An envious person maligns our origin, but
Our achievements adorn it. Verily deeds are roots.

18. Job was not disgraced due to the lowness of his origin,
Nor was Israel adorned, though he was noble.

19. Had a person's honor been due to his lineage,
The Redeemer would not have come, while humiliated.

20. He reproaches us for being few in number,
Though the noble ones are few.

21. And he backbites us for loving our enemy,
Though loyalty is a virtue that escaped him.

22. And he blames us for being true to our covenants,
Though faithfulness is beautiful, and he knows not.

23. And he resents that we keep our affection,
Unaware that affection bears a crown.

24. And he imagines our weakness makes us helpless,
Not knowing his own tongue is helpless.

25. And he has not harmed us, except that his deceit
Spreads our virtues, while he remains despised.

26. Like Balaam, when he said "You are blessed
And your offspring, O Israel."

27. And he spreads our morals, while truthful,
That the ways of the masses are despised.

28. This is the glorious people, by their merit,
While all others are excess and superfluous.

29. When the envious are preoccupied with their own affliction,
We go about benefiting the envious.

30. Our fewness indicates the sincerity of our election,
While their multitude is denied, and it is vile.

31. Like the sun, except that it is illuminating,
Like a star, except that it is small.

32. So we are, then the rest, between a group
Who saw our light, not subject to setting.

33. We have no fault other than our tongue,
With which we avoid the reproaches of people.

34. Every merit is perfected in us,
And we are mature in commanding matters.

35. Steadfast mountains bow to our forbearance,
So the unjust collapse from it, ignorant.

36. Our knowledge silences the intelligent,
So the scholar is perplexed by it.

37. For we are the house of God, and we
Are the heirs; as for others, they are newcomers.

38. We are the Maronites, first-born of Mary’s son,
And the first-born’s mother was a virgin.

39. It is no wonder the first-born’s inheritance
Excels the lesser ones, as the torrent surges.