1. Time is but a morning and an evening
That alternate with hardship and ease,

2. With joy and harm, sweetness
And bitterness, happiness and misery,

3. Homes and graves, benefits
And calamities, safety and affliction.

4. Throughout the ages it changes,
Ever shifting like a chameleon.

5. A time that humiliates the mighty
And raises up the ignoble and base.

6. And the beloved who spoils affection
Is like prickly buckthorn, an ugly viper.

7. Grudges and meanness fill his heart,
Yet he pretends to be gentle and agreeable.

8. His tongue is smooth as a snake’s
While his heart is choked with bile and malice.

9. I extinguished the embers of his hatred with forbearance—
For hatred is fire while forbearance is water—

10. And I healed the sickness of his grudge with forgiveness,
Since grudges are illness while pardon is the cure.

11. And I granted him the intimacy of reunion
When he showed disconnection and aloofness.

12. And when his affection soured,
I offered clarity, affection and warmth.

13. Civility, kindness, gentleness,
Modesty regarding what is his, and probity.

14. Status, propriety, honesty,
Humility, patience, loyalty.

15. When a friend stumbles, we readily
Forgive his missteps with magnanimity.

16. And if he shows treachery and deception,
We remain his sincere, trustworthy counselors.

17. And if vulgarity appears in him, we are
His regretful, truthful friends.

18. And if he seeks our aid against misfortunes,
We are his ministers and supporters.

19. However much wickedness appears in his character,
We veil it to maintain dignified discretion.

20. We do not abandon loved ones if they spurn us
And cram their hearts with meanness.

21. And we humble ourselves where they grew arrogant,
As if they were the princes.

22. With noble morals, if they betray we befriend them,
And return good where they did evil.

23. We tribe of Di'man, when the virtuous are recalled,
We recall them, and when the wicked are recalled, we disavow.

24. Through the grace of our Lord we have reconciliation,
Wisdom, knowledge, and judgment.

25. Through the vastness of His pure grace, asceticism,
Godliness, integrity, and excellence.

26. Through the bounty of the Noble Generous Ones, detachment,
Decorum, nobility, and honor.