1. The rending of garments in our time
Is like the rending of reputations.

2. So refrain from tearing with your hands
A soft, spotless white robe.

3. And compensate for your ugly traces
With good deeds that depict smiling meadows.

4. Before the brothers say "Who did this weeping?"
And the brothers' displeasure - what displeasure!

5. Their least vengeance on their brother
Is blame that makes the eyelids flutter.

6. And know that rhymes have become,
Through what you did, undelighted.

7. And rhymes in fury act upon reputations
As arrows act upon targets.

8. And it is a duty - the best course therein
Is that judgment precedes litigation.

9. You, among them, are between praise and blame,
O man, so judge what you are judging!

10. Or fulfill what you have promised
Of amends, which will please the offended.