1. My people and neighbors turned against me,
Driven away by blame and defiance.

2. What can the mighty do when they spurn him?
Is not all, without youthfulness, estrangement?

3. Seeing my devotion for you, they hardened
Against me, but when I would not yield, they softened.

4. Leave me be, for I am worse when possessed,
And to me, without kindness, evil is the same.

5. Do you not see me, when they broke their word,
I did to them what I would have done, or they betrayed?

6. At a farewell I marveled at its fire,
Though branches of acacia were planted in it.

7. It bore the moons of every starry night,
But for the distance between us, the acacia did not.

8. How amazing a fire of farewell it was,
Remaining with me, not revealing itself as they did.

9. Were not those days, in their similarities,
Afraid that Sulayman in his generosity

10. Would quench them in the palms of his hands,
Whose pavilions persist and wander?

11. A brother of strife has become for people strife,
As does the one infatuated with glory, the seducer.

12. Between them is what no separation has troubled
Nor a diversion interrupted, however long the indifference.

13. A loving bond parted from it is happiness,
And no sorrows ever part from one who does good.

14. If one day you say, “He was a doer,”
Believe me, deeds prove words true.

15. No home stands unless a foundation for it
Exists, of the praised one, lasting and pillars.

16. O Father of humankind, stop where you ended with dew,
For what goes beyond this is injustice and aggression.

17. If you stand with the noble and follow
Their path in what you do, it was not thus they were.