1. If an ignorant man sleeps in the darkness of ignorance, stay awake
And stand for greatness and loftiness, roll up your sleeves

2. And leave behind vain wishes, for they
Are the delirium of a bewildered soul seeking instant gratification

3. And hasten towards your goals as long as you are able
For if you cannot yet see success, be patient

4. And do not embark upon a matter unless its completion is hoped for
Nor set out for a destination unless its source is deemed good

5. And frequently consult, for if you get it right you will have praise
But if you err you will be excused for having consulted

6. And do not seek counsel from one untried
In similar affairs, or from one lacking wisdom and insight

7. Nor desire the opinion of a deceitful scoundrel
Or an ignorant, gullible fool lacking consideration

8. For he who in grave affairs follows the guile of a traitor
Will bite his fingers in regret and remorse

9. And he who in his affairs follows the opinion of an ignoramus
Will be led into something wicked and vile

10. Like one who seeks guidance in the darkness of a pitch-black night
While blind, bereft of light’s illumination

11. And how often sincere counsel, the latter group perceived and then shunned
Selling guidance for wickedness without pondering

12. And do not listen to a liar maligning a true friend of yours
Even if doubt is cast upon you, then make your position clear

13. And do not be tempted, else you will regret, nor be greedy
Else you will be disgraced. And look down upon none else you will be looked down upon

14. And accustom yourself to speaking truthfully and make yourself content with it
Be truthful and do not incline towards the words of fabricators

15. And refrain from excessive generosity nor let
Stinginess restrain your hands from spending

16. Behold, the best of all affairs are the middle ways
As informed by the words of the Prophet guided by God

17. And know that this wealth is wealth you have obtained
Wrongfully and spend wastefully like a squanderer

18. But honor wealth obtained lawfully
And spend it guided rightly, swerving not from the path

19. And most wretched of all people is he who sells his Hereafter
For worldly things besides it, while he buys loss

20. Yet the best of God's servants are those who benefit
Mankind, as the words of the warner and giver of good tidings tell

21. So remain eager to do good as long as you live and rise up
To benefit mankind as long as you have light. And beware evil

22. And do not enumerate the mistakes of servants or count them
For you have no dominion over this world

23. And do not take it upon yourself to object to them
Leave people to their Creator, submitting and rewarded