ولو ترمى بلؤم بني كليب

ولو ترمى بلؤم بني كليب

نجوم الليل ما وضحت لساري

نجوم الليل ما وضحت لساري

If branded with the baseness of Banū Kulayb—

And if the baseness of the sons of Kulayb were cast upon

the stars of night would give no light to a night traveler.

the stars of night, they would not shine for a night traveler.

ولو لبس النهار بنو كليب

ولو لبس النهار بنو كليب

لدنس لؤمهم وضح النهار

لدنس لؤمهم وضح النهار

And if Banū Kulayb were to don the daylight,

And if the sons of Kulayb wore daylight,

their baseness would stain the brightness of day.

their baseness would stain the brightness of day.

وما يغدو عزيز بني كليب

وما يغدو عزيز بني كليب

ليطلب حاجة إلا بجار

ليطلب حاجة إلا بجار

No mighty man of Banū Kulayb goes forth

And no mighty man of the sons of Kulayb sets out in the morning

to seek what he needs except under a neighbor’s protection.

to seek what he needs except with a protector.