1. When I saw how matters rise and fall,
And how the evident Truth rules and settles,

2. However passions may drive it about,
So that the south wind or north decides its course,

3. Then my heart woke to a lesson
Sent it by God, for it was rational.

4. By God, were it not that in honesty is a flaw,
No servant's heart would be neglectful and heedless!

5. And I said to my heart, “What led you to what I see?”
But I could only infer that it was interpreting.

6. I searched into the origin of the thing, the origin of its being,
But in that search we found no clue.

7. So know that judgement is subject to knowledge,
As it is to the known—though the matter be hidden.

8. When I saw that the Truth lay in what I have mentioned,
I knew that the matter was precisely ordained,

9. And that the God of creation by creation decrees
And by creation also balances things with troubles.

10. So he who blames anything but his own soul has erred and transgressed,
While he who blames it is equitable and straight.

11. When I saw that Truth was bound to creation,
Fear and security were equal in my eyes—so act!

12. Act to unveil this, and act by its light,
For by it souls are lofty and perfected.