1. My secret is the spirit of all things
It appears in the dead and the living

2. If it rises in the living, it gives life
And if it rises in the dead, it builds

3. It is far above the comprehension of those
Who say it is in all things

4. It is but its essence, so consider
You will find what I say openly and hidden

5. It is not apart from any state
That appears under the shade of extension and folding

6. What makes you happy or the opposite
Is but guidance or misguidance

7. It was meant for a people
Who had insight among them and awareness

8. We have eaten it cooked and it has come
To me as fresh meat and sustained me

9. But we refused to eat it when
The form of faith in it appeared, from cutting

10. O my brother, know what
I have said about it in truth, O my brother

11. Take it as a lion or lamb
And leave the wheat for the harvester

12. The matter is indeed great in my estimation
Sublime to me when He inspired it to me

13. I spoke subtly of my essence though I
Communicate the measure from me and through me

14. He said it can only be thus
This is the act of the Shaykh, not the act of a boy

15. If the matter had wanted to manifest through him
It would not have been possible from my hand

16. I have from it a drink, as long as
I live, as much as I have of it to quench my thirst

17. I do not know, I am a slave of passion
When it appeared to me in a comely form

18. So I fell in love, though I concealed it
And its brightness began to cover my eyes