1. Whoever hopes for God's pardon, though
Greed inclines him to err,

2. Will fall suspect into the hands of his Lord’s justice,
Which will deliver him to the sword of destiny.

3. So do not lean right or left,
But stand between fear and hope.

4. He of the extremes is blameworthy,
While he of the middle course is praiseworthy.

5. He is like a ladder in which the eye sees
No foothold between ascent and descent.

6. So when you despair, ascend hopefully,
And when you are greedy, descend cautiously.