1. Do not accept the words of slanderers, for they
Were enemies to us in their love of you.

2. Your thoughts came to me, so slander came to meet them
And turned them back corrupted when they came.

3. He is in my heart when he draws near and turns aside,
Whether he is good to me or does me wrong.

4. When discourse runs in it, my tears run to join it,
So that the discourse is turned into weeping.

5. They said, "Your heart is somewhat inclined to him." I said, "Nay,
Indeed, there are many things in it, by your life."

6. Punishment falls for no crime of theirs.
And punishment sometimes falls as a reward.

7. My soul's discourse in reproach is courage.
So I held back from voicing reproach through modesty.

8. How excellent that you should live after us,
O deserters, while we die faithful!

9. Whether we obeyed censors among you,
Or obeyed the immoral among you.

10. You are the beautiful one - that is your name.
My death since the day Adam was taught the names.

11. O He whom I call "my son," and who is one
Who disobeys sons in his love of fathers!