1. O you who presides in palaces
Amidst the roaring lion

2. Whose throne is spread with silk
Crowned by the head of the couch

3. Obeyed by the obedient heavens
Exalted by the exalted heavens

4. His days fulfilled for him
Though betrayal is the trait of times

5. He rose in garments of bliss
Strolling in robes of joy

6. A yellow goblet of wine distracts him
Pale as the fleet ostrich

7. In a gathering of his pleasures
Flowing from the hand of the cupbearer

8. His singer enchants him
With refined, sonorous voice

9. His pipes answer him
On behalf of the mute and eloquent

10. He has maidens like suns
Languorous in damask robes and silken clothes

11. Looking through a lattice
With glance of fawn’s black eye

12. Adorned with jewelry, redolent with perfume
Let not the false glitter deceive you

13. Of a life that is all sham
But heed the warning words

14. Of a wise and experienced man
This world is no home

15. For the refined and discerning
Be not deluded by its vainglory

16. You are in the land of vainglory
And beware its snares when

17. It makes foul actions seem fair
Devise for yourself a strategy

18. Before the onslaught of fate
As though in a little while

19. There appeared, like a warner,
To one reveling in the night of passion

20. As clear as the shining dawn
Laughing yet with streaming eyes

21. Weeping copious tears
And know that gray hair

22. Undoubtedly heralds doom
And death is certain

23. At the decree of the Almighty Ordainer
Sacred is the command

24. When the Prince holds sway
It is truly the path

25. To Paradise or Hellfire
So act and roll up your sleeve

26. For what you hope on Resurrection Day
He brought you time and high expectation

27. While you were young
And cease from minor sins

28. Just as you refrained from major
And turn to your Gracious Lord

29. Before the agony of breasts
Remember His primeval favors

30. They are necklaces in treasuries
For if you blame His work

31. You are not a grateful servant
Beware procrastination

32. For it is the gate of corruption
Repenting on the Frowning Day

33. Of stormy gloom will not avail
O One in His dominion

34. Independent of partners
Exalted above any peer

35. I came to You when
It was time to be on my way

36. For what I sent forth ignorantly
Of how matters would turn out

37. So favor this wretched captive
And be generous to this destitute freeman

38. Overlook his sin
For clemency befits the Almighty

39. And have mercy on him for his wrong
For mercy is most becoming of the Powerful