أَتُرَىdo you think نِظامorder الكونِof the universe أَوشَكَnearly يُهدَمُis demolished
أَتُرَى نِظام الكونِ أَوشَكَ يُهدَمُ
امor مَنthe one who بَراهُcreated it للحِمامto death مُسلَّمُsurrendered
ام مَن بَراهُ للحِمام مُسلَّمُ
Do you think the order of the universe is about to crumble,
Does the cosmos' order seem about to crumble,
or that its Maker has been surrendered to death?
And who created it surrendered to the doves?
وهلand has الطبيعةُnature قدalready غَدَتbecome مألومةًafflicted
وهل الطبيعةُ قد غَدَت مألومةً
أمor انَّماrather رَبُّthe Lord الطبيعةِof nature مُؤلَمُmade to suffer
أم انَّما رَبُّ الطبيعةِ مُؤلَمُ
Has nature itself become afflicted,
Has nature now become afflicted,
or is it rather nature's Lord who suffers?
Or is it nature's Lord who suffers?
وهلand has البريَّةُcreation قدalready تَغيَّرَchanged طبعهاits nature
وهل البريَّةُ قد تَغيَّرَ طبعها
امor أنهاthat it لمَصابهِat his calamity تَتأَلَّمُsuffers
ام أنها لمَصابهِ تَتأَلَّمُ
Has creation changed its nature,
Has the wilderness changed its ways,
or does it suffer at his calamity?
Or does it ache from its wounds?
ماwhat للنَهارِails the day موشَّحاًdraped in ثوبَthe garment الدُجىof darkness
ما للنَهارِ موشَّحاً ثوبَ الدُجى
وضِياؤُهُand its light عندat الظَهيرةِnoon مُظلِمُdark
وضِياؤُهُ عند الظَهيرةِ مُظلِمُ
Why is the day draped in the garment of darkness,
Why is the day cloaked in night’s robes,
its light darkened at noon?
Its brilliance darkened at noon?
يومٌa day تَحجَّبَwas veiled نُورُهُits light فكأَنَّهُso as though it
يومٌ تَحجَّبَ نُورُهُ فكأَنَّهُ
بأَدِيمِin the skin داجيof the dark ليلهِof its night متلثِّمُface-veiled
بأَدِيمِ داجي ليلهِ متلثِّمُ
A day whose light was veiled, as though
A day whose light was veiled as though
it wore the dark skin of its night as a face covering.
Wrapped in the pitch black night.
فالبدرُso the full moon عاجَلَهُovertook it الخُسوفُthe lunar eclipse وادركand overtook الthe
فالبدرُ عاجَلَهُ الخُسوفُ وادرك ال
شمسَsun الكُسوفُthe solar eclipse وغِضنَand faded منهُbecause of it الأَنجُمُthe stars
شمسَ الكُسوفُ وغِضنَ منهُ الأَنجُمُ
The full moon was overtaken by an eclipse, and
So the moon was eclipsed in haste
an eclipse reached the sun; the stars faded because of it.
The sun afflicted by eclipse, the stars dimmed,
وارتجَّتِand shook السَبعُthe seven الطِباقُlayers وغالَهاand overwhelmed them
وارتجَّتِ السَبعُ الطِباقُ وغالَها
أمرٌa matter مُخيفٌfearful لاnot يُرامُattainable فيُفهَمُand thus understood
أمرٌ مُخيفٌ لا يُرامُ فيُفهَمُ
The seven layered heavens shook, overwhelmed
The spheres were shaken violently by a frightening matter not easily grasped.
by a fearful matter beyond reach or understanding.
Their angels were shocked and confused,
وتحسَّرَتand grieved أَملاكُهاtheir angels وتحيَّرَتand were bewildered
وتحسَّرَت أَملاكُها وتحيَّرَت
أَفلاكُهاtheir spheres بَينَاwhile تأُوبthey return وتُقدِمُand advance
أَفلاكُها بَينَا تأُوب وتُقدِمُ
Their angels grieved, and bewildered were
As were the wandering stars, coming and going.
their spheres as they moved backward and forward.
Even the defiant ones almost cried out if only they had a voice.
واحتارتِand were bewildered المتحيِّراتُthe wandering planets وانهاand they
واحتارتِ المتحيِّراتُ وانها
كادتalmost تُنادِيcried out لوif يكونُthere were لهاfor them فمa mouth
كادت تُنادِي لو يكونُ لها فم
The wandering planets were bewildered, and they
Their Almighty humbled along with His enemies,
almost cried out, had they possessed mouths.
Baring His remoteness, darkness, and gloom.
جَبَّارُهاtheir Orion قدindeed ذَلَّwas humbled معalong with عَيُّوقهاtheir Capella
جَبَّارُها قد ذَلَّ مع عَيُّوقها
وعراand overtook دراريهاtheir brilliant stars الظَلامُdarkness المُقتِمmurky
وعرا دراريها الظَلامُ المُقتِم
Their Orion was humbled, along with their Capella,
The day became like a worn-out garment
and murky darkness overtook their brilliant stars.
Mourned by the drizzles and mists.
وغداand became النهارُthe day كمّيِّتٍlike a dead man رهنَconsigned to البِلَىdecay
وغدا النهارُ كمّيِّتٍ رهنَ البِلَى
تَنعىlament عليهِover it النِيراتُthe luminaries وتَنأَمُand wail
تَنعى عليهِ النِيراتُ وتَنأَمُ
The day became like a dead man consigned to decay;
The earth shook with a violent earthquake,
the luminaries lamented over it and wailed.
And surged like a roaring, raging sea.
والأَرضُand the earth طُرّاًentirely زُلزِلَتwas shaken زِلزالَهاwith its shaking
والأَرضُ طُرّاً زُلزِلَت زِلزالَها
وتموَّجَتand surged كالبحرlike the sea وَهوَwhile it is عَرَمرَمُvast
وتموَّجَت كالبحر وَهوَ عَرَمرَمُ
The whole earth shook with its great shaking,
Graves opened and brought out
and surged like a vast sea.
The remains of the dead, now speaking!
وتَفتَّحَتand opened منهاwithin it القُبورُthe graves وأَخرَجَتand brought forth
وتَفتَّحَت منها القُبورُ وأَخرَجَت
رِمَمَdecayed remains الرُفاتِof the dead فأَصبَحَتso they became تتكلَّمُspeaking
رِمَمَ الرُفاتِ فأَصبَحَت تتكلَّمُ
Its graves opened and brought forth
The summits of the lofty mountains cracked
the decayed remains, which began to speak.
And were nearly cloven.
وتشقَّقتand split صُمُّthe solid الصُخورِrocks وهُدِّمَتand were demolished
وتشقَّقت صُمُّ الصُخورِ وهُدِّمَت
حتىeven الجِبالُthe mountains الشُمُّlofty كادتnearly تُفصَمُwere split apart
حتى الجِبالُ الشُمُّ كادت تُفصَمُ
The solid rocks split and were demolished;
Does the wilderness not deserve its gloom
even the lofty mountains nearly broke apart.
As its attire turned pitch black?
هلcan يُنكَرَنَّbe reproached علىin البريَّةِcreation حُزنُهاits sorrow
هل يُنكَرَنَّ على البريَّةِ حُزنُها
ولباسهاand its clothing أَضحَىbecame السَوادblackness الادهمُdeepest black
ولباسها أَضحَى السَواد الادهمُ
Can creation be reproached for its sorrow,
Its Creator decreed the black attire
when its clothing has become deepest black?
As a necessary tradition it calls for.
اذsince سَنَّordained باريهاits Maker لهاfor it عنout of لازمٍnecessity
اذ سَنَّ باريها لها عن لازمٍ
لُبسَwearing السَوادِblack بسُنَّةٍby an ordinance تستلزمُthat binds
لُبسَ السَوادِ بسُنَّةٍ تستلزمُ
Its Maker ordained for it, as a necessity,
So it took on the duties of mourning, an obligatory duty,
the wearing of black by a binding ordinance.
A necessary requirement like all necessities.
فغَدَتso it became وفَرضُand the duty النَدبِof lamentation فرضٌa duty لازمٌbinding
فغَدَت وفَرضُ النَدبِ فرضٌ لازمٌ
مستلزمٌentailed كلُزُومlike the obligation ماof what هوis أَلزَمُmost binding
مستلزمٌ كلُزُوم ما هو أَلزَمُ
Thus it became so, and lamentation was a binding duty,
It struts in the robe of bereavement as though
entailed like the obligation of what is most binding.
A bereaved woman pained by agonizing affliction.
تَختالُsways proudly فيin مِرطِthe mantle الحِدادِof mourning كأَنَّهاas though it
تَختالُ في مِرطِ الحِدادِ كأَنَّها
ثَكلاءُa bereaved mother أَلَّمهاhurt her مَصابٌa calamity مُؤلِمُpainful
ثَكلاءُ أَلَّمها مَصابٌ مُؤلِمُ
It sways in the mantle of mourning, as though
God's mourner for one who died because of
a bereaved mother hurt by a painful calamity.
Our sins though He is free of sin.
لِلّهby God مأتَمةٌa mourning لميتٍfor a dead person ماتَwho died عنfor
لِلّه مأتَمةٌ لميتٍ ماتَ عن
آثامِناour sins وَهُوَthough he الذيis the one who لاdoes not يأثَمُsin
آثامِنا وَهُوَ الذي لا يأثَمُ
By God, what a mourning for one who died for
No wonder all the wilds wept
our sins, though he is the one who never sins!
And composed the finest elegies.
لاno غَروَwonder انthat بَكَتِwept البراياthe creatures كُلُّهاall of them
لا غَروَ ان بَكَتِ البرايا كُلُّها
وغدتand began لأَشعارِverses المَناوحof lamentations تَنظِمُcomposing
وغدت لأَشعارِ المَناوح تَنظِمُ
No wonder all creation wept
Not like Joseph envied by his brothers
and began composing verses of lamentation.
Sold unfairly by the ignoble ones.
كلاno ولاnor المُبتاعُthe purchased one منfrom حُسَّادهِhis enviers
كلا ولا المُبتاعُ من حُسَّادهِ
بالوَرقِfor silver يُوسُفُJoseph ذلكthat المتقدّمُman of old
بالوَرقِ يُوسُفُ ذلك المتقدّمُ
No, nor is he the one bought from his enviers
Nor like Job, the long suffering,
for silver—Joseph, that man of old.
Deemed foolish and rejection.
لاno لاno ولاnor أَيُّوبُJob هذاthis المُبتَلىafflicted one
لا لا ولا أَيُّوبُ هذا المُبتَلى
فكانماas though هُوَhe أَحسَبٌwhite-spotted ومجذَّمُand leprous
فكانما هُوَ أَحسَبٌ ومجذَّمُ
No, no, nor is he Job, that afflicted one,
Nor like Noah ridiculed by his son,
as though he were white-spotted and leprous.
Though he is too noble to be ridiculed.
كلاno ولاnor المهزوthe mocked one بهِat him نُوحٌNoah مِنby ابنٍa son
كلا ولا المهزو بهِ نُوحٌ مِن ابنٍ
وَهوَwhile he عارٍnaked ماnot عليهِupon him مردَّمُa patched covering
وَهوَ عارٍ ما عليهِ مردَّمُ
No, nor is he Noah, mocked by a son
Rather He is the Majestic Lord whose
while naked, without a patched covering.
Angels and spheres serve submissively.
بلrather انهُhe is الربُّthe Lord الجليلُglorious ومنand the one لهُwhom الthe
بل انهُ الربُّ الجليلُ ومن لهُ ال
أَملاكُangels والأَفلاكُand the spheres طُرّاًall تَخدِمُserve
أَملاكُ والأَفلاكُ طُرّاً تَخدِمُ
Rather, he is the glorious Lord, whom
This end suited that beginning
the angels and the spheres all serve.
As an infant in the manger destitute.
هذيthis النِهايةُending طابقتmatched تلكَthat البَدآbeginning (first part)
هذي النِهايةُ طابقت تلكَ البَدآ
ءَةَbeginning (ending) وَهوَwhile he طِفلٌa child فيin المَغارةِthe cave مُعدَمُdestitute
ءَةَ وَهوَ طِفلٌ في المَغارةِ مُعدَمُ
This ending matched that beginning:
He came to us willingly, humbly
he was a destitute child in the cave.
Though He is the Obeyed Commander, the Supreme.
وافىcame اليناto us طائعاًwillingly متواضعاًhumbly
وافى الينا طائعاً متواضعاً
وَهُوَthough he المُطاعُthe obeyed one الآمِرُthe commander المتعظمُthe exalted one
وَهُوَ المُطاعُ الآمِرُ المتعظمُ
He came to us willingly and humbly,
The God was counted among sinners as though
though he is the obeyed commander, the exalted one.
He were the guilty criminal, not the Chaste and Just.
حُسِبَwas counted الالهُGod معamong الخُطاةِthe sinners كانهُas though he
حُسِبَ الالهُ مع الخُطاةِ كانهُ
وهُوَthough he الزكيُّthe pure one البَرُّthe righteous one خاطٍa sinner مُجرِمُcriminal
وهُوَ الزكيُّ البَرُّ خاطٍ مُجرِمُ
God was numbered among sinners, as though
His wonders prove His truth,
he, the pure and righteous one, were a criminal sinner.
Arabs and non-Arabs believed Him.
صَدَعَتproclaimed openly عجائبُهُhis wonders فدانَso submitted لصِدقِهاto their truth
صَدَعَت عجائبُهُ فدانَ لصِدقِها
منfrom ذيthis البريَّةcreation عُربُهاits Arabs والأَعجُمُand the non-Arabs
من ذي البريَّة عُربُها والأَعجُمُ
His wonders proclaimed themselves, and their truth won submission
The blind saw, the deaf heard His miracles,
from this creation's Arabs and non-Arabs.
And the dumb spoke by His authority.
قدindeed أَبصَرَsaw الأَعمىthe blind man وأُذنُand the ear الصُمّof the deaf قدindeed
قد أَبصَرَ الأَعمى وأُذنُ الصُمّ قد
سَمِعَتheard بمُعجِزِهِthrough his miracle وفاهَand spoke الأَبكَمُthe mute man
سَمِعَت بمُعجِزِهِ وفاهَ الأَبكَمُ
The blind man saw, and the ears of the deaf
The mad were cured by His order
heard through his miracle; the mute man spoke.
Along with the disabled and the lepers.
وبامرهand at his command المجنونُthe madman حازَobtained علىaccess to الشِفاhealing
وبامره المجنونُ حازَ على الشِفا
والمُعتَرىand the afflicted والابرصُand the white-spotted المتجذّمُleprous
والمُعتَرى والابرصُ المتجذّمُ
At his command the madman obtained healing,
Those with withered hands and bleeding
and the afflicted, and the white-spotted leper,
Saw His signs, O you who are blind!
واليابسُand the withered الأَيدِيhands ونازفةُand the woman shedding الدِماblood
واليابسُ الأَيدِي ونازفةُ الدِما
فتبصَّرواso discern آياتِهِhis signs ياO منthose who عَمُواbecame blind
فتبصَّروا آياتِهِ يا من عَمُوا
and those with withered hands, and the woman bleeding.
By His command, the dead lived,
Discern his signs, you who have been blind!
And the crippled walked upright.
وبامرهِand at his command المَوتَىthe dead حَيُواlived والمُقعَدوthe crippled (first part)
وبامرهِ المَوتَى حَيُوا والمُقعَدو
نَthe crippled (ending) لقدindeed مَشَواwalked والمنحنُونَand the bent-over تقوَّمواstraightened
نَ لقد مَشَوا والمنحنُونَ تقوَّموا
At his command the dead lived, and the crippled
He watered a garden's soil on the eve of His crucifixion
walked indeed; those bent over stood upright.
With sweat like dripping myrrh on the ground,
رَوَّىwatered ثَرَىthe soil البُستانِof the garden ليلةَon the night صلبهِof his crucifixion
رَوَّى ثَرَى البُستانِ ليلةَ صلبهِ
عَرَقٌsweat علىupon تلكَthat البسيطةِground مسجمُstreaming
عَرَقٌ على تلكَ البسيطةِ مسجمُ
The garden's soil was watered on the night of his crucifixion
Flowing in the early morn into a fire soon lit.
by sweat streaming onto that ground,
He prayed ardently for an hour
متقطِّراًdripping مثلlike العبيطfresh blood علىupon الثَرَىthe soil
متقطِّراً مثل العبيط على الثَرَى
منfrom حَرِّthe heat نارٍof a fire فيat الغَداةِdawn ستُضرَمُto be kindled
من حَرِّ نارٍ في الغَداةِ ستُضرَمُ
dripping like fresh blood upon the soil,
For the hour of His cross He would endure.
from the heat of a fire to be kindled at dawn.
“Father, if it is possible, take this from Me,
صلَّىhe prayed مليّاًat length ساعةًan hour فيafter ساعةٍan hour
صلَّى مليّاً ساعةً في ساعةٍ
فيafter ساعةٍan hour لصليبهِfor his cross يتسوَّمُhe readies himself
في ساعةٍ لصليبهِ يتسوَّمُ
He prayed at length, one hour after another,
But not My will, only Yours, be done.”
and another hour, preparing for his cross.
In three hours His prayer was done.
انif يُستَطَعit is possible أَبَتاهُO my Father عنيfrom me فلتَجُزthen let pass
ان يُستَطَع أَبَتاهُ عني فلتَجُز
ذيthis الكاسُcup بلrather ماضيthe settled قَضاكyour decree يُتمَّمُbe fulfilled
ذي الكاسُ بل ماضي قَضاك يُتمَّمُ
If it is possible, Father, let there pass from me
The disciples nearby, slumbering.
this cup; rather, let your settled decree be fulfilled.
He came to them while heavy their lids
أَبَتاهُO my Father لاnot كمشيئَتيaccording to my will لكنbut كماas
أَبَتاهُ لا كمشيئَتي لكن كما
تختارهُyou choose it وكماand as تَشاءُyou will وتَرسُمُand ordain
تختارهُ وكما تَشاءُ وتَرسُمُ
Father, not according to my will, but as
From the taste of sleep since He drew away.
you choose, and as you will and ordain.
He roused them saying, “Rise, pray, beware,
بثلاثin three ساعاتٍhours أَتمَّhe completed صَلاتهُhis prayer
بثلاث ساعاتٍ أَتمَّ صَلاتهُ
والرُسلُand the apostles ناحيةًaside رُقُودٌlying asleep نُوَّمُfast asleep
والرُسلُ ناحيةً رُقُودٌ نُوَّمُ
In three hours he completed his prayer,
Lest negligence weigh on your hearts!”
while the apostles lay aside, fast asleep.
“Can you not for one hour keep awake,
وافاهمhe came to them وهمwhile they ثقيلواheavy الجَفنof eyelid منfrom
وافاهم وهم ثقيلوا الجَفن من
طَعمthe taste الرُقادِof sleep ومُذand when تَدَانىhe drew near منهمُto them
طَعم الرُقادِ ومُذ تَدَانى منهمُ
He came to them, their eyelids heavy from
And serve your Lord instead of sleep?”
the taste of sleep; when he drew near them,
In three hours He perfected His prayer.
ناداهمُhe called them هُبُّواrise وصَلُّواand pray واحذَرواand beware
ناداهمُ هُبُّوا وصَلُّوا واحذَروا
سِنَةًdrowsiness بأَجفانِover the eyelids القُلوبِof hearts تهوّمُdrifting in sleep
سِنَةً بأَجفانِ القُلوبِ تهوّمُ
he called: Rise, pray, and beware
The nobles lay there fast asleep.
of drowsiness drifting over the eyelids of your hearts.
He met them as their lids were heavy
هلاcould you not استطعتمmanage ساعةًan hour انto تسهَرواstay awake
هلا استطعتم ساعةً ان تسهَروا
فيهاduring it معيwith me ولربّكمand your Lord انto تَخدِمواserve
فيها معي ولربّكم ان تَخدِموا
Could you not stay awake for one hour,
From the taste of slumber since He approached.
with me in it, and serve your Lord?
He bid them peace but Thomas the twin
قومواrise بناlet us go منfrom ههُناhere فلقدfor indeed دناhas drawn near
قوموا بنا من ههُنا فلقد دنا
منthe one who للمَناto death إِيايَme جاءَcame يُسلِّمُto deliver
من للمَنا إِيايَ جاءَ يُسلِّمُ
Rise, let us leave this place, for near is
At that time was absent, not believing.
the one who has come to deliver me to death.
When He came to them they related what they saw
أَتَتِcame اليهودُthe Jews امامهمbefore them تِلمِيذُهُhis disciple
أَتَتِ اليهودُ امامهم تِلمِيذُهُ
ذاكthat الكَنُودungrateful one المستبيحprofaner الأَيهَمُreckless one
ذاك الكَنُود المستبيح الأَيهَمُ
The Jews came, his disciple before them,
But Thomas deemed it a mere dream.
that ungrateful, reckless profaner.
Then God’s Son came to them again
بثلثةٍfor three فيtimes عَشرةٍten منof فِضَّةٍsilver
بثلثةٍ في عَشرةٍ من فِضَّةٍ
حُرُّnoble الأَديمof skin ابيعwas sold بيعاًin a sale يَحرُمُforbidden
حُرُّ الأَديم ابيع بيعاً يَحرُمُ
For three times ten pieces of silver,
With the wound in His side indicating its mark.
the noble-skinned one was sold in an unlawful sale.
He called, “Thomas, come feel and believe,
طبقواclosed in عليهِupon him كالضواريlike beasts of prey بَغتةًsuddenly
طبقوا عليهِ كالضواري بَغتةً
بلrather طبَّقواheaped فيهِupon him البَلاءَaffliction وصمَّمواand persisted
بل طبَّقوا فيهِ البَلاءَ وصمَّموا
They suddenly closed upon him like beasts of prey;
O doubter, put aside your suspicions!”
rather, they heaped affliction upon him and persisted.
When he was certain he exclaimed
سأَلوهُthey asked him انتَyou يسوعُJesus قالَhe said لهمto them اناI
سأَلوهُ انتَ يسوعُ قالَ لهم انا
هُوَhe فانهَوَواso they fell صَرعَىprostrate ولمand did not يتقدَّمواadvance
هُوَ فانهَوَوا صَرعَى ولم يتقدَّموا
They asked, Are you Jesus? He told them, I
“You are my Savior, You are God, no doubt!”
am he. They fell prostrate and did not advance.
After completing the plan for which
لكنهُbut he عنby حُكمهِhis decree وسَماحِهِand his permission
لكنهُ عن حُكمهِ وسَماحِهِ
ذهبواthey went بهِwith him وعليهِand upon him صلباًcrucifixion احكمواdecreed
ذهبوا بهِ وعليهِ صلباً احكموا
Yet by his decree and permission
The Greatest God came down,
they took him away and decreed his crucifixion.
He went to the Mount of Olives to draw His disciples
ربٌّa Lord يجوزُholds sway علىover الملائكthe angels حُكمُهُhis judgment
ربٌّ يجوزُ على الملائك حُكمُهُ
ومنand by الوَرَىmortals يُقضَىjudgment is passed عليهِupon him ويُحكَمُand sentence given
ومن الوَرَى يُقضَى عليهِ ويُحكَمُ
A Lord whose judgment holds sway over angels,
Where He'll come again one day to judge.
yet mortals pass judgment and sentence upon him!
There He blessed them and said, “Take from Me
هوhe ذاthis الالهُGod نراهُwe see him مُحتَقراًdespised فَماso what
هو ذا الالهُ نراهُ مُحتَقراً فَما
ذاthen أنتَare you ياO هذاyou الذيwho يتعظَّمُexalts himself
ذا أنتَ يا هذا الذي يتعظَّمُ
Here is God, whom we see despised; what, then,
Counsel to abide by My advice.
are you, O you who exalt yourself?
It is love, for it is your mark.
ماdid not رَدَّturn away عنfrom خِزيِthe disgrace البُصاقِof spittle الوَجهَthe face والand the
ما رَدَّ عن خِزيِ البُصاقِ الوَجهَ وال
خَدَّينَcheeks عنfrom صَفَعَاتِthe slaps مَنof those who لاdo not يَفهَمُunderstand
خَدَّينَ عن صَفَعَاتِ مَن لا يَفهَمُ
He did not turn his face from the disgrace of spittle, nor
By it teach and learn.”
his cheeks from the slaps of those without understanding.
Then He ascended to the heaven while His love
لَطَمَتstruck يدُthe hand العبدِof the servant الالهَGod وانهاand it
لَطَمَت يدُ العبدِ الالهَ وانها
قَمِنٌdeserving بهاfor it لوif قبلَbefore ذلكthat تُجذَمُwere severed
قَمِنٌ بها لو قبلَ ذلك تُجذَمُ
The servant's hand struck God, though it
Still ruled their hearts decisively.
deserved to have been cut off before that.
The beauty of His countenance vanished
ياO ارضُearth نوحيlament ياO سماواتheavens الطِميbeat your faces
يا ارضُ نوحي يا سماوات الطِمي
فالعبدُfor the servant للمولىthe Lord المهيمِنِsovereign يَلطِمُstrikes
فالعبدُ للمولى المهيمِنِ يَلطِمُ
O earth, lament! O heavens, beat your faces!
And tears streamed down their cheeks.
For the servant strikes the sovereign Lord.
The angels of heaven all raised Him up,
جَلَدُوهُthey scourged him جَلداتٍwith lashes تَعاظمَgrew immense حَدُّهاtheir severity
جَلَدُوهُ جَلداتٍ تَعاظمَ حَدُّها
مَعَalong with عَدِّهاtheir number منfrom عُصبةٍa band لاthat does not ترحمُshow mercy
مَعَ عَدِّها من عُصبةٍ لا ترحمُ
They scourged him with lashes of immense severity,
A Lord held in their arms asleep.
and immense number, from a merciless band.
The saints encircled Him like halos
حتّىuntil انبرَىwas worn away جُثمانُهُhis body وتناثرتand scattered
حتّى انبرَى جُثمانُهُ وتناثرت
لحمانهُhis pieces of flesh واشفَّand showed through منهاthem الأَعظُمُthe bones
لحمانهُ واشفَّ منها الأَعظُمُ
Until his body was worn away and scattered were
Then the prophets, bowing before Him.
his pieces of flesh, through which the bones showed.
He paved the way to heaven for us
وتَقطَّعَتand were severed أَعصابُهُhis sinews وانفكَّتand came apart الthe
وتَقطَّعَت أَعصابُهُ وانفكَّت ال
أَوصالُlimbs منهُof him فَكَّa sundering ماthat لاcannot يُلحَمُbe joined
أَوصالُ منهُ فَكَّ ما لا يُلحَمُ
His sinews were severed, and loosened were
Though none ascended it before.
his limbs, in a sundering beyond repair.
Its cliffs were flattened for Him
فتضرجَّتso were drenched أثوابُهُhis garments بدِمائِهِwith his blood
فتضرجَّت أثوابُهُ بدِمائِهِ
فكأَنَّهاso as though they منfrom ذاكthat ثوبٌa garment مُعلَمُpatterned
فكأَنَّها من ذاك ثوبٌ مُعلَمُ
His garments were drenched with his blood,
Though it had been defiant and unyielding.
as though it had made them a patterned robe.
At His entrance, its gatekeepers raised
قدindeed بُلِّلَتwere soaked بالأَمسِyesterday منwith أعراقِهِhis sweat
قد بُلِّلَت بالأَمسِ من أعراقِهِ
واليومَand today بالأَسواطِthrough the scourges بلَّلهاsoaked them الدَمُthe blood
واليومَ بالأَسواطِ بلَّلها الدَمُ
Yesterday they had been soaked with his sweat;
Its gates and handed Him its keys.
today, through the scourges, blood soaked them.
Songs of praise rang in its halls
متشوّهاًdisfigured بِجراحهِby his wounds ومُزَمَّلاًand wrapped
متشوّهاً بِجراحهِ ومُزَمَّلاً
بدِمائِهِin his blood فكأنهُso as though he متعنِّمُscarlet-dyed
بدِمائِهِ فكأنهُ متعنِّمُ
Disfigured by his wounds and wrapped
And all glorified Him in psalmody.
in his blood, he seemed dyed scarlet.
They were rapturous in robes of bliss
هذاthis الذيthe one who لمdid not تبقَremain فيهِin him صِحَّةٌsoundness
هذا الذي لم تبقَ فيهِ صِحَّةٌ
منfrom رأسِهِhis head القُدسيِّholy حتّىdown to المنسمُthe sole
من رأسِهِ القُدسيِّ حتّى المنسمُ
This is he in whom no soundness remained,
Bonds of yearning for Him will not be severed.
from his holy head down to his sole.
Then the soul's burdens were lifted away
كلاno ولاnor حُسنٌbeauty وباهيnor radiant صُورةٍappearance
كلا ولا حُسنٌ وباهي صُورةٍ
غابَvanished الجميعُall فأَينَso where رسمٌany features وأَوسَمُand a fairer form
غابَ الجميعُ فأَينَ رسمٌ وأَوسَمُ
No beauty remained, nor radiant appearance;
And no one remains embodied.
all vanished: where were any features or fair form?
There every teardrop is wiped
فكأنماas though ضَرَباتُهُhis injuries أَبَتِrefused الشِفاhealing
فكأنما ضَرَباتُهُ أَبَتِ الشِفا
وجِراحُهُand his wounds لاnot يشتفيهاheals them مَرهَمُan ointment
وجِراحُهُ لا يشتفيها مَرهَمُ
It was as though his injuries refused healing,
From their cheeks, no more flowing.
and no ointment could heal his wounds.
There is Paradise, among its saplings
عَضَلتbecame intractable فليسso there is no لهاfor them ضِمادٌdressing نافعٌhelpful
عَضَلت فليس لها ضِمادٌ نافعٌ
ورِفادةٌnor a compress أوor نوعُa kind بُرءٍof healing يُوهَمُconceivable
ورِفادةٌ أو نوعُ بُرءٍ يُوهَمُ
They became intractable; no dressing could help them,
The tree of life, its fruits for all to taste.
nor any compress, nor any conceivable kind of cure.
There each is perfect in his prime
فالجِسمُso the body منfrom وَقعِthe blows السِياطof the scourges مُخدَّشٌlacerated
فالجِسمُ من وَقعِ السِياط مُخدَّشٌ
والرأسُand the head بالشوكِby the thorns الأَليمِpainful مُهشَّمُcrushed
والرأسُ بالشوكِ الأَليمِ مُهشَّمُ
His body was lacerated by the blows of the scourges,
Ever youthful, never aging.
and his head crushed by the painful thorns.
There is the lush wedding feast
وبكلand on every جارحةٍlimb جِراحٌwounds جَمَّةٌnumerous
وبكل جارحةٍ جِراحٌ جَمَّةٌ
حتَّىeven حَشاهُhis inward parts مجرَّحٌwounded ومورَّمُand swollen
حتَّى حَشاهُ مجرَّحٌ ومورَّمُ
On every limb were numerous wounds;
Where love has no frown.
even his inward parts were wounded and swollen.
They suffer neither heat nor cold,
قدindeed خِيلَhe seemed موؤوفthe afflicted one الوَرَىof mankind طرّاًall فماso no
قد خِيلَ موؤوف الوَرَى طرّاً فما
عُضوٌlimb بهِin him الاexcept أَليمٌaching مُؤلَمُhurt
عُضوٌ بهِ الا أَليمٌ مُؤلَمُ
He seemed to bear the affliction of all mankind; no
No fatigue, no pain or affliction.
limb in him was other than aching and hurt.
They enjoy the tents of their God's glory,
ساقوهُthey led him كالحَمَلِlike the lamb الوديعِgentle مُحمَّلاًladen
ساقوهُ كالحَمَلِ الوديعِ مُحمَّلاً
لصليبهِwith his cross متحمّلاًbearing ذاthis عنهمُon their behalf
لصليبهِ متحمّلاً ذا عنهمُ
They led him like a gentle lamb, laden
Where greetings and joy are encamped.
with his cross, bearing this on their behalf.
Delighting forever in the Beautiful One,
وبناتُand the daughters أُورَشليمَof Jerusalem تَندُبُlament حولَهُaround him
وبناتُ أُورَشليمَ تَندُبُ حولَهُ
بتفجُّعٍwith anguish منهُfrom which الحُشاشةُthe last life-spark تُخذَمُis severed
بتفجُّعٍ منهُ الحُشاشةُ تُخذَمُ
The daughters of Jerusalem lamented around him
Never bored nor boring.
with anguish that cuts away the last spark of life.
This is the fate of the righteous,
فرأَىso he looked بِهنَّat them وقالand said أُكفُفنَcease البُكاweeping
فرأَى بِهنَّ وقال أُكفُفنَ البُكا
وابكِينَand weep أَنفُسَكُنَّfor yourselves مماfor what تُنقَمُis avenged
وابكِينَ أَنفُسَكُنَّ مما تُنقَمُ
He looked at them and said: Cease your weeping,
If only all souls were sealed by such an end!
and weep for yourselves, for the vengeance to come.
واترُكنand leave مأتَمةًa mourning بهاof which أَحقابُكمyour generations
واترُكن مأتَمةً بها أَحقابُكم
أَولَىworthier وذاand this الشعبُpeople الاثيمُsinful المُجرمcriminal
أَولَى وذا الشعبُ الاثيمُ المُجرم
Leave this mourning: your generations
are worthier of it, and this sinful, criminal people.
انif كانَwas عُودكمُyour wood الرطيبُgreen مهشَّماًshattered
ان كانَ عُودكمُ الرطيبُ مهشَّماً
فهشيمكمthen your dry wood ماwhat حالُهُis its condition اذwhen يُهشضمُit is crushed
فهشيمكم ما حالُهُ اذ يُهشضمُ
If your green wood has been shattered,
what will become of your dry wood when it is crushed?
ياO ناسُpeople هلdo وجعاًa pain تَرَونَyou see كمُوجعيlike my pain
يا ناسُ هل وجعاً تَرَونَ كمُوجعي
ياذاO you الخطاةsinners أَلاwill you not ارحمونيhave mercy on me وارحمواand show mercy
ياذا الخطاة أَلا ارحموني وارحموا
O people, do you see any pain like mine?
O sinners, have mercy on me, and show compassion!
حُبّاًout of love بكمfor you ولاجلكمand for your sake قدindeed أَدرَكَتنيhas overtaken me
حُبّاً بكم ولاجلكم قد أَدرَكَتني
ذيthis المُصيبةُcalamity والقَضاءُand the decree المُبرَمُirrevocable
ذي المُصيبةُ والقَضاءُ المُبرَمُ
Out of love for you, and for your sake, there has overtaken me
this calamity and irrevocable decree.
لولاbut for خَطاؤُكُمُyour sins وزَلَّةُand the fall آدَمٍof Adam
لولا خَطاؤُكُمُ وزَلَّةُ آدَمٍ
ماwould not استهدَفَتنيhave targeted me الآنَnow هذيthese الأَسهُمُarrows
ما استهدَفَتني الآنَ هذي الأَسهُمُ
But for your sins and Adam's fall,
these arrows would not now have made me their target.
انَّindeed انسحِاقكyour devastation مثلُlike بحرٍa sea زاخرٍsurging
انَّ انسحِاقك مثلُ بحرٍ زاخرٍ
بلrather إِنَّهُit is منthan كُلِّevery بحرٍsea أَعظَمُgreater
بل إِنَّهُ من كُلِّ بحرٍ أَعظَمُ
Your devastation is like a surging sea;
indeed, it is greater than every sea.
فاصغُواso listen اليهِto him ياO خُطاةُsinners لأَنَّهُfor he
فاصغُوا اليهِ يا خُطاةُ لأَنَّهُ
ناداكُمُcalled you بفَصاحةٍwith eloquence لاnot تعجمُobscure
ناداكُمُ بفَصاحةٍ لا تعجمُ
Listen to him, O sinners, for he
has called you with eloquence free of obscurity.
منwhoever قدindeed أَحَبَّloves الظُلمَinjustice يُبغِضُhates نفسَهُhimself
من قد أَحَبَّ الظُلمَ يُبغِضُ نفسَهُ
انindeed الظَلُومَthe unjust man لنفسهِhis own soul قدindeed يَظلِمُwrongs
ان الظَلُومَ لنفسهِ قد يَظلِمُ
Whoever loves injustice hates himself;
the unjust man wrongs his own soul.
لاno حُبَّlove اعظمُgreater منthan مَحَبَّةِthe love باذلٍof one giving
لا حُبَّ اعظمُ من مَحَبَّةِ باذلٍ
عنfor حِبّهِhis beloved نفساًa life تَعِزُّprecious وتَكرُمُand noble
عن حِبّهِ نفساً تَعِزُّ وتَكرُمُ
No love is greater than the love of one who gives
for his beloved a life precious and noble.
ومَنِand whoever ارتَضَىconsented بالموتِto death عنfor أَعدائِهِhis enemies
ومَنِ ارتَضَى بالموتِ عن أَعدائِهِ
حُبّاًout of love بِهِمfor them فهُوَthen he المُحِبُّthe lover الاعظمُgreatest
حُبّاً بِهِم فهُوَ المُحِبُّ الاعظمُ
Whoever consents to die for his enemies
out of love for them is the greatest lover.
لمdid not يفتدِredeem الأَملاكَthe angels بلrather منfrom جودهِhis generosity
لم يفتدِ الأَملاكَ بل من جودهِ
افدىhe redeemed الأَنامَmankind بفِديةٍwith a ransom تُستعظَمُdeemed immense
افدى الأَنامَ بفِديةٍ تُستعظَمُ
He did not redeem the angels; rather, in his generosity,
he redeemed mankind with an immense ransom.
واحالَand turned عدلَthe justice ابيهِof his Father منهُthrough himself لرحمةٍto mercy
واحالَ عدلَ ابيهِ منهُ لرحمةٍ
ومحبَّةٍand love عَظُمَتgrew great لديهِwith him وتَعظُمُand grows greater
ومحبَّةٍ عَظُمَت لديهِ وتَعظُمُ
Through himself he turned his Father's justice to mercy
and to love that grew great with him and grows greater.
ياO sovereign مالكاًheld him مَلَكَتهُthe hands ايديof their judgment حكُمِهمtheir
يا مالكاً مَلَكَتهُ ايدي حكُمِهم
ماnot أنتyou الَّاexcept المالكُthe sovereign المتحكّمُcommanding
ما أنت الَّا المالكُ المتحكّمُ
O Sovereign, held in the hands of their judgment,
you are none other than the sovereign who commands.
لوif كُنتَyou were تمنعُresisting مَنَّعَتكَwould defend you ملائكٌangels
لو كُنتَ تمنعُ مَنَّعَتكَ ملائكٌ
اربتexceeding علىbeyond التَعدادِcounting حولكَaround you حُوَّمُhovering
اربت على التَعدادِ حولكَ حُوَّمُ
Had you resisted, angels would have defended you,
exceeding all counting, hovering around you.
اوor كنتَyou were تُفدَىransomed لافتَدَتكَwould redeem you منfrom الوَرَىmankind
او كنتَ تُفدَى لافتَدَتكَ من الوَرَى
مُهَجٌhearts وأَرواحٌand souls بحبّكَin love for you تُسجَمُpoured forth
مُهَجٌ وأَرواحٌ بحبّكَ تُسجَمُ
Had you been ransomed, you would have been redeemed by
hearts and souls of mortals, poured forth in love for you.
اوor كنتَyou were تُشرَىpurchased لاشترَتكَwould buy you نفوسُthe souls منof those
او كنتَ تُشرَى لاشترَتكَ نفوسُ من
بِيعَتwere sold لأَجلِكfor your sake بيعَwith the sale منof one who لاdoes not يَندَمُregret
بِيعَت لأَجلِك بيعَ من لا يَندَمُ
Had you been purchasable, you would have been bought by souls
sold for your sake, with the sale of those who never regret.
قدindeed أَلبَسُوهُthey clothed him الأُرجُوانَin purple تَهَزُّؤاًin mockery
قد أَلبَسُوهُ الأُرجُوانَ تَهَزُّؤاً
ماnone منهمُof them الاexcept بهِat him يتهكَّمُjeers
ما منهمُ الا بهِ يتهكَّمُ
They clothed him in purple in mockery;
not one of them failed to jeer at him.
حتىuntil أتواthey reached الجَبَلَthe mountain الذيwhich فيهِin it ثَوَتlay
حتى أتوا الجَبَلَ الذي فيهِ ثَوَت
منby سامShem أعظمُthe bones آدَمٍof Adam والجمجمُand the skull
من سام أعظمُ آدَمٍ والجمجمُ
Until they reached the mountain where lay
Adam's bones and skull, left by Shem.
وتقاسَمواand they divided اثوابهُhis garments ماamong بينهمthemselves
وتقاسَموا اثوابهُ ما بينهم
كيso that يَكمُلُis fulfilled النَبَأُthe prophecy المَقُولُspoken ستُقسَمُthey shall be divided
كي يَكمُلُ النَبَأُ المَقُولُ ستُقسَمُ
They divided his garments among themselves,
to fulfill the spoken prophecy: They shall be divided.
قدindeed سمَّرواthey nailed رجلَيهِhis feet والأَيديand the hands معاًtogether
قد سمَّروا رجلَيهِ والأَيدي معاً
بقَساوةٍwith cruelty منهاfrom which الحَشَىthe inward parts يتضرَّمُburn
بقَساوةٍ منها الحَشَى يتضرَّمُ
They nailed his feet and hands together,
with cruelty that sets the inward parts aflame.
وشَكاand he complained الظَماof thirst فأَتَوهُso they brought him فيin إِسفَنجةٍa sponge
وشَكا الظَما فأَتَوهُ في إِسفَنجةٍ
خَلّاvinegar ومُرّاًand myrrh ساءَbecame foul منهُfrom it المَطعَمُthe taste
خَلّا ومُرّاً ساءَ منهُ المَطعَمُ
He complained of thirst, and they brought him in a sponge
vinegar and bitter myrrh, foul to the taste.
هذاthis الذيthe one who وَضَعَplaced العِدَىthe enemies فيin خُبزهِhis bread
هذا الذي وَضَعَ العِدَى في خُبزهِ
عُوداًwood كماas قالsaid النبيُّthe prophet الأَكرَمُmost noble
عُوداً كما قال النبيُّ الأَكرَمُ
This is he in whose bread the enemies placed
wood, as the most noble prophet said.
فقَضَىso he died ولمand was not يُكسَرbroken لهُof his عظمٌa bone ولbut (first part)
فقَضَى ولم يُكسَر لهُ عظمٌ ول
كِنَّbut (ending) المُصِيبةَthe calamity والبليَّةَand the affliction أَعظَمُgreater
كِنَّ المُصِيبةَ والبليَّةَ أَعظَمُ
He died, and no bone of his was broken; yet
the calamity and affliction were greater.
إذfor قدindeed اتتهُcame upon him طَعنةٌa thrust نَجلاءُgaping غاplunged (first part)
إذ قد اتتهُ طَعنةٌ نَجلاءُ غا
صَplunged (ending) بهاthrough it إلىto أَقصىthe deepest الفُؤادِheart اللَهذَمُthe broad spearhead
صَ بها إلى أَقصى الفُؤادِ اللَهذَمُ
For he had received a gaping thrust,
through which the broad spearhead plunged to the depth of his heart.
صَلَبوهُthey crucified him ماamong بينَbetween اللُصوصِthe thieves كانهُas though he
صَلَبوهُ ما بينَ اللُصوصِ كانهُ
وَهُوَthough he البريُّthe innocent البارُthe righteous لِصٌّa thief مُجرِمُcriminal
وَهُوَ البريُّ البارُ لِصٌّ مُجرِمُ
They crucified him among thieves, as though
he, innocent and righteous, were a criminal thief.
نادىcalled بهِto him لِصُّthe thief الميامنon the right سَيّديmy Lord
نادى بهِ لِصُّ الميامن سَيّدي
فيin مُلكِكَyour kingdom اذكُرنيremember me اياO ذاyou المُنعِمُbenefactor
في مُلكِكَ اذكُرني ايا ذا المُنعِمُ
The thief on the right called to him: My Lord,
remember me in your kingdom, O benefactor!
فأَجابهُso he answered him ستكونُyou shall be فيin عَدنٍEden معيwith me
فأَجابهُ ستكونُ في عَدنٍ معي
ذاthis اليومَday فيin مَثوَىthe abode الشقاوةof misery تَنعَمُyou enjoy bliss
ذا اليومَ في مَثوَى الشقاوة تَنعَمُ
He answered him: You shall be in Eden with me
this very day; in the abode of misery you shall enjoy bliss.
فبحسِّهِso in his sensation الجِسميِّbodily كانhe was مؤَلَّماًsuffering
فبحسِّهِ الجِسميِّ كان مؤَلَّماً
وبعقلهِand in his intellect ماstill زالَremained وَهُوَwhile he مُنعَّمُblessed
وبعقلهِ ما زالَ وَهُوَ مُنعَّمُ
In his bodily sensation he suffered,
while in his intellect he remained blessed.
وافىcame إلىto بيلاطسَPilate البِنطيِّPontius يوJoseph (first part)
وافى إلى بيلاطسَ البِنطيِّ يو
سُفُJoseph (ending) ذلكthat الراميof Arimathea الأَلَبُّmost prudent الأَحزَمُmost resolute
سُفُ ذلك الرامي الأَلَبُّ الأَحزَمُ
To Pontius Pilate came
Joseph of Arimathea, most prudent and resolute.
وامتاحَand requested دفنَthe burial يسوعَof Jesus منهُfrom him وشانُهُand his bearing
وامتاحَ دفنَ يسوعَ منهُ وشانُهُ
فيin ذيthis البَسالةِcourage واضحٌclear لاnot مُبهَمُobscure
في ذي البَسالةِ واضحٌ لا مُبهَمُ
He sought permission from him to bury Jesus; his bearing
in this courage was plain, not obscure.
قالhe said اعطِنيgive me هذاthis الغريبَstranger لأَنَّهُfor he
قال اعطِني هذا الغريبَ لأَنَّهُ
قدindeed ماتَdied وارحَمهُand have mercy on him لعلَّكperhaps you تُرحَمُreceive mercy
قد ماتَ وارحَمهُ لعلَّك تُرحَمُ
He said: Give me this stranger, for he
has died; have mercy on him, that you may receive mercy.
لماwhen استباحَobtained permission الدفنَfor the burial اسرعَhe hurried قافلاًreturning
لما استباحَ الدفنَ اسرعَ قافلاً
ويليهِand followed him نيكودNicodemus (first part) يمسُNicodemus (ending) المتكتمُthe secretive one
ويليهِ نيكود يمسُ المتكتمُ
When he obtained leave for the burial, he hurried back,
followed by Nicodemus, the secretive one.
قدindeed انزلاهُthey lowered him عنfrom الصليبthe cross كلاهماboth of them
قد انزلاهُ عن الصليب كلاهما
ناحاthey both lamented عليهِover him أَسىin sorrow ودمعُهُماand their tears دَمُblood
ناحا عليهِ أَسى ودمعُهُما دَمُ
Together they lowered him from the cross;
they lamented him in sorrow, their tears blood.
وَضَعاهُthey laid him فيin قبرٍa tomb جديدٍnew فوقَهُabove it
وَضَعاهُ في قبرٍ جديدٍ فوقَهُ
حَجَرٌa stone لإِثباتِto attest القيامةِthe Resurrection يُختَمُwas sealed
حَجَرٌ لإِثباتِ القيامةِ يُختَمُ
They laid him in a new tomb, over which
a stone was sealed, to attest the Resurrection.
فالجسمُso the body جِسمُthe body اللَهِof God قَدindeed أَمَّwent toward الثَرَىthe earth
فالجسمُ جِسمُ اللَهِ قَد أَمَّ الثَرَى
والروحُand the spirit فيin نَفَقthe passage الجحيمof hell تؤَمِّمُheads onward
والروحُ في نَفَق الجحيم تؤَمِّمُ
The body, God's body, went to the earth,
and the spirit headed into the passage of hell.
مُذwhen شامَهُbeheld him الآباءُthe patriarchs فيin سِجِّينهمtheir dungeon
مُذ شامَهُ الآباءُ في سِجِّينهم
أَبدَواthey offered تَحِيَّاتِgreetings السَلامِof peace وسلَّمواand saluted
أَبدَوا تَحِيَّاتِ السَلامِ وسلَّموا
When the patriarchs beheld him in their dungeon,
they offered greetings of peace and saluted him.
هتفواthey cried out بأَصواتِwith voices البشائرِof glad tidings شُرَّعاًunrestrained
هتفوا بأَصواتِ البشائرِ شُرَّعاً
لِلّهِby God ماذاwhat a العيدُfeast ماذاwhat a المَوسِمُfestival
لِلّهِ ماذا العيدُ ماذا المَوسِمُ
They cried out freely with voices of glad tidings:
By God, what a feast! What a festival!
وتحاضَرواand hastened together متهلِّلينَrejoicing أَمامهُbefore him
وتحاضَروا متهلِّلينَ أَمامهُ
سَجَدواthey prostrated لهُto him وبَمنand those who هُنالِكَwere there هَلَممواsummoned
سَجَدوا لهُ وبَمن هُنالِكَ هَلَمموا
They hastened together, rejoicing before him;
they prostrated themselves to him and summoned those there.
خَرُّواthey fell إلىupon الأَذقانِthe chins نحوtoward جَلالهِhis majesty
خَرُّوا إلى الأَذقانِ نحو جَلالهِ
هتفواthey cried out بحمدِin praise خِلالهِof his virtues وتنغَّمواand sang
هتفوا بحمدِ خِلالهِ وتنغَّموا
They fell upon their chins before his majesty;
they cried out in praise of his virtues and sang.
فاناطso he fastened عَقدَthe knots حُبىof the bonds الأَمانِof safety عليهمِupon them
فاناط عَقدَ حُبى الأَمانِ عليهمِ
وأَماطَand removed عقدَthe knots حُبَىof the bonds المخاوفِof fears عنهمُfrom them
وأَماطَ عقدَ حُبَى المخاوفِ عنهمُ
He fastened upon them the knotted bonds of safety,
and removed from them the knotted bonds of fear.
ذوpossessor of قُدرةٍpower راعَterrified الأَباليسَthe devils قَدرُهاits magnitude
ذو قُدرةٍ راعَ الأَباليسَ قَدرُها
وارتجَّتِand shook الأَعماقُthe depths ثُمَّthen جهنَّمُGehenna
وارتجَّتِ الأَعماقُ ثُمَّ جهنَّمُ
His was a power whose greatness terrified the devils;
the depths shook, and then Gehenna.
أَخَذَتهُمُseized them فيat الحالِonce رِعدةُa trembling هائلٍof terror
أَخَذَتهُمُ في الحالِ رِعدةُ هائلٍ
أَحنَتbent ظُهورَهمtheir backs فلمso they did not يتقوَّمواstraighten
أَحنَت ظُهورَهم فلم يتقوَّموا
At once a trembling of terror seized them,
bending their backs so that they could not straighten.
وغَدَتand became أَكُفُّthe hands العدلِof justice فوقَover قَذالهمtheir napes
وغَدَت أَكُفُّ العدلِ فوقَ قَذالهم
بالخِزيin disgrace صافعةًslapping لهمthem وهُمُthough they هُمُwere themselves
بالخِزي صافعةً لهم وهُمُ هُمُ
The hands of justice came down upon their napes,
slapping them in disgrace, for all that they were.
انindeed الجحيمَhell نَراهُwe see it صِفراًempty فارغاًvacant
ان الجحيمَ نَراهُ صِفراً فارغاً
ولذاand therefore تَفاقَمَgrew immense سُخطُthe wrath مَنof one who لاdoes not يَحلُمُshow forbearance
ولذا تَفاقَمَ سُخطُ مَن لا يَحلُمُ
We see hell empty and vacant;
thus the wrath of the one without forbearance grew immense.
وَسَبَىand carried captive السَباياthe captives منfrom عواصِمهاits strongholds وقدwhich indeed
وَسَبَى السَبايا من عواصِمها وقد
كانتhad been لهمfor them بالسِجنwithin the prison حِرزاًa refuge يَعصِمُprotecting
كانت لهم بالسِجن حِرزاً يَعصِمُ
He carried the captives away from its strongholds, which
had been a protective refuge for them within the prison.
وتفتَّحَتand opened أَغلاقُهُits fastenings وتهدَّمتand were demolished
وتفتَّحَت أَغلاقُهُ وتهدَّمت
أَطباقُهُits tiers ودَهاهُand befell it ويلٌwoe أَدهَمُdark
أَطباقُهُ ودَهاهُ ويلٌ أَدهَمُ
Its fastenings opened and demolished were
its tiers; a dark woe befell it.
وتَفتَّتتand crumbled أَمخالُهُits supports (uncertain) وتَقوَّضَتand collapsed
وتَفتَّتت أَمخالُهُ وتَقوَّضَت
أَطلالُهُits ruins وبناؤُهُand its structure المتهدّمُshattered
أَطلالُهُ وبناؤُهُ المتهدّمُ
Its supports crumbled and collapsed were
its ruins and its shattered structure.
وتَفكَّكَتand came apart أَقفالُهُits locks وتمزَّقَتand were torn
وتَفكَّكَت أَقفالُهُ وتمزَّقَت
أَغلالُهُits fetters مُذsince لمdid not تزلcease تتحطَّمُshattering
أَغلالُهُ مُذ لم تزل تتحطَّمُ
Its locks came apart and torn were
its fetters, which kept on shattering.
ولقدand indeed تَعرَّىwas stripped عُريَwith the nakedness عارٍof a naked man مختزٍdisgraced
ولقد تَعرَّى عُريَ عارٍ مختزٍ
وعَراهُand overtook it ماwhat لُعَرىthe bonds قُواهُof its strength يَفصِمُbreaks
وعَراهُ ما لُعَرى قُواهُ يَفصِمُ
It was stripped like a naked man disgraced,
and struck by what breaks the bonds of its strength.
لكنbut كُسِيwas clothed بعدَafter التجرُّدbeing stripped خِلعةًin a robe
لكن كُسِي بعدَ التجرُّد خِلعةً
فهمso they البَلاءُaffliction مشوَّهٌdisfigured ومسهَّمُand gaunt
فهم البَلاءُ مشوَّهٌ ومسهَّمُ
Yet after being stripped, it was clothed in a robe;
so they are affliction itself, disfigured and gaunt.
ياO أَيُّهاyou الآباءُpatriarchs بِشراًgladness فافرَحواso rejoice
يا أَيُّها الآباءُ بِشراً فافرَحوا
وعِمُواand have a happy صَباحاًmorning واصطباحاًand a morning draught فانعَمواso enjoy
وعِمُوا صَباحاً واصطباحاً فانعَموا
O patriarchs, rejoice in gladness!
Have a happy morning, and enjoy the morning draught!
وافىhas come يسوعJesus فمجِّدوهُso glorify him وأَكرِمواand honor
وافى يسوع فمجِّدوهُ وأَكرِموا
واستقبلوهُand welcome him ووَقِّروهُand revere him وعَظِّمواand exalt
واستقبلوهُ ووَقِّروهُ وعَظِّموا
Jesus has come: glorify him and honor him;
welcome him, revere him, and exalt him.
وَلتبتهِجand let rejoice حَوَّاءُEve أَوَّلُthe first ساقطٍto fall
وَلتبتهِج حَوَّاءُ أَوَّلُ ساقطٍ
ممَّاover what جناهُcommitted it كَفُّهاher hand والمِعصَمُand wrist
ممَّا جناهُ كَفُّها والمِعصَمُ
Let Eve rejoice, the first to fall,
over what her hand and wrist committed.
اذsince ذنبُهاher sin أَضحىbecame سعيداًfortunate أَنَّهُbecause it استَدعَىsummoned
اذ ذنبُها أَضحى سعيداً أَنَّهُ استَدعَى
اليناto us اللَهGod وَهوَwhile he مجسَّمُembodied
الينا اللَه وَهوَ مجسَّمُ
For her sin became fortunate, since it summoned
God to us in bodily form.
قدindeed ماتَhe died بالناسوتِin his humanity عناfor us رأفةًin compassion
قد ماتَ بالناسوتِ عنا رأفةً
منهُfrom him لماfor what ابداهُbrought forth فيناamong us آدَمُAdam
منهُ لما ابداهُ فينا آدَمُ
In his humanity he died for us, in compassion
from him for what Adam brought forth among us.
وبقوَّةِand by the power اللاهوتِof divinity قامَhe arose كأَنَّهُas though he
وبقوَّةِ اللاهوتِ قامَ كأَنَّهُ
أَسَدٌa lion وحُرَّاسُand the guards الدَهاof guile لمdid not يَعلَمواknow
أَسَدٌ وحُرَّاسُ الدَها لم يَعلَموا
By the power of his divinity he arose like
a lion, while the cunning guards knew nothing.
قامarose الالهُGod فهالَso appalled جمعَthe company عُداتهِof his enemies
قام الالهُ فهالَ جمعَ عُداتهِ
آياتُthe signs مُعجِزهِof his miracle التيwhich لاcannot تُكتَمُbe concealed
آياتُ مُعجِزهِ التي لا تُكتَمُ
God arose, and the company of his enemies was appalled
by the signs of his miracle, which cannot be concealed.
قامَarose الالهُGod وجِسمُهُand his body نَفَذَpassed through الصَفاthe rock
قامَ الالهُ وجِسمُهُ نَفَذَ الصَفا
لمdid not يُؤلِهِhinder him الحجرُthe stone الأَصَمُّsolid الصَلدَمُunyielding
لم يُؤلِهِ الحجرُ الأَصَمُّ الصَلدَمُ
God arose, and his body passed through the rock;
the solid, unyielding stone did not hinder him.
نَفَذَpassed through الالهُGod ولمand were not تُفَكَّundone خواتمٌseals
نَفَذَ الالهُ ولم تُفَكَّ خواتمٌ
كنُفوذِهِlike his passage اذwhen اولدتهُbore him مريمُMary
كنُفوذِهِ اذ اولدتهُ مريمُ
God passed through without the seals being undone,
as he passed forth when Mary bore him.
وافَتcame اليهِto him نُسوةٌwomen فيin دُلجةٍnight darkness
وافَت اليهِ نُسوةٌ في دُلجةٍ
مَعَهُنَّwith them طِيبٌperfume عَرفُهُits fragrance يتنسَّمُwafts
مَعَهُنَّ طِيبٌ عَرفُهُ يتنسَّمُ
Women came to him in the darkness of night,
bringing perfume whose fragrance wafted.
كيماso that يُصَمخِنَthey anoint الذيthe one whom ماdid not مَسَّهُtouch him
كيما يُصَمخِنَ الذي ما مَسَّهُ
موتٌdeath وهلand can باللَهِupon God موتٌdeath يُلمِمُdescend
موتٌ وهل باللَهِ موتٌ يُلمِمُ
To anoint him whom no
death had touched—and can death assail God?
شَهدَتهُbeheld him تلكَthat المجدليَّةُMagdalene مريمٌMary
شَهدَتهُ تلكَ المجدليَّةُ مريمٌ
همَّتshe sought لأَقدامِthe feet القَداسةِof holiness تلثِمُto kiss
همَّت لأَقدامِ القَداسةِ تلثِمُ
That Magdalene, Mary, beheld him
and sought to kiss his holy feet.
فأَجابَهاso he answered her لاdo not تقرُبينيapproach me مريمُMary
فأَجابَها لا تقرُبيني مريمُ
بلrather بَشِّريbring glad tidings رُسليto my apostles الكِرامَnoble ليعلمواthat they may know
بل بَشِّري رُسلي الكِرامَ ليعلموا
He answered her: Do not approach me, Mary;
rather, bring glad tidings to my noble apostles, that they may know
انيthat I رقدتُlay down ونِمتُand slept ثُمَّتَthen قُمتُarose منfrom
اني رقدتُ ونِمتُ ثُمَّتَ قُمتُ من
قبريmy tomb كانيas though I شِبلُa cub ليثٍof a lion ضَيغَمُfierce-jawed
قبري كاني شِبلُ ليثٍ ضَيغَمُ
I lay down and slept, then arose from
my tomb like a fierce lion's cub.
ولأَصعَدَنَّand I shall surely ascend إلىto ابيmy Father وابيهمِand their Father
ولأَصعَدَنَّ إلى ابي وابيهمِ
فاذاعتِso she spread البَشراءَthe glad tidings حينَwhen أَتَتهُمُshe came to them
فاذاعتِ البَشراءَ حينَ أَتَتهُمُ
I shall surely ascend to my Father and their Father.
She spread the glad tidings when she came to them.
وافىhe came وكانواwhile they were فيin حِمَىthe shelter عِلِّيَّةٍof an upper room
وافى وكانوا في حِمَى عِلِّيَّةٍ
سِرّاًsecretly وللأَبوابِand for the doors غلقٌa fastening مُحكَمُsecure
سِرّاً وللأَبوابِ غلقٌ مُحكَمُ
He came while they were sheltered in an upper room,
secretly, with the doors securely shut.
حيَّاهُمُhe greeted them بسَلامِهِwith his peace لكِنهُbut
حيَّاهُمُ بسَلامِهِ لكِنهُ
لمwas not يُلفَfound ذاكthat الحينَtime توماThomas التَوأَمُthe Twin
لم يُلفَ ذاك الحينَ توما التَوأَمُ
He greeted them with his peace, but
Thomas the Twin was not there at that time.
لماwhen أَتاهمhe came to them حدَّثوهُthey told him بماwhat رأَواthey had seen
لما أَتاهم حدَّثوهُ بما رأَوا
فاعتدَّهُso he reckoned it حُلماًa dream كمنlike someone who قدindeed يَحلَمُdreams
فاعتدَّهُ حُلماً كمن قد يَحلَمُ
When he came to them, they told him what they had seen;
he reckoned it a dream, as though they had been dreaming.
فأَتاهمُso came to them ابنُthe Son اللَهِof God ثانيةًa second time وهاand behold
فأَتاهمُ ابنُ اللَهِ ثانيةً وها
تيكَthose الكُلومُwounds يُشِيرُindicates عنهاthem مِيسَمُa mark
تيكَ الكُلومُ يُشِيرُ عنها مِيسَمُ
The Son of God came to them a second time, and behold:
those wounds, disclosed by their marks.
نادىhe called بتوماto Thomas قُمrise ففتِّشthen examine واقتنِعand be convinced
نادى بتوما قُم ففتِّش واقتنِع
واطرَحand cast away شُكُوكَكَyour doubts ايهاO you المتوهّمُimagining things
واطرَح شُكُوكَكَ ايها المتوهّمُ
He called to Thomas: Rise, examine, and be convinced;
cast away your doubts, you who imagine things.
لماwhen تحقَّقhe became certain صاحَhe cried انتyou مخلّصيmy Savior
لما تحقَّق صاحَ انت مخلّصي
انتَyou الالهُGod وماand no بذاكin that توهُّمُimagining
انتَ الالهُ وما بذاك توهُّمُ
When he was certain, he cried: You are my Savior!
You are God; there is no imagining in that.
منfrom بعدِafter تكمِلةِthe completion التدابيرِof the dispensations التيwhich
من بعدِ تكمِلةِ التدابيرِ التي
منfor أجلهاtheir sake وردcame الالهُGod الأَعظَمُgreatest
من أجلها ورد الالهُ الأَعظَمُ
After the completion of the dispensations
for which the greatest God had come,
وافىhe came ذُرىto the heights الزيتونِof Olivet يَسحَبleading رُسلَهُhis apostles
وافى ذُرى الزيتونِ يَسحَب رُسلَهُ
حيثُwhere المجيءُthe coming الثانِsecond يوماًone day يحكمُhe judges
حيثُ المجيءُ الثانِ يوماً يحكمُ
he came to the heights of Olivet, leading his apostles,
where at his second coming he will one day judge.
وهناكand there بارَكَهمhe blessed them وقالand said لهمto them خُذواreceive
وهناك بارَكَهم وقال لهم خُذوا
منيfrom me وصيةa counsel ناصحٍof a well-wisher لتُحكَّمواthat you become judges
مني وصية ناصحٍ لتُحكَّموا
There he blessed them and said: Receive
from me a well-wisher's counsel, that you may be made judges.
وهيَand it is المحبَّةُlove انَّindeed ذيthis سِيماؤُكمyour distinguishing mark
وهيَ المحبَّةُ انَّ ذي سِيماؤُكم
فبِهاso through it وفيهاand in it علِّمواteach وتعلَّمواand learn
فبِها وفيها علِّموا وتعلَّموا
It is love: this is your distinguishing mark.
Through it and in it, teach and learn.
ثُمذَthen ارتَقىhe ascended نحوtoward السَماءِheaven وحُبُّهُand his love فيin قلبهمtheir heart
ثُمذَ ارتَقى نحو السَماءِ وحُبُّهُ في قلبهم
متملِّكٌreigning مستحكمُfirmly established
متملِّكٌ مستحكمُ
Then he ascended toward heaven, his love in their hearts
reigning firmly and securely.
ذَرَّتrose محاسنُهُhis beauties هناكَthere وأَغرَبَتand set
ذَرَّت محاسنُهُ هناكَ وأَغرَبَت
عنهمfrom their sight وغَربُand the torrent الدمعِof tears منهمfrom them يرذُمُpours
عنهم وغَربُ الدمعِ منهم يرذُمُ
His beauties rose there and then set
from their sight, while their tears poured in torrents.
رفعتهُraised him أَملاكُthe angels السَماءِof heaven جَميعهاall of them
رفعتهُ أَملاكُ السَماءِ جَميعها
ربٌّa Lord علىupon أَعضادِهاtheir arms مستنّمُborne aloft
ربٌّ على أَعضادِها مستنّمُ
All the angels of heaven raised him,
the Lord borne aloft upon their arms.
حاطتsurrounded بهِhim الآباءُthe patriarchs كالهالاتِlike halos ثُمَّthen
حاطت بهِ الآباءُ كالهالاتِ ثُمَّ
الأَنبِياءُthe prophets وهُمwhile they لديهِbefore him جُثَّمُkneeling
الأَنبِياءُ وهُم لديهِ جُثَّمُ
The patriarchs surrounded him like halos, then
the prophets, kneeling before him.
سَنَّىmade accessible لناto us طُرُقُthe paths السَماءِof heaven وانهاand they
سَنَّى لنا طُرُقُ السَماءِ وانها
ماnot طاءَهاhad trodden them منfrom قبلbefore ذلكthat مِنسَمُa foot
ما طاءَها من قبل ذلك مِنسَمُ
He opened heaven's paths to us—paths
that no foot had trodden before that.
وتسهلتand became easy اوعارُهاtheir rough places وحُزونهاand their rugged ground
وتسهلت اوعارُها وحُزونها
دانتyielded وكانتand had been ناشزاًresistant لاnot تُرغَمُsubdued
دانت وكانت ناشزاً لا تُرغَمُ
Their rough places became easy, and their rugged ground
yielded, though once resistant and impossible to subdue.
رفعتraised لهُfor him الرُؤَساءُthe rulers عندَat وُلوجهِhis entrance
رفعت لهُ الرُؤَساءُ عندَ وُلوجهِ
أَبوابَهاtheir gates ولهُand to him المَقالِدَthe keys سلَّمتsurrendered
أَبوابَها ولهُ المَقالِدَ سلَّمت
At his entrance the rulers raised for him
their gates and surrendered the keys to him.
وضُرِبنَand were sounded فيupon صَهَواتهاtheir heights نُوَبُsalutes الهَناof joy
وضُرِبنَ في صَهَواتها نُوَبُ الهَنا
وبحمدهِand in his praise الأَسنَىmost glorious الجميعُeveryone ترنمواsang
وبحمدهِ الأَسنَى الجميعُ ترنموا
On their heights, salutes of joy were sounded,
and all sang his most glorious praise.
رفلواtrailed garments بأثوابِin robes الهَناءِof happiness لوصلِهمat their union with
رفلوا بأثوابِ الهَناءِ لوصلِهم
حِبّاًa beloved حِبالُthe bonds وِصالهِof his union لاnever تُصرَمُare severed
حِبّاً حِبالُ وِصالهِ لا تُصرَمُ
They trailed robes of happiness at their union with
a beloved whose bonds of union are never severed.
ثَمَّتthere تكاليفُthe burdens الحيوةِof life تَنزَّهَتbecame free
ثَمَّت تكاليفُ الحيوةِ تَنزَّهَت
عنهاfrom them النُفوسُthe souls فليسَso there is no منone who يَتجسَّمُbears hardship
عنها النُفوسُ فليسَ من يَتجسَّمُ
There the burdens of life are cast off
by souls, and none bears hardship.
وهُناكَand there يُمسَحُis wiped كلُّevery دمعٍtear منfrom محاeye sockets (first part)
وهُناكَ يُمسَحُ كلُّ دمعٍ من محا
جرهمtheir eye sockets (ending) فماso no سَدَمٌsorrow ولاnor منone who يَسدَمُgrieves
جرهم فما سَدَمٌ ولا من يَسدَمُ
There every tear is wiped from
their eyes: no sorrow, and none who grieves.
وهُنالِكَand there الفِردَوسُParadise بينَamong غُروسِهِits plantings
وهُنالِكَ الفِردَوسُ بينَ غُروسِهِ
شَجَرُthe tree الحيوةِof life ومنهُand from it كلٌّeveryone يَطعَمُeats
شَجَرُ الحيوةِ ومنهُ كلٌّ يَطعَمُ
There is Paradise, and among its plantings
the tree of life, from which everyone eats.
وهُناكَand there كلٌّeveryone كاملٌperfect فيin سِنِّهِhis age
وهُناكَ كلٌّ كاملٌ في سِنِّهِ
ابداًforever بحُسنِin the beauty شبيبةٍof youth لاthat does not تَهرَمُgrow old
ابداً بحُسنِ شبيبةٍ لا تَهرَمُ
There everyone is perfect in age,
forever in the beauty of youth that never grows old.
وهناكَand there مَأدُبةُthe banquet العروسِof the bridegroom غنيَّةٌrich
وهناكَ مَأدُبةُ العروسِ غنيَّةٌ
حَفَلَىabundant وذاكand that الحِبُّbeloved لاdoes not يتجهَّمُscowl
حَفَلَى وذاك الحِبُّ لا يتجهَّمُ
There the bridegroom's banquet is rich
and abundant, and that beloved never scowls.
لاnot يشتكونَthey complain علىthroughout المَدىeternity حَرّاًof heat ولاnor
لا يشتكونَ على المَدى حَرّاً ولا
بَرداًcold ولاnor نَصَباًweariness ولاnor ماwhat يُؤلِمُcauses pain
بَرداً ولا نَصَباً ولا ما يُؤلِمُ
For all eternity they complain of neither heat nor
cold, nor weariness, nor anything painful.
يتفيَّأونَfind shade in خِيامَthe tents مجدof glory إلههمof their God
يتفيَّأونَ خِيامَ مجد إلههم
حيثُwhere التهانيcongratulations والسرورُand joy مخيّمُdwelling
حيثُ التهاني والسرورُ مخيّمُ
They find shade in the tents of their God's glory,
where congratulations and joy make their dwelling.
متمتّعينenjoying بذيthese المحاسنbeauties سَرمَداًforever
متمتّعين بذي المحاسن سَرمَداً
لاnever يسأمونَthey tire ومنهمُand of them لاnever يُسأَمُone tires
لا يسأمونَ ومنهمُ لا يُسأَمُ
Enjoying these beauties forever,
they never tire, nor does anyone tire of them.
هذاthis خِتامُthe end الصالحينَof the righteous وَلَيتَماand would that
هذا خِتامُ الصالحينَ وَلَيتَما
كلُّall النُفوسِsouls بذيwith this النِهايةِending تُختَمُare concluded
كلُّ النُفوسِ بذي النِهايةِ تُختَمُ
This is the end of the righteous; would that
every soul might be brought to such an end!
Partial English translation: 135 of 322 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1