كَم آيَةٍ يُؤنِسُها مَعشَرٌ

فَلا يُبالونَ وَلا يَتَّقون

How many signs are made convivial by a group,

Yet they care not, nor do they become righteous,

في هُوَّةٍ حَطّوا وَمِن رَأيِهِم

أَنَّهُم في رَفعَةٍ يَرتَقون

In an abyss they have fallen, and in their opinion,

They are ascending to the highest elevation,

وَهُم أُسارى في يَدَي عَيشِهِم

لَعَلَّهُم عِندَ الرَدى يُعتَقون

Yet they are captives in the hands of their livelihood,

Perhaps when loss comes, they will be set free,

ما أَغدَرَ الدَهرَ وَأَبناءَهُ

لِأَنَّهُم مِن بَحرِهِ يَستَقون

How deceitful is time and its children,

For they draw from its sea and are nourished,

كَم ظَلَمَ الأَقوامُ أَمثالَهُم

ثُمَّتَ بادوا فَمَتى يَلتَقون

How many people like them were unjust,

Then perished - so when will they be guided?