ألا رُبَّما صار البَغِيضُ مُصَافِياً

ألا رُبَّما صار البَغِيضُ مُصَافِياً

وحَالَ عَنِ العَهدِ الصَّدِيقُ المُثَافِنُ

وحَالَ عَنِ العَهدِ الصَّدِيقُ المُثَافِنُ

Lo, sometimes the hated one becomes a sincere friend,

Alas! Perhaps the hateful becomes friendly,

and the intimate friend turns away from his pledge.

And the dear friend turns away from the covenant.

فلا تَغتَرِر ما عِشتَ من مُتجَمِّلٍ

فلا تَغتَرِر ما عِشتَ من مُتجَمِّلٍ

بِظَاهِرِ وُدّ قد تُغَطَّى البَطَائِنُ

بِظَاهِرِ وُدّ قد تُغَطَّى البَطَائِنُ

So, as long as you live, do not be deceived by one who puts on a gracious show:

So be not deceived as long as you live by one who pretends,

outward affection may conceal what lies within.

With an outward show of affection that may conceal malice within.