وَلَيسَ أَخوكَ الدائِمُ العَهدِ بِالَّذي

وَلَيسَ أَخوكَ الدائِمُ العَهدِ بِالَّذي

يَذُمُّكَ إِن وَلّى وَيُرضيكَ مُقبِلا

يَذُمُّكَ إِن وَلّى وَيُرضيكَ مُقبِلا

Your ever-faithful brother is not the one who

And your brother, steadfast in loyalty, is not the one

Not your brother who always keeps his word

Your brother of lasting bond is not he who blames you when absent, yet pleases you when present,

reviles you when he turns away, yet pleases you face-to-face.

who disparages you when he turns away and pleases you when he approaches.

Is one to blame when he departs or please when he returns

But your true brother stands afar while you are safe, and is your nearest companion when affairs grow dire.

وَلَكِن أَخوكَ النائِي ما كُنتَ آمِناً

وَلَكِن أَخوكَ النائِي ما كُنتَ آمِناً

وَصاحِبُكَ الأَدنى إِذا الأَمرُ أَعضَلا

وَصاحِبُكَ الأَدنى إِذا الأَمرُ أَعضَلا

Rather, your brother is the one who stays distant while you are safe

Rather, your brother is distant so long as you are safe,

Rather, your distant brother whom you never quite trust

but becomes your closest companion when hardship grows dire.

and your closest companion when matters become difficult.

And your casual friend when hardship comes are put to the test