خَلِّ عَنكَ المَزحَ مُجتَنِبا

خَلِّ عَنكَ المَزحَ مُجتَنِبا

إِنَّهُ يُدني لَكَ العَطَبا

إِنَّهُ يُدني لَكَ العَطَبا

Leave joking aside, keeping clear of it;

Abandon jesting, keep away,

for it brings ruin near to you.

It but draws ruin on its prey.

رُبَّ مَن كانَت مَنِيَّتُهُ

رُبَّ مَن كانَت مَنِيَّتُهُ

في مُزاحٍ هاجَهُ لَعِبا

في مُزاحٍ هاجَهُ لَعِبا

Many a person met his death

Full many a one, his end was wrought

in a jest he stirred up in play.

By sport, to earnest fury brought.