1. خُلِقَ الإِنسانُ في كَبَد

    بِوجودِ الأَهلِ وَالوَلَدِ

    Man was created in hardship,

    Through having a wife and children.

  2. كُلُّ عُضوٍ فيهِ نافِعُه

    غَير عُضوٍ ضَرَّ للأَبَدِ

    Every member of his body benefits him,

    Except one member that has harmed him forever:

  3. مُنتجٌ ذُلاً وَفَقد عِنىً

    وَفِراخاً جَمَّةَ العَدَدِ

    It breeds humiliation and loss of wealth [probable reading],

    And chicks, abundant in number.

  4. مَن يَمُت مِنهُم يُذِقه أَسىً

    أَو يَعش أَلقاه في نَكَدِ

    Whoever among them dies makes him taste sorrow;

    Or, if he lives, he casts him into misery.

  5. عاشَ في أَمنٍ فَتى عَزبٌ

    مُستَريحُ الفِكرِ وَالجَسَدِ

    An unmarried young man lived in safety,

    At ease in mind and body.