وَأَخٍand a friend إِنif جاءَنيhe came to me فيwith حاجَةٍa need
وَأَخٍ إِن جاءَني في حاجَةٍ
كانَhe was بِالإِنجازِof fulfillment مِنّيfrom me واثِقاconfident
كانَ بِالإِنجازِ مِنّي واثِقا
And a friend, if he came to me with a need,
And a brother, should he come to me in need,
was confident that I would fulfill it;
Was certain of fulfillment at my hands,
وَإِذاand when فاجَأتُهُI surprised him فيwith مِثلِهاsomething like it
وَإِذا فاجَأتُهُ في مِثلِها
كانَhe was بِالرَدِّat refusing بَصيراًdiscerning حاذِقاskillful
كانَ بِالرَدِّ بَصيراً حاذِقا
yet when I surprised him with a similar need,
Yet if I surprised him with a like request,
he was discerning and skillful at refusing.
He proved sharp-sighted and skillful in refusal.