1. عجبتُ لهذهِ الدُّنيا

    ولا أخفيكُمُ عَجَبي

    I marveled at this world,

    And I do not hide my wonder from you.

  2. فكَم من مَذهَبٍ فيه

    وكم فيها مِنَ الشُعَبِ

    For how many creeds it holds,

    And how many branches within it!

  3. يناقضُ بعضُها بعضً

    تحيّرُنا بلا سبَبِ

    Some contradict others,

    They bewilder us for no reason.

  4. فكلٌّ يدَّعي وَعْدًا

    سَماويا، وخيرَ نبي

    For each claims a promise

    From heaven, and the best of prophets,

  5. وآمالاً بفردَوسٍ

    بُعَيدَ الموتِ مُرتَقَبِ

    And hopes for a paradise

    Awaited shortly after death.

  6. وذو التقوى بمذهبهِ

    بحُكمِ الآخرينَ غبي!

    And one who is pious in his creed

    Is a fool in others' judgment!

  7. لماذا أيها الباري

    جعَلتَ الكونَ في صَخَبِ؟

    Why, O Creator,

    Have You set the universe in tumult?

  8. فأينَ الحقُّ يا ربي

    وفيمَن أرتجي أرَبي؟

    Where, then, is truth, O my Lord,

    And in whom may I hope to find what I desire?