من لي بخلٍّ ارتضيه مقارني

من لي بخلٍّ ارتضيه مقارني

سمح الجبله موفيا بالموعد

سمح الجبله موفيا بالموعد

Who will find me a friend I would accept as my companion,

Who do I have as a sincere friend to choose?

generous by nature and faithful to his promise?

One of good nature, true to his promise.

ذاك ابن غنام البري من الردى

ذاك ابن غنام البري من الردى

عبد العزيز الطيب ابن محمد

عبد العزيز الطيب ابن محمد

That is Ibn Ghannam, untainted by baseness:

That is Ibn Ghanam, upright and pure,

Abd al-Aziz, the good-hearted, son of Muhammad.

Abdul Aziz At-Tayyib son of Muhammad.

لا تطلبن سواه خلا مخلصاً

لا تطلبن سواه خلا مخلصاً

فالناس أجناس وما من مسعد

فالناس أجناس وما من مسعد

Do not seek anyone but him as a sincere friend,

Seek no other but him as a true confidant,

for people are of many kinds, and none lends support.

For people are of different dispositions, and none are assured of fortune.

واحذر تصاحب من علمت بقصده

واحذر تصاحب من علمت بقصده

دعه ورح عنه لشانك واغتدى

دعه ورح عنه لشانك واغتدى

And beware of befriending someone whose intent you know.

And beware befriending one whom you know intends harm,

Leave him and go away to your own affairs, and set out in the morning.

Leave him and move away for your own sake, and be steadfast.

فارق تجد عوضاً بمن تهوى فكم

فارق تجد عوضاً بمن تهوى فكم

من صاحبٍ بك في فعالك يقتدي

من صاحبٍ بك في فعالك يقتدي

Part ways; you will find a replacement in one you love, for many

You will find a substitute for one you love, for how many

a friend follows your example in your deeds.

Are friends to you in your deeds, following your example.