كُنْ ناسِكاً تَبَتَّلا

كُنْ ناسِكاً تَبَتَّلا

أو رائِساً تَبجَّلا

أو رائِساً تَبجَّلا

Be an ascetic, wholly devoted,

Be an ascetic, humble yourself

or a leader, held in honor.

Or a leader, earn esteem

وعَدِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّقٍ

وعَدِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّقٍ

قَصَّرَ عَنْ أَنْ تَنْبُلا

قَصَّرَ عَنْ أَنْ تَنْبُلا

And turn away from a fool

Disregard the fool

who has fallen short of attaining nobility.

Who falls short of nobility

يَصُدُّهُ قُعُودُهُ

يَصُدُّهُ قُعُودُهُ

وعَجْزُهُ عَنِ العُلَى

وعَجْزُهُ عَنِ العُلَى

His idleness holds him back,

Held back by his sitting

and his weakness, from lofty heights.

And inability to rise