عَصَا حَكمٍ فِي الدَّارِ أَوَّلُ دَاخلٍ

عَصَا حَكمٍ فِي الدَّارِ أَوَّلُ دَاخلٍ

وَنَحنُ عَلَى الأَبوَابِ نُقصى ونُحجَبُ

وَنَحنُ عَلَى الأَبوَابِ نُقصى ونُحجَبُ

Hakam's staff is the first to enter the house,

The ruler's staff is foremost in the house to the newcomer

while we at the doors are turned away and barred.

While we remain by the doors, denied and barred

وكَانَت عَصَا مُوسَى لِفِرعَونَ أَيةً

وكَانَت عَصَا مُوسَى لِفِرعَونَ أَيةً

وهذِي لَعَمرُ الله أَدهَى وأعجَبُ

وهذِي لَعَمرُ الله أَدهَى وأعجَبُ

And Moses' staff was a sign to Pharaoh,

Moses' staff was for Pharaoh a sign

and this one, by God's life, is more fearsome and more wondrous.

But by God, this one is more wondrous and amazing

تُطاعُ فَلاَ تُعصَى ويُحذَرُ سُخطُها

تُطاعُ فَلاَ تُعصَى ويُحذَرُ سُخطُها

ويُرغَبُ فِي المرضاة فِيها ويُرهَبُ

ويُرغَبُ فِي المرضاة فِيها ويُرهَبُ

It is obeyed, so it is never defied, and its wrath is feared;

It is obeyed, never disobeyed, its anger is feared

and its favor is sought, and it inspires dread.

And pleasing it is sought, as is avoiding its wrath