From the crown of a prince in the resting place of camels,

One night a ruby fell into a rocky place.

His father said to him in the dark night,

How do you know which is a gem and which is a stone?

Keep all the stones, my son,

Lest the ruby not be among them.

Among the rabble, there are pure ones with troubled hearts,

In that same dark place, there are both rubies and stones.

The pure-souled and those with true hearts,

Are mixed with the ignorant.

Willingly bear the burden of every ignorant person,

So that you may encounter a person of true heart.

Someone who is joyful with friendship,

Don't you see how he bears the burden of an enemy?

The flower tears its garment from the thorn,

While the blood fallen in its heart laughs like a pomegranate (fire).

Bear the sorrow of all for the sake of one,

Show consideration for a hundred for the sake of one.

If those with dusty feet and troubled heads,

Appear insignificant and poor in your eyes,

By the worthiness that is not outside of them,

Bind your waist to serve them.

Never look at them with eyes of approval (or disapproval),

For they are sufficient as those approved by God.

Someone whom your suspicion considers bad,

How do you know that he himself is not a man of spiritual authority?

The door of knowledge is open to those

For whom doors are closed.

Many are those with bitter lives who taste bitterness,

Who will come trailing their robes in finery.

If you have wisdom and prudence, you will kiss

The hand of the prince in the place of music (or lament).

So that one day he may come out of confinement,

And grant you elevation when he becomes elevated.

Do not burn the rose tree in autumn,

For it will appear beautiful in your spring.