The infidels in (their) prosperity sow (the seed of) cruelty; again (afterwards) in Hell their cry is “O Lord, (deliver us)!”
کافران کارند در نعمت جفا ** باز در دوزخ نداشان ربنا
The wisdom of (God's) having created Hell in the world hereafter and the prison of (tribulation in) the present world to the end that they may be places of worship for the arrogant (evil-doers): “Come ye willingly or unwillingly.”
حکمت آفریدن دوزخ آن جهان و زندان این جهان تا معبد متکبران باشد کی ائتیا طوعا او کرها
For in (suffering) cruelty the vile are purified; when they receive kindness, they themselves become cruel.
که لیمان در جفا صافی شوند ** چون وفا بینند خود جافی شوند
Therefore Hell is the mosque where they perform their devotions: a trap is the (only) fetter for a wild bird.
مسجد طاعاتشان پس دوزخست ** پای‌بند مرغ بیگانه فخست
Prison is the cloister of the thief and villain, that there he may be constantly mindful of God.2985
هست زندان صومعه‌ی دزد و لیم ** کاندرو ذاکر شود حق را مقیم
Inasmuch as Divine worship was the object (in the creation) of mankind, Hellfire was made the place of worship for the rebellious.
چون عبادت بود مقصود از بشر ** شد عبادتگاه گردن‌کش سقر
Man hath the power (of action) in everything, but this service (of God) has (ever) been the (final) object of him.
آدمی را هست در هر کار دست ** لیک ازو مقصود این خدمت بدست
“I did not create the Jinn and mankind (save that they might serve Me).” Recite this (text). The (final) object of the world is naught but Divine worship.
ما خلقت الجن و الانس این بخوان ** جز عبادت نیست مقصود از جهان
Though the (final) object of a book is the science (which it contains), (yet) if you make it a pillow (to rest on), it will become (serve as) that too;
گرچه مقصود از کتاب آن فن بود ** گر توش بالش کنی هم می‌شود
But this (function of being a) pillow was not its (final) object: it (the final object) was learning and knowledge and right guidance and profit.2990
لیک ازو مقصود این بالش نبود ** علم بود و دانش و ارشاد سود
If you have made the sword a tent-pin, you have preferred defeat to victory.
گر تو میخی ساختی شمشیر را ** برگزیدی بر ظفر ادبار را