Inasmuch as all affairs turn upon hope, the affair of religion is most worthy (to inspire hope), for by this means you may win salvation.
چونک بر بوکست جمله کارها ** کار دین اولی کزین یابی رها
Here it is not permitted to knock at the door (with importunity); naught but hope (is permissible): God best knoweth the right course.
نیست دستوری بدینجا قرع باب ** جز امید الله اعلم بالصواب
Explaining how the faith of the conventional (worldly) man consists in fear and hope.
بیان آنک ایمان مقلد خوفست و رجا
The motive in every trade is hope and chance, even though their necks are (worn thin), like a spindle, from (incessant) toil.
داعی هر پیشه اومیدست و بوک ** گرچه گردنشان ز کوشش شد چو دوک
When he (the trader) goes in the morning to his shop, he is running (thither) in the hope and chance of (earning) a livelihood.
بامدادان چون سوی دکان رود ** بر امید و بوک روزی میدود
(If) you have not the chance of (earning) a livelihood, why do you go (to your shop)? There is the fear (danger) of disappointment: how (then) are you strong (confident)?3095
بوک روزی نبودت چون میروی ** خوف حرمان هست تو چونی قوی
In (the case of) earning food, how has the fear of eternal (eternally predestined) disappointment not made you feeble in your search?
خوف حرمان ازل در کسب لوت ** چون نکردت سست اندر جست و جوت
You will say, “Though the fear of disappointment is before (me), this fear is greater (when I am) in idleness.
گویی گرچه خوف حرمان هست پیش ** هست اندر کاهلی این خوف بیش
(When I am) at work my hope is greater: (when I am) in idleness I have more risk.”
هست در کوشش امیدم بیشتر ** دارم اندر کاهلی افزون خطر
Then, O evil-thinking man, why is this fear of loss holding you back in the matter of religion?
پس چرا در کار دین ای بدگمان ** دامنت میگیرد این خوف زیان
Or have not you seen in what a gainful trade the people of this bazaar of ours, the prophets and the saints, are (engaged),3100
یا ندیدی کاهل این بازار ما ** در چه سودند انبیا و اولیا