O you who are unaware

ای بی‌خبر بکوش که صاحب‌خبر شوی

O you who are unaware, strive to become aware;

تا راهرو نباشی کی راهبر شوی؟

until you have walked the road, how will you guide others on it?

در مکتب حقایق پیش ادیب عشق

In the school of truths, before the teacher of love,

هان ای پسر بکوش که روزی پدر شوی

come, my son, strive so that one day you may become a father.

دست از مس وجود چو مردان ره بشوی

Wash your hands of the copper of the self, like those who walk the Path,

تا کیمیای عشق بیابی و زر شوی

so that you may find the alchemy of love and become gold.

خواب و خورت ز مرتبه خویش دور کرد

Sleep and food have kept you far from your own true rank;

آن گه رسی به خویش که بی خواب و خور شوی

you will reach yourself when you go beyond sleep and food.

گر نور عشق حق به دل و جانت اوفتد

If the light of God's love should fall upon your heart and soul,

بالله کز آفتاب فلک خوب‌تر شوی

by God, you will become lovelier than the sun in the sky.

یک دم غریق بحر خدا شو گمان مبر

For one moment be drowned in the sea of God, and do not imagine

کز آب هفت بحر به یک موی تر شوی

that the waters of the seven seas will wet a single hair of you.

از پای تا سرت همه نور خدا شود

From foot to head you will become all the light of God

در راه ذوالجلال چو بی پا و سر شوی

when, on the road of the Majestic, you have neither foot nor head.

وجه خدا اگر شودت منظر نظر

If the face of God becomes the object of your gaze,

زین پس شکی نماند که صاحب‌نظر شوی

from then on there will be no doubt that you have true sight.

بنیاد هستی تو چو زیر و زبر شود

When the foundation of your being is turned upside down,

در دل مدار هیچ که زیر و زبر شوی

do not fear in your heart that you will be overturned.

گر در سرت هوای وصال است حافظا

If you have in your head the longing for union, Hafez,

باید که خاک درگه اهل هنر شوی

you must become the dust at the threshold of those of true worth.