• 1. I do call to witness this City;-

  • 2. And thou art a freeman of this City;-

  • 3. And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;-

  • 4. Verily We have created man into toil and struggle.

  • 5. Thinketh he, that none hath power over him?

  • 6. He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance!

  • 7. Thinketh he that none beholdeth him?

  • 8. Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?-

  • 9. And a tongue, and a pair of lips?-

  • 10. And shown him the two highways?

  • 11. But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep.

  • 12. And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?-

  • 13. (It is:) freeing the bondman;

  • 14. Or the giving of food in a day of privation

  • 15. To the orphan with claims of relationship,

  • 16. Or to the indigent (down) in the dust.

  • 17. Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion.

  • 18. Such are the Companions of the Right Hand.

  • 19. But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand.

  • 20. On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round).