People's intellects differ in their original nature, (though) according to the Mu‘tazilites they are (originally) equal and the difference in intellects arises from the acquisition of knowledge.

You must hear (and believe) in accordance with the Sunnís (that) the difference in (people's) intellects was original,

In contradiction to the doctrine of the Mu‘tazilites, who hold that (all) intellects were originally equal,

(And who maintain that) experience and teaching makes them more or less, so that it makes one person more knowing than another.

This is false, because the counsel of a boy who has not experience in any course of action—

From that small child sprang up a thought (which) the old man with a hundred experiences did not smell out (detect and apprehend) at all.

Truly, the superiority that is from (any one's) nature is even better than the superiority that is (the result of) endeavour and reflection.

Tell (me), is the gift of God better, or (is it better) that a lame person should (learn to) walk smoothly (without stumbling)?