بخش 98 - تفسیر کُنْتُ کَنْزاً مَخْفیّاً فَأَحْبَبْتُ اَنْ اُعْرَفَ

Demolish the house, for a hundred thousand houses may be made from the cornelian of this Yemen.

The treasure lies beneath the house, and there is no help (for it): do not be afraid of destroying the house and do not stand still,

For from one treasure in hand it is possible to build a thousand houses without suffering toil and pain.

In the end this house will fall of itself into ruin and the treasure beneath it will certainly be uncovered;

But it (the treasure) will not be thine, since the spirit receives that (Divine) gift as wages for destroying (the house).

When it has not done that work, its wages are naught: there is nothing for Man (hereafter) but (the recompense for) that which he wrought (here).

After that, thou wilt gnaw thy hand (in remorse), saying, “Alas, a moon like this was (concealed) under the cloud.

I did not do the good which they told (me to do): the treasure and the house are gone, and my hand is empty.”

Thou hast rented and hired a house: it is not thy property by any act of sale or purchase.

The period of this hiring is till death, in order that thou mayst work in it (the house) during this period.

Thou art sewing patches in the shop, (while) under this shop of thine two mines (of treasure) are buried.

This shop is held on hire: be quick, take the pick-axe and break up its foundation,

That of a sudden thou mayst lay the axe on the mine and be delivered from the shop and from patch-sewing.

What is patch-sewing? The drinking of water and the eating of bread: thou art applying these patches to the heavy cloak.

This cloak, thy body, is always being torn, and thou art patching it by this eating and drinking of thine.

O thou who art of the progeny of the fortunate King, come to thyself, be ashamed of this patch-sewing.

Tear a patch (piece) from off this shop-floor, in order that two mines (of treasure) may lift up their head (emerge into view) before thee,

Ere this lease of the hired house come to an end without thy having gained any profit from it.

Then the owner of the shop will turn thee out and will demolish this shop for the sake of the (hidden) mine,

(While) thou at one moment wilt beat thy head in remorse, and at another tear thy foolish beard,

Saying, “Alas, this shop was mine, (but) I was blind and got no profit from this place of abode.

Alas, the wind swept our existence away: (the text) O sorrow for the servants of God is come (true) unto everlasting.