| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Know ye from what heights your Lord, the All-Glorious, is calling? Think ye that ye have recognized the Pen wherewith your Lord, the Lord of all names, commandeth you? Nay, by My life! Did ye but know it, ye would renounce the world, and would hasten with your whole hearts to the presence of the Well-Beloved. Your spirits would be so transported by His Word as to throw into commotion the Greater World--how much more this small and petty one! | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Are ye aware from what horizon your Lord El Abha is calling you, and are ye cognizant by what pen your Lord, the king of names, is commanding you? No, by My life! Were ye to know this ye would have abandoned the world and have advanced with your hearts unto the region of the beloved, and would have been overtaken by the vibrations of the word in such wise that shakes the universe, how much more this small world: | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Do you know from what horizon your Most Splendid (abha) Lord calls you? Did you know by what Pen your Lord, Possessor of the Names, commands you? No! And by My Life, if you had known, you would have forsaken the present world, coming with your hearts to the side of the Beloved. The shaking of the Word has taken hold on you because the great world has been shaken by it, and how (not) this small world? | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Thus have the showers of My bounty been poured down from the heaven of My loving-kindness, as a token of My grace, that ye may be of the thankful. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Thus of My grace, as a favor on My part, that ye may be of those who are thankful. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Likewise rains of My generosity have fallen from the heaven of My providence as a favour from Me that you may be thankful. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| The penalties for wounding or striking a person depend upon the severity of the injury; for each degree the Lord of Judgement hath prescribed a certain indemnity. He is, in truth, the Ordainer, the Mighty, the Most Exalted. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Wounds and blows are also atoned for by fines proportionate to their offence, and a certain fine is decreed by the judge according to the degree of gravity: Verily He is the controller, the mighty, the impregnable. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| As for the commandments about wounds and blows, they differ just as there is a difference in the intensity (of wounds and blows). The Rewarder has ruled that for every degree there is a fixed fine. Indeed, He is the Mighty, Powerful Ruler. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| We shall, if it be Our Will, set forth these payments in their just degrees--this is a promise on Our part, and He, verily, is the Keeper of His pledge, the Knower of all things. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Had we desired, we would have justly described the particulars as a promise on our part: Verily He is the fulfiller, the All-knowing. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| If We wished We might truly go into detail as a promise on Our part. He is the Learned One who fulfills (His promises). | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Verily, it is enjoined upon you to offer a feast, once in every month, though only water be served; for God hath purposed to bind hearts together, albeit through both earthly and heavenly means. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Hospitality is incumbent upon you once a month, though water only be served; for God desireth to unite the hearts even through the means of the earth and heavens. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Hospitality has been prescribed (as an obligation), once every month, even though it be with water only. God desired to bring hearts together even, if necessary, it be by the causes of heavens and earths. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |