This is the work of a foreign poet.

O Lord, I the son of a weak slave, supplicate Thee that Thou wouldst save me from the evil of the world.

The evil which catches even its swift runners, much more the man in this world who is halt and blind.

It seizes upon Mallams, much more upon the ignorant man; O Lord save me that the evil come not to me.

I know not, I am myself seeking to find; whoever works without knowledge, works uselessly.

The son of the ignorant is a beast and a fool, he destroys himself, he knows nothing in the world.

The son of the ignorant is a corpse, even before he is dead; his craft during his sojourning on earth is in vain.

If it be said to him, Rise and seek knowledge, he would say Wait till I am old, till indeed he would refuse altogether.

He has grown old, but finds difficulty in seeking after knowledge; like a boy he would continue seeking after this world.

He has made no preparation for heaven; he directs his desires towards this vain world,

He dislikes to talk much about the next world; he rejects the mercy of the living One.