| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| O Emperor of Austria! He Who is the Dayspring of God's Light dwelt in the prison of Akka at the time when thou didst set forth to visit the Aqsa Mosque. Thou passed Him by, and inquired not about Him by Whom every house is exalted and every lofty gate unlocked. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| O thou Emperor of Austria! The day-spring of the light of primal unity was in the prison of Acca at the time when you visited El-Massjidil Aksa (the temple of Jerusalem) but thou hast passed by without even enquiries about Him by whom every house is honored and exalted, and every high door is opened. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| O king of Austria (al-namsa), the Rising-place of the Light of Unity was in prison at Acre when thou wentest to the furthest Mosque (al-masjid al-aqsa). Thou didst pass by and afterwards did not ask about Him, He for Whom every house was raised up and every towering door was opened. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| We, verily, made it a place whereunto the world should turn, that they might remember Me, and yet thou hast rejected Him Who is the Object of this remembrance, when He appeared with the Kingdom of God, thy Lord and the Lord of the worlds. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| We destined it (the temple) the mikbal of the world (place of pilgrimage) for my commemoration, but thou hast rejected the commemoration when He appeared in the kingdom of God, thy Lord, and the Lord of the worlds. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| We made it the meeting-place (prayer-direction) [note 3] for the world for My remembrance, and thou didst neglect the One mentioned when He appeared with the Kingdom of God, thy Lord and the Lord of the Worlds. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| We have been with thee at all times, and found thee clinging unto the Branch and heedless of the Root. Thy Lord, verily, is a witness unto what I say. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| We have been with thee under all aspects and found thee clinging to the branch and heedless of the root. Verily thy Lord is a witness to what I say. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| We were with thee in all circumstances. We found thee clinging to the branch (al-far') and careless about the root (al-asl). Thy Lord is a witness of what I say. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| We grieved to see thee circle round Our Name, whilst unaware of Us, though We were before thy face. Open thine eyes, that thou mayest behold this glorious Vision, | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| We were overtaken by sorrows at seeing thee journeying for the sake of our name and knowing us not while we were before thy face. Open thine eye, that thou mayest see this most noble outlook; | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Sorrows overtook us because We saw thee going about Our Name, not knowing that we are before thy face. Open thine eyes to see this noble spectacle, | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| and recognize Him Whom thou invokest in the daytime and in the night season, and gaze on the Light that shineth above this luminous Horizon. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| know Him upon whom thou callest day and night; and witness the light which is shining from this magnificent horizon. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| to know upon Whom thou callest night and day, and to see the light shining from this flashing horizon. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Say: O King of Berlin! Give ear unto the Voice calling from this manifest Temple: | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| O thou King of Berlin! Hear the call from this manifest temple | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Say: O king of Berlin, [note 1] hear the call from this conspicuous Temple, | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| "Verily, there is none other God but Me, the Everlasting, the Peerless, the Ancient of Days." | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| "There is no God but me, the everlasting, the peerless, the pre-existent". | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| "There is no god besides Me, the Continuing, the Unique, the Eternal One." | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Take heed lest pride debar thee from recognizing the Dayspring of Divine Revelation, lest earthly desires shut thee out, as by a veil, from the Lord of the Throne above and of the earth below. Thus counselleth thee the Pen of the Most High. He, verily, is the Most Gracious, the All-Bountiful. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Beware lest delusion withold thee from the day-spring of manifestation; or lust veil thee from the king of the throne and the earth. Thus doth the supreme pen admonish thee. Verily He is the bounteous, the generous. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Beware lest conceit keep thee from the Rising-place of Manifestation and passion screen thee from the Possessor of the Throne and the Earth. In like manner the Most High Pen counsels thee. Indeed, He is the Generous, the Gracious Giver. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Do thou remember the one [Napoleon III] whose power transcended thy power, and whose station excelled thy station. Where is he? Whither are gone the things he possessed? Take warning, and be not of them that are fast asleep. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Remember! Where is he who was greater than thou, and of more honor and dignity? And where are his possessions (Napoleon the third)? Awake and be not of those who sleep! | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Remember [note 2] the one who was greater than thee in dignity and more exalted in position! Where is he and his possessions? Awake! Be not of those who sleep. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| He it was who cast the Tablet of God behind him when We made known unto him what the hosts of tyranny had caused Us to suffer. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Verily he hath put behind him the tablet of God when he informed him of what had befallen us on the part of the soldiers of oppressors. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| He flung the Tablet of God behind him when We informed him of what the hosts of evil-doers had brought on Us. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Wherefore, disgrace assailed him from all sides, and he went down to dust in great loss. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Therefore humiliation has surrounded him from all sides, until he fell to dust with great loss. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| Therefore humiliation took hold on him from every side until he returned with great loss to the dust. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| Think deeply, O King, concerning him, and concerning them who, like unto thee, have conquered cities and ruled over men. The All-Merciful brought them down from their palaces to their graves. Be warned, be of them who reflect. | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| O King! Consider his condition (Napoleon's) and remember your equal who have subdued the countries and governed the people. Verily God, the merciful, hath made them descend from the palaces to the graves. Consider and be of the mindful! | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| O king, think of him and others like thee who subdued the lands (al-bilad) and ruled over creatures (al-'ibad). The Merciful brought them down from palaces to graves. Consider and be one of those who remember. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |
| Authorized translation (ca. 1953-1992) | Authorized Arabic text (1995) |
| We have asked nothing from you. For the sake of God We, verily, exhort you, and will be patient as We have been patient in that which hath befallen Us at your hands, O concourse of kings! | |
| Haddad translation (1900-01) | Provisional Arabic transliteration (1998) |
| Verily we desire naught of you, but only we advise you, for God's sake, and we will be patient as we have been through that which has befallen us on your part, O ye assemblies of rulers. | |
| Provisional Literal translation (1998) | Earl E. Elder translation (1961) |
| We desire nothing from you, O assembly of Sultans. We counsel you only for the sake of God and we are patient as we were patient about that which came to us from you. | |
| Notes to Translations (1998) | Correspondence on Literal trans. (1998) |