Religion
Acquainted with Truth
Translated by Nina Salaman (1924) · From Selected Poems of Jehudah Halevi (Jewish Publication Society, 1924)
Thou, acquainted with truth, cast out the false.
And dwell in the world as though dwelling in durance.
Thine honour and thy majesty—to serve God while thou livest,
And to leave worldly honour to others.
It is well if thou wake the dawn to serve Him
And sleep not so long that the dawn wake thee.
Know thy tomorrow while thy today lasteth,
And fear not to leave the earth to strangers.
Is it not better far for thee to minister before God
Than to be ministering unto mortals—
Before God, whose memory and whose name
Every soul praiseth with joy and songs?
Codex Note
Salaman no. 55. Devotional Poems.
Cite this poem
MLA
Halevi, Judah. “Acquainted with Truth.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/61/.
Chicago
Halevi, Judah. “Acquainted with Truth.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/61/.
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