1. A single rule you set aside, or lying words you speak,
The world beyond you ridicule - no evil you won't do!
2. Better for you to swallow a ball of iron red-hot and flaming with fire,
Than on the alms of the people to live, while immoral, indulgent, intemperate.
3. If it's suffering you fear, if it's suffering you dislike,
Just do no evil deeds at all - for all to see or secretly.
4. Even a flight in the air cannot free you from suffering,
After the deed which is evil has once been committed.
5. Not in the sky nor in the ocean's middle,
Nor if you were to hide in cracks in mountains,
Can there be found on this wide earth a corner
Where karma does not catch up with the culprit.
6. But if you see the evil others do, and if you feel you disapprove,
Be careful not to do likewise, for people's deeds remain with them.
7. Those who cheat in business deals, those who act against the Dharma,
Those who swindle, those who trick - not only harm their fellow-men,
They hurl themselves into a gorge, for people's deeds remain with them.
8. Whatever deeds a man may do, be they delightful, be they bad,
They make a heritage for him; deeds do not vanish without trace.
9. A man will steal while profit seems to lie that way.
Then others steal from him, and so the thief by thieving is undone,
10. The fool, while sinning, thinks and hopes, 'This never will catch up with me'.
Wait till you're in the other world, and there the fate of sinners learn!
11. The fool, while sinning, thinks and hopes, 'This never will catch up with me'.
But later on there's bitterness, when punishment must be endured.
12. The fool does evil deeds while unaware of what they lead to.
By his own deeds the stupid man is burnt, as though burnt up by fire.
13. The fools, unwise, behave as though they were their own worst enemies,
Committing many evil deeds which issue then in bitter fruits.
14. Not is an action called 'well done', which makes us suffer afterwards,
Of which we reap the fruit in tears, with weeping, wailing and lament.
15. That action only is 'well done', which brings no suffering in its train,
Of which we reap the fruit quite glad, in happiness, with joyous heart.
16. In hot pursuit of their own joys they laugh when they do evil deeds.
They'll weep with pain and misery, when they receive their punishment.
17. An evil deed need not at once cause trouble to the man who did it.
It keeps up with the careless fool, just as a fire, smouldering under ashes.
18. Just like a new-forged blade the evil deed need not at once cause any wounds.
Wait till you're in the other world, and there the fate of sinners learn!
For later on there's bitterness, when punishment must be endured.
19. The iron itself createth the rust,
Which slowly is bound to consume it.
The evil-doer by his own deeds
Is led to a life full of suffering.