ਦੁਨੀਆ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਬੇਦਾਰ ਜਾਗਤ ਮੁਸੀਅਤ ਹਉ ਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥

Dhuneeaa Huseeaar Baedhaar Jaagath Museeath Ho Rae Bhaaee ||

People of the world, remain awake and aware. Even though you are awake, you are being robbed, O Siblings of Destiny.

ਨਿਗਮ ਹੁਸੀਆਰ ਪਹਰੂਆ ਦੇਖਤ ਜਮੁ ਲੇ ਜਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Nigam Huseeaar Peharooaa Dhaekhath Jam Lae Jaaee ||1|| Rehaao ||

While the Vedas stand guard watching, the Messenger of Death carries you away. ||1||Pause||

ਨੀਟ਼ਬੁ ਭਇਓ ਆਂਬੁ ਆਂਬੁ ਭਇਓ ਨੀਟ਼ਬਾ ਕੇਲਾ ਪਾਕਾ ਝਾਰਿ ॥

Naneeb Bhaeiou Aaanb Aaanb Bhaeiou Naneebaa Kaelaa Paakaa Jhaar ||

He thinks that the bitter nimm fruit is a mango, and the mango is a bitter nimm. He imagines the ripe banana on the thorny bush.

ਨਾਲੀਏਰ ਫਲੁ ਸੇਬਰਿ ਪਾਕਾ ਮੂਰਖ ਮੁਗਧ ਗਵਾਰ ॥੧॥

Naaleeeaer Fal Saebar Paakaa Moorakh Mugadhh Gavaar ||1||

He thinks that the ripe coconut hangs on the barren simmal tree; what a stupid, idiotic fool he is! ||1||

ਹਰਿ ਭਇਓ ਖਾਂਡੁ ਰੇਤੁ ਮਹਿ ਬਿਖਰਿਓ ਹਸਤੀਟ਼ ਚੁਨਿਓ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥

Har Bhaeiou Khaandd Raeth Mehi Bikhariou Hasathanee Chuniou N Jaaee ||

The Lord is like sugar, spilled onto the sand; the elephant cannot pick it up.

ਕਹਿ ਕਮੀਰ ਕੁਲ ਜਾਤਿ ਪਾਂਤਿ ਤਜਿ ਚੀਟੀ ਹੋਇ ਚੁਨਿ ਖਾਈ ॥੨॥੩॥੧੨॥

Kehi Kameer Kul Jaath Paanth Thaj Cheettee Hoe Chun Khaaee ||2||3||12||

Says Kabeer, give up your ancestry, social status and honor; be like the tiny ant - pick up and eat the sugar. ||2||3||12||