Original content

English translation

Nushirvan held an assembly on the day of Nowruz or Mehregan. He noticed that one of those present, who had a kinship relation with him, tucked a golden cup under his arm; the king feigned not to see it and said nothing. When the assembly broke up, the wine-steward said: Let no one leave until we search, for one golden cup is missing. Nushirvan said: Let it be — the one who took it will not give it back, and the one who saw him take it will not turn informer. After some days that person came in, dressed in new garments and with new boots on his feet. Nushirvan gestured toward his garments, [signaling] that these come from that [cup]. The man lifted his hem from the boot, [signaling] that this too comes from that. Nushirvan laughed, for he understood that the man had done it out of pressing need, and he ordered that a thousand mithqals of gold be given to him.

When the generous king becomes aware of your sin, confess it, and from his generosity beg his pardon. Do not deny the sin, for denial is another sin — indeed, denying the sin is far worse than the sin itself.