The illustration of illustrious (virtue) is required below, And the dread majesty is on high. God is not readily to be relied on; It is not easy to be king. Yin's rightful heir to the throne Was not permitted to possess the kingdom.

Zan, the second of the princesses of Kih, From (the domain of) Yin-shang, Came to be married to (the prince of) Kau, And became his wife in his capital. Both she and king Ki Were entirely virtuous. (Then) Thai-zan became pregnant, And gave birth to our king Wan.

This king Wan, Watchfully and reverently, With entire intelligence served God, And so secured the great blessing. His virtue was without deflection; And in consequence he received (the allegiance of) the states from all quarters.

God surveyed this lower world; And His appointment lighted (on king Wan). In his early years, He made for him a mate;—On the north of the Hsia, On the banks of the Wei. When king Wan would marry, There was the lady in a large state.

In a large state was the lady, Like a fair denizen of heaven. The ceremonies determined the auspiciousness (of the union), And in person he met her on the Wei. Over it he made a bridge of boats; The glory (of the occasion) was illustrious.

The favouring appointment was from God, Giving the throne to our king Wan, In the capital of Kau. The lady-successor was from Hsin, Its eldest daughter, who came to marry him. She was blessed to give birth to king Wu, Who was preserved, and helped, and received (also) the appointment, And in accordance with it smote the great Shang.

The troops of Yin-shang Were collected like a forest, And marshalled in the wilderness of Mu. We rose (to the crisis); 'God is with you,' (said Shang-fu to the king), 'Have no doubts in your heart!'

The wilderness of Mu spread out extensive; Bright shone the chariots of sandal; The teams of bays, black-maned and white-bellied, galloped along; The Grand-Master Shang-fu Was like an eagle on the wing, Assisting king Wu, Who at one onset smote the great Shang. That morning's encounter was followed by a clear, bright (day).