The Divine Sovereign says: I endure hardship without complaint, expounding scriptures, classics, rites and moral precepts, that worldly people may turn their hearts toward goodness and attain liberation.
Should any regard this scripture as an inconsequential text, calamities shall descend forthwith.
“Inconsequential” means merely filling a place, of no real import. It speaks of those who dismiss this Scripture on Abstaining from Licentiousness as trivial and dissuade others from believing and abiding by it. For such persons, disasters and misfortunes shall come all at once without delay, as a warning against their reckless folly.
Should any pronounce this Scripture absurd and groundless, they shall instantly be torn asunder by thunder‑bolt.
“Absurd and groundless” means lacking all factual basis. If one denounces this Scripture on Abstaining from Licentiousness as baseless nonsense, sowing doubt to turn others away from faith, thunder and lightning shall immediately strike, rending their bodies to pieces as retribution for their wickedness.
Such is a mother‑heart of tender compassion, to which the Eight Immortals clasp their hands in salute. Such is a bosom brimming with ardent zeal, for which the Five Elders lift their heads in admiration.
“A mother’s heart of tender compassion” refers to the Divine Sovereign’s sincere, loving concern for mankind, like a mother caring for her children. “The Eight Immortals” are the Daoist immortals of the Eight Caves, who clasp their hands to show their approval. “Ardent zeal” stands for the Divine Sovereign’s whole‑hearted devotion to saving the world. “The Five Elders” refer to the Five Elders of Youhe, ancient exalted divine beings, who lift their heads in praise of this noble teaching.
I grudge not its plain simplicity, to lay it open before all mortal beings.
“Cangsheng”, literally the black-haired people, denotes the common people. The Divine Sovereign declares: I do not shrink from the plain, unrefined nature of this admonition, making it known far and wide to all people, earnestly hoping to turn them away from licentious transgression.
Commit it to jujube-and-chestnut-wood printing blocks; herein lies my earnest hope.