Translated from Richard Wilhelm's German (1924)
The Judgment
Return. Success.
Leaving and entering without mishap.
Friends come without fault.
The way goes back and forth.
On the seventh day the return comes.
It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
The Image
Thunder within the earth: the image of a turning point.
So the ancient kings closed the passes at the solstice.
Merchants and strangers did not travel,
and the ruler did not tour the regions.
First line, nine
Return from a short distance.
There is no need for regret.
Great good fortune.
Second line, six
Quiet return. Good fortune.
Third line, six
Repeated return. Danger. No fault.
Fourth line, six
Walking in the midst of the others,
one returns alone.
Fifth line, six
Generous return. No regret.
Top line, six
Missed return. Misfortune.
Disaster from outside and from within.
If one sends armies marching like this,
in the end one will suffer a great defeat,
so that it brings misfortune on the ruler of the land.
For ten years one is no longer able to attack.