Translated from Richard Wilhelm's German (1924)
The Judgment
Holding together brings good fortune.
Consult the oracle once more
whether you have greatness, constancy and persistence;
then there is no fault.
Those who are unsure gradually draw near.
Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune.
The Image
Water lies on the earth: the image of holding together.
So the ancient kings granted the individual states as fiefs
and maintained friendly relations with the feudal princes.
First line, six
Hold to him truly and faithfully: that is no fault.
Truth like a full clay bowl:
so in the end good fortune comes from outside.
Second line, six
Hold to him inwardly. Persistence brings good fortune.
Third line, six
You hold together with people
who are not the right ones.
Fourth line, six
Hold to him outwardly as well. Persistence brings good fortune.
Fifth line, nine
Holding together made manifest.
In the hunt the king has the game driven from three sides only
and forgoes the game that turns aside in front.
The citizens do not need to be warned. Good fortune.
Top line, six
They find no head to hold together with. Misfortune.