They will say, “Three, and their fourth being their dog.” And they will say, “Five, and their sixth being their dog,” guessing at the unknown. And they will say, “Seven, and their eighth being their dog.” Say, “My Lord knows best their number.” None knows them except a few. So do not argue concerning them except with an obvious argument, and do not consult any of them about them.
（ある者は）言う。 「（かれらは）3人で，4番目は犬です。」（外の者は）単なる推測で，「かれらは5人で，6番目は犬です。」と言う。（またある者は）言う。「かれらは7人で，8番目は犬です。」言ってやるがいい。「わたしの主はその数を最もよく知っておられる。かれら（の真相）を知る者は極く少数に過ぎない。」それで外部に見えることの議論の外は，かれらに関し論争してはならない。またかれらに就いて，誰にも問いかけてはならない。