先帝创业未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此诚危急存亡之秋也。
Permit me to observe:
the late emperor was taken from us before he couldfinis
h his life's work, the restoration of the Han. Today, t
he empire is still divided in three, and our very survi
val is threatened.
然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。
Yet still the officials at court and the soldiers
throughout the realmremain loyal to you,
your majesty. Becaus
e they remember the late emperor, allof them, and they
wish to repay his kindness in service to you.
诚宜开张圣听，以光先
帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。
This is the moment to extend
your divine influence, to honor the memory of the
late Emperor and strengthen the morale of your officers
. It is not the time to listen to bad advice, or close
your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.
亲贤臣，远小人，此先汉所以
兴隆也;亲小人，远贤臣，此后汉所以倾颓也。
The emperors of the Western Han ch
ose their courtiers wisely, and their dynasty flourishe
d. The emperors of the Eastern Han chose poorly, and th
ey doomed the empire to ruin.
先帝在时，每与臣论此事，未尝不叹息痛恨于桓、灵也。
Whenever the late Emperor discussed this problem with
me, he lamented the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.
臣本布衣，躬耕于南阳，苟全性命于乱世，不求闻达于诸侯。
I began as a common man, farming
in my fields in Nanyang, doing what Icould to surviv
e in an age of chaos. I never had any interest in makin
g a name for myself as a noble.
先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中，咨臣
以当世之事，由是感激，遂许先帝以驱驰。
The late Emperor was not ashamed to
visit my cottage and seek my advice. Grateful for his r
egard, I responded to his appeal and threw myself into
his service.
先帝知臣谨慎，故临崩寄臣以大事也。
The late Emperor always ap
preciated my caution and, in his final days,entrusted m
e with his cause.
受命以来，夙夜忧叹，恐托付不效，以伤先帝之明，故五月渡泸，深入不毛。
Sinc
e that moment, I have been tormented day and night by t
he fear that I might let him down. That is why I crosse
d the Lu river at the height of summer, and entered the
wastelands beyond.
今南方已定，兵甲已足，当奖率三军，北定中原，庶竭驽钝，攘除奸凶，兴复汉室
，还于旧都。
Now the south has been subdued, and our forces ar
e fully armed. I should lead our soldiers to conquer th
e northern heartland and attempt to remove the hateful
traitors, restore the house of Han, and return it to th
e former capital.
此臣所以报先帝而忠陛下之职分也。
This is the way I mean
to honor my debt to the late Emperor and fulfill my du
ty to you.
愿陛下托臣以讨贼兴复之效，不效，则治臣之罪，以告先帝之灵。
My only desire i
s to be permitted to drive out the traitors and restore
the Han. If I should let you down, punish my offense a
nd report it to the spirit of the late Emperor.
陛下亦宜自谋，以
咨诹善道，察纳雅言。深追先帝遗诏，臣不胜受恩感激。今当远离，临表涕零，不知所言。
Your Majesty, c
onsider your course of action carefully. Seek out good
advice, and never forget the late words of the late Emp
eror. I depart now on along expedition, and I will be f
orever grateful if you heed my advice. Blinded by my ow
n tears, I know not what I write.