The verse

A thousand words burn down to one grey heap;when ash is spent, the weak flame stands revealed.Strip off the showy smoke—let charcoal keep:one honest spark outlasts the fume's bright field.

Reading

This lot bids you be few in words and true in heart; let no thick smoke of excess veil you. A true fire leaves embers, a hollow one only ash—ask whether your words spring from sincerity; the outcome rests with Heaven.

The temple keeper adds

A steady lot. Steady, in a loud age, is already rare.

[ Draw another at the temple ][ Keep a traffic omamori ]