革 · 变
Judgement
巳日乃孚，元亨利贞，悔亡。
On the si day, it is changed. Supreme good fortune; no blame.
The Image
泽中有火，革。君子以治历明时。
Within the lake, fire: revolution. So the superior man orders the calendar and clarifies the seasons.
The Lines
巩用黄牛之革。
Bound with yellow ox-leather.
“巩用黄牛”，不可以有为也。
Bound with the yellow ox: nothing can be done.
巳日乃革之，征吉，无咎。
On the si day, it is changed; going is auspicious; no blame.
“巳日”“革之”，行有嘉也。
On the si day, it is changed: the walk has cause for praise.
征凶，贞厉；革言三就，有孚。
Going is ill; steadfastness in danger. The change’s words are thrice fulfilled; there is sincerity.
“革言三就”，又何之矣！
The change’s words are thrice fulfilled: what more is there to do?
悔亡，有孚改命，吉。
Regret passes; with sincerity, the command is changed. Good fortune.
“改命”之“吉”，信志也。
The good fortune of the changed command: he trusts his will.
大人虎变，未占有孚。
The great man changes like a tiger; before divining, there is sincerity.
“大人虎变”，其文炳也。
The great man changes like a tiger: his pattern is bright.
君子豹变，小人革面；征凶，居贞吉。
The superior man changes like a leopard; the small man changes his face. To go is ill; to stay steadfast is auspicious.
“君子豹变”，其文蔚也；“小人革面”，顺以从君也。
The superior man changes like a leopard: his pattern is rich. The small man changes his face: he obeys and follows his lord.
Reading
火在泽中，煮它。变到成熟，就成了革——经文给它一张日历：当革之日则信，不当革之日则不信。新事之可信，在于旧事真的完了。