«إِذَا قَطَعَتْ وَصَلَتْ»
When it pierces and separates, it also joins.
The two verbs seem contradictory until one considers the mechanism of stitching: the sharp point pierces the material so thread can unite the edges. A literal “cuts and connects” can stand in the main translation, with the craft process explained afterward.
The needle is richly personified in the litigation narrative. The language is not evidence of real killing and resurrection. Correct translation preserves the compressed antithesis while recovering the sewing context.
Translation exercise
Write one sentence that captures both piercing and joining in the same sewing action.