And veil within it a knowledge [leading] to the Truth. Do not cling to the chains of its [outward] knowledge They are embellished sayings and lost lies.

Except for a scoop [from the river] as much as is easy—establish it

And do not be tested by it, for there are barriers against it.

What is meant by the bitter, salty water is the esoteric knowledge, which is bitter, difficult, and hard to swallow.

Note: The intent of the saying of our Master Abu Sa’id—may God sanctify him—that the "salty and bitter water" is the Inward Knowledge (bitter and difficult to the taste...), and the "fresh and sweet water" is the Outward Knowledge (the drink that no one loathes...), is that the acceptance of Inward Knowledge is only bitter to them [the public] and sweet to us. This is like the water of the Israelites: it turned into blood for the people of Pharaoh, which they could not accept, but remained pure water for the people of Moses.

Likewise, Outward Knowledge is only bitter to us and sweet to them. This is due to the difficulty the believer finds in accepting their outward beliefs, and the difficulty they find in accepting our Inward Knowledge.

I have said regarding this meaning in verse: