Tiger-Power the Immortal, robed now in his vestments and holding up the jade tablet, danced and scattered dust before the altar, then prostrated himself on the ground and, facing upward, made his declaration on high:

披了法衣: 了 = le. 擎著玉簡: durative 著 = zhe; the 玉簡 is the jade audience-tablet a priest bears when addressing the gods. 朝上: 朝 = cháo, “facing upward.” 啟奏 “to declare, memorialize” (as to a throne).

“In utter fear and trembling, we bow our heads and take refuge;

誠惶誠恐 “in all sincerity, awe and dread” — the fixed formula of humble address to a sovereign, turned here upon the gods. 稽首 (qǐshǒu) “to knock the head to the ground.” 歸依 “to take refuge, submit” (cf. Buddhist 皈依).

we your servants exalt the Teaching, our eyes lifted to the Pure Void.

臣等 “we, your servants.” 興教: 興 = xīng, “to raise up, promote”; 教 = jiào, “the Teaching.” 清虛 “the Pure Void” — the empyrean of the Daoist heavens.

We have put down the mean and vulgar monks, and honoured the Way in its splendour.

滅僧 “to wipe out the monks”; 鄙俚 “base and vulgar.” 敬道光輝 “revere the radiance of the Way” — the anti-Buddhist creed framing the whole 車遲國 arc.

By imperial warrant we raised the treasure-halls, by royal command the courts and chambers.

敕修 “built by imperial decree”; 御製 “made by the sovereign's command.” 庭闈 “the courtyard and inner gate-chambers.” The couplet advertises royal patronage of the Daoists.

Broadly we set out the offerings, and high we hung the dragon-banners.

廣陳 “to lay out in abundance.” 供養: 供 = gòng, “offerings.” 龍旗 “dragon-emblazoned banners” — imperial insignia.

The whole night through we have held the candles, all day long we have burned the incense.

通宵 “the entire night.” 秉燭 “to hold a candle.” 鎮日 “all day long.” 香焚 “incense is burned.”

Our single sincerity reaches those on high; our least reverence returns in piety.

一誠 “single, undivided sincerity” (誠 2nd tone, so 一 = yì). 達上 “to reach the ones above.” 寸敬 “an inch of reverence” — ritual self-diminishment.

Now, favoured with your descent, while the immortal carriage has not yet turned back —

蒙 “to be favoured with, receive.” 降駕: 降 = jiàng, “to bring the carriage down, descend.” 仙車 “the immortals' chariot.”

we beg you grant a little golden elixir and holy water, to present to the court, that its years may rival the Southern Mountain.”

望賜 “we hope you bestow.” 進與朝廷: 朝 = cháo, “to present to the imperial court.” 壽比南山 “may your span match the Southern Mountain” — a stock benediction of longevity (from the 詩經).