Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. | Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. |
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
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Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. | My son, concentrate attentively on my words; pay heed to the instructions I pass on to you. Do not let them slip from your mind; keep them forever in your heart. |
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |