Acquire wisdom and gain understanding; never forget or turn aside from my words. | Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. |
The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. | Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. |
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Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. | Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. |
I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. | I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. |
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. | My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. |
Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. | Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. |
Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. | Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. |
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. |
Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. | Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. |
Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. | Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. |