Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away 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 in all your getting, get understanding. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
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Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. | Listen, my son, and take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be multiplied. |
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. | I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom and led you along the paths of righteousness. |
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your 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 your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. | Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. | Turn away from the mouth that deceives and keep your distance from lips that mislead. |
Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. | Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you. |
Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. | Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. |
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. | Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. |