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(1.1) Here begins the teaching of light, the guide to life:(1.2) fresh instructions, told to make hearts flourish,(1.3) come down from the counsels of the forebears,(1.4) the worthies, the companions of old.(1.5) Known to the craftsman, handed on to the king,(1.6) that one might live by them in the days that followed;(1.7) so set your heart on them, that your name may stand(1.8) and your good repute be rooted in the earth.(1.9) They are given to the son from the loving heart,(1.10) for his sight, his hearing, his keeping safe.(1.11) Do not speak more than is asked of you,(1.12) so that no man's heart may turn against you.(1.13) Give your thought to the ways of the land,(1.14) and to what has been before: that is what makes wisdom.(1.15) * See the excellent son, the gift of God,(1.16) the heir, born of a loving heart.(1.17) His body flourishes; his life is long;(1.18) and the man who hears is honored among men.

(1.1) This is the start of the teaching about light and life:(1.2) good new instructions for making people flourish,(1.3) handed down from the advice of those who came before,(1.4) from worthy men and their companions.(1.5) The skilled man knew them and passed them to the king,(1.6) so that people could live by them afterward.(1.7) Set your heart on them, so your name will last(1.8) and your good reputation will stay firm on earth.(1.9) They are given to a son from a loving heart,(1.10) for him to see, to hear, and to keep.(1.11) Don't say more than you are asked,(1.12) so no one becomes angry with you.(1.13) Pay attention to how the land works,(1.14) and to what happened before: that is wisdom.(1.15) * Look at the excellent son, God's gift,(1.16) the heir born from a loving heart.(1.17) His body is healthy; he lives a long life;(1.18) and a man who listens is honored.