1.1Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,If you would learn the teaching from someone,1.2Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;honor them as the gods honor Indra.1.3So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,Then they will have confidence in you,1.4Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.and being learned, they reveal the teaching.

2.1Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,Heeding well, an attentive one,2.2Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;practicing in line with that teaching2.3Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle2.4Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.through diligently sticking close to such a person.

3.1Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,But associating with a petty fool3.2Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;who falls short of the goal, jealous,3.3Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,then unable to discern the teaching in this life,3.4Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.

4.1Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,4.2Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;a rushing torrent in spate.4.3So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,As they are swept away downstream,4.4Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.how could they help others across?

5.1Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,5.2Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,5.3Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,5.4Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.how could they help others to contemplate?

6.1Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,But one who has embarked on a strong boat6.2Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;equipped with rudder and oar,6.3So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,would bring many others across there6.4Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.with skill, care, and thoughtfulness.

7.1Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,So too one who understands—a knowledge master,7.2Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;evolved, learned, and unflappable—7.3So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,can help others to contemplate,7.4Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.

8.1Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,That’s why you should spend time with a true person,8.2Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;intelligent and learned.8.3Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,Having understood the meaning, <j>putting it into practice,8.4Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.one who understands the teaching <j>would find happiness.

8.5Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.