1. appamādo amatapadaṃ, pamādo maccuno padaṃ.
appamattā na mīyanti, ye pamattā yathā matā.
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness is the path to death. The heedful die not. The heedless are as if dead already.

2. evaṃ visesato ñatvā, appamādamhi paṇḍitā.
appamāde pamodanti, ariyānaṃ gocare ratā.
Clearly understanding this excellence of heedfulness, the wise exult therein and enjoy the resort of the Noble Ones.

3. te jhāyino sātatikā, niccaṃ daḷhaparakkamā.
phusanti dhīrā nibbānaṃ, yogakkhemaṃ anuttaraṃ.
The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering, alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom from bondage.

4. uṭṭhānavato satīmato, sucikammassa nisammakārino.
saññatassa dhammajīvino, appamattassa yasobhivaḍḍhati.
Ever grows the glory of him who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct, discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful.

5. uṭṭhānenappamādena, saṃyamena damena ca.
dīpaṃ kayirātha medhāvī, yaṃ ogho nābhikīrati.
By effort and heedfulness, discipline and self-mastery, let the wise one make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.

6. pamādamanuyuñjanti, bālā dummedhino janā.
appamādañca medhāvī, dhanaṃ seṭṭhaṃva rakkhati.
The foolish and ignorant indulge in heedlessness, but the wise one keeps his heedfulness as his best treasure.

7. mā pamādamanuyuñjetha, mā kāmaratisanthavaṃ.
appamatto hi jhāyanto, pappoti vipulaṃ sukhaṃ.
Do not give way to heedlessness. Do not indulge in sensual pleasures. Only the heedful and meditative attain great happiness.

8. pamādaṃ appamādena, yadā nudati paṇḍito.
paññāpāsādamāruyha, asoko sokiniṃ pajaṃ.
pabbataṭṭhova bhūmaṭṭhe, dhīro bāle avekkhati.
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain beholds the groundlings, even so when the wise man casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and ascends the high tower of wisdom, this sorrowless sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish multitude.

9. appamatto pamattesu, suttesu bahujāgaro.
abalassaṃva sīghasso, hitvā yāti sumedhaso.
Heedful among the heedless, wide-awake among the sleepy, the wise man advances like a swift horse leaving behind a weak jade.

10. appamādena maghavā, devānaṃ seṭṭhataṃ gato.
appamādaṃ pasaṃsanti, pamādo garahito sadā.
By Heedfulness did Indra become the overlord of the gods. Heedfulness is ever praised, and heedlessness ever despised.

11. appamādarato bhikkhu, pamāde bhayadassi vā.
saṃyojanaṃ aṇuṃ thūlaṃ, ḍahaṃ aggīva gacchati.
The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with fear at heedlessness advances like fire, burning all fetters, small and large.

12. appamādarato bhikkhu, pamāde bhayadassi vā.
abhabbo parihānāya, nibbānasseva santike.
The monk who delights in heedfulness and looks with fear at heedlessness will not fall. He is close to Nibbana.