Version 1:
People deficient in wisdom, childish ones,
Engage in unawareness.
But the wise one guards awareness
Like the greatest treasure.
Version 2:
They’re addicted to heedlessness
— dullards, fools —
while one who is wise
cherishes heedfulness
as his highest wealth.
Version 3:
The foolish and ignorant indulge in heedlessness, but the wise one[s] keep [their] heedfulness as [their] best treasure.
(Note: Version 1 is from the John Ross Carter and Mahinda Palihawadana translation. Version 2 is from the Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation. Version 3 is from the Acharya Buddharakkhita translation. Changes made to the text in order to achieve gender neutrality are marked with brackets.)
