These runes knew - these runes carved,
these runes found Odin;
through the mead - he drank from Heiddraupnir's skull,
and from Hoddrofnir's horn.

Odin stood on the mountain top - with Brimir's weapons,
A helmet on his head;
Then Mimir's head spoke - his very first wise word,
True staves he spoke of.

He said:
Runes were carved on the shield - in front of the Shining God,
They were carved on Arvakur's ear - and on Allsvinn's hoof,
On the wheel which rolls - beneath the wagon of Rugnir,
On the teeth of Sleipnir - and on the fetters of the sleigh.

On the paws of the bear - and on the tongue of Bragi,
On the claws of the wolf - and on the beak of the eagle,
On bleeding wings - and on the end of the bridge,
On redeeming hand - and on healing steps.

On glass and on gold - and on all good items,
In Wine and in herbs - In the chair of peace,
On the edge of Gugnir - and on the chest of Grani,
On the nail of the Norn - and on the beak of the owl.

All were cut off - those who first were carved in,
Poured in the sacred mead;
Sent on roads far and wide;
They are among the Æsir - they are among the Elves,
Some among wise Vanir,
Some among the humans' men.

They are runes for writing - they are runes for protection,
And all the mead runes,
And precious runes with mighty powers;
He, who knows them - unadulterated and undepraved,
Shall have them for success - in life;
They bring fortune - if you learn them,
Fortune and luck - until the judgement day!

I advice you for the first - towards your friends and family,
Live in peace.
Do not take vengeance - even if they do unright,
It is best for the dead.

I advice you for the second - never swear an oath,
If it is not true;
Cruel punishments - threats the perjurer,
Poor is the oath-breaker.

I advice you for the third - when on the Thing,
Never speak to a fool;
As an unwise man - often speaks of more,
Worse things than he knows of.

I advice you for the fourth - if by the road,
You find a bad and evil woman;
Better leave her - than be her guest,
Even if night is falling.
Spying eyes - seduces the sons of Earth,
Often dark women - sit by the roads;
They deafen sword and senses.

I advice you for the fifth - that even though fair,
Ladies sit on the benches in the hall;
Let these silver of your friends - not steal your sleep,
Do not allure the smiling ones to kiss you.

I advice you for the sixth - if there is an argument,
Between drunk guests at a feast;
Do not interfere - with intoxicated fighters,
wine steal the wit of many.
Quarrels and mead - have often caused,
Many mens' detriment;
Somes' death - somes' sorrow,
Much brings grief to man.

I advice you for the seventh - that if you are guilty,
To a quarrel with bold men;
Better fight - than burn inside,
If you have property.

I advice you for the eighth - watch out for evil,
Flee from false speech.
Do not seduce a maiden - nor another's wife,
Do not allure them to get intimate.

I advice you for the ninth - to bury corpses,
Wherever you may find them laying around;
If they died in disease - or if they drowned,
If they died in battle too.
Pay respect - to the expired,
Clean their hands and head,
Camb and dry them - put them in a coffin,
Where they may sleep in peace.

I advice you for the tenth - never trust,
Promises from wolf-descendants;
If a brother kills a brother,
If a father kills a son,
Often the wolf can be found in the young son.

I advice you for the eleventh - watch out for evil,
On every road leading to a friend's house;
To live long - is not the fate of a chief,
I see great battles ahead.