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17 Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, that they may indeed be ready upon thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made it known to thee this day, even to thee!

20 Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

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17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
If they be established together upon thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah,
I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written unto thee [a]excellent things
[b]Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make thee know [c]the certainty of the words of truth,
That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:20 The word is doubtful. Another reading is, heretofore
  2. Proverbs 22:20 Or, In
  3. Proverbs 22:21 Or, of a certainty the words etc.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(C)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

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