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?

²² Do not exploit the poor^(E) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,^(F)
23 for the Lord will take up their case^(G)
    and will exact life for life.^(H)

²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
²⁵ or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.^(I)

²⁶ Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge^(J)
    or puts up security for debts;
²⁷ if you lack the means to pay,
    your very bed will be snatched from under you.^(K)

²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone^(L)
    set up by your ancestors.

²⁹ Do you see someone skilled^(M) in their work?
    They will serve^(N) before kings;^(O)
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.