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?

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad indeed;

¹⁶ my inmost being will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.^(A)

²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.^(A)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.^(B)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.^(C)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!^(D)