Words of the Wise

17 Listen closely,[a] pay attention to the words of the wise,(A)
and apply your mind to my knowledge.
18 For it is pleasing if you keep them within you
and if[b] they are constantly on your lips.
19 I have instructed you today—even you—
so that your confidence may be in the Lord.
20 Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings[c]
about counsel and knowledge,
21 in order to teach you true and reliable words,
so that you may give a dependable report[d](B)
to those who sent you?(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:17 Lit Stretch out your ear
  2. Proverbs 22:18 Or you; let them be, or you, so that
  3. Proverbs 22:20 Text emended; one Hb tradition reads you previously; alt Hb tradition reads you excellent things; LXX, Syr, Vg read you three times
  4. Proverbs 22:21 Lit give dependable words

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise;
    you shall apply your heart[a] to my teaching.
18 For it is pleasant if you guard them within you;[b]
    together they will be ready upon your lips.
19 In order for your trust to be in Yahweh,
    I have made them known to you today[c]—even[d] you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
    with admonitions and knowledge?
21 In order to show you what is right—sayings of truth—
    in order to return a true saying to him who sent you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:17 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 22:18 Literally “in your belly/womb”
  3. Proverbs 22:19 Literally “the day”
  4. Proverbs 22:19 Or “only”