17 (A)Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be (B)pleasant if you keep them within you,
[a]So that they may be ready on your lips.
19 So that your (C)trust may be in the Lord,
I have [b]taught you today, you indeed.
20 Have I not written to you [c](D)excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you (E)know the [d]certainty of the words of truth,
So that you may [e](F)correctly answer him who sent you?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:18 Lit They together
  2. Proverbs 22:19 Lit made you know
  3. Proverbs 22:20 Or previous
  4. Proverbs 22:21 Lit truth
  5. Proverbs 22:21 Lit return words of truth

Sayings of the Wise

17     The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words[a]
    and apply your mind to my teaching,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, yes, to you.(A)
20 Have I not written for you thirty[b] sayings
    of admonition and knowledge,(B)
21 to show you what is right and true,
    so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 22.17 Cn Compare Gk: Heb Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise
  2. 22.20 Cn: Heb in the past or noble