Proverbs 22:17-29

Words of the Wise
22:17 Listen closely,[Lit Stretch out your ear] pay attention to the words of the wise,
and apply your mind to my knowledge.

18 For it is pleasing if you keep them within you
and if they are[Or you; let them be, or you, so that 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[Text emended; one Hb tradition reads you previously; alt Hb tradition reads you excellent things; LXX, Syr, Vg read you three times]
about counsel and knowledge,

21 in order to teach you true and reliable words,
so that you may give a dependable report[Lit give dependable words]
to those who sent you?

22 Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor,
and don’t crush the oppressed at the city gate,

23 for the Lord will champion their cause
and will plunder those who plunder them.

24 Don’t make friends with an angry person,[Lit with a master of anger]
and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one,

25 or you will learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.

26 Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,[Lit Don’t be among hand slappers]
who put up security for loans.

27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.

28 Don’t move an ancient boundary marker

that your ancestors set up.

29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will stand in the presence of kings.
He will not stand in the presence of the unknown. 

CSB