Pro 22:17-21 | NETfull | STEP | Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.

Proverbs 22:17-21

The Sayings of the Wise

^{▼▼ A new collection of sayings begins here, forming the fourth section of the book of Proverbs. This collection is not like that of 1:1–9:18; here the introductory material is more personal than 1:1–7, and the style differs, showing great similarity to the Instruction of Amenemope in Egypt (especially the thirty precepts of the sages in 22:17–24:22). Verses 17–21 form the introduction, and then the sayings begin in v. 22. After the thirty sayings are given, there are further sayings in 24:23–34. There is much literature on this material: see W. K. Simpson, ed., Literature of Ancient Egypt; ANET 412–425; and A. Cody, “Notes on Proverbs 22:21 and 22:23b, ” Bib 61 (1980): 418-26.} 17 Incline your ear ^{▼▼ To “incline the ear” means to “listen carefully” (cf. NCV); the expression is metonymical in that the ear is the instrument for hearing. It is like telling someone to lean over to hear better.} and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my instruction. ^{▼▼ Heb “knowledge” (so KJV, NASB); in this context it refers to the knowledge that is spoken by the wise, hence “instruction.”}
18 For it is pleasing if ^{▼▼ Or “when” (so NIV).} you keep these sayings ^{▼▼ Heb “keep them,” referring to the words of the wise expressed in these sayings. The referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.} within you,
and ^{▼▼ The term “and” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation.} they are ready on your lips. ^{▼▼ If the teachings are preserved in the heart/mind of the disciple, then that individual will always be ready to speak what was retained.}
19 So that ^{▼▼ The form לִהְיוֹת (lihyot, “to be”) is the infinitive construct indicating the purpose (or result) of the teaching (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV).} your confidence may be in the Lord,
I am making them known to you today ^{▼▼ Heb “I cause you to know.” The term “today” indicates that the verb should have the instantaneous nuance, and so an English present tense is used in the translation (“am making…known”).} – even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings ^{▼▼ Older English versions and a few more recent ones render this phrase as either “excellent things” following the Qere (so KJV, ASV, NASB, NKJV), “officers,” or “heretofore” [day before yesterday], following the Kethib. However (as in most recent English versions) the Qere should be rendered “thirty,” referring to the number in the collection (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).} for you,
sayings ^{▼▼ The term “sayings” does not appear in the Hebrew text but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.} of counsel and knowledge,
21 to show you true and reliable words, ^{▼▼ Heb “to cause you to know the truth of words of truth” (NASB similar).}
so that you may give accurate answers ^{▼▼ Heb “to return true words”; NAB “a dependable report”; NIV “sound answers.”} to those who sent you?