English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
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Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
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for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.
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So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,
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Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
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teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?
22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,
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Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.
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for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
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Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
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or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
26 Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.
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Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
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if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.
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Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.
29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.