VERSE STUDY • KJV

Proverbs 22:17-22

¹⁷ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. ¹⁸ For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. ¹⁹ That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. ²⁰ Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, ²¹ That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? ²² Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

¹⁷ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. ¹⁸ For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. ¹⁹ That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. ²⁰ Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, ²¹ That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? ²² Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

BSB Berean Standard Bible

¹⁷ Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge— ¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips. ¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you. ²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, ²¹ to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? ²² Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

WEB World English Bible

¹⁷ Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching. ¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. ¹⁹ That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you. ²⁰ Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge, ²¹ To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you? ²² Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

ASV American Standard Version

¹⁷ Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge. ¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips. ¹⁹ That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee. ²⁰ Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, ²¹ To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee? ²² Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

¹⁷ Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge, ¹⁸ For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips. ¹⁹ That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou. ²⁰ Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge? ²¹ To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee. ²² Rob not the poor because he is poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.

Surrounding context — Proverbs 22

14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22 Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

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HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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