Proverbs 22:17
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
- KJV
- Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
- WEB
- Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
- ASV
- Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
- DARBY
- Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
- BLB
- Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise ones, and set your heart to my knowledge;
- ÅB
- Bøy ditt øre til og hør på vismenns ord og vend ditt hjerte til min kunnskap!
- OTB
- Bøy ditt øre og lytt til de vises ord; anvend ditt hjerte til min kunnskap,
- B1930
- Bøi ditt øre til og hør på vismenns ord og vend ditt hjerte til min kunnskap!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 23:12
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Read in contextPsalms 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:25
I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
Read in contextProverbs 3:1
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
Read in contextProverbs 2:2–5
if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
Read in contextMatthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
Read in contextProverbs 1:3
and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 8:16
When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night—
Read in context