Read & explore together
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Proverbs 22:17–29 urges the learner to receive wisdom carefully. These sayings join attentive listening with trust in Yahweh, truthful speech, justice for vulnerable people, caution in relationships and debts, and skill in work.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage speaks from teacher to learner. It begins by urging careful listening and explains that these sayings aim at trust in Yahweh, truthful words, and sound answers. It then gives short warnings about injustice, angry companions, risky debt, boundary stones, and ends by praising skilled work.
Proverbs 22:17–29Main takeaway
Wise teaching is meant to shape trust in Yahweh and honest, careful, just living.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Listen, keep, and speak wisdomThe learner is told to “turn your ear” and “apply your heart” to teaching. Wisdom is not for casual hearing.
Explanation
The learner is told to “turn your ear” and “apply your heart” to teaching. Wisdom is not for casual hearing. It should be kept “within you” and be “ready on your lips”, showing that wise instruction belongs in both inner life and speech.
02These sayings aim at trust and truthThe teacher says this instruction is given so that the learner’s trust may be in Yahweh. The sayings are called counsel, knowledge, truth, and reliable words.
Explanation
The teacher says this instruction is given so that the learner’s trust may be in Yahweh. The sayings are called counsel, knowledge, truth, and reliable words. They are meant to prepare a person to give sound answers rather than careless or false ones.
03Do not take advantage of the vulnerableThe passage forbids exploiting the poor because he is poor and crushing the needy in court.
Explanation
The passage forbids exploiting the poor because he is poor and crushing the needy in court. The reason given is that Yahweh will plead their case. These sayings present injustice against vulnerable people as something God sees and answers.
04Avoid harmful ties and respect what belongs to othersA hot-tempered person can teach destructive ways, so close friendship is dangerous. The passage also warns against becoming collateral for debts without means to pay, and it forbids moving an ancient boundary stone.
Explanation
A hot-tempered person can teach destructive ways, so close friendship is dangerous. The passage also warns against becoming collateral for debts without means to pay, and it forbids moving an ancient boundary stone. Together these sayings warn about influence, financial risk, and property rights.
05Skilled work is noticedThe final saying asks whether you see a man skilled in his work. It answers that he will serve kings, not obscure men.
Explanation
The final saying asks whether you see a man skilled in his work. It answers that he will serve kings, not obscure men. In this passage, wisdom includes practical competence as well as listening well, speaking truthfully, and acting justly.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the passage say the learner should do with wise teaching?
Look at the opening actions: listen carefully, apply the heart, keep the words within, and have them ready on the lips.
02What purposes does the teacher give for these sayings?
Notice the stated aims: trust in Yahweh, truthful and reliable words, and sound answers.
03Which warnings here deal with using influence or power badly?
Consider the sayings about the poor in court, angry companions, debt pledges, and boundary stones.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 22:17–29
17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.