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Sayings of the Wise

¹⁷   The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words,^*
   and apply your mind to my teaching;
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
   if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the Lord,
   I have made them known to you today—yes, to you.
²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings
   of admonition and knowledge,
²¹ to show you what is right and true,
   so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

²² Do not rob the poor because they are poor,
   or crush the afflicted at the gate;
²³ for the Lord pleads their cause
   and despoils of life those who despoil them.
²⁴ Make no friends with those given to anger,
   and do not associate with hotheads,
²⁵ or you may learn their ways
   and entangle yourself in a snare.
²⁶ Do not be one of those who give pledges,
   who become surety for debts.
²⁷ If you have nothing with which to pay,
   why should your bed be taken from under you?
²⁸ Do not remove the ancient landmark
   that your ancestors set up.
²⁹ Do you see those who are skilful in their work?
   They will serve kings;
   they will not serve common people.