Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
22:17–24:22 This section is ascribed to a group called the wise. Who they were is unknown. There is a reference to thirty sayings (22:20), and the wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections that are similar to an Egyptian composition called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters. 22:17-21 As with the prologue that opens the book of Proverbs (1:2-7) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see 1:8-9; 2:1-11), this section begins with an encouragement to listen. This wisdom is more than good practical advice—its purpose is to inspire trust in the Lord.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
22:17–24:22 This section is ascribed to a group called the wise. Who they were is unknown. There is a reference to thirty sayings (22:20), and the wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections that are similar to an Egyptian composition called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters. 22:17-21 As with the prologue that opens the book of Proverbs (1:2-7) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see 1:8-9; 2:1-11), this section begins with an encouragement to listen. This wisdom is more than good practical advice—its purpose is to inspire trust in the Lord.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.