17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;

18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,

20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,

21 ^aThat I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
^bThat you may answer words of truth
To those who¹ send to you? ‡