“Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, So that your trust may be in the Lord.
I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?
Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.
Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.”
{Proverbs 22:17-21, 24-25; Proverbs 23:9, 12, 15-17, 19, 23, 26}