53 Older English versions and a few more recent ones render this phrase as either “excellent things” following the Qere (so , , , ), “officers,” or “heretofore” [day before yesterday], following the Kethib. However (as in most recent English versions) the Qere should be rendered “thirty,” referring to the number in the collection (cf. , , , ).
54 The term “sayings” does not appear in the Hebrew text but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
55 Heb “to cause you to know the truth of words of truth” ( similar).
56 Heb “to return true words”; “a dependable report”; “sound answers.”

In other versions

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of counsel and knowledge,

to make you know what is right and true,

that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

Have I not written thirty sayings for you,

sayings of counsel and knowledge,

teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,

so that you bring back truthful reports

to those you serve?

Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings

about counsel and knowledge,

in order to teach you true and reliable words,

so that you may give a dependable report

to those who sent you?

I have written thirty sayings for you,

filled with advice and knowledge.

In this way, you may know the truth

and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

with admonitions and knowledge?

In order to show you what is right—sayings of truth—

in order to return a true saying to him who sent you.

Have not I written to thee excellent things

In counsels and knowledge,

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth;

That thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

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