Sanskrit
तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते । प्रियो हि ज्ञानिनोऽत्यर्थमहं स च मम प्रियः ॥ १७ ॥
teṣāṃ jñānī nityayukta ekabhaktir viśiṣyate priyo hi jñānino'tyartham ahaṃ sa ca mama priyaḥ
Translation
Of these the wise, constantly harmonised, worshipping the One, is the best; I am supremely dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me.
Annie Besant · The Bhagavad-Gita, translated by Annie Besant (4th ed., 1922) — Wikisource · Public Domain
Explanation
Of the four types named in verse 16, the wise (jñānī) is singled out as best, on grounds that are notably reciprocal rather than merit-based: “I am supremely dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me.” The relationship described is mutual attachment, not a reward Krishna dispenses from above — a detail verse 18 pushes even further.