Among them, the man of knowledge, always united, devoted to exclusive devotion, is the best. For I am very dear to the wise, and he is dear to Me.

The jñānī is viśiṣyate (distinguished, excellent) because he is: nitya-yukta (always united), eka-bhaktiḥ (devoted to the one — Kṛṣṇa exclusively).

The reciprocity: priyaḥ… aham — I am very dear (atyartham) to the jñānī, sa ca mama priyaḥ — and he is dear to Me. It is an intimate relationship, not a transaction. The sage loves God for Himself, not for benefits.