¹⁶ It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
    since he has no heart for learning.

²³ Get the truth and never sell it;
    also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

²⁵ Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
    for their hands refuse to work.

²⁶ Some people are always greedy for more,
    but the godly love to give!

¹⁵ Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for knowledge.

²⁶ ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
²⁷ For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
    and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’^[a]