²² Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
    but discipline is wasted on fools.

¹² It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

² Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

³ People ruin their lives by their own foolishness
    and then are angry at the Lord.

¹⁰ It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury
    or for a slave to rule over princes!

¹¹ If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
    if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

⁷ Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
    Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.

¹³ My child,^[a] eat honey, for it is good,
    and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
¹⁴ In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
    If you find it, you will have a bright future,
    and your hopes will not be cut short.

¹² There is more hope for fools
    than for people who think they are wise.

²⁵ Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

²⁶ Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.