²² ·Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it [^LOne who possesses insight is a fountain of life],
but ·foolishness brings punishment to fools [or the instruction of foolish people is folly].

¹² It is ·better [safer] to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a fool doing foolish things.

² Fools do not ·want to understand anything [^Ldelight in understanding].
They only want to ·tell others what they think [^Lreveal/disclose their heart].

³ People’s own foolishness ·ruins their lives [^Lfrustrates their path],
but in their ·minds [^Lhearts] they ·blame [rage at] the Lord.

¹⁰ A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes [Eccl. 10:5–7].

¹¹ If you punish ·those who make fun of wisdom [mockers], a ·foolish [immature; naive; simpleminded] person may gain some wisdom.
But if you teach the wise, they will get knowledge.

⁷ Foolish people cannot understand wisdom.
They ·have nothing to say [^Ldo not open their mouth] in ·a discussion [^Lthe gate; ^Cwhere the elders make decisions].

¹³ My ·child [^Lson], eat honey because it is good.
    Honey from the honeycomb ·tastes sweet [^Lis sweet on your palate].
¹⁴ In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to ·you [your soul].
    If you find it, you have ·hope for the [^La] future,
and your ·wishes [hope] will ·come true [^Lnot be cut off].

¹² There is more hope for a foolish person
than for those who ·think they are wise [^Lare wise in their own eyes].

²⁵ A greedy person ·causes trouble [^Lstirs up conflict],
but the one who trusts the Lord will ·succeed [escape].

²⁶ Those who trust in ·themselves [^Ltheir own hearts] are foolish,
but those who ·live wisely [^Lwalk in wisdom] will be ·kept safe [or refreshed].