²⁸ Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet;
if they ·don’t speak [^Lkeep their lips shut], they appear to understand.

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

⁶ The ·words [^Llips] of fools ·start quarrels [or make accusations].
·They make people want to beat them [^LTheir mouth invites a beating].

⁷ The ·words [^Lmouth] of fools will ruin them;
their own ·words [^Llips] will trap them.

19 It is better to be poor and ·honest [^Lwalking in innocence]
than to be foolish and ·tell lies [^Lhave crooked lips].

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

²⁹ ·People who make fun of wisdom will be punished [^LPunishments were made for mockers],
and ·the backs of foolish people will be beaten [^Lblows for the backs of fools].

³ Foolish people are always fighting,
but ·avoiding quarrels [backing away from an accusation] will bring you ·honor [glory; praise].

⁹ Don’t speak in the ears of fools [Matt. 7:6];
they will only ·ignore [despise] your ·wise [insightful] words.

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].