A wisemanwill hearand increasein learning,And a man of understandingwill acquirewisecounsel,
As he was talkingwith him, the king saidto him, "Have we appointedyou a royalcounselor?Stop!Whyshould you be struckdown?"Then the prophetstoppedand said,"I knowthat Godhas plannedto destroyyou, becauseyou have donethisand have not listenedto my counsel."
"Therefore,listento me, you menof understanding.Farbe it from Godto do wickedness,And from the Almightyto do wrong.
"But if[you have] understanding,hearthis;Listento the soundof my words.
"Hearmy words,you wisemen,And listento me, you who know.
"Menof understandingwill sayto me, And a wisemanwho hearsme,
Whoever lovesdisciplinelovesknowledge,But he who hatesreproofis stupid.
A scofferseekswisdomand [finds] none,But knowledgeis easyto one who hasunderstanding.
The mindof the prudentacquiresknowledge,And the earof the wiseseeksknowledge.
Strikea scofferand the naivemay becomeshrewd,But reproveone who hasunderstandingand he will gainknowledge.
When the scofferis punished,the naivebecomeswise;But when the wiseis instructed,he receivesknowledge.
"Heedinstructionand be wise,And do not neglect[it].
Do not reprovea scoffer,orhe will hateyou, Reprovea wisemanand he will loveyou.
Give[instruction] to a wisemanand he will be stillwiser,Teacha righteousmanand he will increase[his] learning.
I againsawunderthe sunthat the raceis not to the swiftand the battleis not to the warriors,and neitheris breadto the wisenorwealthto the discerningnorfavorto men of ability;for timeand chanceovertakethem all.
I speakas to wise men;you judgewhatI say.
"So keepand do[them], for that is your wisdomand your understandingin the sightof the peopleswhowill hearallthesestatutesand say,'Surelythisgreatnationis a wiseand understandingpeople.'
