But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey’s colt is born a human being. ¹ 

He deprives the leaders of the earth ¹  of their understanding; ²  he makes them wander in a trackless desert waste. ³ 

Why should we be regarded as beasts, and considered stupid ¹  in your sight?

When ¹  I hear a reproof that dishonors ²  me, then my understanding ³  prompts me to answer. ⁴ 

Listen, children, ²  to a father’s instruction, ³  and pay attention so that ⁴  you may gain ⁵  discernment.

You who are naive, discern ¹  wisdom! And you fools, understand discernment! ² 

The one who denounces ¹  his neighbor lacks wisdom, ²  but the one who has discernment ³  keeps silent. ⁴ 

A wise son accepts ¹  his father’s discipline, ²  but a scoffer ³  does not listen to rebuke.

Every shrewd ¹  person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays ²  his folly.

A wise child ¹  brings joy to his father, but a foolish person ²  despises ³  his mother.

The one who refuses correction despises himself, ¹  but whoever hears ²  reproof acquires understanding. ³ 

Insight ¹  is like ²  a life-giving fountain ³  to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. ⁴ 

Flog ¹  a scorner, and as a result the simpleton ²  will learn prudence; ³  correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. ⁴ 

Counsel ¹  in a person’s heart ²  is like ³  deep water, ⁴  but an understanding person ⁵  draws it out.

A wise warrior ¹  is strong, ²  and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;

A rich person ¹  is wise in his own eyes, ²  but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. ³ 

Surely ¹  I am more brutish ²  than any other human being, ³  and I do not have human understanding; ⁴ 

Who can find ²  a wife ³  of noble character? ⁴  For her value ⁵  is far more than rubies.

I will give you leaders ¹  who will be faithful to me. ²  They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

And all who heard Jesus ¹  were astonished ²  at his understanding and his answers.