12 A person never knows what will happen to him next.He is like a fish caught in a cruel net.He is like a bird caught in a trap.In the same way, a person is trapped by bad thingsthat suddenly happen to him.
13 I also saw something wise happen here on earth. And it was very impressive to me.
14 There was a small town with only a few people in it. A great king fought against it and put his armies all around it.
15 Now there was a wise man in the town. He was poor, but he used his wisdom to save his town. But later on, everyone forgot about him.
16 I still think wisdom is better than strength. But those people forgot about the poor man’s wisdom. And they stopped listening to what he said.
17 The quiet words of a wise man are betterthan the shouts of a foolish ruler.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war.But one sinner can destroy much good.