⁷ I said, 'Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

¹² With aged men is wisdom, In length of days understanding.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

⁶ King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give you me to return answer to this people?

⁷ They spoke to him, saying, If you will be a servant to this people this day, and will serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.

⁸ But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.

⁸ "Please inquire of past generations, Find out about the learning of their fathers.

⁹ (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow.)

¹⁰ Shall they not teach you, tell you, And utter words out of their heart?

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

¹² Who is someone who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?

¹ The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

² To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

³ To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness, justice, and equity;

⁴ To give prudence to the simple, Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

¹² For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.