Wisdom Calls Aloud

20Wisdom calls out in the street,

she lifts her voice in the square;

21in the main concourse she cries aloud,

at the city gates she makes her speech:

22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?

How long will scoffers delight in their scorn

and fools hate knowledge?

23If you had repented at my rebuke,

then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you;

I would have made my words known to you.

24Because you refused my call,

and no one took my outstretched hand,

25because you neglected all my counsel,

and wanted none of my correction,

26in turn I will mock your calamity;

I will sneer when terror strikes you,

27when your dread comes like a storm,

and your destruction like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish overwhelm you.

28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

29For they hated knowledge

and chose not to fear the LORD.

30They accepted none of my counsel;

they despised all my reproof.

31So they will eat the fruit of their own way,

and be filled with their own devices.

32For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,

secure from the fear of evil.”