Proverbs 1:20–33

²⁰Wisdom calls out in the street,

she lifts her voice in the square;

²¹in the main concourse^c 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.”