20  Wisdom sings her song in the streets. 

In the public squares she raises her voice. 

21  At the corners of noisy streets she calls out. 

At the entrances to the city she speaks her words, 

22  “How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? 

How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? 

How long will you fools hate knowledge? 

23  “Turn to me when I warn you. 

I will generously pour out my spirit for you. 

I will make my words known to you. 

24  “I called, and you refused to listen. 

I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention. 

25  You ignored all my advice. 

You did not want me to warn you. 

26  I will laugh at your calamity. 

I will make fun of you 

when panic strikes you, 

27  when panic strikes you like a violent storm, 

when calamity strikes you like a wind storm, 

when trouble and anguish come to you. 

28  “They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. 

They will look for me, but they will not find me, 

29  because they hated knowledge 

and did not choose the fear of the Lord. 

30  They refused my advice. 

They despised my every warning. 

31  They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle. 

They will be stuffed with their own schemes. 

32  “Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away. 

Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference. 

33  But whoever listens to me will live without worry 

and will be free from the dread of disaster.”