118 The term “however” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the contrast between the offer in 1:23 and the accusation in 1:24–25. It is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
119 The particle יַעַן (ya’an, “because”) introduces a causal clause which forms part of an extended protasis; the apodosis is 1:26.
120 The phrase “to listen” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
121 The term “because” does not appear in this line but is implied by the parallelism; it is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness.
122 This expression is a metonymy of adjunct; it is a gesture that goes with the appeal for some to approach.
123 Heb “and.”
124 The verb III פָּרַע means “to let go; to let alone” ( 828 ). It can refer to unkempt hair of the head (Lev 10:6) or lack of moral restraint: “to let things run free” (Exod 32:25; Prov 28:19). Here it means “to avoid, neglect” the offer of wisdom ( 829 2).
125 The verbs are characteristic perfects or indefinite pasts. For the word “comply, consent,” see 1:20.
126 The conclusion or apodosis is now introduced.
127 Laughing at the consequences of the fool’s rejection of wisdom does convey hardness against the fool; it reveals the folly of rejecting wisdom (e.g., Ps 2:4). It vindicates wisdom and the appropriateness of the disaster (D. Kidner, Proverbs [], ).
128 Heb “at your disaster.” The 2nd person masculine singular suffix is either (1) a genitive of worth: “the disaster due you” or (2) an objective genitive: “disaster strikes you.” The term “disaster” (אֵיד, ’ed) often refers to final life-ending calamity (Prov 6:15; 24:22; 15 3). The preposition ב (bet) focuses upon time here.
129 Heb “your dread” (so ); “your fear”; “panic.” The 2nd person masculine singular suffix is a subjective genitive: “that which you dread.”
130 Heb “your dread.” See note on .
131 The term “whirlwind” (, , ; cf. , “storm”) refers to a devastating storm and is related to the verb שׁוֹא (sho’, “to crash into ruins”; see 996 שׁוֹאָה). Disaster will come swiftly and crush them like a devastating whirlwind.
132 Heb “your disaster.” The 2nd person masculine singular suffix is an objective genitive: “disaster strikes you.”
133 Heb “like a storm.” The noun סוּפָה (sufah, “storm”) is often used in similes to describe sudden devastation (Isa 5:28; Hos 8:7; Amos 1:14).
134 Heb “distress and trouble.” The nouns “distress and trouble” mean almost the same thing so they may form a hendiadys. The two similar sounding terms צוּקָה (tsuqah) and צָרָה (tsarah) also form a wordplay (paronomasia) which also links them together.
135 Heb “look to.” The verb שָׁחַר (shakhar, “to look”) is used figuratively of intensely looking (=seeking) for deliverance out of trouble (W. L. Holladay, Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon, 366); cf. “anxiously search for.” It is used elsewhere in parallelism with בָּקַשׁ (baqash, “to seek rescue”; Hos 5:15). It does not mean “to seek early” (cf. ) as is popularly taught due to etymological connections with the noun שַׁחַר (shakhar, “dawn”; so 1007 שָׁחַר).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when terror strikes you,

when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

But since you refuse to listen when I call

and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,

since you disregard all my advice

and do not accept my rebuke,

I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;

I will mock when calamity overtakes you—

when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,

when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer;

they will look for me but will not find me,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Since I called out and you refused,

extended my hand and no one paid attention,

since you neglected all my counsel

and did not accept my correction,

I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.

I will mock when terror strikes you,

when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when trouble and stress overcome you.

Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;

they will search for me, but won’t find me.

NLTNew Living Translation

“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.

I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

You ignored my advice

and rejected the correction I offered.

So I will laugh when you are in trouble!

I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—

when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone,

and anguish and distress overwhelm you.

“When they cry for help, I will not answer.

Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Because I called out and you refused me,

I stretched out my hand, yet there is none who heeds.

You have ignored all my counsel,

and my reproof you are not willing to accept.

I will also laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when panic comes upon you.

When your panic comes like a storm,

and your calamity arrives like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you,

then they will call me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but not find me.

KJV 1900King James Version

Because I have called, and ye refused;

I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

But ye have set at nought all my counsel,

And would none of my reproof:

I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when your fear cometh;

When your fear cometh as desolation,

And your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;

When distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;

They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Public Domain