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).
136 The causal particle תַּחַת כִּי (takhat ki, “for the reason that”) introduces a second accusation of sin and reason for punishment.
137 Heb “knowledge.” The noun דָעַת (da’at, “knowledge”) refers to moral knowledge. See note on .
138 Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The noun is an objective genitive; the Lord is to be the object of fear. See note on .
139 The verb “spurned” (נָאַץ, na’ats) is parallel to “comply, accede to, be willing” (e.g., 1:10). This is how the morally stubborn fool acts (e.g., 15:5).
140 The vav (ו) prefixed to the verb וְיֹאכְלוּ (véyo’khélu) functions in a consecutive logical sense: “therefore.”
141 The expression “eat the fruit of” is a figurative expression (hypocatastasis) that compares the consequences of sin to agricultural growth that culminates in produce. They will suffer the consequences of their sinful actions, that is, they will “reap” what they “sow.”
142 The words “way” (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh) and “counsel” (מוֹעֵצָה, mo’etsah) stand in strong contrast to the instruction of wisdom which gave counsel and rebuke to encourage a better way. They will bear the consequences of the course they follow and the advice they take (for that wrong advice, e.g., Ps 1:1).
143 Heb “to eat to one’s fill.” The verb שָׂבֵעַ (savea’) means (1) positive: “to eat one’s fill” so that one’s appetite is satisfied and (2) negative: “to eat in excess” as a glutton to the point of sickness and revulsion ( 959 ). Fools will not only “eat” the fruit of their own way (v. 31a), they will be force-fed this revolting “menu” which will make them want to vomit (v. 31b) and eventually kill them (v. 32).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

would have none of my counsel

and despised all my reproof,

therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

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

they will look for me but will not find me,

since they hated knowledge

and did not choose to fear the Lord.

Since they would not accept my advice

and spurned my rebuke,

they will eat the fruit of their ways

and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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

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

Because they hated knowledge,

didn’t choose to fear the Lord,

were not interested in my counsel,

and rejected all my correction,

they will eat the fruit of their way

and be glutted with their own schemes.

NLTNew Living Translation

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

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

For they hated knowledge

and chose not to fear the Lord.

They rejected my advice

and paid no attention when I corrected them.

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,

choking on their own schemes.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

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

they will seek me diligently but not find me.

Since they hated knowledge,

and did not choose the fear of Yahweh,

they were not willing to accept my counsel,

they despised all my reproof.

They shall eat from the fruit of their way,

and they shall be sated from their own schemes,

KJV 1900King James Version

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

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

For that they hated knowledge,

And did not choose the fear of the Lord:

They would none of my counsel:

They despised all my reproof.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,

And be filled with their own devices.

Public Domain