Wisdom’s Rebuke

20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,e

she raises her voice in the public square;

21 on top of the walld she cries out,

at the city gate she makes her speech:

22 “How long will you who are simplef love your simple ways?

How long will mockers delight in mockery

and fools hateg knowledge?

23 Repent at my rebuke!

Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,

I will make known to you my teachings.

24 But since you refuseh to listen when I calli

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

25 since you disregard all my advice

and do not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laughk when disasterl strikes you;

I will mockm when calamity overtakes youn—

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

when disastero sweeps over you like a whirlwind,

when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

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

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

29 since they hated knowledge

and did not choose to fear the Lord.r

30 Since they would not accept my advice

and spurned my rebuke,s

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways

and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.t

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them;u

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safetyv

and be at ease, without fear of harm.”w