Proverbs 1:20–33

Wisdom’s Rebuke

²⁰Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,^e

she raises her voice in the public square;

²¹on top of the wall^d she cries out,

at the city gate she makes her speech:

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

How long will mockers delight in mockery

and fools hate^g knowledge?

²³Repent at my rebuke!

Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,

I will make known to you my teachings.

²⁴But since you refuse^h to listen when I callⁱ

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

²⁵since you disregard all my advice

and do not accept my rebuke,

²⁶I in turn will laugh^k when disaster^l strikes you;

I will mock^m when calamity overtakes youⁿ—

²⁷when calamity overtakes you like a storm,

when disaster^o 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

²⁹since they hated knowledge

and did not choose to fear the Lord.^r

³⁰Since they would not accept my advice

and spurned my rebuke,^s

³¹they will eat the fruit of their ways

and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.^t

³²For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them;^u

³³but whoever listens to me will live in safety^v

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