Proverbs 1:21–26

at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

If you turn at my reproof,

behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;

I will make my words known to you.

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,

on top of the wall she cries out,

at the city gate she makes her speech:

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

How long will mockers delight in mockery

and fools hate knowledge?

Repent at my rebuke!

Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,

I will make known to you my teachings.

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—

She cries out above the commotion;

she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

“How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance?

How long will you mockers enjoy mocking

and you fools hate knowledge?

If you respond to my warning,

then I will pour out my spirit on you

and teach you my words.

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,

She calls to the crowds along the main street,

to those gathered in front of the city gate:

“How long, you simpletons,

will you insist on being simpleminded?

How long will you mockers relish your mocking?

How long will you fools hate knowledge?

Come and listen to my counsel.

I’ll share my heart with you

and make you wise.

“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—

On a busy corner she cries out,

at the entrances of the gates in the city, she speaks her sayings:

“How long, O simple ones, will you love simplicity?

And how long will scoffers delight in their scoffing,

and fools hate knowledge?

May you turn to my argument!

Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you;

I will make my words known to you.

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.

She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates:

In the city she uttereth her words, saying,

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?

And the scorners delight in their scorning,

And fools hate knowledge?

Turn you at my reproof:

Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you,

I will make known my words unto you.

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;