Proverbs 1:20-33

Tree of Life Version

²⁰ Wisdom calls aloud in the streets,
she raises her voice in public squares.
²¹ She cries out above the commotion.
At the entrances of the city gates, she utters her speech:
²² “How long will you naïve ones love simplicity,
you scoffers delight in scoffing,
and you fools hate knowledge?
²³ You are repulsed at my rebuke.
Behold, I pour out my heart to you.
I will make my words known to you.
²⁴ Because you refused when I called,
and did not pay attention when I stretched out my hand,
²⁵ since you ignore all my advice
and would not accept my rebuke,
²⁶ I in turn will laugh at your calamity.
I will mock when dread comes on you,
²⁷ when your terror comes like a storm
    and your calamity sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when trouble and distress overwhelm you!
²⁸ Then they will cry out to me, but I will not answer!
They will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
²⁹ Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of Adonai,
³⁰ they would not accept my counsel,
they spurned all my reproof,
³¹ so they will eat the fruit of their own way
and be filled with their own schemes.
³² For the backsliding of the naïve will kill them
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
³³ But whoever pays attention to me will live securely,
and be free from the fear of evil.”