²⁹ Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?^(A)

¹⁴ They say to God, ‘Leave us alone!
    We do not desire to know your ways.^(A)
15 What is the Almighty,^[a] that we should serve him?
    And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’^(B)

²³ For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,^(A)

¹¹ When its boughs are dry, they are broken;
    women come and make a fire of them.
For this is a people without understanding;
    therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them;
    he who formed them will show them no favor.^(A)

⁹ For they are a rebellious people,
    faithless children,
children who will not hear
    the instruction of the Lord;^(A)
10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,”
    and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right;
speak to us smooth things;
    prophesy illusions;^(B)
11 leave the way; turn aside from the path;
    let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”^(C)
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:
Because you reject this word
    and put your trust in oppression and deceit
    and rely on them,^(D)