Proverbs 1:17-26

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁷ For in vain is a net spread
    in the sight of any bird;
¹⁸ but these men lie in wait for their own blood,
    they set an ambush for their own lives.
¹⁹ Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence;
    it takes away the life of its possessors.

²⁰ Wisdom cries aloud in the street;
    in the markets she raises her voice;
²¹ on the top of the walls^[a] she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
²³ Give heed^[b] to my reproof;
behold, I will pour out my thoughts^[c] to you;
    I will make my words known to you.
²⁴ Because I have called and you refused to listen,
    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
²⁵ and you have ignored all my counsel
    and would have none of my reproof,
²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when panic strikes you,