Proverbs 1:20-33

English Standard Version

^20 (A)Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
²¹ at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at ^(B)the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
²² “How long, O ^(C)simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will ^(D)scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools ^(E)hate knowledge?
²³ If you turn at my reproof,^[a]
behold, I will ^(F)pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you.
^24 (G)Because I have called and ^(H)you refused to listen,
    have ^(I)stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
²⁵ because you have ^(J)ignored all my counsel
    and ^(K)would have none of my reproof,
²⁶ I also ^(L)will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when ^(M)terror strikes you,
²⁷ when terror strikes you like ^(N)a storm
    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
    when distress and anguish come upon you.
^28 (O)Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
²⁹ Because they ^(P)hated knowledge
    and ^(Q)did not choose the fear of the Lord,
^30 (R)would have none of my counsel
    and ^(S)despised all my reproof,
³¹ therefore they shall eat ^(T)the fruit of their way,
    and have ^(U)their fill of their own devices.
³² For the simple are killed by ^(V)their turning away,
    and ^(W)the complacency of fools destroys them;
³³ but ^(X)whoever listens to me will dwell secure
    and will be ^(Y)at ease, without dread of disaster.”