Proverbs 1:20-33
English Standard Version
The Call of Wisdom
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.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:23 Or Will you turn away at my reproof?
Proverbs 1:20-33
New Living Translation
Wisdom Shouts in the Streets
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
She cries out in the public square.
21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,
to those gathered in front of the city gate:
22 “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?
23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
and make you wise.
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.
I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored my advice
and rejected the correction I offered.
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble!
I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone,
and anguish and distress overwhelm you.
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.
Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
29 For they hated knowledge
and chose not to fear the Lord.
30 They rejected my advice
and paid no attention when I corrected them.
31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.
32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
33 But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
