²⁰ Wisdom sings her song in the streets.
In the public squares she raises her voice.
²¹ At the corners of noisy streets she calls out.
At the entrances to the city she speaks her words,
²² “How long will you gullible people love being so gullible?
How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking?
How long will you fools hate knowledge?

²³ “Turn to me when I warn you.
I will generously pour out my spirit for you.
I will make my words known to you.

²⁴ “I called, and you refused to listen.
I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.
²⁵ You ignored all my advice.
You did not want me to warn you.
²⁶ I will laugh at your calamity.
I will make fun of you
when panic strikes you,
²⁷ when panic strikes you like a violent storm,
when calamity strikes you like a wind storm,
when trouble and anguish come to you.

²⁸ “They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer.
They will look for me, but they will not find me,
²⁹ because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
³⁰ They refused my advice.
They despised my every warning.
³¹ They will eat the fruit of their lifestyle.
They will be stuffed with their own schemes.

³² “Gullible people kill themselves because of their turning away.
Fools destroy themselves because of their indifference.
³³ But whoever listens to me will live without worry
and will be free from the dread of disaster.”

She says to a person without sense,
¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet,
and food eaten in secret is tasty.”
¹⁸ But he does not know
that the souls of the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of hell.