Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

² For learning about wisdom and instruction,
    for understanding words of insight,
³ for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
    righteousness, justice, and equity;^(B)
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
    knowledge and prudence to the young—^(C)
5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
    and the discerning acquire skill,^(D)
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

²⁰ Wisdom cries out in the street;
    in the squares she raises her voice.^(A)
21 At the busiest corner 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?^(B)
23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
    I will make my words known to you.^(C)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
    have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,^(D)
25 and because you have ignored all my counsel
    and would have none of my reproof,^(E)
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when panic strikes you,^(F)
27 when panic strikes you like a storm
    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
    when distress and anguish come upon you.
²⁸ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.^(G)
29 Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
³⁰ would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,^(H)
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
    and be sated with their own devices.^(I)
32 For waywardness kills the simple,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;^(J)
33 but those who listen to me will be secure
    and will live at ease without dread of disaster.”^(K)