The Appeal of Wisdom

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the streets,

in the squares echoes her voice,

21 she calls from the top of the walls,

at the doors of the city gates she says:

22 ‘How long will you fools love folly,

and scoffers delight in scoffing,

and fools in their hatred of knowledge?

23 Respond to my rebuke.

See! I speak my mind to you;

I will tell you my thoughts.

24 Because you refused my call,

gave no heed to my hand when it beckoned you,

25 rejected all my counsel,

and refused my admonition,

26 when distress falls on you, I will laugh;

I will mock, when your terror comes,

27 when your terror comes as a storm,

as a whirlwind your distress.

28 Then I will not answer their call;

they may seek, but they will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge,

and rejected the fear of the Lord,

30 would have nothing of my counsel.

but despised all my admonition,

31 they must eat the fruit of their ways,

and be filled with their own devices.

32 By their own choice will the simple be slain.

Prosperous ease will bring fools to destruction.

33 But he who listens to me will live securely,

in a peace unruffled by fear of calamity.’