Proverbs 1:18-33 ▼

18 But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].

19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

20 Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets;

21 She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:

22 “How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

23 “If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

24 “Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];

25 And you treated all my counsel as nothing And would not accept my reprimand,

26 I also will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread and panic come,

27 When your dread and panic come like a storm, And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].

28 “Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,

29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],

30 They would not accept my counsel, And they spurned all my rebuke.

31 “Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.

32 “For the turning away of the naive will kill them, And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.

33 “But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”