Proverbs 1:18-33 ▼

18 But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives.

19 So are the paths of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its possessors.

20 Wisdom shouts in the street, She gives forth her voice in the square;

21 At the head of the noisy streets she calls out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight in scoffing And fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;

25 And you neglected all my counsel And were not willing to accept my reproof;

26 I will also laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread comes,

27 When your dread comes like a storm And your disaster comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.

28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me earnestly but they will not find me,

29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of Yahweh.

30 They were not willing to accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.

31 So they shall eat of the fruit of their way And be satisfied with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 But he who listens to me shall dwell securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”