Wisdom Calls Aloud

Wisdom cries out in streets and marketplaces, publicly confronting the simple, mockers, and fools for loving their folly. She offers understanding and her own words to any who will turn at her rebuke.

W²⁰isdom calls out in the street, ²¹in the main concourse she cries aloud, ²²“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? ²³If you had repented at my rebuke,

Because wisdom's calls and counsel were rejected, she declares that calamity and terror will come, and when disaster arrives she will not answer those who ignored her. Refused wisdom becomes absent wisdom in the hour of judgment.

²⁴Because you refused my call, ²⁵because you neglected all my counsel, ²⁶in turn I will mock your calamity; ²⁷when your dread comes like a storm, ²⁸Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

Those who hated knowledge and would not choose the fear of the LORD will eat the fruit of their own way, and their complacency will destroy them. By contrast, the one who listens to wisdom will dwell secure and be at ease from dread of harm.

²⁹For they hated knowledge ³⁰They accepted none of my counsel; ³¹So they will eat the fruit of their own way, ³²For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, ³³But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety,