Wisdom is Calling

¹⁹ Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;    it takes away the life of its possessors.²⁰ Wisdom cries aloud in the street,    in the markets she raises her voice;²¹ at the head of the noisy streets 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 scoffingand fools hate knowledge?    ²³ If you turn at my reproof,behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;    I will make my words known to you.²⁴ Because I have called and you refused to listen,    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,²⁵ because you have ignored all my counsel    and would have none of my reproof,²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity;    I will mock when terror strikes you,²⁷ when terror 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.    ²⁹ Because they hated knowledgeand did not choose the fear of the Lord,    ³⁰ would have none of my counseland despised all my reproof,    ³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,and have their fill of their own devices.    ³² For the simple are killed by their turning away,and the complacency of fools destroys them;    ³³ but whoever listens to me will dwell secureand will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”