20  ^aWisdom 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 scoffing

and fools ^bhate knowledge?

23  If you ^cturn at my reproof,¹

behold, I will ^dpour out my spirit to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24  ^eBecause I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25  because you have ^fignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26  I also will ^glaugh 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 knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

30  would have none of my ^hcounsel

and ⁱdespised all my reproof,

31  therefore they shall ^jeat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.

32  For the ^ksimple are killed by their turning away,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33  but whoever listens to me will dwell secure

and will be at ease, ^lwithout dread of disaster.”