Proverbs 1:16-33

1:16 for they are eager to inflict harm,

and they hasten to shed blood.

1:17 Surely it is futile to spread a net

in plain sight of any bird,

1:18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood,

they ambush their own lives!

1:19 Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly;

it takes away the life of those who obtain it!

Warning Against Disregarding Wisdom

1:20 Wisdom calls out in the street,

she shouts loudly in the plazas;

1:21 at the head of the noisy streets she calls,

in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words:

1:22 “How long will you simpletons love naiveté?

How long will mockers delight in mockery

and fools hate knowledge?

1:23 If only you will respond to my rebuke,

then I will pour out my thoughts to you

and I will make my words known to you.

1:24 However, because I called but you refused to listen,

because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention,

1:25 because you neglected all my advice,

and did not comply with my rebuke,

1:26 so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you,

I will mock when what you dread comes,

1:27 when what you dread comes like a whirlwind,

and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm,

when distressing trouble comes on you.

1:28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer;

they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me.

1:29 Because they hated moral knowledge,

and did not choose to fear the Lord,

1:30 they did not comply with my advice,

they spurned all my rebuke.

1:31 Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way,

and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel.

1:32 For the waywardness of the

simpletons will kill them,

and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.

1:33 But the one who listens to me will live in security,

and will be at ease from the dread of harm.