11. If they say, “Come with us!We will lie in wait to shed blood;we will ambush an innocent person capriciously.
12. We will swallow them alive like Sheol,those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit.
13. We will seize all kinds of precious wealth;we will fill our houses with plunder.
14. Join with us! We will all share equally in what we steal.”
15. My child, do not go down their way,withhold yourself from their path;
16. for they are eager to inflict harm,and they hasten to shed blood.
17. Surely it is futile to spread a netin plain sight of any bird,
18. but these men lie in wait for their own blood,they ambush their own lives!
19. Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it!
20. Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas;
21. at the head of the noisy streets she calls,in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words:
22. “How long will you simpletons love naiveté?How long will mockers delight in mockeryand fools hate knowledge?
23. If only you will respond to my rebuke,then I will pour out my thoughts to youand I will make my words known to you.
24. However, because I called but you refused to listen,because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention,
25. because you neglected all my advice,and did not comply with my rebuke,
26. so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you,I will mock when what you dread comes,
27. when what you dread comes like a whirlwind,and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm,when distressing trouble comes on you.
28. Then they will call to me, but I will not answer;they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me.
29. Because they hated moral knowledge,and did not choose to fear the Lord,