20. Wisdom calls aloud in the streets, she raises her voice in public squares.
21. She cries out above the commotion. At the entrances of the city gates, she utters her speech:
22. “How long will you naïve ones love simplicity, you scoffers delight in scoffing, and you fools hate knowledge?
23. You are repulsed at my rebuke. Behold, I pour out my heart to you. I will make my words known to you.
24. Because you refused when I called, and did not pay attention when I stretched out my hand,
25. since you ignore all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26. I in turn will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when dread comes on you,
27. when your terror comes like a storm and your calamity sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when trouble and distress overwhelm you!
28. Then they will cry out to me, but I will not answer! They will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
29. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Adonai,
30. they would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof,