Proverbs 1:16-33

¹⁶For their feet are running after evil, and they are quick to take a man's life.

¹⁷Truly, to no purpose is the net stretched out before the eyes of the bird:

¹⁸And they are secretly waiting for their blood and making ready destruction for themselves.

¹⁹Such is the fate of everyone who goes in search of profit; it takes away the life of its owners.

²⁰Wisdom is crying out in the street; her voice is loud in the open places;

²¹Her words are sounding in the meeting-places, and in the doorways of the town:

²²How long, you simple ones, will foolish things be dear to you? and pride a delight to the haters of authority? how long will the foolish go on hating knowledge?

²³Be turned again by my sharp words: see, I will send the flow of my spirit on you, and make my words clear to you.

²⁴Because your ears were shut to my voice; no one gave attention to my out-stretched hand;

²⁵You were not controlled by my guiding, and would have nothing to do with my sharp words:

²⁶So in the day of your trouble I will be laughing; I will make sport of your fear;

²⁷When your fear comes on you like a storm, and your trouble like a rushing wind; when pain and sorrow come on you.

²⁸Then I will give no answer to their cries; searching for me early, they will not see me:

²⁹For they were haters of knowledge, and did not give their hearts to the fear of the Lord:

³⁰They had no desire for my teaching, and my words of protest were as nothing to them.

³¹So the fruit of their way will be their food, and with the designs of their hearts they will be made full.

³²For the turning back of the simple from teaching will be the cause of their death, and the peace of the foolish will be their destruction.

³³But whoever gives ear to me will take his rest safely, living in peace without fear of evil.