NET Bible Text
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Simple Summary
Wisdom calls out in public and asks people to turn from foolishness and receive correction. Those who refuse her voice will face the ruin they chose. Those who listen will live in safety and be free from fear.
What This Passage Means
This passage shows Wisdom calling in the streets, plazas, and city gates. She speaks where people can hear her. She asks the simple, the mockers, and the fools how long they will keep rejecting knowledge. If they respond to her rebuke, she will make her words known to them and give them understanding.
But the passage also warns that Wisdom has been refused again and again. Because people ignored her advice and rejected her correction, disaster will come on them. When trouble arrives, they will call out, but they will not find the help they wanted. The reason is moral, not only intellectual. They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
The result is that people reap what they have chosen. They will eat the fruit of their own way, and their own counsel will fill them up. Simple-minded waywardness destroys, and careless ease ruins fools. By contrast, the one who listens to Wisdom will live in safety and rest without fear.
Important Truths
- Wisdom speaks openly and calls people where life happens.
- Wisdom is patient, but repeated refusal brings real guilt.
- Receiving rebuke is part of gaining wisdom.
- The deepest issue is the fear of the LORD, not mere intelligence.
- People reap the fruit of their own choices.
- Listening to Wisdom leads to safety and settled peace.
Warnings, Promises, or Commands
- Warning: Do not love foolishness, mockery, or careless living.
- Warning: Do not keep refusing correction and rebuke.
- Warning: Those who despise knowledge will face the ruin they chose.
- Promise: If you respond to Wisdom, she will make her words known to you.
- Promise: The one who listens will live in safety and be free from fear.
- Command: Hear Wisdom and turn from stubbornness.
- Command: Choose the fear of the LORD and receive correction.
How This Fits in God's Plan
This passage fits the Bible’s larger pattern. God speaks through wise instruction, warns before he judges, and calls people to fear him. It belongs to Israel’s covenant wisdom, where life under the LORD’s word brings blessing and safety, while contempt for his instruction brings death. It does not give a direct messianic promise, but it strengthens the biblical call to hear God’s voice and walk in his wise order.
Simple Application
Do not wait for disaster before you take wisdom seriously. Listen when God’s Word corrects you, and be quick to turn from pride, mockery, and careless ease. Reverence for the LORD and a teachable heart lead to a steadier life.