Proverbs 1:18-32

18These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!

19Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

20Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;

21on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:

22“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?

23Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.

24But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,

25since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,

26I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—

27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,

29since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.

30Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,

31they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;