19. Robbery always claims the life of the robber — this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence.
20. Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and market places,
21. calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:
22. “Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy pouring scorn on knowledge? Will you never learn?
23. Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you.
24. I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me.
25. You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you.
26. So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will mock you when terror strikes —
27. when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery.
28. Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me.
29. You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord.
30. You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.
31. So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick.
32. Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.