17. Surely in vain the net is spreadin the sight of any bird.
18. They lie in wait for their own blood;they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain,which takes away the life of its owners.
20. Wisdom cries out in the street;she utters her voice in the markets.
21. She cries at the corner of the streets, in the openings of the gates;she speaks her words in the city, saying:
22. “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?For the scorners delight in their scorning,and fools hate knowledge.
23. Turn at my reproof;surely I will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.
24. Because I have called and you refused,I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded,
25. because you neglected all my counsel,and would have none of my reproof,
26. I also will laugh at your calamity;I will mock when your fear comes,
27. when your fear comes as desolationand your destruction comes as a whirlwind,when distress and anguish come upon you.
28. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;they will seek me early, but they will not find me.
29. Because they hated knowledgeand did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30. they would have none of my counseland despised all my reproof.
31. Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,and be filled with their own devices.