Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
Wisdom cries openly outside formal religious settings, uttering her voice in the streets, in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates, and in the city, so her counsel is made available to all. She does not keep her words confined to formal religious settings but calls openly in public places. She addresses the simple who love simplicity, the scorners who delight in scorning, and the fools who hate knowledge, asking how long they will continue. She calls them to turn at her reproof with the promise to pour out her spirit and make known her words, so they may hear truth, turn from folly, and receive instruction.
Teaching in synagogues, on the seashore, and along busy roads illustrates this open, public call. Refusal of that public call by setting at naught all counsel, refusing the outstretched hand, and having none of reproof brings sure moral darkness that is darker because of the light sent. Refusers draw the curtain of unbelief about themselves so light cannot be distinguished from darkness, greater evidence only increases indifference, and the deceived soul calls darkness light and truth error.
Because they hated knowledge, did not choose the fear of the Lord, despised all reproof, and would have none of counsel, Wisdom will laugh at their calamity and mock when fear comes as desolation and destruction comes as a whirlwind with distress and anguish. Then they will call and not be answered and seek early and not find, they will eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices, the turning away of the simple will slay them and the prosperity of fools will destroy them. Whoever hearkens to Wisdom will dwell safely and be quiet from fear of evil.
Wisdom cries openly outside formal religious settings, uttering her voice in the streets, in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates, and in the city, so her counsel is made available to all. She does not keep her words confined to formal religious settings but calls openly in public places. She addresses the simple who love simplicity, the scorners who delight in scorning, and the fools who hate knowledge, asking how long they will continue. She calls them to turn at her reproof with the promise to pour out her spirit and make known her words, so they may hear truth, turn from folly, and receive instruction.
Teaching in synagogues, on the seashore, and along busy roads illustrates this open, public call. Refusal of that public call by setting at naught all counsel, refusing the outstretched hand, and having none of reproof brings sure moral darkness that is darker because of the light sent. Refusers draw the curtain of unbelief about themselves so light cannot be distinguished from darkness, greater evidence only increases indifference, and the deceived soul calls darkness light and truth error.
Because they hated knowledge, did not choose the fear of the Lord, despised all reproof, and would have none of counsel, Wisdom will laugh at their calamity and mock when fear comes as desolation and destruction comes as a whirlwind with distress and anguish. Then they will call and not be answered and seek early and not find, they will eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices, the turning away of the simple will slay them and the prosperity of fools will destroy them. Whoever hearkens to Wisdom will dwell safely and be quiet from fear of evil.