19. So the wage of every covetous man destroy the souls of the possessors.
20. Wisdom preacheth abroad, she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21. At the head of multitudes she crieth out, in the entrance of the gates of the city she uttereth her words, saying:
22. O children, how long will you love childishness, and fools covet those things which are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge?
23. Turn ye at my reproof: behold I will utter my spirit to you, and will shew you my words.
24. Because I called, and you refused: I stretched out my hand, and there was none that regarded.
25. You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected my reprehensions.
26. I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock when that shall come to you which you feared.
27. When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be at hand: when tribulation and distress shall come upon you:
28. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning and shall not find me:
29. Because they have hated instruction and received not the fear of the Lord,
30. Nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my reproof.