"Howlong,O naiveones,will you lovebeing simple-minded?And scoffersdelightthemselves in scoffingAnd foolshateknowledge?
And you say,"HowI have hatedinstruction!And my heartspurnedreproof!
Becausethey hatedknowledgeAnd did not choosethe fearof the LORD.
How blessedis the manwhodoes not walkin the counselof the wicked,Norstandin the pathof sinners,Norsitin the seatof scoffers!
The Spiritand the bridesay,"Come."And let the one who hearssay,"Come."And let the one who is thirstycome;let the one who wishestakethe waterof lifewithout cost.
Knowthisfirstof all, that in the lastdaysmockerswill comewith [their] mocking,followingaftertheir ownlusts,
"For everyonewho doesevilhatesthe Light,and does not cometo the Lightfor fearthat his deedswill be exposed.
saying,"Ifyou had knownin thisday,evenyou, the things which make for peace!But nowthey have been hiddenfrom your eyes.
"But goand learnwhatthis means:I DESIRECOMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,'for I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."
When the scofferis punished,the naivebecomeswise;But when the wiseis instructed,he receivesknowledge.
"Jerusalem,Jerusalem,who killsthe prophetsand stonesthosewho are sentto her! How oftenI wantedto gatheryour childrentogether,the waya hengathersher chicksunderher wings,and you were unwilling.
And Jesusansweredand said,"You unbelievingand pervertedgeneration,howlongshall I be with you? How longshall I putup with you? Bringhim hereto Me."
Judgmentsare preparedfor scoffers,And blowsfor the backof fools.
A scofferdoes not loveone who reproveshim, He will not goto the wise.
A scofferseekswisdomand [finds] none,But knowledgeis easyto one who hasunderstanding.
"O naiveones,understandprudence;And, O fools,understandwisdom.
And I sawamong the naive,[And] discernedamong the youthsA youngmanlackingsense,
Howlongwill you liedown,O sluggard?Whenwill you arisefrom your sleep?
ThoughHe scoffsat the scoffers,Yet He givesgraceto the afflicted.
The fearof the LORDis the beginningof knowledge;Foolsdespisewisdomand instruction.
To giveprudenceto the naive,To the youthknowledgeand discretion,
Payheed,you senselessamong the people;And whenwill you understand,stupidones?
"Whatmanis like Job,Whodrinksup derisionlike water,
"Howlong[shall I bear] with thisevilcongregationwhoare grumblingagainstMe? I have heardthe complaintsof the sonsof Israel,whichthey are makingagainstMe.
Then the LORDsaidto Moses,"Howlongdo you refuseto keepMy commandmentsand My instructions?
Mosesand Aaronwentto Pharaohand saidto him, "Thussaysthe LORD,the Godof the Hebrews,'Howlongwill you refuseto humbleyourself beforeMe? LetMy peoplego,that they may serveMe.
At the headof the noisy[streets] she criesout; At the entranceof the gatesin the cityshe uttersher sayings:
"For the waywardnessof the naivewill killthem, And the complacencyof foolswill destroythem.
"Proud,""Haughty,""Scoffer,"are his names,Who actswith insolentpride.
The prudentseesthe eviland hideshimself, But the naivegoon, and are punishedfor it.
Washyour heartfrom evil,O Jerusalem,That you may be saved.Howlongwill your wickedthoughtsLodgewithinyou?
"As for your adulteriesand your [lustful] neighings,The lewdnessof your prostitutionOn the hillsin the field,I have seenyour abominations.Woeto you, O Jerusalem!Howlongwill you remainunclean?"
