Chiasm in Prov. 1:20-33

A 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. 21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: Proverbs 1:20-21WEB B 22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22WEB C 23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. Proverbs 1:23WEB D 24 Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; 25 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; Proverbs 1:24-25WEB E 26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you, 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you. 28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me, Proverbs 1:26-28WEB D' 29 because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of YHWH. 30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. Proverbs 1:29-30WEB C' 31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. Proverbs 1:31WEB B' 32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. Proverbs 1:32WEB A' 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33WEB

(Garrett, Duane A. (1993). Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs. The New American Commentary, v. 14. Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press., p. 71)

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