Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
Parallel translations
- KJV Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
- BSB Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- ESV Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
- NKJV Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
- NASB “Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
- NLT “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Wisdom recounts how she called but was refused and ignored. It matters because it shows persistent rejection of God's call has real consequences.
Overview
The tone shifts from invitation to indictment. Wisdom's repeated, outstretched appeals met stubborn refusal. This portrays God's patient pleading with people who will not listen, a pattern echoed in the prophets and in Christ's lament over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Rom 10:21But as to Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
- Isa 65:12I will destine you to the sword, and you will all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, you didn’t answer. When I spoke, you didn’t listen; but you did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
- Jer 7:13Now, because you have done all these works,” says Yahweh, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you didn’t hear; and I called you, but you didn’t answer:
- Isa 66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”
- Heb 12:25–26See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
- Matt 22:5–6But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
- Zech 7:11–12But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
- Ezek 8:18Therefore will I also deal in wrath. My eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity. Though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them.”
- Isa 50:2Why, when I came, was there no one? when I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink, because there is no water, and die for thirst.
- Matt 23:37–38“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!
- Ps 31:20In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
- Acts 4:30while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 1:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.