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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/20_Pro_01_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 1:28 - Wisdom Calls Aloud" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/1-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/1-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/1-27.htm" title="Proverbs 1:27">◄</a> Proverbs 1:28 <a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm" title="Proverbs 1:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me earnestly but they will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call me, but I won&#8217t answer; they will search for me, but won&#8217t find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You will ask for my help, but I won't listen; you will search, but you won't find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me diligently, but they shall not find me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Then they will call out to me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they call me, and I do not answer, "" They seek me earnestly, and do not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Then they call me, and I do not answer, They seek me earnestly, and find me not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then they shall call upon me, and I will not answer; they shall seek me, and shall not find me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning and shall not find me: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />then they will call to me, and I will not heed, they will arise in the morning, and not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then they will call me, but I will not answer; they will seek me, but will not find me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer them; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Then they will call on me and I shall not answer them, and they will come early to my presence and they will not find me<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then will they call me, but I will not answer, They will seek me earnestly, but they shall not find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For it shall be that when ye call upon me, I will not hearken to you: wicked men shall seek me, but shall not find <i>me</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/1-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=179" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/1.htm">Wisdom Calls Aloud</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: yiq·rā·’un·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs, Pn) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">they will call on me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but I will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ’e·‘ĕ·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To answer, respond.">answer;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7836.htm" title="7836: yə·ša·ḥă·run·nî (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs, Pn) -- To look early or diligently for. A primitive root; properly, to dawn, i.e. be early at any task; by extension, to search for.">they will earnestly seek me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: yim·ṣā·’un·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs, Pn) -- To attain to, find. ">find me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-11.htm">Jeremiah 11:11</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring upon them a disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to Me, but I will not listen to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-4.htm">Micah 3:4</a></span><br />Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-13.htm">Zechariah 7:13</a></span><br />And just as I had called and they would not listen, so when they called I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/5-6.htm">Hosea 5:6</a></span><br />They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/27-9.htm">Job 27:9</a></span><br />Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-41.htm">Psalm 18:41</a></span><br />They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but He did not answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a></span><br />If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-18.htm">Psalm 145:18-19</a></span><br />The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. / He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-18.htm">Ezekiel 8:18</a></span><br />Therefore I will respond with wrath. I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. Although they shout loudly in My ears, I will not listen to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-11.htm">Matthew 25:11-12</a></span><br />Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ / But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Luke 13:25-27</a></span><br />After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ / Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ / And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31</a></span><br />We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then shall they call on me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:</p><p class="hdg">shall they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a></b></br> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also <i>is</i> flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-9.htm">Job 27:9</a></b></br> Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-12.htm">Job 35:12</a></b></br> There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.</p><p class="hdg">they shall seek</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">Psalm 78:34-36</a></b></br> When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a></b></br> I will go <i>and</i> return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/6-1.htm">Hosea 6:1-4</a></b></br> Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/1-21.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/psalms/119-95.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/psalms/143-5.htm">Early</a> <a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-13.htm">Find</a> <a href="/psalms/145-3.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/psalms/141-8.htm">Seek</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-17.htm">Early</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-5.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Seek</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">The use of the proverbs</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">An exhortation to fear God, and believe his word</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/1-10.htm">to avoid the enticing of sinners</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/1-20.htm">Wisdom complains of her contempt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">She threatens her contemners</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;</b><br>This phrase highlights the consequences of ignoring wisdom and divine instruction. In the biblical context, it reflects the principle of sowing and reaping, where persistent rejection of God's guidance leads to a point where He withholds His response. This is reminiscent of the warnings given to Israel in the Old Testament, where God repeatedly called His people to repentance, but they often turned away (<a href="/isaiah/65-12.htm">Isaiah 65:12</a>). The idea of God not answering is also seen in the parable of the ten virgins (<a href="/matthew/25-11.htm">Matthew 25:11-12</a>), where the unprepared are shut out and their calls go unanswered. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of seeking God while He may be found (<a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a>).<p><b>they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.</b><br>This phrase underscores the urgency and necessity of seeking God while He is near. The earnest seeking mentioned here is too late, illustrating the tragic reality of missed opportunities. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, seeking God was often associated with seeking His presence in the temple or through the prophets. However, when the time of grace is ignored, the opportunity for repentance can be lost, as seen in the lament of Esau who sought the blessing with tears but found no place for repentance (<a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm">Hebrews 12:17</a>). This also connects to the prophetic call in <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a>, where a famine of hearing the words of the Lord is described, emphasizing the dire consequences of neglecting God's wisdom. Theologically, this points to the necessity of a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_callers.htm">The Callers</a></b><br>These are individuals who have ignored wisdom and instruction. In the context of Proverbs, they represent those who have chosen folly over wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>Personified in Proverbs as a woman calling out to the simple and foolish, offering guidance and understanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rejection.htm">The Rejection</a></b><br>The event where those who have ignored wisdom's call find themselves in distress and seek help, but it is too late.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_seeking_wisdom.htm">The Urgency of Seeking Wisdom</a></b><br>We must seek wisdom and God while we have the opportunity. Delaying can lead to a point where it is too late to receive the help we need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_ignoring_wisdom.htm">Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom</a></b><br>Ignoring wisdom and God's instruction leads to a separation from His guidance and support when it is most needed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_a_relationship_with_god.htm">The Importance of a Relationship with God</a></b><br>A genuine relationship with God involves listening and responding to His call, not just seeking Him in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/proactive_faith.htm">Proactive Faith</a></b><br>Our faith should be active and engaged, seeking God and His wisdom daily, not just in moments of crisis.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_readiness.htm">Repentance and Readiness</a></b><br>We should live in a state of readiness, continually repenting and aligning our lives with God's will to ensure we are always in His presence.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_david_slay_more_than_saul.htm">What does 'One Nation Under God' signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_names_of_david's_brothers.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer on stepparenting?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_35_9_imply_unanswered_cries.htm">Why does Job 35:9 imply people cry out but receive no answer, contradicting verses elsewhere describing divine rescue? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_bildad_blame_job's_kids'_deaths.htm">How can Bildad confidently claim (Job 8:2-4) that Job's children must have sinned to deserve death, when other passages suggest righteous people can suffer unjustly?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) <span class= "bld">Then shall they call upon me.--</span>They did not call upon Him in an "acceptable time," in "a day of salvation" (<a href="/isaiah/49-8.htm" title="Thus said the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;">Isaiah 49:8</a>), while He was "near" (<a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm" title="Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near:">Isaiah 55:6</a>); so at last the master of the house has "risen up, and shut-to the door" (<a href="/luke/13-25.htm" title="When once the master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not from where you are:">Luke 13:25</a>), and will not listen to their cries.<p><span class= "bld">They shall seek me early.--</span>As God had done, "daily rising up early," and sending the prophets unto them (<a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm" title="Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt to this day I have even sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:">Jeremiah 7:25</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - The phase which the address now enters upon continues to the thirty-first verse. The change in this verse from the second to the third person is striking. It implies that Wisdom thinks fools no longer worthy of being addressed personally - "Quasi stultos indignos censunt ulteriori alloquio" (Gejerus and Michaelis). The declaration is the embodiment of the laughter and scorn of ver. 26. The three verbs, "they shall call," "they shall seek," "they shall find," occur in uncommon and emphatic forms in the original. They are some out of the few instances where the future terminations are inserted fully before the pronominal suffix. <span class="cmt_word">I will not answer</span>. The distress and anguish consequent upon their calamity and fear lead them to pray, but there will be no answer nor heed given to their cry. They are not heard, because they do not cry rightly nor in the time of grace (Lapide). See the striking parallel to the tenor of this passage in <a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Luke 13:24-28</a>. <span class="cmt_word">They shall seek me early;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> diligently. The verb <span class="hebrew">שָׁחַר</span> (<span class="accented">shakhar</span>) is the denominative from the substantive <span class="hebrew">שַׁחַר</span> (<span class="accented">shakar</span>), "the dawn, morning," and signifies to go out and seek something in the obscurity of the morning twilight (Delitzsch, Zockler), and hence indicates diligence and earnestness in the search. Gesenius gives the same derivation, but connects it with the dawn in the sense of the light breaking forth, and thus, as it were, seeking (see also Proverbs 2:27; 7:15; 8:17; <a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/1-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֣ז</span> <span class="translit">(’āz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> </span><span class="str2">At that time, place, therefore</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will call on me,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִ֭קְרָאֻנְנִי</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·rā·’un·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular, Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but I will not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answer;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(’e·‘ĕ·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they {will} earnestly seek me,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֝שַׁחֲרֻ֗נְנִי</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ša·ḥă·run·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular, Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7836.htm">Strong's 7836: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dawn, be, early at any task, to search for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but {will} not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">find me.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ṣā·’un·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular, Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 1:28 Then will they call on me (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/1-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 1:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 1:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 1:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 1:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>