God’s voice calls out to the city, urging people to pay attention. The Hebrew word for “voice” is qol, which can mean a shout, a whisper, or any sound that demands a response. The verse says that true wisdom is to fear—or take seriously—the consequences of ignoring what’s right.

This verse challenges the idea that warnings are just empty threats, or that wisdom is only about knowledge. Here, wisdom means listening, noticing what’s at stake, and responding before it’s too late.

If you’ve ever ignored a warning and regretted it later, this verse is a reminder that paying attention can save you pain. Wisdom isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being willing to listen and change course when you hear the truth.