Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Yahweh,
In context
27when your terror comes like a storm and your disaster arrives like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28Then they will call me, but I will not answer; they will search for me eagerly, but they will not find me. 29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Yahweh, 30because they wanted none of my counsel and spurned all my reproof, 31they will eat the fruit of their way and be filled with their own schemes.
