Proverbs 9

Woman Wisdom’s invitation

1 Wisdom built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She slaughtered her animals, mixed her wine, and set her table.

3 She sends out her female servants; she issues an invitation from the top of the city heights:

4 "Whoever is naive turn aside here," she says to those who lack sense.

5 "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Abandon your simplistic ways and live; walk in the way of understanding."

Wise advice

7 Whoever instructs the cynic gets insulted; whoever corrects the wicked gets hurt.

8 Don't correct the impudent, or they will hate you; correct the wise, and they will love you.

9 Teach the wise, and they will become wiser; inform the righteous, and their learning will increase.

10 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of the holy one is understanding.

11 Through me your days will be many; years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, it is to your benefit; if you are cynical, you will bear it all alone.

Woman Folly’s invitation

13 Woman Folly is noisy; she's stupid and doesn't even know it.

14 She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat at the city heights.

15 She invites those who pass by on the path, those going straight on their way.

16 "Whoever is naive, come in here," she says to those who lack sense.

17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is pleasant."

18 But they don't know that the dead are there; her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Proverbs 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly. (13-18)

Verses 1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

Verses 13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb Sheol

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 9

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, is represented as having built a stately house or palace for the entertainment of his guests, Pr 9:1; as having made large and suitable provisions for them, Pr 9:2; and as having sent his servants to invite them to come and partake of them, and quit all other company but his, Pr 9:3-6; When it is observed who are and who are not to be reproved, with the reasons of it, Pr 9:7-9; and what is the sum and substance of true wisdom; and what the advantages of it both here and hereafter, Pr 9:10-12; And the chapter is concluded with the description of the foolish woman, the opposite of Wisdom; who is represented as clamorous, simple, and ignorant, Pr 9:13; and plying passengers that go by her door, and inviting them in to partake of her provisions, Pr 9:14-17; the consequence of which is sure and certain death and destruction to her guests, Pr 9:18.