Proverbs 9:16

16 "¹Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she says,

Proverbs 9:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither
The harlot's house, Popish chapels and churches. She uses the same form of words that Wisdom does, ( Proverbs 9:4 ) ; having a form of godliness, a show of religion, but without the power of it; her priests are wolves in sheep's clothing, and speak lies in hypocrisy: and such that she fixes upon as proper persons to work on are the simple, the credulous and unwary; who are not on their guard, and are easily persuaded and imposed on;

and [as for] him that wanteth understanding;
is not well grounded in the principles of Christianity he professes; has not a spiritual and experimental understanding of them:

she saith to him;
addresses him in such language as follows:

Proverbs 9:16 In-Context

14 She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,

15 Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight:

16 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she says,

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

18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 9:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "simple"
• [b]. Lit "heart"