Proverbs 9:1-12

Wisdom's Invitation

1 Wisdom has ¹built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 She has ²prepared her food, she has ³mixed her wine; She has also ⁴set her table;

3 She has ⁵sent out her maidens, she ⁶calls From the ⁷tops of the heights of the city:

4 "⁸Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" To him who ⁹lacks understanding she says,

5 "Come, ¹⁰eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 "Forsake your folly and ¹¹live, And ¹²proceed in the way of understanding."

7 He who ¹³corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8 ¹⁴Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, ¹⁵Reprove a wise man and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will ¹⁶increase his learning.

10 The ¹⁷fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For ¹⁸by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise ¹⁹for yourself, And if you ²⁰scoff, you alone will bear it.

Proverbs 9:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Corinthians 3:9, 10; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5
• 2. Matthew 22:4
• 3. Song of Songs 8:2
• 4. Luke 14:16, 17
• 5. Psalms 68:11; Matthew 22:3
• 6. Proverbs 8:1, 2
• 7. Proverbs 9:14
• 8. Proverbs 8:5; Proverbs 9:16
• 9. Proverbs 6:32
• 10. Song of Songs 5:1; Isaiah 55:1; John 6:27
• 11. Proverbs 8:35; Proverbs 9:11
• 12. Ezekiel 11:20; Ezekiel 37:24
• 13. Proverbs 23:9
• 14. Proverbs 15:12; Matthew 7:6
• 15. Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 10:8
• 16. Proverbs 1:5
• 17. Job 28:28; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7
• 18. Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 10:27
• 19. Job 22:2; Proverbs 14:14
• 20. Proverbs 19:29

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "slaughtered her slaughter"
• [b]. Lit "simple"
• [c]. Lit "heart"
• [d]. Or "Forsake the simple ones"
• [e]. Lit "a blemish"