Proverbs 9:13-18

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 9:13-18 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb Sheol