Proverbs 9:16

16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who is without sense 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 door of her house, she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who is without sense 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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.