Proverbs 9:13-18

The Way of Folly

13 The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.

14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.

17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”

18 But they do not know that the dead ^[a] are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

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] Hebrew the Rephaim