Proverbs 9:1-12

Wisdom versus Foolishness

1 Wisdom has built her house;^[a] she has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city:^[b]

4 "Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says,

5 "Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.

7 The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.^[c]

8 Don't rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;^[d] rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.^[e]

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,^[f] and the knowledge of the Holy One^[g] is understanding.

11 For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear [the consequences]."

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.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 14:1
• [b] Pr 8:2-3; 9:14-15
• [c] Lit man his blemish
• [d] Pr 15:12
• [e] Pr 1:5; 16:21,23
• [f] Pr 15:33; Jb 28:28
• [g] Pr 30:3; Hs 11:12; Rv 16:5