Proverbs 9:3-13

3 Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice:

4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!

5 I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.

6 Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."

7 If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.

8 So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different - they'll love you for it!

9 Save your breath for the wise - they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know - they'll profit from it.

10 Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.

11 It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.

12 Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too

13 Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore - brazen, empty-headed, frivolous.

Proverbs 9:3-13 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.