Proverbs 9:10-18

10 "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One.

11 If you live wisely, you will live a long time; wisdom will add years to your life.

12 The wise person is rewarded by wisdom, but whoever makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it."

13 Foolishness is like a loud woman; she does not have wisdom or knowledge.

14 She sits at the door of her house at the highest place in the city.

15 She calls out to those who are passing by, who are going along, minding their own business.

16 She says to those who are uneducated, "Come in here, you foolish people!

17 Stolen water is sweeter, and food eaten in secret tastes better."

18 But these people don't know that everyone who goes there dies, that her guests end up deep in the grave.

Proverbs 9:10-18 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.