Proverbs 9:4-14

4 Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says,

5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.

6 Leave folly, that ye may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.

7 He that reproves evil shall get dishonour to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly shall disgrace himself.

8 Rebuke not evil , lest they should hate thee: rebuke a wise , and he will love thee.

9 Give an opportunity to a wise , and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more .

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is of a sound mind.

11 For in this way thou shalt live long, and years of thy life shall be added to thee.

12 Son, if thou be wise for thyself, thou shalt also be wise for thy neighbours; and if thou shouldest prove wicked, thou alone wilt bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.

13 A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to want a morsel.

14 She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,

Proverbs 9:4-14 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]. Alex. + 'that ye may live.'
• [b]. Or, summit.
• [c]. Heb. — to beginning of verse 13.