Proverbs 9:1-12

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up^[a] its seven pillars.

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

3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,

4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through wisdom^[b] your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

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.

Cross References

• 1. Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:5
• 2. Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 62:8
• 3. Luke 14:16-23
• 4. S Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 8:1-3
• 5. ver 14
• 6. S Proverbs 1:22
• 7. ver 16; S Proverbs 6:32
• 8. John 7:37-38
• 9. S Psalms 42:2; Psalms 63:1; Psalms 143:6; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 55:1
• 10. S Proverbs 8:35
• 11. S Proverbs 3:1-2
• 12. Proverbs 23:9; Matthew 7:6
• 13. Proverbs 15:12
• 14. Psalms 141:5
• 15. Proverbs 1:5,7; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 15:31; Proverbs 19:25
• 16. Job 28:28; S Proverbs 1:7
• 17. Psalms 22:3; Proverbs 30:3
• 18. S Deuteronomy 4:6
• 19. S Genesis 15:15; S Deuteronomy 11:21; S Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 10:27

Footnotes

• [a] Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew "has hewn out"
• [b] Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew "me"