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Proverbs 9:6

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

Proverbs 9:6 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
6 Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."
American Standard Version (ASV)
6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
6 Stop being gullible and live. Start traveling the road to understanding."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
6 Leave your childish ways and you will live. Walk in the way that leads to understanding.

Proverbs 9:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 9:6

Forsake the foolish
Foolish men and their company; not men of weak abilities in things natural and civil, or who are reckoned foolish by the world; for so the saints are, whose company is not to be neglected and forsaken; but such who are wickedly foolish, who are ignorant of divine things, and make a mock at sin and at religion; such company is very unsuitable for Wisdom's guests; such as turn in to her house ought to forsake these; it is quite out of character for Wisdom's followers to be the companions of fools; it is very unprofitable to keep company with such vain men, yea, very pernicious and hurtful, and of very bad consequence; it corrupts good manners, and causes grief, and breaks peace, sooner or later; it is quite unbecoming them to converse with them; they are called out from among them by Christ, and should obey: and, besides, they have better company to attend unto: and they should also forsake "foolish" F13 things; the Septuagint version renders it, "foolishness"; and the Arabic version, "imprudence"; the Targum and Syriac version, "want of understanding", or "judgment"; foolish lusts, which are hurtful, and war against the soul, and which should be denied and abstained from; and all foolish ways, their own or others', which are dangerous and lead to ruin; and all foolish doctrines, such as are contrary to the Scriptures, to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles; that tend to degrade any of the Persons of the Trinity, to obscure or lessen the grace of God in man's salvation, or to exalt the creature; all such are to be forsaken, shunned, and avoided, and by no means countenanced and encouraged; and live;
which may be considered either as an exhortation, as the foregoing; live on the provisions of Wisdom's house, on her bread and her wine; live on Christ himself by faith; live not as the foolish do, but as the wise; live not to yourselves, nor to the lusts of men, but to the will and glory of God; live not in sin, but unto righteousness; live not to the flesh, nor after it, but to and after the spirit: or as a promise by way of encouragement, and as enforcing the preceding exhortation, "and ye shall live" F14; honourably, and not scandalously, as they do that keep company with the foolish; comfortably and delightfully, as they do that turn into Wisdom's house, and are her guests; such live in communion with Christ, and with his people; they live a spiritual life now, and shall live an eternal one hereafter; and go in the way of understanding;
as such do that quit the conversation of foolish men, and become the guests of Wisdom; such are in, and go in the way of understanding, who frequently attend the throne of grace, and ask wisdom of the Father of lights; the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of divine things, which they that ask have; Solomon got all his wisdom and understanding this way: such are in the way of it, and go in the way of it, who constantly and carefully read the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; who go up to the house of the Lord as often as they have opportunity, that they may be taught by trim; who sit under the ministry of Gospel preachers, that feed men with knowledge and understanding; who submit to Gospel ordinances, and keep the commandments of Christ; for such are said to have a good understanding; they show that they have, and by these means get and increase it; see ( Psalms 111:10 ) ( 119:104 ) ; and who also converse with knowing and experienced Christians; for "he that walketh with wise men shall be wise", ( Proverbs 13:20 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Myatp) "imperitiam", Tigurine version; "stultitias", Vatablus; "fatuitates", Piscator, Schultens; "stoliditates", Gejerus, Gussetius, p. 703.
F14 (wyxw) "et vivetis", Pagninus, Vatablus, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 9:6 In-Context

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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Proverbs 8:35
  • 2. S Proverbs 3:1-2
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