Proverbs, 9

Life Wisdom Fear Bread Understanding Learning Wine Hell Death Blessing Food

Proverbs 9 presents two contrasting invitations: Wisdom invites those who seek to gain understanding and live a righteous life, while Folly invites those who are simple and lack understanding to embrace a life of ignorance and sin. Both Wisdom and Folly are personified as women, offering their respective feasts to those who hear them. The chapter concludes with a warning that choosing Folly will lead to death and destruction, while choosing Wisdom will lead to a fulfilling and prosperous life.

Proverbs, 9

18
verses
●
2
min

Bible version

The Call of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Commentary

Proverbs 9 highlights the importance of making wise choices in life. It emphasizes that the way one chooses to live will result in either success or ruin. The personification of Wisdom and Folly as women emphasizes the allure and seduction of both paths, forcing the reader to consider which invitation they will accept. This chapter reminds us that wisdom does not come naturally, but it is something that must be sought after and cultivated through seeking knowledge and understanding. Ultimately, Proverbs 9 encourages us to choose wisdom, for it leads to a life of fulfillment and happiness.

Meet the heroes of Proverbs, 9

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Proverbs, chapter 9 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 18 verses in Proverbs, chapter 9.