Proverbs 9
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.
Common Questions About Proverbs 9
What is the contrast in Proverbs 9?
Proverbs 9 contrasts two women issuing invitations: Wisdom, who has built her house and prepared a feast, calling the simple to gain understanding and live, and Folly, a loud and undisciplined woman who calls out to lure people toward secret pleasures that actually lead to death.
What does chapter 9 say about correcting a scoffer versus a wise person?
Proverbs 9:7-9 notes that correcting a scoffer invites insult and correcting a wicked person invites abuse, while rebuking a wise person earns love, and giving instruction to a wise person makes them wiser still.
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Questions to Think About
- Wisdom and Folly are both pictured as extending an invitation. What does it look like to recognize which one is speaking in a given moment of decision?
- This chapter says a wise person responds well to correction while a fool resents it. How do you typically respond when someone points out a mistake you've made?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
