Proverbs 9NASB
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Proverbs9

New American Standard

1Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars;

2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table;

3She has sent out her attendants, she calls out From the tops of the heights of the city:

4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says,

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

6Abandon your foolishness and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.”

7One who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And one who rebukes a wicked person gets insults for himself.

8Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you; Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.

9Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser; Teach a righteous person and he will increase his insight.

10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will suffer from it.

13A woman of foolishness is boisterous, She has a lack of understanding and knows nothing.

14She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city,

15Calling to those who pass by, Who are going straight on their paths:

16“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 9.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The invitations of Wisdom. (1–12). The invitations of folly. (13–18).

vv1-12

Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

vv13-18

How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

Cross References

Proverbs 9
v11 Timothy 3:15thematic

Poole identifies Wisdom's built house as the Church, which Paul calls the house of God.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Galatians 2:9thematic

Poole connects the 'seven pillars' of Wisdom's house to ministers of holy things called pillars.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Luke 14:16-24allusion

Wisdom's house and feast find a New Testament parallel in the Parable of the Great Supper.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v5Isaiah 55:1-3thematic

The gospel invitation to come, eat, and drink without money parallels Wisdom's feast call.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v13Proverbs 7:11thematic

The 'clamorous' character of the foolish woman matches the description of the harlot.

Supported by JFB

v18Proverbs 2:18thematic

The end of the foolish woman's guests is death and hell, matching chapter 2.

Supported by JFB

v2Proverbs 23:30thematic

Both verses speak of 'mingled wine,' referring to enhancing flavor or strength.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Proverbs 1:4thematic

Wisdom targets the 'simple' to impart understanding and prudence to those willing to learn.

Supported by JFB

v10Proverbs 1:7thematic

Reiterates the foundational truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Supported by JFB

v11Proverbs 3:16thematic

Wisdom promises long life and multiplied years, echoing earlier chapters.

Supported by JFB

v7Matthew 7:6thematic

Casting pearls before swine parallels the futility of reproving a determined scorner.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v12Job 22:2thematic

Confirms that a man's wisdom profits himself, not God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v16Proverbs 9:4thematic

Folly deceptively mimics Wisdom's exact invitation to the simple in verse 4.

Supported by JFB

v18Proverbs 7:27thematic

Confirms the deadly destiny of those who enter the house of folly.

Supported by JFB