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.
The book of Proverbs in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a collection of wise sayings and teachings attributed to King Solomon. It is believed that King Solomon wrote most of the book, with some contributions from other authors. The book is divided into 31 chapters, with each chapter containing various proverbs that offer practical guidance and advice on how to live a wise and righteous life. Chapter 9 is the final chapter in the first section of the book, and it focuses on the contrast between wisdom and folly.
The chapter begins with wisdom personified as a woman who has built her house and prepared a feast. She sends out invitations to those who lack understanding, inviting them to come in and partake of her feast. She promises that those who come will gain knowledge, understanding, and life. In contrast, folly is also personified as a woman who sits at the door of her house, calling out to those who pass by. She invites them to come in and partake of her stolen water and bread, claiming that it is sweeter than the bread and wine of wisdom. However, she fails to mention that her guests will ultimately end up in the depths of Sheol (the grave).
This opening section of the chapter sets the stage for the main themes that are discussed throughout the rest of the chapter. It presents a clear contrast between wisdom and folly, and it highlights the consequences of choosing one over the other. The invitation of wisdom and folly serves as a warning to the reader to carefully consider their choices and to choose wisely.
The next section of the chapter focuses on the importance of the fear of the Lord. It begins by stating that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. This statement is a recurring theme throughout the book of Proverbs and emphasizes the importance of having a reverent fear and respect for God. It is the foundation upon which wisdom is built, and it is essential for living a righteous and wise life.
The fear of the Lord is contrasted with the way of the wicked, which leads to destruction and death. The wise person is the one who fears the Lord and follows His ways, while the foolish person is the one who rejects God and follows their own desires. This section serves as a reminder that true wisdom comes from God and that it is only by following His ways that one can truly live a wise and righteous life.
The third section of the chapter focuses on the importance of accepting correction and rebuke. It states that a wise person will listen to correction and become wiser, while a mocker will only hate those who rebuke them. This section emphasizes the importance of humility and the willingness to learn and grow. It also highlights the danger of pride and arrogance, which can prevent a person from receiving correction and ultimately lead to their downfall.
Furthermore, this section also discusses the consequences of rejecting correction. It states that those who refuse to listen to correction will ultimately suffer and die, while those who accept it will be rewarded with life and honor. This serves as a reminder that correction is not meant to harm us, but rather to help us grow and become better individuals.
The final section of the chapter is a call to wisdom. It begins by stating that the wise person will be blessed and will enjoy a long life. It then contrasts this with the fate of the foolish person, who will ultimately suffer and die. This section serves as a conclusion to the chapter, summarizing the main themes and emphasizing the importance of choosing wisdom over folly.
The chapter ends with a powerful statement, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). This statement encapsulates the main message of the chapter and the entire book of Proverbs – that true wisdom comes from having a reverent fear and respect for God and following His ways.
Proverbs chapter 9 is a powerful and thought-provoking chapter that highlights the contrast between wisdom and folly. It emphasizes the importance of choosing wisdom over folly, and the consequences of making the wrong choice. The chapter also discusses the fear of the Lord as the foundation of wisdom and the importance of accepting correction and rebuke.
One of the main messages of this chapter is the importance of making wise choices. The invitations of wisdom and folly serve as a reminder that we are constantly faced with choices, and it is up to us to choose wisely. The fear of the Lord is also highlighted as the key to true wisdom, emphasizing the importance of having a reverent fear and respect for God in all areas of our lives.
The chapter also stresses the importance of humility and the willingness to learn and grow. It reminds us that correction is not meant to harm us, but rather to help us become better individuals. It also serves as a warning against pride and arrogance, which can prevent us from receiving correction and ultimately lead us down the path of destruction.
Furthermore, the chapter also emphasizes the contrast between the way of the wise and the way of the foolish. It states that the wise person will be blessed and enjoy a long life, while the foolish person will ultimately suffer and die. This serves as a reminder that our choices and actions have consequences, and it is up to us to choose wisely.
In conclusion, Proverbs chapter 9 is a powerful chapter that offers practical guidance and advice on how to live a wise and righteous life. It highlights the importance of making wise choices, having a reverent fear and respect for God, and accepting correction and rebuke. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and arrogance and the consequences of choosing folly over wisdom. Ultimately, the chapter reminds us that true wisdom comes from God, and it is only by following His ways that we can live a truly wise and righteous life.
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