Proverbs 9
BSB
The Way of Wisdom
(Proverbs 1:1–7)
1Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3She has sent out her maidservants;
she calls out from the heights of the city.
4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
she says to him who lacks judgment.
5“Come, eat my bread
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6Leave your folly behind, and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding.”
7He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself;
he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
8Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage;
but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
The Way of Folly
13The woman named Folly is loud;
she is naive and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat in the heights of the city,
15calling out to those who pass by,
who make their paths straight.
16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
she says to him who lacks judgment.
17“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is tasty!”
18But they do not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Introduction
Proverbs 9
Christ and sin are rivals for the soul of man, and here we are told how they both make their court to it, to have the innermost and uppermost place in it. The design of this representation is to set before us life and death, good and evil; and there needs no more than a fair stating of the case to determine us which of those to choose, and surrender our hearts to. They are both brought in making entertainment for the soul, and inviting it to accept of the entertainment; concerning both we are told what the issue will be; and, the matter being thus laid before us, let us consider, take advice, and speak our minds. And we are therefore concerned to put a value upon our own souls, because we see there is such striving for them. I. Christ, under the name of Wisdom, invites us to accept of his entertainment, and so to enter into acquaintance and communion with him (Pro 9:1-6). And having foretold the different success of his invitation (Pro 9:7-9) he shows, in short, what he requires from us (Pro 9:10). and what he designs for us (Pro 9:11), and then leaves it to our choice what we will do (Pro 9:12). II. Sin, under the character of a foolish woman, courts us to accept of her entertainment, and (Pro 9:13-16) pretends it is very charming (Pro 9:17). But Solomon tells us what the reckoning will be (Pro 9:18). And now choose you, this day, whom you will close with.
Cross-references: Prov 9:1 · Prov 9:7 · Prov 9:10 · Prov 9:11 · Prov 9:12 · Prov 9:13 · Prov 9:17 · Prov 9:18