1
Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn out her seven pillars,
2
she has slaughtered her beasts, mixed her wine,
and set her table.
3
She has sent out her servant girls to call
from the highest places in the city:
4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”;
and to him who lacks understanding she says,
5
“Come, eat of my bread,
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6
Leave simplicity, and you will live,
and walk in the way of understanding.”
7
Whoever corrects a scoffer brings abuse on himself,
and whoever reproves a wicked man gets himself insulted.
8
Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years of life will be added to you.
12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
13
The foolish woman is loud;
she is simple, and knows nothing.
14
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat in the highest places of the city,
15
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way:
16
“Whoever is simple, 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.”
18
But he does not know that the dead are there,
and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
🏛️🍷📣 Summary of Proverbs 9 – Wisdom’s Invitation vs. Folly’s Enticement
Proverbs 9 closes the first section of the book of Proverbs with a sharp contrast between two women: Wisdom and Folly. Both invite people to come, but their aims are different. Wisdom brings life and understanding; Folly brings death. Life is a moral and spiritual choice — and Solomon calls us to choose wisely.
📌 1. The Invitation of Wisdom (verses 1–6)
“Wisdom has built her house…”
- Wisdom is pictured:
– Like a wise woman building a house
– Slaughtering beasts, mixing wine, setting the table - She calls from high places:
– Inviting the inexperienced and the foolish
– Offering spiritual food and wine: “Leave foolishness…”
🎯 Wisdom prepares a spiritual feast for anyone who desires life and wisdom.
📌 2. Response to Reproof (verses 7–9)
“Whoever teaches a scoffer only gets reproach…”
- Reproof can be met in two ways:
– Scoffer: angry, strikes back
– Wise person: learns, grows in wisdom - Important lesson:
– Do not waste time advising those who reject wisdom
🎯 Our attitude toward reproof determines whether we are wise or foolish.
📌 3. The Fear of the Lord = The Beginning of Wisdom (verses 10–12)
“The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD…”
- The fear of the Lord is not ordinary fear, but:
– Deep reverence
– Awareness of God’s holiness and authority - Wisdom produces:
– Long life, a quality life, and personal responsibility
🎯 A wise life begins with knowing who the Lord truly is.
📌 4. The Enticement of Folly (verses 13–18)
“The foolish woman is loud… she sits at the door of her house…”
- Folly:
– Speaks loudly, but is empty
– Invites passersby to come in - The offer of folly:
– “Stolen water is sweet…” – a temptation to break the law and still feel pleasure - But the result is:
– Her guests are in the world of the dead
🎯 Folly looks tempting, but at the end it is death.
📖 Main Teaching
- Wisdom and folly both call out, but they bring very different results
- Small choices today can lead to life or ruin
- Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord
- Rejecting reproof = living in folly
- Folly always wraps sin as “sweet” — but the result is deadly
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding feast…”
→ The invitation of wisdom is like God’s invitation — many are called, few come.
“Come, for everything is now ready.”
→ The Invitation of Wisdom = the grace of God for those who are willing to repent and live.
“If any of you lacks wisdom…”
→ Wisdom is a gift from God for those who are willing to ask for it humbly.
“The wages of sin is death…”
→ As in Proverbs 9:18 — “Her guests are in the realm of the dead…”
🎯 Proverbs 9 is a struggle between two voices — Wisdom and Folly. The choice of voice we follow determines our eternal future.
🕊️ “Wisdom has built her house…” – Proverbs 9:1
🕊️ “Leave folly, and you will live…” – Proverbs 9:6
🕊️ “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD…” – Proverbs 9:10
🕊️ “Stolen water is sweet…” – Proverbs 9:17
🕊️ “Her guests are in the realm of the dead…” – Proverbs 9:18
