Proverbs 9 WBT
Summary: This chapter contrasts two banquets hosted by two women. Wisdom has built her house on seven pillars, prepared a rich feast, and sends her servants to invite the simple to "leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight" (v. 6), while a short middle section contrasts how a scoffer resents correction with how a wise man loves it, since "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (v. 10). Folly is then portrayed as a loud, ignorant woman sitting at her own door, calling to passersby that "stolen water is sweet" (v. 17), but those who accept her invitation do not realize that her guests are already in the depths of Sheol.
1Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7He that reproveth a scorner, getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.
8Reprove not a scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.
10The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
13A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
18But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.
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