Proverbs / Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Proverbs 9:1-18

Chapter 9

¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. ² She has slaughtered her slaughtering, she has mixed her wine, and she has set her table. ³ She has sent out her maidens; she calls out on the highest rooftops. ⁴ "Who is simple? Turn in here! Here, you who lack heart," she said to him. ⁵ Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Leave, naive ones, and live, and go straight in the way of understanding. ⁷ He who disciplines a mocker takes shame for himself, and he who reproves the wicked gets his blemish. ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise one, and he will love you. ⁹ Give to a wise one, and he will be wiser still; make known to a righteous one, and he will add learning. ¹⁰ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and the knowledge of the holy ones 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; and if you mock, you bear it alone. ¹³ The woman of folly is boisterous; she does not know what belongs to simple ones. ¹⁴ She sat at the entrance of her house, on a throne at the height of the city. ¹⁵ to call to the passersby on the way, the straight ones on their paths ¹⁶ "Who are simple? Turn aside here, you who lack heart," and she says to him: ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of hidden things is pleasant. ¹⁸ He did not know that Rephaim are there, in the depths of Sheol—her guests.