Proverbs 9
Proverbs 9 is part of “The Call of Wisdom and Warning Against Folly” (1:8–9:18) in the outline of Proverbs.
Proverbs 9 summary
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…
Read the full introduction
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.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Proverbs 9
Proverbs 9 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Wisdom Has Built Her House
1Wisedome hath built her house, and hewen out her seuen pillars. 2She hath killed her vitailes, drawen her wine, and prepared her table. 3She hath sent forth her maydens and cryeth vpon the highest places of the citie, saying, 4Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, she sayth, 5Come, and eate of my meate, and drinke of the wine that I haue drawen. 6Forsake your way, ye foolish, and ye shall liue: and walke in the way of vnderstanding. 7He that reproueth a scorner, purchaseth to himselfe shame: and he that rebuketh the wicked, getteth himselfe a blot. 8Rebuke not a scorner, least he hate thee: but rebuke a wise man, and he will loue thee. 9Giue admonition to the wise, and he will be the wiser: teache a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 10The beginning of wisedome is the feare of the Lord, and the knowledge of holy things, is vnderstanding. 11For thy dayes shalbe multiplied by me, and the yeeres of thy life shalbe augmented. 12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thy selfe, and if thou be a scorner, thou alone shalt suffer.
The Way of Folly
13A foolish woman is troublesome: she is ignorant, and knoweth nothing. 14But she sitteth at the doore of her house on a seate in the hie places of the citie, 15To call them that passe by the way, that go right on their way, saying, 16Who so is simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisedome, shee sayth also, 17Stollen waters are sweete, and hid bread is pleasant. 18But he knoweth not, that ye dead are there, and that her ghestes are in the depth of hell.