Wisdom builds her house with seven pillars, prepares meat, mixes wine, and sets her table. She sends out servants and calls from the highest point of the city. Her invitation is directed to the simple and those lacking judgment: leave simple ways, live, and walk in the way of insight.
Proverbs 9:1-6
1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
The chapter then explains why the response to correction matters. Correcting a mocker brings insult and abuse, while rebuking the wise brings love and growth. Instruction increases the wisdom of the wise and adds learning to the righteous.
Proverbs 9:7-12
7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
8 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will increase in learning.
The central theological thesis declares that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom brings multiplied days and added years, but the consequences of wisdom or mockery fall personally upon the hearer.
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.
Folly is personified as an unruly, simple, and ignorant woman who sits at the door of her house and calls to those passing by. Like Wisdom, she addresses the simple, but her message is different: stolen water is sweet and food eaten in secret is delicious. The hearers do not know that the dead are there and that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Proverbs 9:13-18
13 The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.