The discipline, 1-3, and doctrine of wisdom, 4-12. The custom, 13-15, and error of folly, 16-18.
1 Wisdom has built her house./
She has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has killed her beasts. She has mingled her wine./
She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent forth her attendants./
She cries upon the highest places of the city,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here."/
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 "Come, eat of my bread,/
and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish and live./
And go in the way of understanding."
7 He who reproves a scorner gets shame for himself./
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot.
8 Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you./
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser./
Teach a just 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 shall be multiplied,/
and the years of your life shall be increased.
12 If you are wise, you shall be wise for yourself,/
but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous./
She is simple and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,/
on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call to passengers/
who go right on their ways,
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here."/
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 "Stolen waters are 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 hell.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Proverbs, Chapter 9[➚]
John Gill's Chapter Summary:
In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, is represented as having built a stately house or palace for the entertainment of his guests (Proverbs 9:1); as having made large and suitable provisions for them (Proverbs 9:2); and as having sent his servants to invite them to come and partake of them and quit all other company but his (Proverbs 9:3-6); when it is observed who are and who are not to be reproved, with the reasons of it (Proverbs 9:7-9); and what is the sum and substance of true wisdom, and what the advantages of it both here and hereafter (Proverbs 9:10-12). And the chapter is concluded with the description of the foolish woman, the opposite of Wisdom, who is represented as clamorous, simple, and ignorant (Proverbs 9:13); and calling to passengers that go by her door and inviting them in to partake of her provisions (Proverbs 9:14-17); the consequence of which is sure and certain death and destruction to her guests (Proverbs 9:18).