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 maidens. 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).