Aa
Wisdom versus Foolishness
1Wisdom has built her house;9:1 Pr 14:1; Eph 2:20–22; 1Pt 2:5
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2She has prepared her meat;9:2 Mt 22:4 she has mixed her wine;9:2 Sg 8:2
she has also set her table.9:2 Lk 14:17
3She has sent out her female servants;9:3 Ps 68:11; Mt 22:3
she calls out from the highest points of the city:9:3 Pr 8:2–3; 9:14–15; Mt 10:27
4“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,9:4 Pr 6:32 she says,
5“Come, eat my bread,9:5 Is 55:1; Jn 6:27,51
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.
7The one who corrects a mocker
will bring abuse on himself;
the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.9:7 Lit man: his blemish
8Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;9:8 Pr 15:12; Mt 7:6
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.9:8 Ps 141:5
9Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still;
teach the righteous, and he will learn more.9:9 Pr 1:5; 16:21,23

10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,9:10 Jb 28:28; Ps 111:10; Pr 1:7; 15:33
and the knowledge of the Holy One9:10 Pr 30:3; Hs 11:12; Rv 16:5 is understanding.
11For by me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;9:12 Jb 22:2
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

13Folly is a rowdy woman;9:13 Pr 7:11
she is gullible and knows nothing.9:13 Pr 5:6
14She sits by the doorway of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15calling to those who pass by,
who go straight ahead on their paths:9:14–15 Pr 7:11–12; 9:3–4
16“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” 9:17 Pr 20:17
18But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,9:18 Pr 2:18; 21:16
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.9:18 Pr 5:5; 7:27